Cabeza Prieta Wilderness

Cabeza Prieta Wilderness is a vast protected desert landscape in southwestern Arizona featuring varied terrain and rocky ridges. The land displays bare mountains, open valleys, and dense scrubland spread across hundreds of miles.

The area became a protected wilderness in the 1930s and served as a military training ground for decades. This past shapes how the land is managed and visited today.

This wilderness plays a vital role in preserving native desert plants and animals of the Sonoran region. Visitors come to experience raw, undisturbed nature and observe wildlife in its natural setting.

Visitors need special permits before entering and may only travel on designated routes. Bring plenty of water and supplies, and account for extreme heat and the remote location.

An ancient trail crosses the southern section and has connected two regions for hundreds of years. This historic route shows how people have long traversed this harsh desert.