Rawhide Mountains Wilderness’ large size, colorful and varied terrain, and abundance of wilderness recreational opportunities explain why it is a popular destination among nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This 60 square mile Bureau of Land Management property, which lies 50 miles southeast of Lake Havasu City, in Arizona, is easy to locate and access via maintained and unmaintained roads that branch off major roads such as Interstate 40 and US Highway 93. If you’re driving to the park, it’s best to come in four-wheel-drive vehicles.
There are plenty of things to do at and around Rawhide Mountains Wilderness. Within the BLM land, sightseeing opportunities, wildlife watching, nature observation, hiking and flora viewing are some of the more popular activities. Water sports are also available for enthusiasts along Bill Williams River. At the nearby Alamo Lake State Park, activities such as fishing and swimming are popular among vacationers. OHV driving trails are also present.
Although there are no facilities or modern campgrounds in this wilderness, free camping opportunities abound. RV camping is available at Alamo Lake State Park.
The US Congress designated the Rawhide Mountains Wilderness in 1990.
Rawhide Mountains Wilderness is located within La Paz and Mohave Counties, 50 miles southeast of Lake Havasu City in Arizona. Bill Williams River gorge is located around this BLM wilderness and can be accessed from Alamo Lake State Park via Alamo Road, a maintained road. If you’re coming in from Kingman, drive south on Interstate 40 for 22 miles to Yucca to connect to Alamo Road. US Highway 93 which borders the wilderness to the east also offers easy access to the wilderness via Chicken Springs Road. Unpaved and dirt roads around the wilderness ae best negotiated by four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Within Rawhide Mountains Wilderness, the use of motorized vehicles and mechanical equipment is not allowed. So, look out for signs and posts that indicate the wilderness boundaries and parking spaces for vehicles. Getting around in the wilderness is either on foot or on your horse. Wheelchairs are allowed within the wilderness.
There are no direct public transportation services to Rawhide Mountains Wilderness.
If you wish to get RVs and trailers for modern camping nearby, you will find equipment available at the nearby Alamo Lake and Prescott National Forest.
Alamo Lake Campground offers opportunities for developed and modern camping, as well as dry camping, for guests at and around Rawhide Mountains Wilderness. Featuring sites that can accommodate tents and RVs, this campground is open year-round. Reservations are accepted for campsites.
Electric, water and sewer hookup options for RVs and trailers are provided for campers, and so are amenities such as picnic tables, fire grills, vault and chemical toilets, and potable water. Showers and dump stations are also available.
RVs and motorhomes up to 100 feet can be accommodated in the campground, and quiet hours are from 10 pm to 7 am. All music and generators must be turned off during this time.
Bill Williams River, located just beyond Alamo Dam, cuts through Rawhide Mountains Wilderness and divides the region into two mountain ranges. This river, which traverses the Bill Williams Gorge for more than five miles offers an expanse of white water available to river runners and other water-based recreation enthusiasts to pursue their interests. In addition, swimming opportunities are available at Alamo Lake for those who fancy the chance to take a dip in the lake’s waters.
If you’ve got off-highway vehicles and fancy driving them along scenic routes, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself along the hundreds of miles of off-highway vehicle trails provided near Alamo Lake State Park. As a result, plenty of OHV enthusiasts are attracted to this region in the Sonoran Desert. Visitors and campers at Rawhide Mountains Wilderness are not left out either as they get to enjoy the activity after having explored the wilderness areas on foot/horses.
Recreational fishing is a popular activity on the 5.5 square mile Alamo Lake, owing to the fact that the lake is considered one of the best crappie and largemouth bass fisheries in the State. Water level fluctuations are common on the lake, so anglers are advised to check the lake levels before visiting.
Besides largemouth bass and crappie, bluegill and sunfish are also commonly caught in the lake. A valid Arizona fishing license is required for anglers 10 years old and above.
Rawhide Mountains Wilderness offers the chance for visitors and nature lovers to see different resplendent vegetation that is characteristic of the Sonoran and Mohave deserts. Above the canyon rim in this BLM wilderness, there is desert vegetation featuring flora such as saguaro, paloverde, yucca, ocotillo, and cholla.
Further exploration through the wilderness leads visitors to areas where Joshua trees and prickly pear will be seen. Good cameras are handy to take photographs of this wilderness’ flora.
The various habitats within Rawhide Mountains Wilderness are conducive for the survival and presence of various fauna species. The upper areas of this BLM property in Arizona, for example, are home to a variety of wildlife such as coyote, jackrabbit, western diamondback rattlesnake and a host of reptiles and insects.
Beavers, amphibians, different species of raptors, reptiles, as well as bald eagles also reside within the riparian habitats in the wilderness, thereby providing several spots for wildlife watching.
The landscapes and natural features within and around Rawhide Mountains Wilderness areas provide plenty of sightseeing and photography opportunities. Featuring mountains that range in height from 700 feet to 2,430 feet, the heights at Rawhide Mountains are lower than those at Buckskin Mountains ranging from 1,700 feet to 3,927 feet.
In spite of this height difference, both areas around the mountains are scenically appealing and rewarding. Another beautiful place to visit is the Mississippi Wash which has several waterfalls.
