Owens Peak Wilderness
Owens Peak is a scenic granite peak in the southern Sierra Nevada, which, at more than 8,400 feet, stands near the center of Owens Peak Wilderness. It presides over steep mountainous terrain with deep, winding canyons, many with rich riparian vegetation fed by bubbling springs. The Sierra Nevada meets the Great Basin here, with a wide range of ecosystems. In the lower elevations you'll find creosote bush scrub communities, scattered Joshua trees, cactuses, and flowering annuals (which put on stunning spring displays). Tucked into the canyons are cottonwoods and oaks. Moving into mid elevations: sagebrush mixed with piñon, juniper and grey pine occur. In the highest elevations are sugar pine.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | California |
| Size | 73,868 acres |
| Designated | 1994, by Congress |
| Center point | 35.74° N, 117.98° 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
- 1.5 miBandit Rock ↗Inyokern, CA
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 Owens Peak Wilderness?
73,868 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Owens Peak Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Owens Peak Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Owens Peak Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1994.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Owens Peak 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 Owens Peak Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 35.742° N, 117.981° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Are there historic places near Owens Peak Wilderness?
The National Register has 1 listing within 15 miles, including Bandit Rock.
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.