San Gorgonio Wilderness

The San Gorgonio Wilderness spans 58,000 acres of mountainous terrain, featuring dense forests, alpine meadows, and peaks reaching 11,503 feet in elevation point.

The wilderness designation in 1964 marked a milestone for Southern California conservation, making it one of the first protected natural areas in the region.

Native American tribes inhabited the lands for thousands of years, leaving evidence of their presence through archaeological sites and traditional pathways across the mountains.

Visitors need permits for overnight stays and should carry sufficient water supplies, as numerous streams in the wilderness dry up during late summer months.

The wilderness contains two small lakes and multiple ecological zones, from low foothill environments at 2,300 feet to mountain landscapes at 11,500 feet elevation.

Location: Riverside County

Operator: US Forest Service;BLM

GPS coordinates: 34.06050,-116.70489

Latest update: March 7, 2025 23:09