Big Maria Mountains Wilderness

The Big Maria Mountains Wilderness encompasses 45,384 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. In 1994 the Big Maria Mountains Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. The terrain of the Big Maria Mountains varies from gently sloping bajadas to numerous rough, craggy peaks disjointed by steep canyons. The northern boundary lies south of a major drainage known as Big Wash, and the eastern edge parallels State Highway 95 and the Colorado River. The west and south boundaries follow power lines and contours along the base of the mountains. Foxtail cactus and California barrel cactus dot the landscape, and a burro deer herd relies on the river's habitat for survival. Private lands may lie within the wilderness area. Please respect the owner and do not use these lands without permission. 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 and non-commercial trapping are allowed under state and local laws. Pet are allowed, but please keep your pets under control at all times. 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. Help BLM preserve California's fragile deserts. Please park your vehicle or set-up camp in previously disturbed sites. Gathering wood for campfires, when permitted, is limited to dead and down materials. Do not cut live vegetation.