Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
The Ely District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers approximately 11 million acres of public lands primarily across eastern Nevada and extending into western Utah. The district's geography is diverse, featuring rugged mountain ranges such as the Egan and Schell Creek Mountains, expansive desert basins, high-altitude meadows, and unique geological formations. Ecologically, the area supports a variety of habitats including sagebrush steppe, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and high desert valleys, providing refuge for abundant wildlife including mule deer, pronghorn antelope, mountain lions, and various bird species.
Historically, these lands contain significant cultural resources from Native American tribes and remnants from the Old West, including mining sites and pioneer trails. Recreation opportunities are plentiful: hiking and horseback riding on extensive trail networks, dispersed camping under dark night skies prized by stargazers, off-highway vehicle (OHV) adventures, big game hunting, and seasonal fishing in high mountain streams. The Mysterious Great Basin Desert and scenic Wild Horse corrals highlight the district’s natural and cultural heritage.
Visitors appreciate the district for its remote character, open spaces, and the chance to experience solitude uncommon on public lands. Key landmarks within or adjacent to the district include the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, Schell Creek Wilderness, and portions of the South Egan Range Wilderness. The district also contains segments of designated Wild & Scenic Rivers which offer peaceful paddling and vibrant riparian ecosystems. The Ely District BLM is an essential steward of this diverse land and serves as a gateway to exploring one of the most under-visited but ecologically and historically rich regions in the Great Basin.
