Calico Mountains Wilderness

Calico Mountains Wilderness is a protected area in northern Nevada featuring varied terrain within a large mountain range. The landscape transitions between open basins, steep canyon systems, and ridges at different elevations.

The Bureau of Land Management designated this area as a protected wilderness in 2000 to safeguard its natural resources. This designation reflected broader efforts to preserve undeveloped landscapes across the Great Basin region.

Paiute and Shoshone peoples historically traveled these lands to gather food and establish temporary camps across seasons. The landscape still reflects this long relationship between indigenous communities and the terrain.

Access requires a vehicle with high clearance due to unpaved roads throughout the area. Visitors should carry sufficient water supplies, as natural sources are unreliable and scattered.

Canyon bottoms support groves of willows and cottonwoods that create green corridors through otherwise dry terrain. These riparian areas support pronghorn herds and bighorn sheep that move between high and low elevations seasonally.

Location: Nevada

GPS coordinates: 41.02160,-119.22600

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:23