Bright Star Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Kern County, California.
The 8,190-acre Bright Star Wilderness includes Kelso Peak at 5,090 feet elevation and contains multiple drainages such as Bright Star Canyon and Cortez Canyon.
The California Desert Protection Act established Bright Star Wilderness in October 1994, adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System.
The wilderness protects a range of ecosystems where over 275 bird species find residence or migrate through the Jawbone, Butterbredt, and Kelso Valley areas.
Visitors can stay for a maximum of 14 days, after which they need to relocate at least 25 miles from their previous camping location.
The wilderness combines Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert environments, featuring Joshua trees in valleys and pinon pines with junipers on upper slopes.
Location: California
Inception: 1994
GPS coordinates: 35.50630,-118.24300
Latest update: March 6, 2025 14:25
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