Government Peak Wilderness
The Government Peak Wilderness sits like a ship off the northern "coast" of the Snake Range in eastern Nevada. Bare rock cliffs jut skyward on the eastern side of the area. Elevations within the Wilderness boundaries range from 6,000 to 8,100 feet. Vegetation includes mostly desert brush and grass at the lower elevations, with a scattering of pinyon and juniper stands on the upper slopes. Paintbrush is the most common wildflower, along with the blooms of cactus. Mule deer, elk, and wild horses are known to roam the region, along with the ever present jackrabbits and coyotes. Raptors, such as red tail hawks and golden eagles, may be encountered.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | Nevada |
| Size | 6,313 acres |
| Designated | 2006, by Congress |
| Center point | 39.50° N, 114.17° 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.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedBaker Creek Rx
36 mi from the center point
- PrescribedWard Terrace 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.
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Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Government Peak Wilderness?
6,313 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Government Peak Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Government Peak Wilderness in?
Nevada.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Government Peak Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 2006.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Government Peak Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 39.505° N, 114.167° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Government Peak Wilderness right now?
2 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Baker Creek Rx at 36 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
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.