Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area

Bird's eye view of the campground

Day Use Ramadas

Loop 1

Primitive Camping

Vehicle Parking Space Day Use Only

Vehicle w/Boat Trailer Parking Space Day Use Only

Bird's eye view of the park

This area encompasses the jagged, steep, rust-colored Dead Mountains and the
alluvial fans sweeping to the west towards Piute Valley and east towards the
Colorado River. Centered in the northern half of the wilderness is its highest
point, Mount Manchester at an elevation of 3,598 feet. Picture Canyon (a
spring location and major wash) transects the wilderness in the north and the
Piute Wash borders the wilderness on the west. Vegetation is predominantly
creosote bush desert scrub and desert wash scrub. The northern most occurrence
of smoketrees in the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) is found
within the area's washes. Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert; including
a small herd of bighorn sheep, coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground
squirrels, kangaroo rats, roadrunners, chucker, quail, prairie falcons, red-
tailed hawks, golden eagles, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards. The
eastern and northeastern portions of the wilderness provide critical habitat
for the threatened desert tortoise. The wilderness is located along the
eastern border of the sector and consists of 47,157 acres. The wilderness is
easily accessible on all sides by BLM routes and OHV intrusions are common
along the eastern and northern boundaries. The wilderness borders Nevada and
receives visitation from people at camp sites just across the state line.
Also, the wilderness area had several existing right-of-way roads along its
eastern boundary when it was established. These roads have continued to be
used by the right-of-way holders and the public. Please follow the regulations
in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to
ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities.

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in
different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of
the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply.

**Leave No Trace principles:**

  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

**Regulations:**  
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally
prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the
use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment,
bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of
aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation.
In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or
mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a
specific area. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.

This area encompasses the jagged, steep, rust-colored Dead Mountains and the alluvial fans sweeping to the west towards Piute Valley and east towards the Colorado River. Centered in the northern half of the wilderness is its highest point, Mount Manchester at an elevation of 3,598 feet. Picture Canyon (a spring location and major wash) transects the wilderness in the north and the Piute Wash borders the wilderness on the west. Vegetation is predominantly creosote bush desert scrub and desert wash scrub. The northern most occurrence of smoketrees in the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) is found within the area's washes. Wildlife is typical for the Mojave Desert; including a small herd of bighorn sheep, coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, roadrunners, chucker, quail, prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards. The eastern and northeastern portions of the wilderness provide critical habitat for the threatened desert tortoise. The wilderness is located along the eastern border of the sector and consists of 47,157 acres. The wilderness is easily accessible on all sides by BLM routes and OHV intrusions are common along the eastern and northern boundaries. The wilderness borders Nevada and receives visitation from people at camp sites just across the state line. Also, the wilderness area had several existing right-of-way roads along its eastern boundary when it was established. These roads have continued to be used by the right-of-way holders and the public.

Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities.How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply.Leave No Trace principles:<ol><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_1.php" rel="nofollow">Plan Ahead and Prepare</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_2.php" rel="nofollow">Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_3.php" rel="nofollow">Dispose of Waste Properly</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_4.php" rel="nofollow">Leave What You Find</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_5.php" rel="nofollow">Minimize Campfire Impacts</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_6.php" rel="nofollow">Respect Wildlife</a></li><li><a href="http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_7.php" rel="nofollow">Be Considerate of Other Visitors</a></li></ol>Regulations: Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation. In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a specific area. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.

Dead Mountains Wilderness

Camp Ibis was constructed in the winter of 1942-43 and stretched more than two
miles north to south. The camp consisted of several armored divisions, each
numbering more than 20,000 men. It contained 23 ranges, including ones for
moving targets, pistols, rifles, and .50-caliber machine guns. It also had
many combat ranges, vehicle combat ranges, and transition courses contained
inside. Since it is one of the better-preserved divisional camps, there are
many artifacts that still exist in the area including Unexploded Ordinance
(UXO).

Camp Ibis was constructed in the winter of 1942-43 and stretched more than two miles north to south.  The camp consisted of several armored divisions, each numbering more than 20,000 men.  It contained 23 ranges, including ones for moving targets, pistols, rifles, and .50-caliber machine guns.  It also had many combat ranges, vehicle combat ranges, and transition courses contained inside.  Since it is one of the better-preserved divisional camps, there are many artifacts that still exist in the area including Unexploded Ordinance (UXO).

Sands of War

Camp Ibis-Patton

The Mount Nutt Wilderness (28,080 acres) is located in Mohave County, 15 miles
west of Kingman, Arizona and 12 miles east of Bullhead City, Arizona. This
wilderness encompasses an eight-mile-long stretch of the central (and highest)
portion of the Black Mountains. Nutt Mountain, at 5,216 feet, presides over a
colorful and wild terrain. Along the main ridgeline, prominent mesas have been
cut into a series of steep maze-like canyons. Outward from the main ridgeline,
numerous huge volcanic plugs ring the entire wilderness.  
  
This wilderness is home to desert bighorn sheep. Scattered springs sustain
small oases of large cottonwoods, willows, and oaks. Hiking, camping, hunting,
photography, and rock scrambling opportunities are varied and challenging.

## Know Before You Go

  * Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters Contact the agency for more information about regulations.
  * The summer climate in this wilderness unit is harsh. Daytime temperatures during the summer months are over 100 degrees. Temperatures are more moderate between October 1 and April 30th.
  * The terrain in Mount Nutt Wilderness is extremely rugged. A few old vehicle ways provide hiking routes in some places, but the most commonly used routes are the sand washes which dissect the area. Bighorn sheep and burro trails can often be located and followed on uplands.
  * Water is relatively scarce in this unit. Pack all water needed for a trip and purify any water found in the wilderness.
  * Some lands around and within the wilderness are not federally administered. Please respect the property rights of the owners and do not cross or use these lands without their permission.

The Mount Nutt Wilderness (28,080 acres) is located in Mohave County, 15 miles west of Kingman, Arizona and 12 miles east of Bullhead City, Arizona. This wilderness encompasses an eight-mile-long stretch of the central (and highest) portion of the Black Mountains. Nutt Mountain, at 5,216 feet, presides over a colorful and wild terrain. Along the main ridgeline, prominent mesas have been cut into a series of steep maze-like canyons. Outward from the main ridgeline, numerous huge volcanic plugs ring the entire wilderness. 
 
This wilderness is home to desert bighorn sheep. Scattered springs sustain small oases of large cottonwoods, willows, and oaks. Hiking, camping, hunting, photography, and rock scrambling opportunities are varied and challenging.

<h2>Know Before You Go</h2>

<ul>
<li>Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters Contact the agency for more information about regulations.</li>
<li>The summer climate in this wilderness unit is harsh. Daytime temperatures during the summer months are over 100 degrees. Temperatures are more moderate between October 1 and April 30th.</li>
<li>The terrain in Mount Nutt Wilderness is extremely rugged. A few old vehicle ways provide hiking routes in some places, but the most commonly used routes are the sand washes which dissect the area. Bighorn sheep and burro trails can often be located and followed on uplands.</li>
<li>Water is relatively scarce in this unit. Pack all water needed for a trip and purify any water found in the wilderness.</li>
<li>Some lands around and within the wilderness are not federally administered. Please respect the property rights of the owners and do not cross or use these lands without their permission.</li>
</ul>

There are no permits, passes, or fees required to visit this wilderness area.
It is free.

However, commercial, competitive, and large organized group events require a
special recreation permit. Contact the local managing field office for more
information about special recreation permits.

Recreational activities on any nearby state trust land require a permit from
the State of Arizona.

Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area

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