Gibraltar Mountain Wilderness
On the western edge of the Buckskin Mountains where they flatten toward the lower Colorado River, Gibralter Mountain rises only 1,568 feet above sea level, a raggedy mass of volcanic rock cut by many deep, sandy washes and rocky canyons. Among the eroded volcanic tuff beds you'll find numerous fascinating alcoves and caves, and along the heights are rewarding vistas in all directions. Every year several hundred people come on foot and on horseback to see the sights and to photograph the colorful panoramas dotted with creosote bush, cholla, barrel cactus, and paloverde. While some see it only as a barren land, others have found Gibralter Mountain a serene and beautiful desert refuge.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | Arizona |
| Size | 18,790 acres |
| Designated | 1990, by Congress |
| Center point | 34.18° N, 114.10° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 26) |
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 2 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.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 9 miParker Jail ↗Parker, AZ
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Arizona
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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 Gibraltar Mountain Wilderness?
18,790 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Gibraltar Mountain Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Gibraltar Mountain Wilderness in?
Arizona.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Gibraltar Mountain Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1990.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Gibraltar Mountain 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 Gibraltar Mountain Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 34.179° N, 114.103° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Are there historic places near Gibraltar Mountain Wilderness?
The National Register has 1 listing within 15 miles, including Parker Jail.
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.