Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness Area

Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness Area spans 15,534 acres in California and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management as a federally protected Wilderness. The landscape is primitive backcountry, preserved in its natural state without roads, motorized vehicles, or mechanized travel of any kind.

Visitors come here to hike and backpack through undeveloped desert terrain, seeking the solitude and quiet that true Wilderness offers. This is a place for self-reliant travel on foot, where Leave No Trace principles are not just encouraged but essential to the preservation of the area. No motors, bikes, or mechanized equipment are permitted—it is nonmotorized backcountry only.

Access and visit timing depend on desert conditions and water availability. Summer heat can be intense, and winter conditions vary. Plan accordingly, bring adequate water and supplies, and respect the Wilderness designation by traveling lightly and leaving no trace of your passage.