Parks 2,933 ft Bortle 2 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)

The Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness now contains a total of 14,645 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California. In 1994 the Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. 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.

Near Mohave Valley, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino

Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.

Pack for Desert terrain, Arid, and the wildlife considerations above.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Trails that seem short in daylight can take twice as long with route-finding or elevation; a headlamp keeps you moving safely after dark.
Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — A space blanket weighs under two ounces and reflects up to 90% of body heat, buying time in an unplanned overnight.
Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Groups of three or more are almost never involved in serious bear incidents; larger groups make more noise and appear more intimidating.
Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
First-aid snakebite kit — While evacuation to a hospital is the priority, a snakebite kit helps you stay calm and follow proper first-aid protocols.

Climate Gear

Layering system (wide temp swings) — Desert and mountain environments can swing 40+ degrees between dawn and midday; layers let you adapt without overheating or freezing.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
Extra water (desert) — Desert water sources are unreliable and often seasonal; carry all the water you need rather than counting on finding more.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Whether you're here for atv or looking to try something different, Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness has options.

Photographers rate this area 65/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

atv — Ride designated off-highway vehicle trails on an all-terrain vehicle.
backpacking — Carry your gear into the backcountry for multi-day hiking adventures.
hiking — Follow marked trails through forests, deserts, or alpine terrain for a deeper connection with nature.
mountain_biking — Ride off-road trails that wind through forests, deserts, and mountain terrain.
off_roading — Navigate rugged trails and backcountry routes with high-clearance vehicles.
photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
rv_camping — Travel with the comforts of home while staying in campgrounds or RV parks.
surfing — Ride ocean waves along sandy beaches and coastal breaks.
walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.

Wildlife Safety at Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino

Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.

Most visitors at Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness never have a wildlife incident, but a danger score of 25/10 means preparation matters.

Danger rating: 25/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (93mi)

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (35N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes here include . They're most active during warm months.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

The Desert environment here supports 18 documented species across mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Trees (1)

Smoketree — Fall foliage may turn yellow.

Wildflowers (1)

Mojave Woodyaster — Pale lavender ray flowers with yellow centers.

Shrubs (3)

Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain.
Eastern Joshua tree — The plant provides habitat for desert wildlife.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Adapted to desert heat, this cactus stores water in thick stems and tolerates prolonged drought.

Other Plants (5)

Mojave Yucca
Cottontop Cactus
Buckhorn Cholla
Branched Pencil Cholla
California Barrel Cactus

Mammals (2)

Bighorn Sheep — Stocky mountain sheep with tan coat and white rump.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — A small desert squirrel with tan fur and white stripe along sides.

Birds (6)

Great-tailed Grackle — Glossy black male with long tail
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Pale gray-beige body
American Kestrel — Rusty back
Common Raven — Large all-black bird with shaggy throat
European Starling — Glossy black with iridescent green and purple sheen

Reptiles (10)

Mojave Desert Tortoise — A large terrestrial tortoise with high-domed brown shell and sturdy legs.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration.
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard — A large lizard with a long tail and bold dark leopard-like spots.
Western Patch-nosed Snake — A slender snake with enlarged scale on snout and narrow head.
Common Chuckwalla — A large stocky desert lizard with loose wrinkled skin and dark body coloration.

Insects (7)

White-lined Sphinx
Black Swallowtail
Sagebrush Checkerspot
Armored Stink Beetle
Creosote Cone Gall Midge

Fungi (1)

Desert Shaggymane

Other Wildlife (2)

Desert Tarantula
Desert Hairy Scorpion

Nature Bingo at Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Red-tailed Hawk (bird)
Bighorn Sheep (mammal)
Mojave Desert Tortoise (reptile)
Creosote Bush (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino Climate & Sun

Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.

The annual average temperature here is 68.3°F, with 6.5 inches of precipitation.

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 68.3°F

Annual precipitation: 6.5 in

With an average annual temperature of 68.3°F and 6.5 inches of precipitation, Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness has warm, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 89°F, while winter lows drop to 50°F.

Best months to visit: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.

Winter 50°

1.0"

Spring 65°

0.2"

Summer 89°

0.4"

Fall 70°

0.5"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	50°F	1.0 in
Feb	53°F	1.2 in
Mar	59°F	0.8 in
Apr	65°F	0.2 in
May	74°F	0.1 in
Jun	84°F	0.1 in
Jul	89°F	0.4 in
Aug	88°F	0.5 in
Sep	82°F	0.4 in
Oct	70°F	0.5 in
Nov	58°F	0.5 in
Dec	49°F	0.8 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.7 hours.

Summer: 4:25 AM – 6:53 PM

Winter: 6:39 AM – 4:29 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:39 AM, Sunset 4:29 PM Golden hour from 3:50 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:25 AM, Sunset 6:53 PM Golden hour from 6:16 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:51 AM, Sunset 5:46 PM Golden hour from 5:13 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:21 AM, Sunset 5:48 PM Golden hour from 5:14 PM

Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino Trip Planning & Access

Here's the practical side of visiting Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness.

Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness is 93 miles from Las Vegas — here's what to budget for the trip.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (93 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $23.32 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 75.4 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and highly_suitable for elderly visitors.

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino

The area around Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness has plenty more to offer.

If you're exploring this part of Arizona, these nearby spots complement a visit to Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino

After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.

On clear nights, the Bortle class 2 skies above Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness reveal constellations and bright planets.

Bortle 2 Typical truly dark site

Constellations

From Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.

Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round.
Cepheus — Cepheus appears as a faint house-shaped pattern near Polaris in the northern sky.

Meteor Showers

Time your visit around December 13-14 for the Geminids, the strongest meteor shower visible from this latitude.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
One of the most reliable and active showers of the year; best viewed after 10 PM when Gemini rises higher in the sky.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
This brief but intense shower peaks before dawn; early morning hours offer the best chance to see multiple meteors.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Best viewed after midnight when Aquarius is higher in the southern sky.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino

The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.

Timing your visit to Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness around seasonal highlights can make a major difference in what you experience.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: October 15 – November 5

Best trees for color: Maple, Oak, Aspen

Higher elevations peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: March - April

Fall peak: October - November

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino

Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.

Before this became a recreation area, this land belonged to Nüwüwü (Chemehuevi), Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Pipa Aha Macav (Mojave).

Territories

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Nüwü Ampagap (Chemehuevi).

Nüwü Ampagap (Chemehuevi)

Data from Native Land Digital

Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Tertiary nonmarine rocks, undivided
Formation: Avawatz Formation; Bealville Fanglomerate; Caliente Formation; Goler Formation; Old Woman Sandstone; Titus Canyon Formation; Violin Breccia; Walker Formation; Witnet Formation
Lithology: Major:{sandstone,conglomerate}, Incidental:{sedimentary breccia, volcanic, mudstone, limestone, siltstone}
Age: Phanerozoic

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 141
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Gold, Copper, Silver, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Iron, Manganese, Magnesite

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 6148
ESA Endangered: 169
ESA Threatened: 77
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 125°F (2017-06-20)
Record Low: 20°F (1990-12-23)

Wildfire History

This area has a moderate wildfire risk. Be aware of fire restrictions during dry months and practice safe fire practices.

Recorded Fires: 3
Largest Fire: WALKER (1,847.7 acres)
Most Recent: 2021
Fire Risk: Moderate

Watershed

Watershed: Crestview Wash
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 4 (NUFORC)
Eeriness Score: 8/100

Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, San Bernardino Safety & Conditions

The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.

Before visiting Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness, verify current conditions through these authoritative sources.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: LAUGHLIN 1.2 SSW, NV US (25.3 mi)