Eldorado Wilderness

The Eldorado Wilderness is a rugged maze of peaks and side canyons. The Eldorado Range is volcanic rock with basalt flows on a base of metamorphic rock, and a bajada — a wide, gentle slope — extends northwest of the mountains. This forms a stark and colorful landscape bridging the expanse between U.S. Highway 95 and the Colorado River, 40 miles south of Las Vegas. Creosote bush, scrub oak, clump grass, and various cacti cover the intense terrain, creating natural habitat for bighorn sheep in the higher elevations. Wildlife is abundant, with these bighorn sheep and migrating birds near the river. Despite a long history of tribal habitation, abandoned mine sites are the only evidence of human activity in the region. Aside from the Colorado River, water is scarce, and summer temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If properly prepared, the Eldorado Wilderness provides a stunning stage for hiking, horseback riding, and camping. Hunting is allowed with proper licensing; target practice is prohibited.