South Nopah Range Wilderness
Easily rolling alluvial slopes (bajadas) from the east and west sweep gently up to the south end of the rugged folds of the Nopah Mountain Range in the South Nopah Range Wilderness. Shaded with soft colors, the Nopah Range is composed of sedimentary rocks capped at about 4,200 feet. The California Valley extends into the eastern Wilderness. Desert bighorn sheep may be seen here, especially in the northern portion, along with wild horses and wild burros. A few prairie falcons have been spotted hunting over the low desert regions. Vegetation is sparse but the environment is known to support the ivory-spined agave plant. You should see evidence of old mining activity in the southern portion. You won't find any trails or much water to drink.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | California |
| Size | 17,059 acres |
| Designated | 1994, by Congress |
| Center point | 35.85° N, 116.10° 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
35 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.
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Reference
Questions people ask
How big is South Nopah Range Wilderness?
17,059 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages South Nopah Range Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is South Nopah Range Wilderness in?
California.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was South Nopah Range Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1994.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to South Nopah Range Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 35.853° N, 116.097° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near South Nopah Range Wilderness right now?
1 active incident within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Lovell Rx at 35 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
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.