Coso Range Wilderness
The northern section of the Coso Range is preserved within this Wilderness, showcasing dramatic volcanic formations shaped by extensive erosion. Valleys and washes carve through the landscape, revealing a rugged beauty. From high points—especially Joshua Flat in the east-central area—visitors can take in sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada to the east and Owens Valley to the north. Vermillion Canyon, cutting westward near the center, offers particularly scenic terrain and is well worth the effort to reach. To the south, Cactus Flat and McCloud Flat, once active mining areas, now provide quiet spaces for exploration. The area features large stands of Joshua trees alongside creosote, desert shrubs, cactuses, and seasonal wildflowers.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | California |
| Size | 49,296 acres |
| Designated | 1994, by Congress |
| Center point | 36.27° N, 117.85° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 29) |
Boundary map
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
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
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.
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Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Coso Range Wilderness?
49,296 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Coso Range Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Coso Range Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Coso Range Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1994.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Coso Range Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 36.270° N, 117.850° 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.