Photo: Zzyzx / CC BY 3.0

Parks 3,963 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)

The Mount Nutt Wilderness (28,080 acres) is located in Mohave County, 15 miles west of Kingman, Arizona and 12 miles east of Bullhead City, Arizona. This wilderness encompasses an eight-mile-long stretch of the central (and highest) portion of the Black Mountains. Nutt Mountain, at 5,216 feet, presides over a colorful and wild terrain. Along the main ridgeline, prominent mesas have been cut into a series of steep maze-like canyons. Outward from the main ridgeline, numerous huge volcanic plugs ring the entire wilderness. This wilderness is home to desert bighorn sheep. Scattered springs sustain small oases of large cottonwoods, willows, and oaks. Hiking, camping, hunting, photography, and rock scrambling opportunities are varied and challenging. Know Before You Go Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters Contact the agency for more information about regulations. The summer climate in this wilderness unit is harsh. Daytime temperatures during the summer months are over 100 degrees. Temperatures are more moderate between October 1 and April 30th. The terrain in Mount Nutt Wilderness is extremely rugged. A few old vehicle ways provide hiking routes in some places, but the most commonly used routes are the sand washes which dissect the area. Bighorn sheep and burro trails can often be located and followed on uplands. Water is relatively scarce in this unit. Pack all water needed for a trip and purify any water found in the wilderness. Some lands around and within the wilderness are not federally administered. Please respect the property rights of the owners and do not cross or use these lands without their permission.

Near Oatman, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave

Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.

Preparation for Mount Nutt Wilderness starts with your pack. These items address the real risks and conditions here.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Wildlife Gear

Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — Desert and alpine environments with little tree cover leave you fully exposed; a hat is your primary shade source.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Apply 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours; sweating and pack straps rub sunscreen off faster than expected.
Extra water (desert) — Even well-mapped springs can go dry after low-snowpack years; always carry surplus and check recent trip reports.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

With 9 activities available, Mount Nutt Wilderness works for both quick day trips and longer stays.

The scenery here earns a 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

atv — Protective gear and adherence to regulations are important.
backpacking — Lightweight equipment and route awareness are key for safe travel.
hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
mountain_biking — Helmets and trail awareness are essential for safety.
off_roading — Stay on designated routes to protect fragile terrain.
photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Rocky outcrops, sand, and dry washes are common features.

Wildlife Safety at Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave

Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.

Safety at Mount Nutt Wilderness involves knowing about 2 potential wildlife hazards in the area.

Danger rating: 40/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (86mi)

UV risk: high (Mid latitude (35N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 55/100

Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .

Black Bear

Adults typically weigh 150 to 600 pounds, with males substantially larger than females.

Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant containers and keep a clean campsite.

Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
Make noise while hiking
Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
Back away slowly if you encounter a bear

Venomous Snakes

0 venomous snake species are found in this area: .

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

This Desert habitat supports 3 mammal species, 30 bird species, and 6 reptile species.

Trees (2)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine is a large, long-needled conifer adapted to dry, high-elevation forests.
desert willow — Desert willow is a small deciduous tree with long narrow willow-like leaves.

Shrubs (5)

Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets.
Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Engelmann's hedgehog cactus is a low, clumping barrel cactus with cylindrical stems covered in dense radial spines. Flowers are large and showy, typically magenta to pink, blooming in late spring.

Other Plants (5)

crucifixion thorn
Buckhorn Cholla
ocotillo
Beavertail Pricklypear
Mojave Yucca

Mammals (3)

Donkey — Smaller and stockier than many horses.
Harris' Antelope Squirrel — Slender body built for heat tolerance.
Desert Cottontail — Long hind legs for rapid escape.

Birds (30)

Red-winged Blackbird — Glossy breeding male plumage
Rock Pigeon — Dark charcoal form with iridescent neck
Gambel's Quail — Forward-curving head plume
Mourning Dove — Long pointed tail with white edges
White-crowned Sparrow — Gray breast and pink bill

Reptiles (6)

Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
Mojave Rattlesnake — Typically 3–4 feet long.
Western Whiptail — Typically 8–12 inches long including the tail.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.
Zebra-tailed Lizard — Usually 7–9 inches long including tail.

Amphibians (1)

Red-spotted Toad

Insects (3)

Large Creosote Gall Midge
White-lined Sphinx
Convergent Lady Beetle

Nature Bingo at Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Anna's Hummingbird (bird)
Donkey (mammal)
Common Side-blotched Lizard (reptile)
Red-spotted Toad (amphibian)
Creosote Bush (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave Climate & Sun

Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.

Best months to visit based on climate: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid unless prepared for .

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 65.6°F

Annual precipitation: 8.5 in

With an average annual temperature of 65.6°F and 8.5 inches of precipitation, Mount Nutt Wilderness has warm, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 86°F, while winter lows drop to 48°F.

Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.

Winter 48°

1.1"

Spring 62°

0.4"

Summer 86°

0.7"

Fall 67°

0.7"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	48°F	1.1 in
Feb	50°F	1.4 in
Mar	56°F	0.9 in
Apr	62°F	0.4 in
May	71°F	0.2 in
Jun	81°F	0.1 in
Jul	86°F	0.7 in
Aug	85°F	0.9 in
Sep	79°F	0.7 in
Oct	67°F	0.7 in
Nov	55°F	0.5 in
Dec	47°F	0.9 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.7 hours.

Summer: 4:22 AM – 6:52 PM

Winter: 6:38 AM – 4:26 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:38 AM, Sunset 4:26 PM Golden hour from 3:47 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:22 AM, Sunset 6:52 PM Golden hour from 6:15 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:49 AM, Sunset 5:44 PM Golden hour from 5:10 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:19 AM, Sunset 5:46 PM Golden hour from 5:12 PM

Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave Trip Planning & Access

Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Mount Nutt Wilderness.

Las Vegas is the nearest hub at 86 miles — here's the trip breakdown.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (86 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $21.47 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 69.4 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave

Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.

Nearby options include trails and campgrounds within a short drive.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave

The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.

The dark sky quality at Mount Nutt Wilderness (Bortle 3) places it among the darkest stargazing spots in the area.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus.

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings.
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.

Meteor Showers

The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave

Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.

The seasonal rhythm at Mount Nutt Wilderness shapes what you'll see on the trail, in the sky, and across the landscape.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

At 3963ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Mount Nutt Wilderness sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Middle Proterozoic granitic rocks
Formation: Oracle Granite; Ruin Granite
Lithology: Major:{granite}, Minor:{aplite}, Incidental:{pegmatite}
Age: Calymmian

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 137
Unique Species: 27
Oldest: 11,700 years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 322
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Gold, Silver, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Beryllium, Fluorine-Fluorite, Magnesite, Calcium

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1478
ESA Endangered: 29
ESA Threatened: 16
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 126°F (2017-06-23)
Record Low: 19°F (2013-01-14)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 13
Largest Fire: Twin Mills (15,567.2 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Bullhead City-Colorado River
Water Quality (Good): 2.754%
Impaired: 0.191%

Meteorite Landings

Meteorites Found: 2
Largest: Thumb Butte (0.1 kg)

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 38 (NUFORC)
Haunted Places: 1 (Shadowlands)
Eeriness Score: 35/100

Mount Nutt Wilderness, Mohave Safety & Conditions

Check current conditions from these authoritative sources before you go.

Official condition reports for Mount Nutt Wilderness cover weather, wildfire activity, flood status, and road conditions.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: GOLDEN VALLEY 2.6 WNW, AZ US (9.99 mi)