What is Wilderness? FAQs

Owyhee Canyonlands Initiative

What is Wilderness?

Wilderness is one of America’s strongest tools to protect the natural environment for the creatures that live there and for present and future generations to enjoy.

How is Wilderness designated?

It takes an act of Congress to designate an area as Wilderness. Federal land management agencies are required to recommend to Congress lands they believe qualify for wilderness designation.

What activities are allowed in Wilderness?

Wilderness areas are set aside to provide opportunities for primitive recreation and solitude. Hiking, horseback riding...

What are Wilderness Study Areas?

Roadless areas that were inventoried and found to have wilderness characteristics, but have not yet designated by Congress are managed as Wildernes Study Areas (WSA).

BLM lands and the National Landscape Conservation System

The National Landscape Conservation System was established in 2000 to help highlight and protect some of the most prized BLM lands throughout the West.