Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness

Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness is a protected area in the eastern Mojave Desert spanning the northern Sacramento Mountains. The landscape varies between 1,400 and 3,314 feet in elevation, revealing open desert terrain mixed with rocky outcrops.

The area received wilderness protection in 1994 when the Bureau of Land Management designated it within the National Wilderness Preservation System. This designation secured the land from future development and integrated it into a nationwide conservation network.

The preservation area maintains natural habitats where visitors observe native species while following Leave No Trace environmental protection methods.

Access the wilderness by exiting Interstate 40 at Camino and following the dirt powerline road along the boundary. Visitors should prepare for unpaved roads, intense heat, and sparse water sources.

The name comes from the Bigelow cholla cactus, which grows here in California's largest concentration. This cactus dominates the visible landscape and gives the area its botanical distinction.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 34.83560,-114.89000

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:08