Wildlife
Kern County, CA
Approximate location — plotted from published sources, not a site visit, and not a guarantee of access.
BLM Research Natural Area and ACEC in the western Mojave protecting high-density desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) habitat at the southwest end of the Rand Mountains northeast of California City. Fenced preserve with interpretive kiosk and public walking routes managed with the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee—California’s flagship tortoise-protection landscape.
| Region | Kern County, CA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates (approx.) | 35.1703, -117.9003 |
| Access | From CA-14 / California City via Randsburg-Mojave Rd dirt access ~4 mi to signed entrance; free |
| Elevation | ~2,400–3,000 ft |
| Size | ~39.5 sq mi Research Natural Area / ACEC |
| Wildlife | Agassiz’s desert tortoise (CA state reptile); Mojave scrub habitat |
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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Plan ahead. Leave no trace. Verify current access before traveling.