NPS · Nevada

Jimbilnan Wilderness

The Jimbilnan Wilderness contains mountainous terrain representing the northeast extremities of the Black Mountains. They contrast directly with the flat surface of the waters of Lake Mead in the distance and reach up to 3,025 feet. Deep canyons and washes cut across the mountains and flow southeast into the Overton Arm of Lake Mead. South of the Black Mountains, an extensive area of white gypsum mudhills slopes south towards the Virgin Basin section of Lake Mead. Closer to the lake, the land is defined by thick layers of alluvial outwash. The colorful sand dunes in this area are known habitat for two rare plants, the Beaver Dam milkvetch and the sticky buckwheat. Vegetation primarily consists of typical Mojave Desert Scrub species.

Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).

Official page at Wilderness Connect ↗
Jimbilnan Wilderness
Photo from Wilderness Connect, wilderness.net
DesignationWilderness
Managed byNational Park Service
StateNevada
Size18,879 acres
Designated2002, by Congress
Center point36.25° N, 114.45° W
Night skyVery dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 22)

Boundary map

1 outline

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

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Jimbilnan Wilderness40°50°60°70°80°90°100°January: 0.85 inches of precipitationFebruary: 0.98 inches of precipitationMarch: 0.56 inches of precipitationApril: 0.27 inches of precipitationMay: 0.09 inches of precipitationJune: 0.16 inches of precipitationJuly: 0.28 inches of precipitationAugust: 0.26 inches of precipitationSeptember: 0.10 inches of precipitationOctober: 0.49 inches of precipitationNovember: 0.42 inches of precipitationDecember: 0.81 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 48.4°F averageFebruary: 52.6°F averageMarch: 60.5°F averageApril: 67.9°F averageMay: 78.1°F averageJune: 88.2°F averageJuly: 94.9°F averageAugust: 93.6°F averageSeptember: 84.8°F averageOctober: 70.6°F averageNovember: 56.9°F averageDecember: 47.2°F average0 in0.5 in1 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Echo Bay, 5 miles from the center point at 1,250 feet, station USC00262497 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 5 inches a year.

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

Campsite Atlas →

None of the 1 federal campground within ten miles sits inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.

Fire nearby

Within 50 miles · as of 2026-11-01
  • Prescribed
    Twin Point Piles Rx

    49 mi from the center point

  • Prescribed
    Poverty Admin Site 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

National Register listings within 15 miles · 1 in all · Register Atlas

Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.

Guidebooks for Nevada

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

How big is Jimbilnan Wilderness?

18,879 acres.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Who manages Jimbilnan Wilderness?

The National Park Service.

Source: Wilderness Connect

What state is Jimbilnan Wilderness in?

Nevada.

Source: Wilderness Connect

When was Jimbilnan Wilderness designated?

Congress designated it in 2002.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Can I camp at Jimbilnan 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 Jimbilnan Wilderness?

A point inside the boundary is at 36.245° N, 114.454° W. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is 15 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Is there a fire near Jimbilnan Wilderness right now?

2 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Twin Point Piles Rx at 49 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.

Source: Fire nearby

Which national parks are near Jimbilnan Wilderness?

Lake Mead National Recreation Area (15 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.

Source: Nearby on the other atlases

Are there historic places near Jimbilnan Wilderness?

The National Register has 1 listing within 15 miles, including St. Thomas Memorial Cemetery.

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.