About Orocopia Mountains Wilderness
The western boundary of the Orocopia Mountains Wilderness is contiguous with the Mecca Hills Wilderness with the exception of the Meccacopia Jeep Trail, which bisects the two wilderness areas. The forces of nature have produced a striking landscape here where open valleys, ridges and highly colorful and dramatically eroded canyons are the result of the region's proximity to the San Andreas fault system. Deep canyons and washes cut across the entire area, exposing walls of color shaded from bright red to black. Bighorn sheep, burro deer, desert tortoise and many small upland game species live among the mountains. The spiny-leaved Orocopia sage, Alverson's foxtail cactus, Orcutt's woody aster and the Mecca aster grow unexpectedly in washes, on stony slopes and in gypsum soils. Orocopia Mountains Wilderness is administered by BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office.
How to Get There
Riverside County; 20 miles southeast of Indio, California. Interstate 10 provides access to the wilderness from the north, State Highway 195 (Box Canyon Road) from the west and the Chiriaco Summit exit south along the Red Canyon four-wheel drive trail. The Bradshaw Trail provides access from the south.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Orocopia Mountains Wilderness
Heading to Orocopia Mountains Wilderness? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Orocopia Mountains Wilderness?
No central reservation system listed for Orocopia Mountains Wilderness. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/13449) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Orocopia Mountains Wilderness?
Riverside County; 20 miles southeast of Indio, California. Interstate 10 provides access to the wilderness from the north, State Highway 195 (Box Canyon Road) from the west and the Chiriaco Summit exit south along the Red Canyon four-wheel drive trail. The Bradshaw Trail provides access from the south.
How do I contact Orocopia Mountains Wilderness?
You can reach the park at phone: 760-833-7100 or email: BLM_CA_Web_PS@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
