The Surprise Canyon Wilderness lies within the Panamint Mountains between Panamint Valley to the west and Death Valley Wilderness to the east. The area is divided into four sections separated by non-wilderness dirt road corridors running through Jail, Hall, and Surprise Canyons. The actual Wilderness encompasses 24,443-acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Surprise Canyon Wilderness is named after the surprise people feel when they discover year-round streams and springs within its canyons. The landscape around these canyons is characterized by steep slopes, rocky mountains, and jagged ridges.
It has an elevation range of about 1,000 feet to just over 7,000 feet through which you can find native plants, rare animals, historical mining sites, and scenic vistas overlooking Panamint Valley.
This area attracts hikers, backpackers, explorers, nature enthusiasts, and history buffs.
VEGETATION
Plants that can be found throughout the Surprise Canyon Wilderness include creosote bush, desert holly, cottonwood trees, willows, pinyon and juniper woodlands.
WILDLIFE
The Surprise Canyon Wilderness provides important habitats for threatened and endangered species such as desert bighorn sheep and panamint alligator lizards.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BLM - Surprise Canyon Wilderness
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