27px, we want 27. Please register or login . A low elevation Sonoran Desert mountain range, the Maricopas stretch for 13 miles across this Wilderness which includes extensive desert plains. The eastern portion of the area contains the east-west trending mountains with an isolated and screened interior formed by long ridges and lone peaks separated by washes and plains. The western portion is primarily flat desert.
Vegetation consists of cholla, saguaro, ocotillo, paloverde and mesquite.
Desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, bobcats, foxes and deer, Gambel's quail and various raptors, desert tortoise and numerous ground-hugging reptiles have been identified here. An area of varied landforms and vast untamed wildness, access to the South Maricopas is difficult despite the fact that the corridor of Interstate 8 forms the southern boundary, and trips should be well planned. Four wheel drive vehicles strongly recommended. Fall to spring. Click here to find out how.