National Conservation Lands
Federally-managed protected areas in the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
National Conservation Lands, formally known as the National Landscape Conservation System, is a 39.5-million-acre (160,000 km2) collection of lands in 904 federally recognized areas considered to be the crown jewels of the American West.[1] These lands represent 15% of the 258 million acres (1,040,000 km2) managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM is the largest federal public land manager and is responsible for over 40% of all the federal public land in the nation. The other major federal public land managers include the US Forest Service (USFS), National Park Service (NPS), and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
.jpg)
Over the years, the Bureau of Land Management has had to adjust its approach to public land management to fit the changing needs of the nation. The BLM historically has managed lands under its jurisdiction for extractive uses, such as mining, logging, grazing, and oil and gas production. In 1983, Congress acknowledged the value of watersheds, wildlife habitat, recreation, scenery, scientific exploration and other non-extractive uses with the designation of the first BLM-managed wilderness area—the Bear Trap Canyon unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness in Montana.[2] In 1996, President Clinton underscored non-extractive priorities on BLM lands when he established the first national monument to be administered by the BLM—the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. With this and several similar designations, a new focus emerged that would become part of how the agency looks at the land it manages: the protection of special areas where conservation and restoration of the landscape and its biological or cultural resources is the overriding objective.
The Bureau of Land Management's National Landscape Conservation System, better known as the National Conservation Lands, was created in 2000 with the mission to "conserve, protect, and restore these nationally significant landscapes that have outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values for the benefit of current and future generations."[3]
There are eleven federal conservation designations for the units that make up the National Conservation Lands:
When the Conservation System was created in 2000 without Congressional authorization, there was no guarantee that the System would be permanent. The National Landscape Conservation System Act was signed into law in March 2009 as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The Act permanently unified the individual units as a public lands System, protecting the System in law so that it would no longer exist at the pleasure of each president. This marked the first new congressionally authorized public lands system in decades.
The act also added 1,200,000 acres (490,000 ha) of new designations to the System, including a National Monument, three National Conservation Areas, Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers and National Scenic Trails.
List of National Conservation Lands areas
National monuments
As of January 2026, there are 31 sites totaling 13,064,883 acres (5,287,171 ha).[4]
| Monument | State | Established | BLM/federal area | Non-federal area | Total area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agua Fria | Arizona | 2000 | 70,980 acres (28,720 ha) | 1,364 acres (552 ha) | 72,344 acres (29,277 ha) |
| Avi Kwa Ame | Nevada | 2023 | 506,814 acres (205,100 ha)[a] | 0 acres (0 ha) | 506,814 acres (205,100 ha) |
| Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of Grand Canyon | Arizona | 2023 | 917,618 acres (371,347 ha)[b] | 42,409 acres (17,162 ha) | 960,027 acres (388,509 ha) |
| Basin and Range | Nevada | 2015 | 703,585 acres (284,731 ha) | 4,438 acres (1,796 ha) | 708,023 acres (286,527 ha) |
| Bears Ears | Utah | 2016 | 1,363,948 acres (551,970 ha)[c] | 26,911 acres (10,890 ha) | 1,390,859 acres (562,861 ha) |
| Berryessa Snow Mountain | California | 2015 | 344,476 acres (139,404 ha)[d] | 0 acres (0 ha) | 344,476 acres (139,404 ha) |
| Browns Canyon | Colorado | 2015 | 21,604 acres (8,743 ha)[e] | 0 acres (0 ha) | 21,604 acres (8,743 ha) |
| California Coastal | California | 2000 | 8,858 acres (3,585 ha)[f] | 0 acres (0 ha) | 8,858 acres (3,585 ha) |
| Canyons of the Ancients | Colorado | 2000 | 176,370 acres (71,370 ha) | 8,630 acres (3,490 ha) | 185,000 acres (75,000 ha) |
| Carrizo Plain | California | 2001 | 211,045 acres (85,407 ha) | 35,772 acres (14,476 ha) | 246,817 acres (99,883 ha) |
| Cascade–Siskiyou | Oregon | 2000 | 112,928 acres (45,700 ha) | 19,752 acres (7,993 ha) | 132,680 acres (53,690 ha) |
| Chuckwalla | California | 2025 | 624,270 acres (252,630 ha) | 114,923 acres (46,508 ha) | 739,193 acres (299,141 ha) |
| Craters of the Moon | Idaho | 2000 | 738,420 acres (298,830 ha)[g] | 14,824 acres (5,999 ha) | 753,244 acres (304,827 ha) |
| Fort Ord | California | 2012 | 14,658 acres (5,932 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 14,658 acres (5,932 ha) |
| Gold Butte | Nevada | 2016 | 296,937 acres (120,166 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 296,937 acres (120,166 ha) |
| Grand Canyon-Parashant | Arizona | 2000 | 1,021,030 acres (413,200 ha)[h] | 27,291 acres (11,044 ha) | 1,048,321 acres (424,240 ha) |
| Grand Staircase–Escalante | Utah | 1996 | 1,870,000 acres (760,000 ha) | 2,478 acres (1,003 ha) | 1,872,478 acres (757,765 ha) |
| Ironwood Forest | Arizona | 2000 | 129,055 acres (52,227 ha) | 59,573 acres (24,108 ha) | 188,628 acres (76,335 ha) |
| Jurassic | Utah | 2019 | 850 acres (340 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 850 acres (340 ha) |
| Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks | New Mexico | 2001 | 4,647 acres (1,881 ha) | 757 acres (306 ha) | 5,404 acres (2,187 ha) |
| Mojave Trails | California | 2016 | 1,600,000 acres (650,000 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 1,600,000 acres (650,000 ha) |
| Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks | New Mexico | 2014 | 496,529 acres (200,938 ha) | 77,008 acres (31,164 ha) | 573,527 acres (232,098 ha) |
| Pompeys Pillar | Montana | 2001 | 51 acres (21 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 51 acres (21 ha) |
| Prehistoric Trackways | New Mexico | 2009 | 5,280 acres (2,140 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 5,280 acres (2,140 ha) |
| Rio Grande del Norte | New Mexico | 2013 | 242,710 acres (98,220 ha) | 68,020 acres (27,530 ha) | 310,730 acres (125,750 ha) |
| San Juan Islands | Washington | 2013 | 970 acres (390 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 970 acres (390 ha) |
| Sand To Snow | California | 2016 | 154,000 acres (62,000 ha)[i] | 0 acres (0 ha) | 154,000 acres (62,000 ha) |
| Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains | California | 2000, 2009 | 169,096 acres (68,431 ha)[j] | 110,926 acres (44,890 ha) | 280,071 acres (113,341 ha) |
| Sonoran Desert | Arizona | 2001 | 486,400 acres (196,800 ha) | 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) | 496,400 acres (200,900 ha) |
| Upper Missouri River Breaks | Montana | 2001 | 377,346 acres (152,707 ha) | 120,475 acres (48,755 ha) | 497,821 acres (201,461 ha) |
| Vermilion Cliffs | Arizona | 2000 | 279,566 acres (113,136 ha) | 14,121 acres (5,715 ha) | 293,687 acres (118,851 ha) |
National conservation areas (NCAs)
As of January 2026, there are 19 sites totaling 3,870,485 acres (1,566,330 ha).[5]
| Conservation Area | State | Established | Federal area | Non-federal area | Total area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam Wash | Utah | 2009 | 63,478 acres (25,689 ha) | 18,619 acres (7,535 ha) | 82,097 acres (33,223 ha) |
| Black Rock Desert–High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails | Nevada | 2000 | 799,485 acres (323,540 ha) | 17,456 acres (7,064 ha) | 816,941 acres (330,604 ha) |
| Dominguez–Escalante | Colorado | 2009 | 210,149 acres (85,044 ha) | 8,245 acres (3,337 ha) | 218,394 acres (88,381 ha) |
| El Malpais | New Mexico | 1987 | 227,100 acres (91,900 ha) | 35,000 acres (14,000 ha) | 262,100 acres (106,100 ha) |
| Fort Stanton–Snowy River Cave | New Mexico | 2009 | 24,876 acres (10,067 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 24,876 acres (10,067 ha) |
| Gila Box Riparian | Arizona | 1990 | 21,767 acres (8,809 ha) | 1,720 acres (700 ha) | 23,487 acres (9,505 ha) |
| Gunnison Gorge | Colorado | 1999 | 63,201 acres (25,577 ha) | 1,823 acres (738 ha) | 65,024 acres (26,314 ha) |
| John Wesley Powell | Utah | 2019 | 29,868 acres (12,087 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 29,868 acres (12,087 ha) |
| King Range | California | 1970 | 62,562 acres (25,318 ha) | 3,617 acres (1,464 ha) | 66,179 acres (26,782 ha) |
| Las Cienegas | Arizona | 2000 | 41,972 acres (16,985 ha) | 5,307 acres (2,148 ha) | 47,279 acres (19,133 ha) |
| McInnis Canyons | Colorado | 2000 | 123,460 acres (49,960 ha) | 814 acres (329 ha) | 124,274 acres (50,292 ha) |
| Numanaa Nobe | Nevada | 2022 | 160,223 acres (64,840 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 160,223 acres (64,840 ha) |
| Pistone Black Mouintains | Nevada | 2022 | 3,415 acres (1,382 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 3,415 acres (1,382 ha) |
| Red Cliffs | Utah | 2009 | 44,859 acres (18,154 ha) | 16,366 acres (6,623 ha) | 61,225 acres (24,777 ha) |
| Red Rock Canyon | Nevada | 1990 | 196,877 acres (79,673 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 196,877 acres (79,673 ha) |
| San Pedro Riparian | Arizona | 1988 | 56,431 acres (22,837 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 56,431 acres (22,837 ha) |
| Sloan Canyon | Nevada | 2002 | 48,438 acres (19,602 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 48,438 acres (19,602 ha) |
| Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey | Idaho | 1993 | 483,700 acres (195,700 ha) | 46,000 acres (19,000 ha) | 529,700 acres (214,400 ha) |
| Steese | Alaska | 1980 | 1,208,624 acres (489,113 ha) | 0 acres (0 ha) | 1,208,624 acres (489,113 ha) |
BLM wilderness areas
As of January 2026, there are 263 sites totaling 10,185,931 acres (4,122,100 ha). This number excludes wilderness associated with other agencies.[6]
| Wilderness area | State | Established | BLM area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aden Lava Flow | New Mexico | 2019 | 27,673 acres (11,199 ha) |
| Agua Tibia | California | 2009 | 538 acres (218 ha) |
| Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah | New Mexico | 2019 | 7,242 acres (2,931 ha) |
| Aravaipa Canyon | Arizona | 1984 | 19,700 acres (8,000 ha) |
| Argus Range | California | 1994 | 65,726 acres (26,598 ha) |
| Arrastra Mountain | Arizona | 1990 | 129,800 acres (52,500 ha) |
| Arrow Canyon | Nevada | 2002 | 27,530 acres (11,140 ha) |
| Aubrey Peak | Arizona | 1990 | 15,440 acres (6,250 ha) |
| Avawatz Mountains | California | 2019 | 89,500 acres (36,200 ha) |
| Baboquivari Peak | Arizona | 1990 | 2,040 acres (830 ha) |
| Bear Trap Canyon | Utah | 2009 | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Beauty Mountain | California | 2009 | 15,628 acres (6,324 ha) |
| Beaver Dam Mountains | Arizona, Utah | 1984 | 18,667 acres (7,554 ha) |
| Becky Peak | Nevada | 2006 | 18,119 acres (7,332 ha) |
| Big Horn Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 21,000 acres (8,500 ha) |
| Big Maria Mountains | California | 1994 | 45,384 acres (18,366 ha) |
| Big Rocks | Nevada | 2004 | 12,930 acres (5,230 ha) |
| Bigelow Cholla Garden | California | 1994 | 14,645 acres (5,927 ha) |
| Big Jacks Creek | Idaho | 2009 | 52,926 acres (21,418 ha) |
| Bighorn Mountain | California | 1994 | 26,543 acres (10,742 ha) |
| Big Wild Horse Mesa | Utah | 2019 | 18,192 acres (7,362 ha) |
| Bisti/De-Na-Zin | New Mexico | 1984, 1996, 2019 | 43,420 acres (17,570 ha) |
| Black Mountain | California | 1994 | 20,548 acres (8,315 ha) |
| Blackridge | Utah | 2009 | 13,107 acres (5,304 ha) |
| Black Ridge Canyons | Colorado, Utah | 2000 | 75,418 acres (30,521 ha) |
| Black Rock Desert | Nevada | 2000 | 314,835 acres (127,409 ha) |
| Bright Star | California | 1994 | 8,191 acres (3,315 ha) |
| Bristlecone | Nevada | 2006 | 14,095 acres (5,704 ha) |
| Bristol Mountains | California | 1994 | 71,389 acres (28,890 ha) |
| Broad Canyon | New Mexico | 2019 | 13,902 acres (5,626 ha) |
| Bruneau–Jarbridge | Idaho | 2009 | 89,996 acres (36,420 ha) |
| Buzzards Peak | California | 2019 | 11,840 acres (4,790 ha) |
| Cache Creek | California | 2006 | 27,296 acres (11,046 ha) |
| Cadiz Dunes | California | 1994 | 19,935 acres (8,067 ha) |
| Cain Mountain | Nevada | 2022 | 14,050 acres (5,690 ha) |
| Calico Mountains | Nevada | 2000 | 64,968 acres (26,292 ha) |
| Canaan Mountain | Utah | 2009 | 44,447 acres (17,987 ha) |
| Carrizo Gorge | California | 1994 | 14,740 acres (5,970 ha) |
| Cebolla | New Mexico | 1987 | 61,600 acres (24,900 ha) |
| Cedar Mountain | Utah | 2006 | 99,428 acres (40,237 ha) |
| Cedar Roughs | California | 2006 | 6,287 acres (2,544 ha) |
| Cerro del Yuta | New Mexico | 2019 | 13,420 acres (5,430 ha) |
| Chemehuevi Mountains | California | 1994 | 85,864 acres (34,748 ha) |
| Chimney Peak | California | 1994 | 13,140 acres (5,320 ha) |
| Chuckwalla Mountains | California | 1994, 2009 | 99,548 acres (40,286 ha) |
| Cinder Cone | New Mexico | 2019 | 16,935 acres (6,853 ha) |
| Clan Alpine Mountains | Nevada | 2022 | 128,362 acres (51,946 ha) |
| Cleghorn Lakes | California | 1994 | 39,167 acres (15,850 ha) |
| Clipper Mountain | California | 1994 | 33,843 acres (13,696 ha) |
| Clover Mountains | Nevada | 2004 | 85,668 acres (34,669 ha) |
| Cold Wash | Utah | 2019 | 11,001 acres (4,452 ha) |
| Coso Range | California | 1994 | 49,296 acres (19,949 ha) |
| Cottonwood Canyon | Utah | 2009 | 11,667 acres (4,721 ha) |
| Cottonwood Point | Arizona | 1984 | 6,860 acres (2,780 ha) |
| Cougar Canyon | Utah | 2009 | 10,648 acres (4,309 ha) |
| Coyote Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 5,100 acres (2,100 ha) |
| Coyote Mountains | California | 1994 | 18,631 acres (7,540 ha) |
| Darwin Falls | California | 1994 | 8,189 acres (3,314 ha) |
| Dead Mountains | California | 1994 | 47,158 acres (19,084 ha) |
| Deep Creek | Utah | 2009 | 3,291 acres (1,332 ha) |
| Deep Creek North | Utah | 2009 | 4,478 acres (1,812 ha) |
| Delamar Mountains | Nevada | 2004 | 111,066 acres (44,947 ha) |
| Desatoya Mountains | Nevada | 2022 | 40,303 acres (16,310 ha) |
| Desolation Canyon | Utah | 2019 | 142,996 acres (57,868 ha) |
| Devil's Canyon | Utah | 2019 | 8,675 acres (3,511 ha) |
| Devil's Staircase | Oregon | 2019 | 30,621 acres (12,392 ha) |
| Doc's Pass | Utah | 2009 | 18,216 acres (7,372 ha) |
| Domeland | California | 1994 | 39,379 acres (15,936 ha) |
| Dominguez Canyon | Colorado | 2009 | 66,280 acres (26,820 ha) |
| Dos Cabezas Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 11,700 acres (4,700 ha) |
| Eagle Canyon | Utah | 2019 | 13,832 acres (5,598 ha) |
| Eagletail Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 97,880 acres (39,610 ha) |
| East Cactus Plain | Arizona | 1990 | 14,630 acres (5,920 ha) |
| East Fork High Rock Canyon | Nevada | 2000 | 53,618 acres (21,698 ha) |
| East Potrillo Mountains | New Mexico | 2019 | 12,155 acres (4,919 ha) |
| El Dorado | Nevada | 2002 | 5,700 acres (2,300 ha) |
| Elkhorn Ridge | California | 2006, 2011 | 11,001 acres (4,452 ha) |
| El Paso Mountains | California | 1994 | 23,679 acres (9,583 ha) |
| Far South Egans | Nevada | 2004 | 36,299 acres (14,690 ha) |
| Fish Creek Mountains | California | 1994 | 21,390 acres (8,660 ha) |
| Fishhooks | Arizona | 1990 | 10,500 acres (4,200 ha) |
| Fortification Range | Nevada | 2004 | 30,539 acres (12,359 ha) |
| Frank Church–River of No Return | Idaho | 1980, 1984 | 802 acres (325 ha) (BLM only) |
| Funeral Mountains | California | 1994 | 25,707 acres (10,403 ha) |
| Gibraltar Mountain | Arizona | 1990 | 18,790 acres (7,600 ha) |
| Golden Valley | California | 1994, 2019 | 37,786 acres (15,291 ha) |
| Goose Creek | Utah | 2009 | 93 acres (38 ha) |
| Goshute Canyon | Nevada | 2006 | 42,544 acres (17,217 ha) |
| Government Peak | Nevada | 2006 | 6,313 acres (2,555 ha) |
| Grand Wash Cliffs | Arizona | 1984 | 37,030 acres (14,990 ha) |
| Granite Mountain | California | 2009 | 31,059 acres (12,569 ha) |
| Grass Valley | California | 1994 | 30,186 acres (12,216 ha) |
| Great Falls Basin | California | 2019 | 7,810 acres (3,160 ha) |
| Gunnison Gorge | Colorado | 1999 | 17,784 acres (7,197 ha) |
| Harcuvar Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 25,050 acres (10,140 ha) |
| Harquahala Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 22,880 acres (9,260 ha) |
| Hassayampa River Canyon | Arizona | 1990 | 12,300 acres (5,000 ha) |
| Hells Canyon | Arizona | 1990 | 9,951 acres (4,027 ha) |
| Hells Canyon | Oregon | 1984 | 946 acres (383 ha) (BLM only) |
| Highland Ridge | Nevada | 2006 | 68,623 acres (27,771 ha) |
| High Rock Canyon | Nevada | 2000 | 46,465 acres (18,804 ha) |
| High Rock Lake | Nevada | 2000 | 59,107 acres (23,920 ha) |
| Hollow Hills | California | 1994 | 22,366 acres (9,051 ha) |
| Horse Valley | Utah | 2019 | 12,201 acres (4,938 ha) |
| Hummingbird Springs | Arizona | 1990 | 31,200 acres (12,600 ha) |
| Ibex | California | 1994 | 28,822 acres (11,664 ha) |
| Indian Pass | California | 1994, 2019 | 43,279 acres (17,514 ha) |
| Inyo Mountains | California | 1994 | 125,075 acres (50,616 ha) |
| Ireteba Peaks | Nevada | 2002 | 10,446 acres (4,227 ha) |
| Ishi | California | 1984 | 199 acres (81 ha) |
| Jacumba | California | 1994 | 31,358 acres (12,690 ha) |
| Jim McClure-Jerry Peak | Idaho | 2015 | 23,916 acres (9,678 ha) |
| Jumbo Springs | Nevada | 2002 | 4,631 acres (1,874 ha) |
| Juniper Dunes | Washington | 1984 | 7,140 acres (2,890 ha) |
| Kanab Creek | Arizona | 1984 | 6,700 acres (2,700 ha) |
| Kelso Dunes | California | 1994 | 144,915 acres (58,645 ha) |
| Kiavah | California | 1994 | 41,000 acres (17,000 ha) |
| Kingston Range | California | 1994, 2019 | 252,149 acres (102,041 ha) |
| King Range | California | 2006 | 42,695 acres (17,278 ha) |
| Labyrinth Canyon | Utah | 2019 | 54,643 acres (22,113 ha) |
| La Madre Mountain | Nevada | 2002 | 27,867 acres (11,277 ha) |
| La Verkin Creek | Utah | 2009 | 453 acres (183 ha) |
| Lee Metcalf | Montana | 1983 | 6,347 acres (2,569 ha) |
| Lime Canyon | Nevada | 2002 | 23,234 acres (9,402 ha) |
| Little Chuckwalla Mountains | California | 1994 | 28,052 acres (11,352 ha) |
| Little High Rock Canyon | Nevada | 2000 | 48,355 acres (19,569 ha) |
| Little Jacks Creen | Idaho | 2009 | 50,929 acres (20,610 ha) |
| Little Ocean Draw | Utah | 2019 | 20,660 acres (8,360 ha) |
| Little Picacho | California | 1994 | 38,216 acres (15,465 ha) |
| Little Wild Horse Canyon | Utah | 2019 | 5,479 acres (2,217 ha) |
| Lower Last Chance | Utah | 2019 | 19,339 acres (7,826 ha) |
| Lower White River | Oregon | 2009 | 1,063 acres (430 ha) |
| Machesna Mountain | California | 1984 | 123 acres (50 ha) |
| Malpais Mesa | California | 1994 | 31,906 acres (12,912 ha) |
| Manly Peak | California | 1994 | 12,897 acres (5,219 ha) |
| Meadow Valley Range | Nevada | 2004 | 123,508 acres (49,982 ha) |
| Mecca Hills | California | 1994 | 26,356 acres (10,666 ha) |
| Mesquite | California | 1994 | 44,804 acres (18,132 ha) |
| Mexican Mountain | Utah | 2019 | 76,413 acres (30,923 ha) |
| Milpitas Wash | California | 2019 | 17,250 acres (6,980 ha) |
| Middle Wild Horse Mesa | Utah | 2019 | 16,343 acres (6,614 ha) |
| Mormon Mountains | Nevada | 2004 | 157,716 acres (63,825 ha) |
| Mount Charleston | Nevada | 2002 | 2,142 acres (867 ha) |
| Mount Irish | Nevada | 2004 | 28,274 acres (11,442 ha) |
| Mount Logan | Arizona | 1984 | 14,650 acres (5,930 ha) |
| Mount Moriah | Nevada | 1989 | 8,708 acres (3,524 ha) |
| Mount Nutt | Arizona | 1990 | 28,080 acres (11,360 ha) |
| Mount Riley | New Mexico | 2019 | 8,382 acres (3,392 ha) |
| Mount Tipton | Arizona | 1989 | 31,520 acres (12,760 ha) |
| Mount Trumbull | Arizona | 1984 | 7,880 acres (3,190 ha) |
| Mount Wilson | Arizona | 1990 | 23,900 acres (9,700 ha) |
| Muddy Creek | Utah | 2019 | 98,023 acres (39,669 ha) |
| Muddy Mountains | Nevada | 2002 | 44,576 acres (18,039 ha) |
| Muggins Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 7,711 acres (3,121 ha) |
| Needle's Eye | Arizona | 1990 | 8,760 acres (3,550 ha) |
| New Water Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 24,600 acres (10,000 ha) |
| Newberry Mountains | California | 1994 | 26,102 acres (10,563 ha) |
| North Fork Owyhee | Idaho | 2009 | 43,413 acres (17,569 ha) |
| Nopah Range | California | 1994 | 106,623 acres (43,149 ha) |
| North Algodones Dunes | California | 1994 | 25,895 acres (10,479 ha) |
| North Black Rock Range | Nevada | 2000 | 30,648 acres (12,403 ha) |
| North Forks Owyhee | Idaho | 2009, 2019 | 44,027 acres (17,817 ha) |
| North Jackson Mountains | Nevada | 2000 | 23,439 acres (9,485 ha) |
| North Maricopa Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 63,200 acres (25,600 ha) |
| North McCullough | Nevada | 2002 | 14,764 acres (5,975 ha) |
| North Mesquite Mountains | California | 1994 | 28,955 acres (11,718 ha) |
| North Santa Teresa | Arizona | 1990 | 5,800 acres (2,300 ha) |
| Ojito | New Mexico | 2005 | 11,183 acres (4,526 ha) |
| Old Woman Mountains | California | 1994 | 163,616 acres (66,213 ha) |
| Oregon Badlands | Oregon | 2009 | 29,261 acres (11,842 ha) |
| Organ Mountains | New Mexico | 2019 | 19,916 acres (8,060 ha) |
| Orocopia Mountains | California | 1994, 2009 | 55,614 acres (22,506 ha) |
| Otay Mountain | California | 1994 | 1,685 acres (682 ha) |
| Owens Peak | California | 1994 | 73,797 acres (29,865 ha) |
| Owyhee River | Idaho | 2009, 2019 | 270,846 acres (109,607 ha) |
| Pahrump Valley | California | 1994 | 73,724 acres (29,835 ha) |
| Pahute Peak | Nevada | 2000 | 56,890 acres (23,020 ha) |
| Paiute | Arizona | 1984 | 87,900 acres (35,600 ha) |
| Palen/McCoy | California | 1984, 2009 | 259,009 acres (104,817 ha) |
| Palo Verde Mountains | California | 1994, 2019 | 39,955 acres (16,169 ha) |
| Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs | Arizona, Utah | 1984 | 110,722 acres (44,808 ha) |
| Parsnip Peak | Nevada | 2004 | 43,512 acres (17,609 ha) |
| Peloncillo Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 19,440 acres (7,870 ha) |
| Picacho Peak | California | 1994 | 8,858 acres (3,585 ha) |
| Pine Forest Range | Nevada | 2014 | 24,015 acres (9,719 ha) |
| Pinto Mountains | California | 2009 | 24,374 acres (9,864 ha) |
| Piper Mountain | California | 1994 | 72,191 acres (29,215 ha) |
| Piute Mountains | California | 1994 | 48,080 acres (19,460 ha) |
| Pole Creek | Idaho | 2009, 2019 | 12,556 acres (5,081 ha) |
| Potrillo Mountains | New Mexico | 2019 | 105,085 acres (42,526 ha) |
| Powderhorn | Colorado | 1993 | 47,980 acres (19,420 ha) |
| Rainbow Mountain | Nevada | 2002 | 20,313 acres (8,220 ha) |
| Rawhide Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 38,470 acres (15,570 ha) |
| Red Butte | Utah | 2009 | 1,535 acres (621 ha) |
| Redfield Canyon | Arizona | 1990 | 6,600 acres (2,700 ha) |
| Red Mountain | Utah | 2009 | 18,689 acres (7,563 ha) |
| Red's Canyon | Utah | 2019 | 17,325 acres (7,011 ha) |
| Resting Spring Range | California | 1994 | 76,309 acres (30,881 ha) |
| Rice Valley | California | 1994 | 41,766 acres (16,902 ha) |
| Rio San Antonio | New Mexico | 2019 | 8,120 acres (3,290 ha) |
| Riverside Mountains | California | 1994 | 24,004 acres (9,714 ha) |
| Robledo Mountains | New Mexico | 2019 | 16,776 acres (6,789 ha) |
| Rocks and Islands | California | 2006 | 19 acres (7.7 ha) |
| Rodman Mountains | California | 1994 | 34,320 acres (13,890 ha) |
| Sabinoso | New Mexico | 2009 | 29,242 acres (11,834 ha) |
| Sacatar Trail | California | 1994 | 50,440 acres (20,410 ha) |
| Saddle Peak Hills | California | 1994 | 1,530 acres (620 ha) |
| San Gorgonio | California | 1994 | 39,231 acres (15,876 ha) |
| San Rafael Reef | Utah | 2019 | 60,442 acres (24,460 ha) |
| Santa Lucia | California | 1978 | 1,807 acres (731 ha) |
| Santa Rosa | California | 1994, 2009 | 60,917 acres (24,652 ha) |
| Sawtooth Mountains | California | 1994 | 33,610 acres (13,600 ha) |
| Sheephole Valley | California | 1994 | 187,516 acres (75,885 ha) |
| Sid's Mountain | Utah | 2019 | 49,130 acres (19,880 ha) |
| Sierra de las Uvas | New Mexico | 2019 | 11,114 acres (4,498 ha) |
| Sierra Estrella | Arizona | 1990 | 14,400 acres (5,800 ha) |
| Signal Mountain | Arizona | 1990 | 13,350 acres (5,400 ha) |
| Slaughter Creek | Utah | 2009 | 4,047 acres (1,638 ha) |
| Soda Mountain | Oregon | 2009 | 24,707 acres (9,999 ha) |
| Soda Mountains | California | 2019 | 80,090 acres (32,410 ha) |
| South Egan Range | Nevada | 2006 | 67,214 acres (27,201 ha) |
| South Fork Eel River | California | 2006 | 12,867 acres (5,207 ha) |
| South Jackson Mountains | Nevada | 2000 | 54,536 acres (22,070 ha) |
| South Maricopa Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 60,100 acres (24,300 ha) |
| South McCullough | Nevada | 2002 | 44,244 acres (17,905 ha) |
| South Nopah Range | California | 1994 | 17,060 acres (6,900 ha) |
| South Pahroc Range | Nevada | 2004 | 25,671 acres (10,389 ha) |
| Spirit Mountain | Nevada | 2002 | 605 acres (245 ha) |
| Spring Basin | Oregon | 2009 | 6,378 acres (2,581 ha) |
| Stateline | California | 1994 | 6,963 acres (2,818 ha) |
| Steens Mountain | Oregon | 2000 | 170,166 acres (68,864 ha) |
| Stepladder Mountains | California | 1994 | 83,204 acres (33,671 ha) |
| Surprise Canyon | California | 1994 | 24,429 acres (9,886 ha) |
| Swansea | Arizona | 1990 | 16,400 acres (6,600 ha) |
| Sylvania Mountains | California | 1994 | 18,682 acres (7,560 ha) |
| Table Rock | Oregon | 1984 | 5,781 acres (2,339 ha) |
| Table Top | Arizona | 1990 | 34,400 acres (13,900 ha) |
| Taylor Creek | Utah | 2009 | 35 acres (14 ha) |
| Tres Alamos | Arizona | 1990 | 8,300 acres (3,400 ha) |
| Trigo Mountains | Arizona | 1990 | 30,300 acres (12,300 ha) |
| Trilobite | California | 1994 | 37,308 acres (15,098 ha) |
| Tunnel Spring | Nevada | 2004 | 5,341 acres (2,161 ha) |
| Turtle Canyon | Utah | 2019 | 29,029 acres (11,748 ha) |
| Turtle Mountains | California | 1994 | 177,209 acres (71,714 ha) |
| Uncompahgre | Colorado | 1993 | 3,390 acres (1,370 ha) |
| Upper Burro Creek | Arizona | 1990 | 27,440 acres (11,100 ha) |
| Ventana | California | 2002 | 720 acres (290 ha) |
| Wabayuma Peak | Arizona | 1990 | 38,944 acres (15,760 ha) |
| Warm Springs | Arizona | 1990 | 112,400 acres (45,500 ha) |
| Wee Thump Joshua Tree | Nevada | 2002 | 6,050 acres (2,450 ha) |
| Weepah Spring | Nevada | 2004 | 24,249 acres (9,813 ha) |
| West Malpais | New Mexico | 1987 | 39,540 acres (16,000 ha) |
| Whipple Mountains | California | 1994 | 76,122 acres (30,805 ha) |
| White Canyon | Arizona | 1990 | 5,800 acres (2,300 ha) |
| White Clouds | Idaho | 2015 | 450 acres (180 ha) |
| Whitehorn | New Mexico | 2019 | 9,616 acres (3,891 ha) |
| White Mountains | California | 2009 | 24,162 acres (9,778 ha) |
| White Rock Range | Nevada | 2004 | 24,249 acres (9,813 ha) |
| Wild Rogue | Oregon | 1978 | 8,595 acres (3,478 ha) |
| Woolsey Peak | Arizona | 1990 | 64,000 acres (26,000 ha) |
| Worthington Mountains | Nevada | 2004 | 30,594 acres (12,381 ha) |
| Yolla Bolly–Middle Eel | California | 1984 | 8,512 acres (3,445 ha) (BLM only) |
| Yuki Wilderness | California | 2006 | 17,195 acres (6,959 ha) |
Wilderness study areas
There are 487 wilderness study areas with a total area of 11,118,496 acres (4,499,496 ha).[7]
National historic trails
As of January 2026, there are 14 sites totaling 5,336 miles (8,587 km).[8]
Distances and states are noted for BLM lands only.
| Historic trail | BLM states | BLM distance |
|---|---|---|
| California | CA, ID, NV, OR, UT, WY | 1,493 miles (2,403 km) |
| Captain John Smith Chesapeake | MD | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
| El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro | NM | 60 miles (97 km) |
| Iditarod | AK | 149 miles (240 km) |
| Juan Bautista de Anza | AZ, CA | 103 miles (166 km) |
| Lewis and Clark | ID, MT | 369 miles (594 km) |
| Mormon Pioneer | WY | 498 miles (801 km) |
| Nez Perce | ID, MT, WY | 70 miles (110 km) |
| Old Spanish | AZ, CA, CO, NV, NM, UT | 887 miles (1,427 km) |
| Oregon | ID, OR, WY | 848 miles (1,365 km) |
| Pony Express | NV, UT, WY | 596 miles (959 km) |
| Star-Spangled Banner | MD | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
| Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route | VA | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
National scenic trails
As of January 2026, there are 5 units totaling 683 miles (1,099 km).[8]
Distances and states are noted for BLM lands only.
| Scenic trail | BLM states | BLM distance |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | AZ | 46 miles (74 km) |
| Continental Divide | CO, ID, MT, NM, WY | 389 miles (626 km) |
| Pacific Crest | CA, OR | 233 miles (375 km) |
| Pacific Northwest | WA | 12 miles (19 km) |
| Potomac Heritage | MD | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
National wild and scenic rivers
As of January 2026, there are 81 sites, totaling 2,698.8 miles (4,343.3 km). The land within these sites total 1,207,694 acres (488,736 ha).[9]
Other
As of January 2026, there are 7 sites totaling 454,723 acres (184,020 ha).[k][5]
| Site | State | Established | Federal area | Non-Federal area | Total area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Hills National Scenic Area | California | 2019 | 18,910 acres (7,650 ha)[5] | 0 acres (0 ha) | 18,910 acres (7,650 ha) |
| Headwaters Forest Reserve | California | 1999 | 7,472 acres (3,024 ha)[5] | 0 acres (0 ha) | 7,472 acres (3,024 ha) |
| Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area | Florida | 2008 | 107 acres (43 ha)[5] | 13 acres (5.3 ha) | 120 acres (49 ha) |
| National Conservation Lands of the California Desert | California | 2016[10] | |||
| Piedras Blancas Light Station Outstanding Natural Area | California | 2008 | 20 acres (8.1 ha)[5] | 456 acres (185 ha) | 476 acres (193 ha) |
| Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area | Oregon | 2000 | 428,440 acres (173,380 ha)[5] | 68,720 acres (27,810 ha) | 497,160 acres (201,190 ha) |
| Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area | Oregon | 1980 | 100 acres (40 ha)[5] | 0 acres (0 ha) | 100 acres (40 ha) |
See also
Notes
- 442,832 acres are managed by the BLM, while the remaining 63,901 acres are managed by the NPS.
- 529,242 acres are managed by the BLM, while the remaining 388,376 acres are managed by the USFS.
- 1,074,908 acres are managed by the BLM, while the remaining 289,040 acres are managed by the USFS.
- 147,262 acres are managed by the BLM, while the remaining 197,214 acres are managed by the USFS.
- 9,793 acres are managed by the BLM, while the remaining 11,811 acres are managed by the USFS.
- This number includes the Piedras Blancas Light Station Outstanding Natural Area.
- 275,076 acres are managed by the BLM, while the remaining 463,344 acres are managed by the NPS.
- 812,581 acres are managed by the BLM, while the remaining 208,449 acres are managed by the NPS.
- 83,000 acres are managed by the BLM, while the remaining 71,000 acres are managed by the USFS.
- 98,981 acres are managed by the BLM, while the remaining 70,115 acres are managed by USFS.
- This number excludes the National Conservation Lands of the California Desert.
