Wild Lands & Rivers
Jump to a section
• Wilderness
• Wild & Scenic Rivers
• Monument Additions
• High Resolution Photos
Some of our country’s most beautiful wild lands and rivers are right here in Riverside County. More information on the California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act is availabe in this fact sheet.
- Map of Proposed Wilderness Areas

- This map illustrates the relative location and size of the
proposed wilderness areas listed below.
High resolution photos are available here. Media are welcome to use these photos in print, as long as photographer Doug Steakley is credited.
Proposed Wilderness
- Agua Tibia

- Agua Tibia proposed wilderness additions is a land of steep canyons cloaked in coastal sage scrub and groves of pine and fir, with willow, cottonwood, and other hardwoods growing along its larger streams.
- Beauty Mountain

- Beauty Mountain proposed wilderness serves as a critical bridge for migrating wildlife in the rapidly urbanizing region and contains fascinating rock formations and oak woodlands, all overlooked by the majestic 5,548 peak of Beauty Mountain itself.
- Cahuilla Mountain

- Cahuilla Mountain proposed wilderness offers spectacular views of the historic Juan Bautista de Anza Trail, San Jacinto Peak, Palomar Mountain, Beauty Mountain, and the vast desert landscape to the southeast.
- Chuckwalla Mountains

- The area’s often gentle terrain, rich plant and animal life and fascinating geology make it an excellent cross-country hiking and horseback riding destination.
- Joshua Tree

- Joshua Tree proposed wilderness additions: Joshua Tree National Park’s sweeping valleys, craggy peaks and narrow canyons provide refuge for bighorn sheep and desert tortoise, as well as diverse cactus gardens and the distinctive Joshua tree.
- Orocopia Mountains

- The Orocopia Mountains shelter bighorn sheep, prairie falcon, Bendire's thrasher, desert tortoise and prairie falcon among a host of other species.
- Palen-McCoy

- The Palen-McCoy Proposed Wilderness Additions would protect habitat for Bendire's thrasher, California leaf-nosed bat, desert tortoise, Nelson's bighorn sheep, prairie falcon, and other rare species.
- Pinto Mountains

- The rugged Pinto Mountains host a variety of rare and fascinating species, including American badger, Bendire's thrasher, California leaf-nosed bat, desert tortoise, and Nelson's bighorn sheep.
- Santa Rosa

- The Santa Rosa Proposed Wilderness Addition has significant ecological, geological and cultural resources, and provides critical bighorn sheep habitat.
- South Fork San Jacinto

- South Fork San Jacinto proposed wilderness presents visitors with lush groves of big-cone Douglas fir, willow, and cottonwood. The rich streamside forests are home to mountain lion, mule deer, mountain quail, and bald eagle.
Proposed Wild & Scenic Rivers
- Bautista Creek

- Bautista Creek proposed Wild and Scenic River supports the largest number of sensitive and endangered wildlife species on the San Bernardino National Forest. In addition, Bautista Creek was the route of the historic de Anza expeditions in 1774 and 1776.
- North Fork San Jacinto River and Fuller Creek

- North Fork San Jacinto River and Fuller Creek represent key habitats for the endangered Mountain yellow-legged frog, the California spotted owl, rubber boa and the San Bernardino flying squirrel. The Pacific Crest Trail and popular Seven Pines Trail cross this area, providing excellent recreational hiking opportunities.
- Palm Canyon Creek

- Palm Canyon Creek provides an important sanctuary for the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep and southwestern willow flycatcher, and supports the largest California fan palm oasis in the United States. The region has special significance for Native Americans, who have used its trails for thousands of years.
Proposed Monument Additions
- Snow Creek

- The Snow Creek proposed addition represents a crucial wildlife movement corridor, linking habitats for a broad collection of plant and animal species such as the mountain lion, badger, and antelope ground squirrel.
- Santa Rosa Peak

- Santa Rosa Peak Addition provides scenic campgrounds for visitors to the Santa Rosa National Monument as well as habitat for the rare Gray Vireo. Its addition represents a valuable opportunity to bring the area under the stewardship of the Monument, offering increased stewardship of its habitat.
- Southeast Boundary Area

- The Proposed Southeast Boundary Area National Monument Addition has significant ecological, geological and cultural resources.
- Tahquitz Peak Area

- The Tahquitz Peak Area is very scenic with soaring granite rock outcrops, and contains coniferous forests which support wildlife including Clark’s nutcrackers, pine siskins, and the southern rubber boa.
High Resolution Photos for Print Use
Media are welcome to use these photos in print, as long as photographer Doug Steakley is credited.
- Agua Tibia (3.2 MB)
- Beauty Mountain 1 (2.4 MB)
- Beauty Mountain 2 (2.9 MB)
- Cahuilla Mountain (2.6 MB)
- Fuller Mill Creek 1 (3.7 MB)
- Fuller Mill Creek 2 (3.5 MB)
- North Fork 1 (3.0 MB)
- North Fork 2 (3.0 MB)
- South Fork (4.2 MB)


