About Clipper Mountain Wilderness
The Clipper Mountain Wilderness encompasses rugged yellow and dark brown, horizontally striped mesas; narrow canyons with hidden springs; and sparsely vegetated alluvial fans. The small cluster of volcanic mountains is oriented northeast to southwest. In the center, the most prominent ridge, Clipper Mountain, reaches an elevation of 4,625 feet before it dramatically drops off in a series of sharp cliffs overlooking the Clipper and Fenner Valleys. Castle Dome, a local landmark, can be clearly seen from Historic Route 66 to the south and east. Wildlife includes a herd of 40-50 bighorn sheep, coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, roadrunners, chucker, quail, prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards. The entire wilderness is located in Critical Tortoise Habitat. The wilderness is located eastern corner of the sector and consists of 33,844 acres. Access to the area is limited. It is bordered by I-40 on the north and a gas pipeline on the south.
How to Get There
From Needles, CA, take I-40 west approx. 25 miles to the Mountain Springs Road exit. Exit south and take National Trails Highway west approx. 20 miles to BLM Route NS203. Turn right on NS203 and follow it approx. half a mile. The wilderness area will be on your right hand side.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Clipper Mountain Wilderness
Heading to Clipper Mountain 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 Clipper Mountain Wilderness?
No central reservation system listed for Clipper Mountain Wilderness. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/14841) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Clipper Mountain Wilderness?
From Needles, CA, take I-40 west approx. 25 miles to the Mountain Springs Road exit. Exit south and take National Trails Highway west approx. 20 miles to BLM Route NS203. Turn right on NS203 and follow it approx. half a mile. The wilderness area will be on your right hand side.
How do I contact Clipper Mountain Wilderness?
You can reach the park at phone: 760-326-7000 or email: BLM_CA_Web_NE@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
