North Jackson Mountains Wilderness is located about four hours from Reno, Nevada. The wilderness is smaller compared to others in the state, but it is still nearly 24,000 acres of land. This wilderness in northwest Nevada is managed by the Bureau of land management. Many people who visit North Jackson Mountains Wilderness enjoy seeing animals such as white-throated swift, California bighorn sheep, Painted Lady butterflies, mountain bluebirds, and more.
North Jackson Mountains Wilderness was designated in the year 2000 and is protected by the Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area Act of 2000. The elevation at the wilderness ranges from between 4,000 to over 8,000 feet. There is a variety of different vegetation that can be found at the North Jackson Mountains Wilderness.
Many visitors enjoy all the different types of cacti there are. If you're interested in staying for a weekend or longer, there are plenty of nearby campsites where you can enjoy a peaceful night's rest. Visiting this area of Nevada is a great way to get a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and delve into nature.
Located in the northwest corner of Nevada, North Jackson Mountains Wilderness is next to the Black Rock Desert and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. The terrain in the area ranges from mountains to valleys fairly quickly. Before you head out the door, it is important that you have a physical map or a list of directions to the North Jackson Mountains Wilderness.
The closer you get to the wilderness, the less cell phone coverage there is available. Having a physical map allows you to avoid getting lost in the event that you don't have phone service. When it comes to the roads around the North Jackson Mountains Wilderness, they are rather easy to navigate. The main roads in the area are paved and easy to drive along.
If you're coming from the Winnemucca, Nevada Area, you can easily access North Jackson Mountains Wilderness by taking Humboldt County Road 56 to Humboldt County Road 217. You are also able to take Bottle Creek Road for easy access to the North Jackson Mountains Wilderness. Lastly, if you want to enter through the west side of the wilderness, you can do so by taking County Road 216.
The first campground that you can enjoy near North Jackson Mountains Wilderness is Virgin Valley Campground. This is the closest camping option to the wilderness and is open all year round. There are no reservations allowed as all campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are 12 sites in total, none of which have RV hookups available. There is easy access to potable water and each campsite has its own picnic table and fire pit. There are a number of nearby swimming holes and even a shower house. The shower house at this campground is a waist-deep pond that is about 85° at all times.
If you're looking for privacy, this may not be the campground for you as the campsites are very close together. Campers are allowed to stay here for 14 days at a time. If you're okay with the lack of privacy, this campground is really unique and would be a great experience for just about anybody.
While visiting the North Jackson Mountains Wilderness, you can spend the night at East Rock Spring Campground. But if you prefer a campground to have modern amenities or even Wi-Fi, this is not the campground for you. East Rock Spring Campground is located at over 6,000 feet of elevation, making it a cooler climate than other campgrounds in the area.
The camping here comes at no cost to you and it is available on a first-come, first-served basis. This campground is open all year round and the campsites are considered dispersed. You will not find any RV hookups, bathrooms, running water, fire pits, or picnic tables at this campground.
This is perfect for the person who wants to "rough it" under the stars. If you're just looking for a place to crash for the night and get a view of the bright night sky, East Rock Spring Campground is the perfect pick for you!
Hiking is easily one of the most popular activities that people enjoy when visiting the North Jackson Mountains Wilderness. There are several hiking trails available for you to enjoy.
No matter what your skill level is, you'll be able to hike during your visit there. You will find level gravel trails that are easy for just about anyone. There are also a few gradual and steeper climbs if you're looking for a more intense hike during your stay.
If you spend some time in an indoor rock climbing facility, it may be in your interest to experience a bit of rock climbing in the great outdoors. North Jackson Mountains Wilderness provides plenty of cliffs and canyons for you to use to rock climb.
Unfortunately, there are no rental shops nearby, meaning you will need to bring all of your own materials and gear. In order for you to have the best rock climbing experience possible, be sure to check the weather and sun schedule before heading out the door.
If you enjoy hunting, you'll love to hear that it is allowed in the North Jackson Mountains Wilderness. Of course, it's important to have the proper licenses and certification before heading out on a hunting trip.
This is required for both visitors and residents of Nevada. A few of the animals you might see are bighorn sheep, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and greater sage grouse. Be sure to check online that your trip falls within the hunting season so that you're not breaking any laws.
Lastly, there is the Soldier Meadows Campground. There you'll find plenty of RV and tent campsites available. There are a total of 15 campsites open to the public. There are no reservations allowed as campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
It may be important to note that this campground is not open all year round, but from May through the month of October. Campers can stay here for up to 14 days per month. Soldier Meadows Campground does not allow pets or campfires.
You'll find barbecue grills and picnic tables available at all 15 campsites for your convenience. Though there are no hookups available for RVs, there are flushable toilets. Speaking of RVs, there is a maximum length of 45 feet per RV or trailer.
People enjoy staying here because of the scenery. There are plenty of tall trees to bring you shade during the scorching summer months of Nevada. The lush fir trees will make you feel like you're in an enchanted forest. Being able to fall asleep to the lapping water on the nearby creek is a big plus.
A fun off-season activity that you might enjoy is wildlife spotting. For the best experience, you may want to bring a pair of binoculars with you on your trip. If you're wondering what type of animals you'll see here, there are plenty.
Some of the more common animals are wild horses, golden eagles, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and even zebra tailed lizards. It is best to remember not to approach any wild animals and observe them from a safe distance.
Do you enjoy looking at the stars? Do you live somewhere that has a lot of light pollution, making stargazing difficult? Well, you're in luck. North Jackson Mountains Wilderness is the perfect place to go stargazing.
The wide-open sky and distance from any large city allow stars to shine bright. It is jaw-dropping to see just about every inch of the sky filled with stars. This is a great activity for the whole family or a lovely anniversary or date idea.
If you enjoy any of the outdoor activities while visiting the North Jackson Mountains Wilderness, chances are you'll be pretty hungry afterward. Having a picnic surrounded by the beautiful great outdoors of northwest Nevada is a great way to enjoy a meal.
This can fuel you before a long day of hiking or fill you up after exploring the canyons all day. Just be sure to clean up after yourself to help preserve the North Jackson Mountains Wilderness.
