Coyote Mountains Wilderness
The fishhook-shaped Coyote Mountains cover about 40 percent of this austere Wilderness, a desertland of low ridges and washes capped by the forbidding Carrizo Badlands to the north. Carrizo Mountain (734 feet) and the striking Painted Gorge lie in a non-Wilderness intrusion that punches in from the eastern boundary. The entire area falls within the Yuha Desert Recreation Area, and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park lies immediately to the north. You'll find unusual sandstone formations that are estimated to be six million years old, adding a touch of scenic character to the area. On the mountain ridges, you may be privileged to see a barefoot gecko.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | California |
| Size | 18,631 acres |
| Designated | 1994, by Congress |
| Center point | 32.83° N, 116.04° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 33) |
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.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedOak Woodlands Wcsl Rx
33 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
- 9.6 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 Coyote Mountains Wilderness?
18,631 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Coyote Mountains Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Coyote Mountains Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Coyote Mountains Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1994.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Coyote Mountains Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 32.826° N, 116.036° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Coyote Mountains Wilderness right now?
1 active incident within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Oak Woodlands Wcsl Rx at 33 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there historic places near Coyote Mountains 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.