Picacho Peak Wilderness

Picacho Peak Wilderness is a protected desert area in Imperial County that covers rugged hills and flat terrain with rock formations and sandy washes. The landscape hosts native desert plants adapted to dry conditions, including creosote bush and palo verde trees.

The area became an official protected wilderness in 1994 under the National Wilderness Preservation System. This designation protected the desert landscape from mining and motorized development.

The Bureau of Land Management maintains this wilderness zone where visitors can experience the natural desert environment without modern infrastructure interference.

Access is primarily through Ogilby Road near the California-Arizona border. Visitors should bring plenty of water and prepare for uneven terrain and extreme heat.

All motorized vehicles are banned from the area to preserve the natural environment. This makes it a place where only hikers and nature lovers can explore on foot.

GPS coordinates: 33.01667,-114.73333

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:25