Coso Range Wilderness

This Wilderness is managed by:

The Ridgecrest Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management

Additional resources can be found on:

The Ridgecrest Field Office Wilderness Pages

This wilderness encompasses the northern section of the Coso Mountain Range, an area of extensive erosion revealing outstanding volcanic displays and numerous valleys and washes. From high points within the wilderness, most notably Joshua Flat, one can obtain outstanding views of the Owens Valley and the eastern Sierra Nevadas. Creosote, low desert shrubs, annuals, cactus and large stands of Joshua trees are the primary vegetation in the area. Vermillion Canyon and Joshua Flat are two especially scenic areas within this wilderness. Cactus Flat and McCloud Flat are two areas of historic mining activity.

Enjoying the Coso Range Wilderness

Pets

Pet are allowed, but please keep your pets under control at all times.

Campfires

Gathering wood for campfires, when permitted, is limited to dead and down materials. Live vegatation cannot be cut. Why?

Additional Information

Signs indicating “Wilderness” and “Closed Road” or “Closed Route” are placed at various intervals. Vehicles can be parked outside the wilderness boundary; however, the boundary is set back 30 feet from unmaintained dirt roads and 300 feet on paved roads.

Mechanized or motorized vehicles are NOT PERMITTED in a wilderness.

Hunting, fishing, and non-commercial trapping are allowed under state and local laws.

Horses are permitted, however you may be required to carry feed.

Removal, disturbance, or attempting to remove archaelogical materials is a felony. Selling, receiving, purchasing, transporting, exchanging or offering to do so is prohibited by law.
The BLM encourages all desert recreationists and travelers exploring public lands, not only within southern California but through the west, to use propylene glycol bases antifreeze/coolant in their touring and recreation vehicles. Proven safer, it will have minmal impacts on both the wildlife and the environment should a leak occur.

Contact

Bureau of Land Management
Ridgecrest Field Office
300 S. Richmond Rd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: (760) 384-5400
Fax: (760) 384-5499