Argus Range Wilderness Area

Argus Range Wilderness Area is a 66,571-acre federally protected landscape in California managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It encompasses remote, primitive backcountry where motorized travel, roads, and mechanized equipment are prohibited—the defining reality of any designated Wilderness. Visitors come here for solitude and self-propelled recreation: hiking, backpacking, and camping in an undeveloped setting where you'll encounter minimal infrastructure and few people.

Access requires leaving your vehicle behind and traveling on foot. All travel must be non-motorized and Leave No Trace principles apply strictly—pack out everything you pack in, camp only in designated areas or dispersed sites where permitted, and respect the landscape's primitive character. The desert environment presents real challenges: water is scarce, temperatures extreme in summer, and conditions remote. Plan accordingly with proper gear, navigation skills, and awareness that help is far away. Visit during cooler months when conditions allow safe backcountry travel; summer heat and winter weather create genuine hazards.