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Click on a state label for recreation info.
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This website is brought to you by the nonprofit Public Lands Interpretive Association. Revenues earned through sales support the Association's efforts to promote responsible outdoor recreation on America's public lands. |
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What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 14 of a series)
Wilderness Areas
Wilderness areas preserve undeveloped public lands that still retain their primeval character without permanent improvements such as roads, or human habitation. They represent a glimpse of North America as it once was. Wilderness areas provide opportunities for solitude and primitive forms of recreation. Motorized or mechanical forms of transportation are not allowed in wilderness areas; however, traditional uses such as hunting, fishing and sometimes even livestock grazing are permitted. Other, non-mechanized recreational activities are also allowed in all wilderness areas.
Wilderness areas are established by an Act of Congress. Currently there are 756 wilderness areas for a combined 109,492,939 acres, an area slightly larger than the State of California. The smallest wilderness area is the 6-acre Pelican Wilderness in Florida; the largest one is the 12,743,329-acre Noatak-Gates of the Arctic Wilderness Complex in Alaska.
Administering agencies: U.S. Forest Service, National Landscape Conservation System (Bureau of Land Management), National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Established: Wilderness Act, 1964
Total area under the Wilderness Preservation System: 109,492,939 million acres
For More information about the Wilderness Preservation System:
Next: Wilderness Study Areas
For more information about wilderness areas |
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High Uintas Wilderness, Utah (PLIA photo)
Arrastra Mountains Wilderness, Arizona (BLM photo)
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What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 13 of a series)
What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 12 of a series)
What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 11 of a series)
What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 10 of a series)
What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 9 of a series)
What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 8 of a series)
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Free Public Lands Map
As part of the continuing effort to raise awareness of and to provide education about our public lands, PLIA is offering a free public lands map.
The National Geographic Public Lands of the United States map is available for a limited time. National Geographic reprinted this beautiful, poster-sized map, which shows all lands under federal management, as part of its Geography Action! program. The back side of the map features lots of useful information for educators, parents, and recreationists, as well as interesting activities for kids.
While there is no charge for these items, regular shipping charges apply. Click on the link to order up to 2 free items from PLIA's online public lands bookstore. If you need more than two maps, please call us toll free at 877-851-8946.
Click to order free public lands map |
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Public Lands of the United States map
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Free Endangered Species and Other Pins
Free Public Lands Book
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