Kelso Dunes Wilderness
The Kelso Dunes Wilderness derives its name from the large sand dunes complex located outside of its eastern boundary in the Mojave National Preserve. From the flat Broadwell dry lake bed in the west...
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net), where the full text continues.
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | California |
| Size | 144,915 acres (Wilderness Connect) |
| Designated | 1994, by Congress |
| Center point | 34.9027, -116.0302 |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 30) |
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.
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.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 11.5 mi
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Kelso Dunes Wilderness?
144,915 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Kelso Dunes Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Kelso Dunes Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Kelso Dunes Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1994.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Kelso Dunes Wilderness?
No federal campground is within ten miles of the boundary in the Campsite Atlas index. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit rules.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Kelso Dunes Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 34.903, -116.030. Mojave National Preserve is 22 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How dark is the night sky at Kelso Dunes Wilderness?
NASA’s Black Marble night-lights image reads 30 on a 0 to 255 scale at the center point, very dark ground, a faint glow at most.
Source: NASA Black Marble
Which national parks are near Kelso Dunes Wilderness?
Mojave National Preserve (22 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Kelso Dunes Wilderness?
1 National Register listing within 15 miles, including Kelso Depot, Restaurant and Employees Hotel.
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.