Wilderness. What does the word conjure in your mind? To some, wilderness evokes images of desolate, untamed, and sometimes dangerous lands far from civilization. To others, it is nature in its purest, most pristine form, unspoiled by humans. So what exactly is wilderness? And where is it exactly?
You might be surprised to learn that “wilderness” is not just a descriptive term for any area of nature or public land. The US was one of the first countries in the world to establish “wilderness” as an official type of land, to be designated by Congress.
The Wilderness Act of 1964 says:
A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain….[L]and retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions.
Not all public land is wilderness, but all wilderness is public land. Wilderness areas are undeveloped and federally protected. Perhaps the biggest characteristic of wilderness is that human activities are extremely restricted on them.
Mechanized and motorized recreation is forbidden in wilderness areas, including bicycles and OHV use. That means you won’t find roads crisscrossing wilderness areas. Instead, you’ll find single-track trails because wilderness areas are only open to hoof and foot traffic. That’s right – you can only walk or ride in wilderness areas.
Even mechanized equipment is heavily restricted in wilderness areas. Instead of chainsaws, trail crews must use handsaws. Instead of driving in equipment and tools, they must pack them in on horses or mules or carry them in themselves. Drones and metal detectors are not allowed in wilderness areas either. While these restrictions may seem severe, they are meant to preserve the unique character of wilderness areas
Currently, there are 806 designated wilderness areas totaling over two hundred million acres of land in the United States. Wilderness can be managed by many different agencies. There is Bureau of Land Management wilderness, Forest Service wilderness, and so on.
Nevada is home to a whopping 75 designated wilderness areas from the remote and rugged Jarbidge Wilderness in far northeastern Nevada to the dramatic and colorful Rainbow Mountain Wilderness just outside Las Vegas. There are also dozens of wilderness study areas which are places that have characteristics of wilderness and could potentially be considered for official designation someday.
Wilderness areas are truly the best places to get off the grid and the options are endless in Nevada. Most wilderness areas have trailheads for access points. You’ll want to research and have a solid plan before venturing out into one of Nevada’s many wilderness areas.
Not all trailheads are accessible with trailers. Because of the remote areas that a lot of wilderness areas tend to be, cell service can be spotty or nonexistent. Be sure to follow Leave No Trace rules, including rules for stock. Weed-free hay is also required in wilderness areas.
For more information on wilderness in Nevada, check out the Friends of Nevada Wilderness. This group does projects all over the state to preserve and improve trails and wilderness areas, often with the use of horses!
