The 182,641-acre (approximate) Turtle Mountains Wilderness encompasses a diverse, scenic landscape. The area ranges from broad bajadas to highly eroded volcanic peaks, spires, and cliffs. The colorful Turtle Mountains vary from deep reds, browns, tans and grays, to black. The Mopah Range contains the two signature Mopah Peaks, which are rhyodactic or volcanic plugs. The northern most peak is a landmark known as Mexican Hat. The area has numerous springs and seeps; however, several of them were developed with wells prior to wilderness designation. Much of the Turtle Mountain range has been designated as a National Natural Landmark in recognition of its exceptional natural values. Dominate vegetation consists of the creosote bush-bur sage and the palo verde-cactus shrub ecosystems. In the washes, Colorado/Sonoran microphylla woodlands can be found. These woodlands include such things as palo verde, smoke tree, honey mesquite, and catclaw. Wildlife species include bighorn sheep, coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners, golden eagles, prairie falcons, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards. The desert tortoise is found within the wilderness area and approximately 73,000 acres located in northwestern and northeastern portions of the wilderness area are considered critical habitat. The wilderness is located in an ecological transition zone between the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts and therefore contains a high diversity of plant and animal species.
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