Bureau of Land Management
Photo Credit: Randy Kyes
Southern Nevada District Office
4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89103
http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.1.html
Size: 33,518 acres
Elevation Range: 600 - 5,963 feet
Designation: Clark County Conservation of Public
Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002
BLM
Spirit Mountain Wilderness
Area Description
The Spirit Mountain Wilderness is a wild and rugged place of granite boulders and steep canyons in the Newberry Mountains
along the western shore of Lake Mohave. Covering 33,518 acres, the Spirit Mountain Wilderness is partly contained by the Lake
Mead National Recreation Area and is managed jointly by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.
The wilderness is named for Spirit Mountain,
also known as Avikwame by some tribes, an
impressive white granite peak topping out
at 5,963 feet. Sacred to tribes of the lower
Colorado River as a spiritual birthplace, the
Spirit Mountain Wilderness is home to a number
of archaeological resources.
The higher elevations of the wilderness serve as
a refuge from the summer desert heat for
wildlife in the area like bighorn sheep, bobcats,
and coyotes. Reptiles like the Western
chuckwalla, side-blotched lizard, Gila monster,
and rattlesnakes also roam the area. Creosote,
blackbrush, yucca, and desert willow can be
found throughout the area, with pinyon pines
found at higher elevations.
Directions
The Spirit Mountain Wilderness can be accessed from the west via Christmas Tree Pass Road,
part of which serves as the southwestern border of the wilderness. From the south, State
Highway 163 provides access to the wilderness and is its southern border.
To access the west side of the wilderness area, drive south from Cal-Nev-Ari on Highway 95 for
about 2.3 miles to Christmas Tree Pass Road (about 5.0 miles north of Highway 163). There is a
small road sign for the turnoff; there is also a fairly large, covered information sign on the east
side of the road that you can see in the distance.
Recreation
The Spirit Mountain Wilderness provides a unique and beautiful backdrop for hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and
camping. Backcountry permits are not required. Camping is limited to a total of 14 days in one location, and no more than
90 days total within any consecutive 12-month period. Hunting is allowed with proper licensing; however, target practice is
prohibited.
Motorized vehicles, mechanized equipment, and mechanical transport are not permitted in designated wilderness.
Maps
USGS 7.5 Quadrangle Maps: Spirit Mountain, Spirit Mountain SE, Davis Dam, and
Bridge Canyon.
Additional Information
•
Disposing of debris and garbage is prohibited.
•
Maximum length of stay: 14 days.
•
Geocaching is not permitted.
•
Other than incidental browsing, riding and pack stock animals should be fed
only packed-in, certified, weed-free feed.
Photo Credit: Sendi Kalcic
Southern Nevada District Office
To access the south side of the wilderness area, drive east from Highway 95 on Highway 163 for
about 12.9 miles to Christmas Tree Pass Road (a few miles west of Laughlin). There is a small road
sign for the turnoff. Drive north on Christmas Tree Pass Road, which is the southwest boundary
of the wilderness area.
No warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data for individual use or aggregate use with other data. Original data were
compiled from various sources. This information may not meet National Map Accuacy standards. This product was developed through digital means and may be updated without notification.
Southern Nevada District Office
N
BLM
Spirit Mountain Wilderness
