Wilderness area

Malpais Mesa Wilderness

Malpais Mesa Wilderness is a 31,906-acre wilderness area in Inyo County, California. It rises from about 3,760 to 7,718 ft. The nearest town is Keeler, 3.7 miles away in a straight line.

Malpais Mesa Wilderness
Photo: blmcalifornia, Public domain

Malpais Mesa Wilderness map

Malpais Mesa Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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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

Camping in Malpais Mesa Wilderness is limited to 14 days.
Keeler, CA is the nearest town, 3.7 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
The highest ground in Malpais Mesa Wilderness is about 7,718 ft, and its lowest about 3,760 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is Malpais Mesa, about 7,718 ft.

Who manages Malpais Mesa Wilderness

Agency Acres Permit Group size Stay limit Office
BLM 31,906 Not on record Not on record 14 days Not on record

Getting to Malpais Mesa Wilderness

  • Keeler, CA 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)

Named summits, canyons, and springs in Malpais Mesa Wilderness

  • Malpais Mesa summit about 7,718 ft

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 Malpais Mesa Wilderness

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.

Other wilderness areas in California

California wilderness areas