Wovoka Wilderness

Wovoka Wilderness is a protected wild area in western Nevada comprising about 48,000 acres of mountainous terrain, narrow canyons, and dry lakebeds. The landscape is largely undeveloped, with Bald Mountain being a prominent geographic feature.

The United States Congress formally designated the area as protected wilderness in 2014 as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. This designation recognized the ecological and cultural value of the land to Paiute peoples.

The wilderness takes its name from a Northern Paiute leader whose spiritual movement spread among Indigenous nations in the early 1900s. Today, visitors walking through the untouched landscape can sense its importance as a sacred place for Paiute communities.

There are no developed trails or reliable water sources, so visitors need to bring drinking water and use topographic maps or GPS devices. Preparation and proper equipment are essential for safe travel in this remote area.

The area is home to remarkable wildlife including golden eagles, bighorn sheep, and several bat species living undisturbed in their natural habitat. This remote region offers researchers and nature watchers a window into how desert animals survive without human interference.