Pahrump Valley Wilderness
The Pahrump Valley in the north, the Mesquite Valley in the southeast, and the California Valley in the west join forces in this desolate, seldom-visited Wilderness. Alluvial slopes in all three valleys ascend gradually southward into the northern Kingston Range, which also lies within the Wilderness. The northeastern border is the Nevada state line. The three dry valleys are dotted with desert shrubs and yucca. Wild burros are protected here, and you'll probably see a few of them, along with desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and golden eagles. In the mountains, you'll find a rugged piece of earth with many canyons, winding washes, and bajadas. Elevations range from 2,720 feet on a valley floor to 4,569 feet on a mountain summit.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | California |
| Size | 73,726 acres |
| Designated | 1994, by Congress |
| Center point | 35.86° N, 115.84° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 28) |
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
- PrescribedLovell Rx
25 mi from the center point · 54 acres
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
- 14.9 miGoodsprings Schoolhouse ↗Goodsprings, NV
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 Pahrump Valley Wilderness?
73,726 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Pahrump Valley Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Pahrump Valley Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Pahrump Valley Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1994.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Pahrump Valley Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 35.859° N, 115.840° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Pahrump Valley Wilderness right now?
1 active incident within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Lovell Rx at 25 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there historic places near Pahrump Valley Wilderness?
The National Register has 1 listing within 15 miles, including Goodsprings Schoolhouse.
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.