Overview | Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness, Nevada

Adventure to occur soon during an upcoming Winter!

Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness is a relatively small wilderness area, just 6050 acres, South of Las Vegas. The triangular wilderness area has sides only about 7-8 miles in length, much of which you could initially cover in a day.

Ancient Stands of Joshua Trees

You may want to take more than a day to explore this wilderness in more depth, because here you will find some of the oldest stands of Joshua Trees on earth. These unique, beautiful trees grow just a half inch per year, and some of the giants are over 900 years old! The Southern Paiutes gave this wilderness area the name “Wee Thump“, which means “ancient ones“, for the trees were ancient even during the times they settled the region (1100 AD until their displacement in the 1800s).

Wilderness Access Routes

The triangular wilderness area has a few access roads around its parameter (see the map):

• Wee Thump East Road (unpaved) along the right edge of the wilderness
• Wee Thump North Road (unpaved) across the narrow upper tip of the wilderness
• Powerline Road (unpaved) along the West (left) edge of the wilderness.
• Hwy 164 (paved) along the base of the wilderness triangle.

There’s also the old Eldorado Wagon Trail running along the base of the wilderness just above Hwy 164.

You can use these routes to access Joshua Tree stands within the wilderness, or just park your vehicle and explore the entire wilderness on foot. 

Surrounding Mountains

The mountains you see to the North and West are in the South McCullough Wilderness with McCullough Mountain, elevation 7,026 ft as its high point. To the East is the Ireteba Peaks Wilderness along the Colorado River.

Best Time of Year to Explore Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness

Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness, elevation 4,400 – 4,800ft, is best explored from mid-Fall through mid-Spring. Summer temperatures can reach a dangerous 120 degrees!

Trailhead Directions | Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness, Nevada

Approach from the West (probably a best bet for your first visit)

Take Interstate 11 South from Las Vegas. After the Railroad Pass Casino Exit, take exit 173 for Hwy 95 South toward Searchlight. Turn right at Searchlight onto Hwy 164 (Joshua Tree Hwy), then turn right onto Wee Thump East Road, the main wilderness entrance. 

Approach from the East (requires entering and exiting California)

Take Interstate 15 South from Las Vegas. Cross the Nevada border into California. Take Exit 286 to cross over the freeway and head left onto Hwy 164 (Nipton Rd.) Continue on Nipton Rd. past Nipton, CA. As you cross back into Nevada Nipton Rd. becomes Joshua Tree Hwy (still Hwy 164). Now you’re passing through the South end of the mountainous South McCullough Wilderness. Just beyond the mountains to your left, Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness is to your left. There are a number of routes into the wilderness–all unpaved. The first is to take a left onto the more complicated Powerline Rd. (it may not be marked). The second is to park at the entrance to the old Eldorado Wagon Trail. The third is to take a left onto the more official wilderness entrance: Wee Thump East Road at the Eastern corner of the wilderness area.       

Narrative Guide | Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness, Nevada

Adventure to occur soon during an upcoming Winter!