The western boundary of the Orocopia Mountains Wilderness is contiguous with
the Mecca Hills Wilderness with the exception of the Meccacopia Jeep Trail,
which bisects the two wilderness areas. The forces of nature have produced a
striking landscape here where open valleys, ridges and highly colorful and
dramatically eroded canyons are the result of the region's proximity to the
San Andreas fault system. Deep canyons and washes cut across the entire area,
exposing walls of color shaded from bright red to black. Bighorn sheep, burro
deer, desert tortoise and many small upland game species live among the
mountains. The spiny-leaved Orocopia sage, Alverson's foxtail cactus, Orcutt's
woody aster and the Mecca aster grow unexpectedly in washes, on stony slopes
and in gypsum soils. Orocopia Mountains Wilderness is administered by BLM's
Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office.

The western boundary of the Orocopia Mountains Wilderness is contiguous with the Mecca Hills Wilderness with the exception of the Meccacopia Jeep Trail, which bisects the two wilderness areas. The forces of nature have produced a striking landscape here where open valleys, ridges and highly colorful and dramatically eroded canyons are the result of the region's proximity to the San Andreas fault system. Deep canyons and washes cut across the entire area, exposing walls of color shaded from bright red to black. Bighorn sheep, burro deer, desert tortoise and many small upland game species live among the mountains. The spiny-leaved Orocopia sage, Alverson's foxtail cactus, Orcutt's woody aster and the Mecca aster grow unexpectedly in washes, on stony slopes and in gypsum soils.  Orocopia Mountains Wilderness is administered by BLM's <a href="https://www.blm.gov/office/palm-springs-south-coast-field-office" rel="nofollow">Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office</a>.

Bird's eye view of the park

Orocopia Mountains Wilderness

#### Overview

The Mecca Hills Wilderness now contains a total of 26,242 acres and is managed
by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. All of the Wilderness is
in the state of California. In 1994 the Mecca Hills Wilderness became part of
the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System.

Thanks to the restless San Andreas Fault, the geologic formations of Mecca
Hills Wilderness are among the most unusual sites of their kind in the world.
Entire regions are exposed layers of eroded rock, some over 600 million years
old, and are a source of valuable information to scientists about the effects
of tremors on the earth's crust. The area is a badlands labyrinth, a natural
maze of small, narrow, steep canyons. Colorful Painted Canyon runs in a
general north-south path through the middle of the Wilderness. Sandy washes
sprinkled with ironwood, smoke trees, and paloverde divide the area, while
ocotillo squat on gentler slopes and the tops of mesas. Bighorn sheep
occasionally cross over from the Orocopia Mountains on the east, where they
find more water. You may see spotted bats, desert tortoises, and prairie
falcons.

The non-Wilderness corridor of Box Canyon Road splits off a small southern
section of the area in which you'll find Sheep Hole Oasis and Hidden Springs
Canyon (reliable sources for water). If you look closely, you'll discover
caves, known locally as grottoes.

#### Regulations

In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and
extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of "...increasing
population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization,..."
you play an important role in helping to "...secure for the American people of
present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of
wilderness" as called for by Congress in the Wilderness Act of 1964. 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: Plan Ahead and Prepare, Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces,
Dispose of Waste Properly, Leave What You Find, Minimize Campfire Impacts,
Respect Wildlife, 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.

<h4>Overview</h4>



<p>The Mecca Hills Wilderness now contains a total of 26,242 acres and is managed by the BLM's <a href="https://www.blm.gov/office/palm-springs-south-coast-field-office" rel="nofollow">Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office</a>. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California. In 1994 the Mecca Hills Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System.</p>

<p>Thanks to the restless San Andreas Fault, the geologic formations of Mecca Hills Wilderness are among the most unusual sites of their kind in the world. Entire regions are exposed layers of eroded rock, some over 600 million years old, and are a source of valuable information to scientists about the effects of tremors on the earth's crust. The area is a badlands labyrinth, a natural maze of small, narrow, steep canyons. Colorful Painted Canyon runs in a general north-south path through the middle of the Wilderness. Sandy washes sprinkled with ironwood, smoke trees, and paloverde divide the area, while ocotillo squat on gentler slopes and the tops of mesas. Bighorn sheep occasionally cross over from the Orocopia Mountains on the east, where they find more water. You may see spotted bats, desert tortoises, and prairie falcons.</p>

<p>The non-Wilderness corridor of Box Canyon Road splits off a small southern section of the area in which you'll find Sheep Hole Oasis and Hidden Springs Canyon (reliable sources for water). If you look closely, you'll discover caves, known locally as grottoes.</p>

<h4>Regulations</h4>



<p>In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of "...increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization,..." you play an important role in helping to "...secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness" as called for by Congress in the Wilderness Act of 1964. 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.</p>

<p>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: Plan Ahead and Prepare, Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces, Dispose of Waste Properly, Leave What You Find, Minimize Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife, Be Considerate of Other Visitors .</p>

<p>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.</p>

Mecca Hills Wilderness

Bird's eye view of the campground

Headquarters Hookup (sites 2-15)

Mecca Beach Campground (sites 106-159)

New Camp (sites 26-50)

Salton Sea SRA

This oasis with its hundreds of swaying fan palms offers sanctuary in the
midst of the dry Colorado Desert. Pools fed by artesian springs and seepage
from the nearby Coachella Canal form a lush wetland area. The exceptional
habitat shelters a variety of both threatened or endangered and more common
animal species. In thick stands of cattails, the elusive and endangered Yuma
clapper rail builds its nest, while in the warm waters of the pools swims the
desert pupfish, a relic species from the Pleistocene era.

The preserve is also home to the endangered orocopia sage plant. The
1,400-acre Dos Palmas Preserve is at the heart of the 20,000-acre Salt Creek
Area of Critical Environmental Concern, created to protect important
biological resources. The BLM has worked with partners such as The Nature
Conservancy and California Department of Fish and Game to acquire and manage
this sensitive habitat, and with Ducks Unlimited to design wetland restoration
projects. Dos Palmas Preserve is administered by BLM's Palm Springs-South
Coast Field Office.

<p>This oasis with its hundreds of swaying fan palms offers sanctuary in the midst of the dry Colorado Desert. Pools fed by artesian springs and seepage from the nearby Coachella Canal form a lush wetland area. The exceptional habitat shelters a variety of both threatened or endangered and more common animal species. In thick stands of cattails, the elusive and endangered Yuma clapper rail builds its nest, while in the warm waters of the pools swims the desert pupfish, a relic species from the Pleistocene era.</p>

<p>The preserve is also home to the endangered orocopia sage plant. The 1,400-acre Dos Palmas Preserve is at the heart of the 20,000-acre Salt Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern, created to protect important biological resources. The BLM has worked with partners such as The Nature Conservancy and California Department of Fish and Game to acquire and manage this sensitive habitat, and with Ducks Unlimited to design wetland restoration projects. Dos Palmas Preserve is administered by BLM's <a href="https://www.blm.gov/office/palm-springs-south-coast-field-office" rel="nofollow">Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office</a>.</p>

Dos Palmas Preserve

Once a main road used to transport miners to the gold fields at La Paz, the
Bradshaw Trail now offers a range of activities that would delight any
outdoor-lover, such as hiking, off-road and four-wheel driving. Look for
spectacular views of Chuckwalla Bench, Orocopia Mountains, and the Palo Verde
Valley from the Bradshaw Trail.

Once a main road used to transport miners to the gold fields at La Paz, the Bradshaw Trail now offers a range of activities that would delight any outdoor-lover, such as hiking, off-road and four-wheel driving. Look for spectacular views of Chuckwalla Bench, Orocopia Mountains, and the Palo Verde Valley from the Bradshaw Trail.

Bradshaw Trail

The first road across Riverside County to the Colorado River was blazed by
William Bradshaw in 1862 as an overland stage route. Beginning in San
Bernardino, the trail was used extensively between 1862 and 1877 to haul
miners and other passengers to the gold fields at La Paz, Arizona (now
Ehrenberg). The Bradshaw Trail is a 70-mile dirt road, periodically graded by
the Riverside County Transportation Department. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are
recommended due to stretches of soft sand. The trail traverses mostly public
land, and offers spectacular views of the Chuckwalla Bench and the Orocopia,
Chuckwalla and Mule Mountains. The Bradshaw Trail National Backcountry Byway
is administered by BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office.

The first road across Riverside County to the Colorado River was blazed by William Bradshaw in 1862 as an overland stage route.  Beginning in San Bernardino, the trail was used extensively between 1862 and 1877 to haul miners and other passengers to the gold fields at La Paz, Arizona (now Ehrenberg). 
 
The Bradshaw Trail is a 70-mile dirt road, periodically graded by the Riverside County Transportation Department.  Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended due to stretches of soft sand.  The trail traverses mostly public land, and offers spectacular views of the Chuckwalla Bench and the Orocopia, Chuckwalla and Mule Mountains. The Bradshaw Trail National Backcountry Byway is administered by BLM's <a href="https://www.blm.gov/office/palm-springs-south-coast-field-office" rel="nofollow">Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office</a>.

Bradshaw Trail National Back Country Byway

##

## Overview

The terrain within the Santa Rosa Mountains Wilderness is rugged with
elevations rising dramatically from just above sea level to 7,000 feet. Laced
with deep washes and shallow drainages, the area supports a variety of
riparian streams which flow year-round. Here, desert and mountain environments
blend together to form unique plant habitats, which thrive in riparian oases.
The Santa Rosas are strewn with boulders. The steep canyon walls have been
eroded by springs and streams.

Bear Creek Oasis, Lost Canyon Oasis, Guadelupe Canyon, Devil Canyon and
Rockhouse Canyon are all found within this wilderness. Many of these areas
provide important lambing habitat for bighorn sheep. The Santa Rosa Mountains
support the largest herd of Peninsular bighorn sheep in the United States.
Mule deer can be found throughout the coniferous forests, which grow along the
higher elevations of the range. Great horned owls, prairie falcons and golden
eagles nest and forage throughout the entire wilderness. Reptiles, including
frogs, toads and the desert slender salamander also live in this desert
setting.

## History

The Santa Rosa Mountains have been the homeland of hundreds of generations of
Cahuilla, whose culture has been described and recorded in numerous
publications. Direct evidence links the tribe to this area for at least 3,000
years. Within the Santa Rosas are sacred sites, such as the peak of the Santa
Rosa Mountain and Tahquitz Peak, and landscape features which are of great
importance to Cahuilla history.

Within the mountain range, Cahulla villages were generally located in or near
the mouth of a canyon or in a valley, and in some instances there were both
summer and winter villages with the former being at higher elevations and the
latter closer to the valley floor. A network of trails connect village sites,
campsites, and other areas of importance. Cahuilla lived in the Santa Rosas
until the late 19th century, by which time most Cahuilla had moved to nearby
reservations or the Coachella Valley, and contemporary Cahuilla have strong
feelings and concern for their ancestral homeland.

he Santa Rosas have great heritage value to the Cahuilla and many sites are of
National Register quality. The linked document contains descriptions of some
of the more significant prehistoric and historic sites in the Santa Rosa
Mountains.

<h2> </h2>

<h2>Overview</h2>

<p>The terrain within the Santa Rosa Mountains Wilderness is rugged with elevations rising dramatically from just above sea level to 7,000 feet. Laced with deep washes and shallow drainages, the area supports a variety of riparian streams which flow year-round. Here, desert and mountain environments blend together to form unique plant habitats, which thrive in riparian oases. The Santa Rosas are strewn with boulders. The steep canyon walls have been eroded by springs and streams.</p>

<p>Bear Creek Oasis, Lost Canyon Oasis, Guadelupe Canyon, Devil Canyon and Rockhouse Canyon are all found within this wilderness. Many of these areas provide important lambing habitat for bighorn sheep. The Santa Rosa Mountains support the largest herd of Peninsular bighorn sheep in the United States. Mule deer can be found throughout the coniferous forests, which grow along the higher elevations of the range. Great horned owls, prairie falcons and golden eagles nest and forage throughout the entire wilderness. Reptiles, including frogs, toads and the desert slender salamander also live in this desert setting.</p>

<h2>History</h2>

<p><span id="cke_bm_308S"> </span><img alt="Martinez Canyon Rockhouse, also called Jack Miller's cabin, in the Santa Rosa Wilderness. One of the sites you can visit in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo by BLM." height="240" src="/sites/blm.gov/files/programs-nlcs-ca-santarosaandsanjacintomountainsnm-history-temp.jpg" width="320"/>The Santa Rosa Mountains have been the homeland of hundreds of generations of Cahuilla, whose culture has been described and recorded in numerous publications. Direct evidence links the tribe to this area for at least 3,000 years. Within the Santa Rosas are sacred sites, such as the peak of the Santa Rosa Mountain and Tahquitz Peak, and landscape features which are of great importance to Cahuilla history.</p>

<p>Within the mountain range, Cahulla villages were generally located in or near the mouth of a canyon or in a valley, and in some instances there were both summer and winter villages with the former being at higher elevations and the latter closer to the valley floor. A network of trails connect village sites, campsites, and other areas of importance. Cahuilla lived in the Santa Rosas until the late 19th century, by which time most Cahuilla had moved to nearby reservations or the Coachella Valley, and contemporary Cahuilla have strong feelings and concern for their ancestral homeland.</p>

<p>he Santa Rosas have great heritage value to the Cahuilla and many sites are of National Register quality. The linked document contains descriptions of some of the more significant<a href="/sites/blm.gov/files/programs-nlcs-ca-santa-rosa-san-jacinto-national-monument-history.pdf" rel="nofollow"> prehistoric and historic sites </a>in the Santa Rosa Mountains.</p>

<p> </p>

Orocopia Mountains Wilderness

Directions

Stay Limit

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Mecca Hills Wilderness

Salton Sea SRA

Dos Palmas Preserve

Bradshaw Trail

Bradshaw Trail National Back Country Byway

Santa Rosa Wilderness