U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
California

Cleghorn Lakes

Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness

Map
Legal Description
7.5 Topo Map 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Size: 33,475 acres. Cleghorn Lakes

Location: San Bernardino County; 16 miles northeast of Twentynine Palms, California (Note: Boundary set backs from roads or trails are 30 to 300 feet)

Area Description : Named for the dry lakes found near its center, this wilderness contains vastly different natural resources. The east portion is mountainous while the west portion is a vast alluvial slope or bajada. Elevations range from 1,400 feet at the desert floor to the rugged Bullion Mountains, which rise more than 4,100 feet across a 4-mile stretch. The Bullion Mountains include desert bighorn sheep habitat, and desert tortoise can be found on the valley floor. Barrel cactus "gardens" and "smoke trees" inhabit some washes. The Lakes offer occasional spring wildflower displays, and Crucifixion Thorn has been found near the eastern edge of the wilderness boundary.

Getting There : Access this wilderness via Amboy Road from either Interstate 40 or State Highway 62.

Nonfederal Lands: Private lands may lie within the wilderness area. Please respect the owner and do not use these lands without permission.

Additional Information :

Signs indicating "Wilderness" and "Closed Road" or "Closed Route" are placed at various intervals.  Vehicles can be parked outside the wilderness boundary; however, the boundary is set back 30 feet from unmaintained dirt roads and 300 feet on paved roads.

Mechanized or motorized vehicles are NOT PERMITTED in a wilderness.

Hunting, fishing, and non-commercial trapping are allowed under state and local laws.

Pet are allowed, but please keep your pets under control at all times.

Horses are permitted, however you may be required to carry feed.

Removal, disturbance, or attempting to remove archaelogical materials is a felony.  Selling, receiving, purchasing, transporting, exchanging or offering to do so is prohibited by law.

CAMPING: Camping is permitted, limited to 14 days.  After 14 days, campers must relocate at least 25 miles from previous site.

Help BLM preserve California's fragile deserts.  Please park your vehicle or set up camp in previously disturbed sites.

Gathering wood for campfires, when permitted, is limited to dead and down materials.  Do not cut live vegetation.

The BLM encourages all desert recreationists and travelers exploring public lands, not only within southern California but through the west, to use propylene glycol based antifreeze/coolant in their touring and recreation vehicles.  Proven safer, it will have minimal impacts on the wildlife and the environment should a leak occur.

Maps:

  • Desert Access Guide:
    •  Sheephole Mountains - #15
       
  • USGS 7.5 Quadrangle Maps:
    • Bristol Lake South West
    • Cleghorn lakes
    • Dale Lake
    • East of Valley Mountain
    • Lead Mountain South West

    • Contact:

    Barstow Field Office

    California Desert District

    [Back]Go to BLM Wilderness List
    Please send comments to:
    Paul Brink, California Wilderness Coordinator
    pbrink@ca.blm.gov