Carrizo Gorge Wilderness
Some of the most expansive views in the entire California Desert–vistas often extending for more than 100 miles–exist in Carrizo Gorge Wilderness. From overlooks, you can see the Chocolate Mountains, the Salton Sea to the northeast, Mount Signal on the Mexican border, and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which shares the Wilderness' eastern border. The eastern boundary actually runs near the western edge of Carrizo Gorge itself, where the In-Ko-Pah Mountains rise up from the desert. This Wilderness represents the only ecological transition zone in the NWPS between the low Colorado Desert and the dry California coastal mountains. Peninsular bighorn sheep find this remote, rugged region to their liking, and three herds call the area home.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | California |
| Size | 14,740 acres |
| Designated | 1994, by Congress |
| Center point | 32.77° N, 116.25° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 28) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
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
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
None of the 7 federal campgrounds within ten miles sit inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedOak Woodlands Wcsl Rx
21 mi from the center point
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge, and is measured from the center of a boundary that may be many miles across. Check the agency page for closures.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 6.4 miDesert View Tower ↗Ocotillo, CA
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Carrizo Gorge Wilderness?
14,740 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Carrizo Gorge Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Carrizo Gorge Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Carrizo Gorge Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1994.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Carrizo Gorge Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Carrizo Gorge Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 32.773° N, 116.245° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Carrizo Gorge Wilderness right now?
1 active incident within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Oak Woodlands Wcsl Rx at 21 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there historic places near Carrizo Gorge Wilderness?
The National Register has 1 listing within 15 miles, including Desert View Tower.
Source: Register Atlas
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.