El Paso Mountains Wilderness: A Guide to California’s Rugged Badlands
The El Paso Mountains Wilderness, nestled in the northern Mojave Desert near Ridgecrest, California, offers visitors a rugged and fascinating landscape of volcanic mesas, reddish buttes, and narrow canyons.
Anchored by Black Mountain, a 5,244-foot extinct volcano, this wilderness is home to stunning geological features, rich cultural history, and unique wildlife, including the desert tortoise and Mojave ground squirrel.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, rockhounding, wildlife observation, and soaking in the solitude of this 23,780-acre expanse managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The wilderness area, is just north of Red Rock Canyon State Park.
Destination Details
| Season | Best visited October-May (extremely hot in summer) |
| Location | Northern Mojave Desert, south of Ridgecrest, California |
| General GPS Coordinates | 35.503647, -117.862308 |
| Management | Bureau of Land Management (BLM) |
| Size | 23,780 acres (96.2 km²) |
| State | California |
| Nearest Major City | Ridgecrest, CA (~20 miles) |
| Contact Information | Phone: 760-384-5400 Email: BLM_CA_Web_RI@blm.gov |
| Address | Ridgecrest Field Office, 300 S Richmond Rd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 |
Getting to El Paso Mountains Wilderness
The wilderness is located approximately 20 miles south of Ridgecrest, California. From Ridgecrest, take Highway 395 south for about 15 miles, then turn east onto Red Rock-Randsburg Road.
Follow this road for approximately 5 miles, where you’ll find access points to various trails and entry points into the wilderness area. Due to their rugged and uneven nature, a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for many of the roads leading into the region.
Destination Overview
The El Paso Mountains Wilderness is renowned for its striking badlands terrain, shaped by volcanic activity and weathering over millennia.
Black Mountain, the centerpiece of the wilderness, offers steep hiking trails with panoramic views of the surrounding desert. The area’s unique geology includes some of the oldest non-marine fossils in the West, with remnants of ancient camel-like and horse-like animals.
Outdoor activities abound, with several trails catering to hikers of varying skill levels. Highlights include the Bonanza Trail, a moderate 7.2-mile hike or off-road adventure, and the challenging Black Mountain Trail, which rewards visitors with breathtaking vistas from the summit.
Rockhounding enthusiasts can explore volcanic mesas for unique mineral specimens. At the same time, history buffs can visit cultural sites within the Last Chance Archaeological District, a region listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wildlife enthusiasts may encounter desert tortoises, Mojave ground squirrels, or raptors soaring above the rugged landscape. Vegetation is dominated by creosote bush scrub, with Joshua trees gracing the western side of Black Mountain. Visitors should come prepared for the harsh desert environment, bringing ample water, sun protection, and sturdy footwear.
The wilderness area is adjacent to Red Rock Canyon State Park, which offers many off-road trails and points of interest to explore, including Burro Schmidt Tunnel.
Camping
Ricardo Campground in Red Rock Canyon State Park is a developed campground nearby. You can also camp on nearby BLM lands at Dove Springs OHVA or Jawbone Canyon OHVA.
