Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness
The Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness contains rugged Coast Range ridges covered with thick forests of redwood, Douglas-fir, and tan-oak. There are two major forest types encompassing the area; the mixed evergreen forest and the redwood forest. Late-successional and old-growth stands of Douglas-fir are scattered throughout the area. Chaparral communities are found mainly on south-facing slopes and ridgetops. A seven-mile-long segment of the South Fork Eel Wild and Scenic River flows through and bisects the Wilderness area. Notable wildlife species include the federally-threatened northern spotted owl and other old-growth forest related species, the federally-endangered bald eagle and peregrine falcon.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | California |
| Size | 11,001 acres |
| Designated | 2011, by Congress |
| Center point | 39.78° N, 123.65° W |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 9) |
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
- PrescribedHoward Forest Rx Fire
35 mi from the center point · 69 acres
- PrescribedAlder Springs Underburn Rx
50 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
- 0.8 miLovejoy Homestead ↗Branscomb, 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 Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness?
11,001 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 2011.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 39.784° N, 123.652° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness right now?
2 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Howard Forest Rx Fire at 35 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there historic places near Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness?
The National Register has 1 listing within 15 miles, including Lovejoy Homestead.
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.