Little Picacho Wilderness
Within the southern portion of the Chocolate Mountains, with elevations ranging from 200 feet to 1,500 feet, the Little Picacho Wilderness is characterized by dramatic jutting spires and steep ridges. Little Picacho Peak stands in the northern portion amid numerous ravines that gradually descend and broaden into sandy, tree-lined washes. The slopes and plains are covered with the angular cobbles known as desert pavement–a stark contrast to the nearly white bottoms of the washes. A herd of at least 25 desert bighorn sheep live here. The Picacho wild horse herd inhabits a range in the northwestern corner of the Wilderness. Wild burros roam throughout the area, sharing their abode with desert tortoises and spotted bats.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | California |
| Size | 38,216 acres |
| Designated | 1994, by Congress |
| Center point | 32.94° N, 114.57° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 28) |
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 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.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 8.3 miSuperintendent's Residence ↗National Historic Landmark
- 8.5 miOcean To Ocean Bridge ↗Yuma, AZ
- 8.6 mi
- 8.7 miMcPhaul Suspension Bridge ↗Dome, AZ
- 8.7 mi
- 8.8 miYuma City Hall ↗Yuma, AZ
- 8.8 miSan Carlos Hotel ↗Yuma, AZ
- 8.9 mi
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for California
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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 Little Picacho Wilderness?
38,216 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Little Picacho Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Little Picacho Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Little Picacho Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1994.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Little Picacho 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 Little Picacho Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 32.937° N, 114.570° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Are there historic places near Little Picacho Wilderness?
The National Register has 50 listings within 15 miles, including Superintendent's Residence and Ocean To Ocean Bridge.
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.