Visit Wilderness

Clustered together with Cougar Canyon, Slaughter Creek, and Doc's Pass Wilderness areas along the Utah state line, Tunnel Springs Wilderness sits in a remote area of eastern Nevada. It is a land of steep, mountainous canyons, long ridges and rough drainages. Located at the head of Beaver Dam Wash, elevations in this Wilderness range from 5,000 to 6,700 feet. Various types of volcanic rock predominates. Vegetation is mostly pinyon-juniper and sagebrush, with riparian tree species along streams. The climate is semi-arid, with cold winters and hot summers. Five to seven miles of streams support trout fisheries, which is unusual in this desert region. Mountain lions and a variety of raptors frequent the area. Bird species include: ferruginous hawk, Swainson's hawk, southern spotted owl, long-billed curlew, mountain plover, western snowy plover, western yellow-billed cuckoo, white-faced ibis, and Arizona Bell's vireo. A wide variety of mammals make their homes here including elk, mule deer, mountain lion, ringtail, bobcat, badger, Merriam's kangaroo rat, and both the common and kit fox. The creek in Beaver Dam Wash is known to be inhabited by the Virgin River spinedance, speckled dace, desert sucker and rainbow trout.

The Tunnel Springs Wilderness is adjacent to Nevada's Beaver Dam State Park. Visitors to this Wilderness will experience scenic vistas and outstanding opportunities for backpacking, horseback riding, and primitive camping. This part of Lincoln County is rugged and remote. Visitors should plan carefully and be prepared for backcountry travel conditions. Tunnel Spring Wilderness receives annual precipitation between 14 and 24 inches. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit with temperatures in excess of 90 at higher elevations and day and night temperatures differing by over 30 degrees. Winters are cold and often wet with temperatures ranging from highs of 50 to 60 degrees during the day to lows well below freezing at night. There are no maintained trails in the Wilderness.

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Tunnel Spring Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Rules & Regulations

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Learn more about why regulations may be necessary in wilderness.