BLM · California

Cadiz Dunes Wilderness

The Cadiz Dunes Wilderness encompasses the majority of the Cadiz Dunes, and some of the lands immediately surrounding them. The dunes were formed by north winds blowing sands off the Cadiz Dry Lake. The pristine nature of the dunes includes a beautiful spring display of unique dune plants including Borrego milkvetch which is listed by the California Native Plant Society as rare and endangered in California. Lands surrounding the dunes are dominated by creosote. Wildlife found here includes typical Mojave Desert species including coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards.

Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).

Official page at Wilderness Connect ↗
Cadiz Dunes Wilderness
Photo from Wilderness Connect, wilderness.net
DesignationWilderness
Managed byBureau of Land Management
StateCalifornia
Size19,935 acres
Designated1994, by Congress
Center point34.37° N, 115.39° W
Night skyVery dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 37)

Boundary map

1 outline

Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees

The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Cadiz Dunes Wilderness50°60°70°80°90°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 56.2°F averageFebruary: 59.8°F averageMarch: 66.2°F averageApril: 72.8°F averageMay: 81.9°F averageJune: 90.8°F averageJuly: 95.9°F averageAugust: 95.1°F averageSeptember: 88.5°F averageOctober: 76.4°F averageNovember: 63.8°F averageDecember: 54.5°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Iron Mtn, 22 miles from the center point at 922 feet, station USC00044297 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.

Where to camp

Campsite Atlas →

No federal campground is within ten miles of the boundary in the Campsite Atlas index. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from trails and water, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit and group-size rules.

Explore

Guidebooks for California

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Walkabout Northern California
    Tom Courtney, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Backpacking California
    Wilderness Press, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Coastal trails of Southern California
    Linda B. Mullally, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Hiking northern California
    Bubba Suess, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California
    Shawnte Salabert, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

How big is Cadiz Dunes Wilderness?

19,935 acres.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Who manages Cadiz Dunes Wilderness?

The Bureau of Land Management.

Source: Wilderness Connect

What state is Cadiz Dunes Wilderness in?

California.

Source: Wilderness Connect

When was Cadiz Dunes Wilderness designated?

Congress designated it in 1994.

Source: Wilderness Connect

How do I get to Cadiz Dunes Wilderness?

A point inside the boundary is at 34.375° N, 115.386° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Sources

  • Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
  • Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
  • Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
  • Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
  • Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.