Jumbo Springs Wilderness

Jumbo Springs is a small wilderness area (4,631 acres) about 50 miles east of Las Vegas. Most of the Jumbo Springs Wilderness is contained within the upper canyons of 3 large, rugged washes that drain eastward to Lake Mead from the plateau that forms Jumbo Basin. Jumbo Springs Wilderness rises from about 2,700' on the southeastern boundary to about 4,700' at the ridge that determines the northern boundary. Vegetation in the area is primarily desert scrub: creosote bush, yucca and various cacti. You might find desert bighorn sheep in the area but more likely you'll come across Gambel's quail and the endangered desert tortoise. Looking up you might see Cooper's hawk, golden eagle, American kestrel, peregrine falcon and red-tailed hawk. Closer to Lake Mead you might also see American white pelican, osprey, bald eagle and white-faced ibis. In the higher areas of Jumbo Springs Wilderness you'll get some good views of Iceberg Canyon and the lower reaches of the Grand Canyon. While most of Jumbo Springs Wilderness is very dry, you'll usually find water at Sandstone Spring and Cottonwood Spring.