The Eagletail Mountains Wilderness in Arizona is a rugged and remote desert landscape with towering cliffs, deep canyons, and unique rock formations.
The Eagletail Mountains Wilderness is a remote and rugged area located in western Arizona, near the town of Quartzsite. This wilderness area covers approximately 100,000 acres and offers visitors the opportunity to experience pristine desert landscapes, unique rock formations, and stunning mountain views.
Signal Peak is the highest point in the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness, standing at an elevation of 2,150 feet. This peak offers panoramic views of the surrounding desert and is a popular destination for hikers and rock climbers.
The Painted Rocks are a series of colorful sandstone formations that can be found throughout the wilderness area. These rocks are a popular spot for photography and offer a unique glimpse into the geological history of the region.
The Crosscut Trail is a challenging hiking trail that winds through the heart of the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness. This trail offers hikers the chance to explore deep canyons, rugged peaks, and hidden waterfalls.
The Eagletail Mountains Wilderness is home to a variety of desert wildlife, including bighorn sheep, coyotes, and rattlesnakes. Birdwatchers will also enjoy spotting species such as roadrunners, hawks, and quail.
Due to its remote location and minimal light pollution, the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness is an excellent spot for stargazing. Visitors can enjoy clear views of the night sky and marvel at the countless stars and constellations overhead.
Overall, the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness offers a unique and unforgettable outdoor experience for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
Description: Eagletail Mountains, Arizona.
Image by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Eagletail Mountains, Arizona.
Image by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: BLM Winter Bucket List #22: Eagletail Mountains Wilderness, Arizona, for Hikes with Dramatic Scenery The 97,880-acre Eagletail Mountains Wilderness is about 65 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona. The wilderness includes 15 miles of the Eagletail Mountains ridgeline to the north, Cemetary Ridge to the south, and a large desert plain area between the two ridgelines. The magnificent rocky spires and beauty of the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness can be explored along the Ben Avery Trail. Originally an old jeep route, the trail winds south into a wash and then to the bluffs next to Indian Spring. A climb up the hillside to the west reveals the dramatic scenery of the Eagletail Mountains, including two natural arches. The best seasons to hike the trail are fall, winter, and spring. Learn more about Eagletail Mountains Wilderness, a part of the BLM’s National Conservation Lands: www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/wildareas/eag... Photos by Bob Wick, BLM
Image by Bureau of Land Management – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Courthouse Rock, Eagletail Mts, La Paz County, Arizona
Image by Kevin Dooley from Chander, AZ, USA – CC BY 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: The 97,880-acre Eagletail Mountains Wilderness is about 65 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona, in Maricopa, Yuma, and LaPaz counties. The wilderness includes 15 miles of the Eagletail Mountains ridgeline and Courthouse Rock to the north, Cemetary Ridge to the south, and a large desert plain area between the two ridgelines. Several different rock strata are visible in most places, with natural arches, high spires, monoliths, jagged sawtooth ridges and numerous washes six to eight miles long. Recreation such as extended horseback riding and backpacking trips, sightseeing, photography, rock climbing and day hiking are enhanced by the topographic diversity, scenic character, size, as well as the botanical, wildlife, and cultural values of the area. Additional information is available on our Ben Avery Trail page. Learn more: www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/wildareas/eag...
Image by Bureau of Land Management – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: The 97,880-acre Eagletail Mountains Wilderness is about 65 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona, in Maricopa, Yuma, and LaPaz counties. The wilderness includes 15 miles of the Eagletail Mountains ridgeline and Courthouse Rock to the north, Cemetary Ridge to the south, and a large desert plain area between the two ridgelines. Several different rock strata are visible in most places, with natural arches, high spires, monoliths, jagged sawtooth ridges and numerous washes six to eight miles long. Recreation such as extended horseback riding and backpacking trips, sightseeing, photography, rock climbing and day hiking are enhanced by the topographic diversity, scenic character, size, as well as the botanical, wildlife, and cultural values of the area. Additional information is available on our Ben Avery Trail page. Learn more: www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/wildareas/eag...
Image by Bureau of Land Management – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: The 97,880-acre Eagletail Mountains Wilderness is about 65 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona, in Maricopa, Yuma, and LaPaz counties. The wilderness includes 15 miles of the Eagletail Mountains ridgeline and Courthouse Rock to the north, Cemetary Ridge to the south, and a large desert plain area between the two ridgelines. Several different rock strata are visible in most places, with natural arches, high spires, monoliths, jagged sawtooth ridges and numerous washes six to eight miles long. Recreation such as extended horseback riding and backpacking trips, sightseeing, photography, rock climbing and day hiking are enhanced by the topographic diversity, scenic character, size, as well as the botanical, wildlife, and cultural values of the area. Additional information is available on our Ben Avery Trail page. Learn more: www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/wildareas/eag...
Image by Bureau of Land Management – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: The Bureau of Land Management is proud to share an ongoing series of vintage posters depicting some of the spectacular landscapes of our National Conservation Lands. The BLM’s National Conservation Lands - also called the National Landscape Conservation System - conserves, protects, and restores nationally-significant landscapes and places that have outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values for the benefit of current and future generations. These lands include 900 areas (more than 30 million acres) of National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness Areas, and other federally-designated special places. The vintage posters will be available at BLM state offices in both postcard and poster formats within the next few weeks. Requests for paper posters can also be sent to asmall@blm.gov. Please include the word POSTER in the subject line and provide your name, mailing address, and the number and type of poster. Requests are limited to five posters per recipient. 6/17
Image by Bureau of Land Management – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: BLM Arizona staff attend a dedication ceremony for the Eagletail Mountain Wilderness in 1991. The Eagletail Mountains are located in southwest Arizona between Yuma and Phoenix. The wilderness area is managed by the BLM's Yuma Field Office. Photo credit: BLM
Image by BLMArizona – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: More than 97,000 acres of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert were selected for protection as part of the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness. Because of its topographic diversity and magnificent scenery, the area is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts—from backpackers, to rock climbers, to photographers, and many others. Rock arches, natural spires, and jagged ridgelines are among the area’s geologic wonders, contrasting with sandy desert washes extending as long as 8 miles. The quiet presence of raptors, coyotes, and great horned owls mesmerizes the attentive visitor, while petroglyphs discovered in the rocks reveal secrets of some of the earliest Native American inhabitants in the Southwest. The area—which includes 15 miles of the Eagletail Mountains’ ridgeline, a highly recognizable monolith known as Courthouse Rock, and a vast desert plain—was designated a wilderness area by Congress as part of the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act of 1990. Today, it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of the National Landscape Conservation System. The vintage posters will be available at BLM state offices in both postcard and poster formats within the next few weeks. Requests for paper posters can also be sent to asmall@blm.gov. Please include the word POSTER in the subject line and provide your name, mailing address, and the number and type of poster. Requests are limited to five posters per recipient. 6/17
Image by Bureau of Land Management – Public domain – Wikimedia