Fortification Range Wilderness
The 13.5-mile-long Fortification Range is a low mountain range composed almost entirely of volcanic materials (tuffs and tuffaceous breccia). Most of the range is comprised of gentle ridges, however, the north end becomes very rugged and precipitous (elevations range from 6,150 to 8,268 feet) where the rock has been eroded into sheer cliffs and massive outcrops. These spectacular formations and cliffs for which the range was named form a huge natural amphitheater at the head of the Cottonwood Canyon drainage. Scattered ponderosa pine, pinyon, juniper, aspen and cottonwood are found in the northern portion of the Wilderness, while the southern portion is densely forested by pinyon and juniper.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | Nevada |
| Size | 30,539 acres |
| Designated | 2004, by Congress |
| Center point | 38.56° N, 114.47° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 21) |
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
- PrescribedBaker Creek Rx
32 mi from the center point
- PrescribedWard Terrace Rx
43 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
Guidebooks for Nevada
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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 Fortification Range Wilderness?
30,539 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Fortification Range Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Fortification Range Wilderness in?
Nevada.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Fortification Range Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 2004.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Fortification Range Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 38.562° N, 114.466° W. Great Basin National Park is 23 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Fortification Range Wilderness right now?
2 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Baker Creek Rx at 32 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Which national parks are near Fortification Range Wilderness?
Great Basin National Park (23 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
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.