Nopah Range Wilderness
RV Guide
Introduction
Nopah Range Wilderness is located in Southern California. It takes up over 100,000 acres of land and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Here you'll find giant mountains, rolling hills, and vast deserts. Many people visit this wilderness to go mountain climbing or get an incredible view of the great outdoors.
When visiting, there are a variety of activities that you can enjoy. Many people stay at one of the nearby campgrounds that are also run by the Bureau of Land Management. The Nopah Range Wilderness was established in 1994 and has been preserved ever since. This is in large part due to the No Trace Left Behind act which asks visitors to clean up after themselves, along with picking up any litter they may see.
While visiting here you will see a plethora of different wild animals. There are large desert bighorn sheep, wild horses, falcons, and plenty of amphibians and reptiles. It is important to note that there is no water available here, so be sure to pack plenty for yourself and your travel buddies. If you do decide to camp nearby, be sure to spend some time outdoors after sundown to see an incredible view of the stars.
RV Rentals in Nopah Range Wilderness
Transportation
Driving
Traveling around the California valley can be quite interesting. There are a variety of different terrains ranging from flat deserts to steep mountain roads. Getting to Nopah Range Wilderness can be easy, depending on where you're coming from. Some of the roads are not the safest for larger vehicles such as trucks pulling trailers or RVs.
You may also want to make sure that your vehicle has four-wheel-drive as some spots along the route are hard to navigate without it. Though California doesn't experience many blizzards or rainstorms at this low an elevation, you may still want to check the weather before hitting the road. Cell phone service is practically nonexistent around Nopah Range Wilderness.
To prevent yourself from getting lost without communication, print out multiple maps beforehand. While doing this, consider checking the local websites to find out if there are any detours or road closures that you need to be aware of to reach one of the entrances of Nopah Range Wilderness. Once you're in the wilderness, you will notice that all roads and trails are made of gravel. The majority of people get around on foot or mountain bikes.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Nopah Range Wilderness
Campsites in Nopah Range Wilderness
First-come first-served
Mid Hills Campground
Nopah Range Wilderness has a handful of campgrounds nearby, Mid Hills Campground being one of them. This campground has 26 campsites available to the public. Mid Hills is open year-round and is available to RV, tent, and camper van campers. You can stay at one of the campsites on a first-come, first-served basis.
The campground offers a grill available for the entire campground to use. Every campsite has its own fire ring, picnic table, and fire pit. There are vault toilets and horseback riding trails for campers to enjoy. It is important to note that the roads leading to Mid Hill Campground may be a bit more difficult to navigate for large RVs or trucks pulling trailers.
You will be able to enjoy potable water by stopping at the nearby Hole in the Wall Campground. Mid Hill is best known for being a secluded and peaceful place for people to spend time and relax. Don't forget to enjoy one of the many activities nearby, such as hiking or fishing.
Mahogany Flat Campground
Mahogany Flat Campground is another campground you can rest at during your visit to Nopah Range Wilderness. This campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no RV hookups or modern amenities such as water available there. You will find 10 campsites in total that are managed by the National Park Service.
It is open from the beginning of March until the end of November. It is rarely full, making this the perfect secluded getaway. It is important to mention that the access road does require a high clearance vehicle. You will have access to vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Campers who stay here enjoy the amazing views surrounding them and the wildlife in the area. Because this campground sits at nearly 9,000 feet in elevation, it closes for the winter due to snow. Overall, Mahogany Flat Campground is a beautiful place to rest your head during your visit to Nopah Range Wilderness.
Red Rock Campground
Last but not least, there is the Red Rock Campground. This is located just 20 miles southwest of the Las Vegas strip. The peak season is from the end of August until the beginning of June. During this time, individual sites are released on a six-month rolling basis. At Red Rock Campground, you'll find 53 individual campsites.
There is a limit of 10 people and two vehicles per campsite. This campground has six sites for RVs and seven group campsites. There you will find vault toilets, drinking water, and the trash cans. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
You are limited to a maximum stay of 14 days per month. There are no RV hookups and campers should be aware of rattlesnakes, coyotes, and cacti. It is important to note that this campground is closed from 1 June until the end of August due to extreme temperatures.
Seasonal activities in Nopah Range Wilderness
In-Season
Hiking
There are several trails all throughout Nopah Range Wilderness for your convenience. If you enjoy hiking or a casual walk through the beautiful outdoors of California, this is a great activity to take part in.
Throughout the wilderness, you will have access to various types of trails. There is everything from a flat gravel trail to gradual and steep inclines. Pack a pair of hiking boots in the RV and get ready to hit the trail!
Rock Climbing
An activity that is a middle ground between the last one and the next is rock climbing. Rock climbing is the perfect way to enjoy the landscape and scenery of Nopah Range Wilderness.
You'll be able to get in a vigorous workout while climbing your way to the top of cliffs that hold beautiful views. There are no shops around where you can rent rock climbing equipment, so please make sure to pack your own.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering, also known as mountain climbing, is an activity available for those looking for an adrenaline rush. Nopah Range Wilderness is surrounded by mountains begging to be climbed. There is a peak elevation of nearly 6,400 feet.
It is important if you plan on mountaineering to wear the proper safety gear and only take part in this activity if you have mountain climbing experience. From the top, you have a beautiful view of deserts and valleys all around this area of California.
Off-Season
Wildlife Spotting
Do you enjoy looking at animals? Most people do. What better activity to enjoy than seeing wildlife in their natural habitat? Bring a pair of binoculars and maybe even a book about wildlife animals to get the best experience of wildlife spotting at Nopah Range Wilderness.
You might be able to see animals such as bighorn sheep, golden eagles, wild horses, or desert tortoises. There are also plenty of birds, amphibians, and insects in the area.
Meditating
Many people visit Nopah Range Wilderness because of how remote, peaceful, and still the area is. This is a beautiful and quiet place to enjoy some meditation. You won't have to worry about daily distractions while you're there.
Meditating is a great way to relax and clear your mind of stressful thoughts. You don't need any special mat, music, or equipment to successfully meditate at Nopah Range Wilderness.
Picnicking
Picnicking is a fun and relaxing activity to enjoy while visiting Nopah Range Wilderness. There are no picnic tables available, but don't let that stop you from enjoying a delicious meal in the California wilderness.
This is a great way to fuel up before a hike or refuel after a long day of mountaineering.
It is important to note that you should not feed wild animals. You should also make sure to clean up all of your garbage and scraps to help maintain the No Trace Left Behind act and help to preserve the wilderness.
