Nevada Wilderness Areas
In 1989 the U.S. Government enacted the Nevada Wilderness Bill, expanding the one existing Wilderness Area (Jarbidge) and creating thirteen new areas. The estimated total of 733,400 acres (296,800 ha) was over eleven times the area that had previously been under wilderness protection.
The following Wilderness Areas were expanded or designated in the Humboldt National Forest:
- The Jarbidge Wilderness Area, previously 64,667 acres (26,170 ha), was expanded to 113,167 acres (45,797 ha). This area protects wilderness in the higher elevations of the Jarbidge Mountains in far northern Elko County.
- The Currant Mountain Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 36,000 acres (15,000 ha) in the upper elevations of the White Pine Range in eastern White Pine County.
- The East Humboldt Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 36,900 acres (14,900 ha) in the upper elevations of the East Humboldt Range in central Elko County.
- The Quinn Canyon Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 27,000 acres (11,000 ha) in the upper elevations of the Quinn Canyon Range in northeastern Nye County.
- The Ruby Mountains Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 90,000 acres (36,000 ha) in the upper elevations of the Ruby Mountains in southern Elko County.
- The Grant Range Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 50,000 acres (20,000 ha) in the upper elevations of the Grant Range in northeastern Nye County.
- The Mount Moriah Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 82,000 acres (33,000 ha) in the upper elevations of the north section of the Snake Range in eastern White Pine County.
- The Santa Rosa-Paradise Peak Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 31,000 acres (13,000 ha) in the upper elevations of the southern section of the Santa Rosa Range in northern Humboldt County.
The following Wilderness Areas were designated in the Toiyabe National Forest:
- The Alta Toquima Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 38,000 acres (15,000 ha) in the upper elevations of the Toquima Range in northwestern Nye County.
- The Arc Dome Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 115,000 acres (47,000 ha) in the upper elevations of the Toiyabe Range in northwestern Nye County.
- The Mount Rose Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 28,000 acres (11,000 ha) in the upper elevations of the Carson Range in southern Washoe County.
- The Mount Charleston Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 43,000 acres (17,000 ha) in the upper elevations of the Spring Mountains in western Clark County.
- The Table Mountain Wilderness Area was created, protecting approximately 98,000 acres (40,000 ha) of the Monitor Range in north-central Nye County.
Finally, the Boundary Peak Wilderness was created in the Inyo National Forest, protecting approximately 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) in the northern section of the White Mountains in western Esmeralda County. Additional areas are under consideration for designation as Wilderness Areas - for more information link to the Nevada Wilderness site listed below.
