Mt. Wrightson Wilderness
Mt. Wrightson Wilderness is a 25,141-acre wilderness area in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. It rises from about 3,701 to 9,457 ft. The nearest town is Elephant Head, 3.7 miles away in a straight line.
Mt. Wrightson Wilderness map
Mt. Wrightson Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Elephant Head, AZ is the nearest town, 3.7 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Mt. Wrightson Wilderness is about 9,457 ft, and its lowest about 3,701 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is Mount Wrightson, about 9,457 ft.
Who manages Mt. Wrightson Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 25,141 | Not on record | Not on record | Not on record | Nogales Ranger District, 520-281-2296 |
Getting to Mt. Wrightson Wilderness
- Elephant Head, AZ is the nearest town, 3.7 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-29)
Trailheads at Mt. Wrightson Wilderness
- Agua Caliente Trailhead (0.15 mi outside the boundary, 4,973 ft), at 31.6956, -110.9175
- Mt Wrightson Th (0.23 mi outside the boundary, 5,360 ft), at 31.7140, -110.8748
- Florida Trailhead (0.28 mi outside the boundary, 4,323 ft), at 31.7631, -110.8453
- Madera Trailhead Picnic (0.28 mi outside the boundary, 4,834 ft), at 31.7272, -110.8806
- Bog Springs Th (0.29 mi outside the boundary, 4,864 ft), at 31.7267, -110.8802
- Gardner & Cave Canyon (0.76 mi outside the boundary, 5,939 ft), at 31.7065, -110.8049
- Tunnel Spring Trailhead (0.77 mi outside the boundary, 5,623 ft), at 31.7021, -110.7927
- Elephant Head (0.96 mi outside the boundary, 4,032 ft), at 31.7431, -110.9086
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-29. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Named summits, canyons, and springs in Mt. Wrightson Wilderness
- Mount Wrightson summit
- Josephine Peak summit
- McCleary Peak summit
- Rattlesnake Canyon canyon
- Walker Canyon canyon
- Armour Spring spring
- Baldy Spring spring
- Bathtub Water lake
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-29. Summit elevations measured on the USGS 3DEP elevation model, which can read a few feet under a surveyed summit height.
Public lands next to Mt. Wrightson Wilderness
- National forestMt. Wrightson Wilderness lies inside Coronado National Forest.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in Arizona
- https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=398 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n32w111/USGS_1_n32w111.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/GeographicNames/DomesticNames/DomesticNames_AZ_Text.zip (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_04.txt (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_InfraRecreationSites_01/MapServer/0 (accessed 2026-09-29)