Jimbilnan Wilderness

Jimbilnan Wilderness occupies 18,879 acres within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area between Las Vegas and Lake Mead at the extreme north end of the Black Mountains. Jimbilnan Wilderness is sandwiched in between the Pinto Valley Wilderness to the west and Lake Mead to the east. Most of Jimbilnan Wilderness is mountainous but there is a section of highly colorful sand dunes. Elevations range from about 2,700' to about 3,000'.

The name "Jimbilnan" comes from the 3 National Park Service employees who surveyed the area: Jim, Bill and Nancy.

This is a dry, rugged and barren area mostly populated with cactus, yucca and creosote bush. You might find desert bighorn sheep on the ridges with red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, peregrine falcon and Cooper's hawk in the sky. There's greater roadrunner in the air but often on the ground, too. Close to Lake Mead you might also see osprey, bald eagle, white-faced ibis and American white pelican.