Little Picacho Wilderness

Little Picacho Wilderness is a protected area in the Chocolate Mountains featuring rocky spires, steep ridges, and sandy washes across multiple tens of thousands of acres. The terrain rises and falls significantly, moving from low desert basins to higher summit areas.

This protected area was established through federal legislation in 1994 as part of a nationwide system for protecting wild lands. The law aimed to preserve undeveloped desert landscape for future generations.

The name comes from the small rocky peaks that dot the landscape. Visitors experience a desert setting where hiking and camping remain central to how people interact with the land.

The terrain is remote and requires a vehicle with appropriate tires, especially after rainfall. Visitors should bring water, navigation tools, and emergency supplies since services and help are distant.

A small permanent herd of desert bighorn sheep shares the territory with wild horses and other desert animals. These creatures are rarely spotted, but their presence and adaptation to the harsh environment makes this place especially notable for wildlife watchers.