- Region
- CA, USA
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm current permit requirements and ac…
- Managed by
- Bureau of Land Management, Barstow Field Office
Plan with verified data
Black Mountain Wilderness trip tools
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Photos of Black Mountain Wilderness
How to get there
From State Highway 58, use Opal Mountain Road or Black Canyon Road to access Black Mountain Wilderness. Confirm current road conditions and lawful access with the BLM Barstow Field Office at 760-252-6000. Check land ownership before leaving the road, as private acreage within the area requires permission to use.
- Opal Mountain Road
An access road to the wilderness from State Highway 58. Plan the onward cross-country route with wilderness boundaries and private land ownership in mind.
- Black Canyon Road
An alternative access road from State Highway 58. Confirm current access conditions and identify a lawful entry onto public land before setting out.
Sources: blm.gov · University of Montana / federal agency partners · Wilderness Connect / federal wilderness boundary inventory · Wikipedia. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
CA, USA · United States
- Mountaineering
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Surfing
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Photography
A Mojave mesa above ancient lava flows
Black Mountain Wilderness lies in California’s Mojave Desert, southwest of the Tiefort Mountains and Fort Irwin. Its namesake is a 3,941-foot mesa in the wilderness’s northwest corner, standing above an expanse of ancient lava flows. Across the area, elevations drop to 2,080 feet, giving the landscape substantial relief beyond the mesa itself. The southeast corner holds a deposit of fine-grained sand, a different setting from the volcanic terrain around Black Mountain. Established in 1994 and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this is a destination for self-directed desert travel rather than following a maintained hiking circuit. There are no trails. Plan around the terrain, available daylight, and the group’s navigation skills, and treat any proposed outing as a cross-country trip rather than an established route.
Planning a trail-free outing
Access is by Opal Mountain Road or Black Canyon Road from State Highway 58. Beyond choosing an approach, the central planning task is working out a route that stays on land open to public use: significant privately owned acreage exists within the area and must not be used without permission. Carry a map showing land ownership and wilderness boundaries, along with navigation tools that work without cell service. A spring exists near Opal Mountain, but do not make it the basis of a water plan without confirming its current condition; carry enough water for the outing. For travel across the lava-flow landscape, choose sturdy footwear and allow time for careful footing and route decisions. Keep the return route within the group’s abilities, and confirm current access conditions with the BLM Barstow Field Office before departure.
Wildlife, spring flowers, and wilderness conduct
Golden eagles and prairie falcons have been seen foraging in Black Mountain Wilderness, making wildlife watching a useful reason to slow down during a cross-country walk. Give birds space and use binoculars rather than approaching them. Spring sometimes brings wildflowers, but a flower display is not a dependable feature of every visit. Leave flowers and other natural objects where they are, travel and camp on durable surfaces, and pack out waste. Hiking, camping, horseback riding, photography, and wildlife viewing are among the area’s activities. Motor vehicles, bicycles, and other motorized equipment or forms of mechanical transport are generally prohibited on federally designated wilderness land; access roads do not imply permission to drive into the wilderness. Contact the BLM Barstow Field Office for current regulations and any applicable exceptions before planning an activity that could conflict with wilderness restrictions.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Black Mountain Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 35.1224, -117.2027
- Latitude (DMS)
- 35° 7′ 20.6″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 117° 12′ 9.8″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Black Mountain Wilderness, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
Black Mountain stands at 3,941 feet, a mesa rising above an expanse of desolate, ancient lava flows. The mountain lies in the northwest corner of the Wilderness, and from the summit, the area drops in...
Key takeaways
- Region: CA, USA
- Country: United States
- Good for: hiking
- Coordinates: 35.122, -117.203
Intended uses
hiking
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Black Mountain Wilderness
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
- Surfing
Swell windows and access from camp.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Black Mountain Wilderness
A Mojave mesa above ancient lava flows
Black Mountain Wilderness lies in California’s Mojave Desert, southwest of the Tiefort Mountains and Fort Irwin. Its namesake is a 3,941-foot mesa in the wilderness’s northwest corner, standing above an expanse of ancient lava flows. Across the area, elevations drop to 2,080 feet, giving the landscape substantial relief beyond the mesa itself. The southeast corner holds a deposit of fine-grained sand, a different setting from the volcanic terrain around Black Mountain. Established in 1994 and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this is a destination for self-directed desert travel rather than following a maintained hiking circuit. There are no trails. Plan around the terrain, available daylight, and the group’s navigation skills, and treat any proposed outing as a cross-country trip rather than an established route.
Planning a trail-free outing
Access is by Opal Mountain Road or Black Canyon Road from State Highway 58. Beyond choosing an approach, the central planning task is working out a route that stays on land open to public use: significant privately owned acreage exists within the area and must not be used without permission. Carry a map showing land ownership and wilderness boundaries, along with navigation tools that work without cell service. A spring exists near Opal Mountain, but do not make it the basis of a water plan without confirming its current condition; carry enough water for the outing. For travel across the lava-flow landscape, choose sturdy footwear and allow time for careful footing and route decisions. Keep the return route within the group’s abilities, and confirm current access conditions with the BLM Barstow Field Office before departure.
Wildlife, spring flowers, and wilderness conduct
Golden eagles and prairie falcons have been seen foraging in Black Mountain Wilderness, making wildlife watching a useful reason to slow down during a cross-country walk. Give birds space and use binoculars rather than approaching them. Spring sometimes brings wildflowers, but a flower display is not a dependable feature of every visit. Leave flowers and other natural objects where they are, travel and camp on durable surfaces, and pack out waste. Hiking, camping, horseback riding, photography, and wildlife viewing are among the area’s activities. Motor vehicles, bicycles, and other motorized equipment or forms of mechanical transport are generally prohibited on federally designated wilderness land; access roads do not imply permission to drive into the wilderness. Contact the BLM Barstow Field Office for current regulations and any applicable exceptions before planning an activity that could conflict with wilderness restrictions.
Route options
- Black Mountain
A cross-country objective centered on the 3,941-foot mesa in the northwest corner of the wilderness. There is no established trail; assess terrain and land ownership before selecting an approach rather than assuming a continuous public route to the summit.
- Southeast sand deposit
A self-planned cross-country outing toward the fine-grained sand deposit in the southeast corner of the wilderness. This is a landscape objective, not a marked route; choose an approach that respects private property and allows a manageable return.
Sample itineraries
- Black Mountain Mesa Day · 1 day
Plan a self-directed day exploring the ancient lava-flow landscape around Black Mountain in the wilderness’s northwest corner. The mesa reaches 3,941 feet. There are no trails: choose terrain within your navigation skills, verify public-land boundaries, and treat a summit attempt as optional rather than a marked-route hike.
- Southeast Sand and Desert Photography · 1 day
Focus a day on the fine-grained sand deposit in the wilderness’s southeast corner and the surrounding desert landscape. Confirm a legal approach before leaving the road, navigate without trails, and leave sand, rocks, and plants undisturbed. Watch for golden eagles and prairie falcons without approaching them.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Spring flowers sometimes appear, but displays are not guaranteed. Plan around the forecast rather than a flowering calendar. Carry water and use careful navigation across the trail-less desert terrain.
Summer
Summer
Plan conservatively for Mojave Desert heat and sun exposure. Favor shorter outings during cooler hours, carry all necessary water, and cancel or shorten plans when the forecast exceeds your ability to travel safely.
Fall
Fall
Use current temperatures and available daylight to set your outing length. Do not assume the season removes desert heat concerns. Carry water and leave enough time to navigate back across unmarked terrain.
Winter
Winter
Prepare for cold desert conditions with insulating layers and weather protection. Check the forecast before committing to exposed terrain around the mesa, and keep plans within available daylight.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Spring flowers sometimes appear, but displays are not guaranteed. Plan around the forecast rather than a flowering calendar. Carry water and use careful navigation across the trail-less desert terrain. |
| Summer | Summer | Plan conservatively for Mojave Desert heat and sun exposure. Favor shorter outings during cooler hours, carry all necessary water, and cancel or shorten plans when the forecast exceeds your ability to travel safely. |
| Fall | Fall | Use current temperatures and available daylight to set your outing length. Do not assume the season removes desert heat concerns. Carry water and leave enough time to navigate back across unmarked terrain. |
| Winter | Winter | Prepare for cold desert conditions with insulating layers and weather protection. Check the forecast before committing to exposed terrain around the mesa, and keep plans within available daylight. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements and activity-specific rules with the BLM Barstow Field Office at 760-252-6000.
Official source: Black Mountain Wilderness - California · Verified October 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- There are no trails. Carry navigation tools and know how to use them before entering the wilderness.
- Ancient lava flows and changing elevations call for careful footing and conservative terrain choices.
- A spring exists near Opal Mountain, but do not depend on it for your drinking-water supply.
- Significant private acreage lies within the area. Verify ownership boundaries and obtain permission before entering private land.
- Mojave Desert sun and heat require conservative pacing, sun protection, and sufficient carried water.
What to pack for Black Mountain Wilderness
- Topographic map showing wilderness and property boundaries
- Compass
- Offline navigation device with backup power
- Access information for Opal Mountain Road and Black Canyon Road
- Water for the entire outing plus a reserve
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Sun-protective clothing
- Insulating layer and wind protection
- Sturdy footwear for uneven lava terrain
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp
- Binoculars
- Waste bags
Black Mountain Wilderness FAQ
- Where is Black Mountain Wilderness, and who manages it?
- This California wilderness lies in the Mojave Desert, southwest of the Tiefort Mountains and Fort Irwin. The Bureau of Land Management manages it through the Barstow Field Office.
- How do you access the wilderness?
- Access is via Opal Mountain Road or Black Canyon Road from State Highway 58. Confirm current road conditions and a legal entry point with the BLM before traveling; private acreage within the area requires attention to property boundaries.
- Are there marked hiking trails?
- No. Travel is self-directed across unmarked terrain. Black Mountain is a 3,941-foot mesa in the northwest corner, above ancient lava flows; elevations elsewhere descend to 2,080 feet. Do not expect a maintained summit route.
- Is water available?
- A spring exists near Opal Mountain. Carry the water needed for your outing rather than relying on the spring, and confirm current conditions with the BLM.
- Can you ride a bicycle or drive an OHV inside?
- Motorized equipment and mechanical transport, including bicycles and OHVs, are generally prohibited on designated federal wilderness lands. Contact the BLM for applicable regulations and any specific exceptions.
- Can you camp here?
- Camping is an available activity. Confirm current requirements with the BLM, avoid private land without permission, use durable surfaces, pack out waste, and leave natural objects where they are.