Top wilderness areas
Wilderness AreaArc Dome Wilderness
Wilderness AreaMount Rose Wilderness
Wilderness AreaRuby Mountains Wilderness
Wilderness AreaAlta Toquima Wilderness
Wilderness AreaCurrant Mountain Wilderness
Wilderness AreaGoshute Canyon Wilderness
Wilderness AreaJarbidge Wilderness
Wilderness AreaWee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness
Wilderness AreaWeepah Spring Wilderness
Wilderness AreaRed Mountain Wilderness
Wilderness AreaSouth Egan Range Wilderness
Wilderness AreaClover Mountains Wilderness
Wilderness Areas by county
All wilderness areas (31)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc Dome Wilderness | Nye County | — | Fallon | 1 |
| Mount Rose Wilderness | Washoe County | — | Incline Village | 4 |
| Ruby Mountains Wilderness | Elko County | — | Spring Creek | 2 |
| Alta Toquima Wilderness | Nye County | — | Fallon | 1 |
| Currant Mountain Wilderness | White Pine County | — | Ely | 1 |
| Goshute Canyon Wilderness | White Pine County | — | Spring Creek | 1 |
| Jarbidge Wilderness | Elko County | — | Jackpot | 1 |
| Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness | Clark County | — | Boulder City | 3 |
| Weepah Spring Wilderness | Lincoln County | — | Pioche | 1 |
| Red Mountain Wilderness | White Pine County | — | Ely | 1 |
| South Egan Range Wilderness | White Pine County | — | Enoch | 1 |
| Clover Mountains Wilderness | Lincoln County | — | Caliente | 2 |
| East Fork High Rock Canyon Wilderness | Washoe County | — | Winnemucca | 1 |
| Fortification Range Wilderness | Lincoln County | — | Enoch | 1 |
| High Schells Wilderness | White Pine County | — | McGill | 1 |
| Spirit Mountain Wilderness | Clark County | — | Laughlin | 3 |
| Mount Moriah Wilderness | White Pine County | — | McGill | 1 |
| Quinn Canyon Wilderness | Nye County | — | Moapa Valley | 1 |
| Mount Charleston Wilderness | Clark County | — | Pahrump | 4 |
| Black Rock Desert Wilderness | Humboldt County | — | Winnemucca | 1 |
| Boundary Peak Wilderness | Esmeralda County | — | Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek | 2 |
| Calico Mountains Wilderness | Humboldt County | — | Winnemucca | 1 |
| La Madre Mountains Wilderness | Clark County | — | Summerlin South | 5 |
| Ireteba Peaks Wilderness | Clark County | — | Boulder City | 3 |
| Little High Rock Canyon Wilderness | Washoe County | — | Susanville | 1 |
| Black Canyon Wilderness | Clark County | — | Boulder City | 4 |
| Bristlecone Wilderness | White Pine County | — | McGill | 1 |
| East Humboldt Wilderness | Elko County | — | Wells | 1 |
| Grant Range Wilderness | Nye County | — | Ivins | 1 |
| High Rock Lake Wilderness | Washoe County | — | Winnemucca | 1 |
| Highland Ridge WildernessGreat Basin | White Pine County | — | Enoch | 1 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph wilderness areas
Wilderness areas reward those who camp: being on location at sunrise and in the dark is the main advantage over day visitors.
- Motorized and mechanized equipment, including drones, is prohibited in designated wilderness.
- Group size limits and permits may apply; check with the managing agency.
- Practice Leave No Trace — camp on durable surfaces away from lakes and streams.
- Pack weight matters: a single zoom and a light tripod cover most situations.
- Night skies are often among the darkest in the country.
Season: Most high wilderness is snow-free from July to September; lower deserts are best in spring and autumn.