Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness is located in the southwest corner of Arizona and covers over 63,500 acres.


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Summary

It is a beautiful and remote landscape, characterized by its rugged peaks, deep canyons, and stunning desert scenery. There are plenty of reasons to visit this wilderness area, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography.

One of the most popular spots in the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness is the Virgin River Gorge, which is a deep, narrow canyon that cuts through the heart of the wilderness. Other points of interest include the Beaver Dam Mountains themselves, which rise to over 5,000 feet, and the numerous springs and streams that provide water to the area's wildlife.

Visitors to the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness can expect to see a wide variety of flora and fauna, including desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, rattlesnakes, and various species of cactus and wildflowers. The best time of year to visit is in the winter months, when the temperatures are cooler and the crowds are smaller.

Overall, the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness is a must-see destination for anyone interested in exploring the beautiful and diverse landscapes of Arizona. Whether you're a seasoned hiker, wildlife enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this wilderness area has something for everyone.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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