Bird's eye view of the park

Painted Rock Dam

## Overview

Congress added the Woolsey Peak portion of the Gila Bend Mountains to the
National Wilderness Preservation System in 1990, citing the rugged topography,
colorful scenic vistas, rich variety of wildlife and vegetation, and
outstanding opportunitiesfor solitude and unconfined recreation in both areas.
This 64,000-acre wilderness area is a perfect example of pristine Sonoran
Desert.

Rising 2,500 feet to an elevation of 3,270 feet, Woolsey Peak is a prominent
and scenic landmark of southwestern Arizona. Large washes, lined by thick
stands of paloverde and ironwood, wind through sparsely vegetated, rock-strewn
hills and desert plains below the major peaks. Wildlife includes mule deer,
bighorn sheep, javelina, and numerous varieties of birds, lizards, and snakes.
This wilderness area offers outstanding opportunities for cross-country foot
and horseback travel, route finding, and wildlife viewing. There are no marked
trails, campsites, or other developed recreational amenities -- this area is
recommended only for experienced and prepared wilderness visitors!

## Know Before You Go

  * In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. 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.
  * 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.
  * High-clearance vehicles are needed and four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, except for portions of the Enterprise Road south of Gillespie Dam.
  * 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.

<h2>Overview</h2>

<p>Congress added the Woolsey Peak portion of the Gila Bend Mountains to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1990, citing the rugged topography, colorful scenic vistas, rich variety of wildlife and vegetation, and outstanding opportunitiesfor solitude and unconfined recreation in both areas. This 64,000-acre wilderness area is a perfect example of pristine Sonoran Desert.</p>

<p>Rising 2,500 feet to an elevation of 3,270 feet, Woolsey Peak is a prominent and scenic landmark of southwestern Arizona. Large washes, lined by thick stands of paloverde and ironwood, wind through sparsely vegetated, rock-strewn hills and desert plains below the major peaks. Wildlife includes mule deer, bighorn sheep, javelina, and numerous varieties of birds, lizards, and snakes. This wilderness area offers outstanding opportunities for cross-country foot and horseback travel, route finding, and wildlife viewing. There are no marked trails, campsites, or other developed recreational amenities -- this area is recommended only for experienced and prepared wilderness visitors!</p>

<h2>Know Before You Go</h2>

<ul>
<li>In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. 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.</li>
<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>High-clearance vehicles are needed and four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, except for portions of the Enterprise Road south of Gillespie Dam.</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>

Woolsey Peak Wilderness

## Overview

The 13,350-acre Signal Mountain Wilderness is in southwest Maricopa County, 18
miles northwest of Gila Bend and 35 miles southwest of Phoenix. This
wilderness is adjacent to the 64,000-acre Woolsey Peak Wilderness just to the
southeast, separated by a four-wheel-drive road.  
  
This wilderness offers a variety of scenery, including sharp volcanic peaks,
steep-walled canyons, arroyos, craggy ridges and outwash plains. Signal
Mountain, at the area's center, rises 1,200 feet above the desert floor to an
elevation of 2,182 feet. Paloverde-saguaro and creosote bush bursage plant
communities are found throughout bajada and upland areas, while washes are
lined with mesquite, ironwood, acacia and paloverde..  
  
This wilderness provides several primitive recreation opportunities, such as
rock climbing in the canyons and valleys around Signal Mountain, day and
overnight hiking, rock collecting, and deer and quail hunting. Fortunate
visitors may observe desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, mule deer and
various raptors.  

## Know Before You Go

  * In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. 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.
  * 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.
  * High-clearance vehicles are needed and four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, except for portions of the Enterprise Road south of Gillespie Dam.
  * 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.

<h2>Overview</h2>

<p>The 13,350-acre Signal Mountain Wilderness is in southwest Maricopa County, 18 miles northwest of Gila Bend and 35 miles southwest of Phoenix. This wilderness is adjacent to the 64,000-acre Woolsey Peak Wilderness just to the southeast, separated by a four-wheel-drive road.<br/>
<br/>
This wilderness offers a variety of scenery, including sharp volcanic peaks, steep-walled canyons, arroyos, craggy ridges and outwash plains. Signal Mountain, at the area's center, rises 1,200 feet above the desert floor to an elevation of 2,182 feet. Paloverde-saguaro and creosote bush bursage plant communities are found throughout bajada and upland areas, while washes are lined with mesquite, ironwood, acacia and paloverde..<br/>
<br/>
This wilderness provides several primitive recreation opportunities, such as rock climbing in the canyons and valleys around Signal Mountain, day and overnight hiking, rock collecting, and deer and quail hunting. Fortunate visitors may observe desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, mule deer and various raptors.<br/>
 </p>

<h2>Know Before You Go</h2>

<ul>
<li>In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. 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.</li>
<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>High-clearance vehicles are needed and four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, except for portions of the Enterprise Road south of Gillespie Dam.</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>

Painted Rock Dam

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Woolsey Peak Wilderness

Signal Mountain Wilderness