The 8,300-acre Tres Alamos Wilderness is in Yavapai County, 80 miles northwest of Phoenix, Arizona and six miles south of the Santa Maria River.

The eastern part of the wilderness takes in the scenic ridgelines, canyons and washes of the southern Black Mountains, whereas the western side consists mainly of lower desert bajada and plains. Sawyer Peak at 4,293 feet, is the highest point in the wilderness and in the Black Mountains. The colorful monolith of Tres Alamos is the area's most striking landscape feature. Saguaro and paloverde cover the hills and bajadas; Joshua trees and creosotebush dot the plains, and mesquite and acacia line the washes. Wildlife includes the Gila monster, prairie falcon, and golden eagle, and possibly Cooper's hawks and kit fox.

All of the area offers landscapes suitable for hiking, backpacking, sight-seeing, photography and camping. Equestrian use would be good on the bajadas and plains. The area would be equally enjoyed by both experienced and novice backcountry users.

Take Highway 93 to Alamo Road, located at about milepost 179. Drive about 6.5 miles on this road to Pipeline Ranch Road. Drive about seven more miles to reach the southern boundary of the wilderness. All boundary roads require four-wheel drive.  Visitors should be especially cautious of deep sand in the vicinity of Date Creek on the south wilderness boundary.  (See Map)

The summer climate in this wilderness unit is harsh. Daytime temperatures during the summer months are over 100 degrees. Temperatures are more moderate between October 1 and April 30th.

The terrain in Tres Alamos Wilderness is extremely rugged. A few old vehicle ways provide hiking routes in some places, but the most commonly used routes are the sand washes which dissect the area. Burro trails can sometimes be located and followed on uplands. No formal hiking trails exist in this wilderness unit.

Water is relatively scarce in this wilderness. Springs shown on topographic maps can generally be relied upon for drinking water, but a call to the BLM office to confirm this would be prudent. Purification of all water is a necessity.

Some lands around and within the wilderness are not federally administered. Please respect the property rights of the owners and do not cross or use these lands without their permission.

7.5-minute: Date Creek Ranch NW, Malpais Mesa SW

For more information contact:
Bureau of Land Management
Kingman Field Office
2755 Mission Boulevard
Kingman, AZ 86401-3629
(928) 718-3700

"Man's deepest need for wilderness is as an aid in forsaking human arrogance and courting humility in a respect for the community and with regard for the environment."
Howard Zahniser, 1955