The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System to “secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness.” The uniquely American idea of wilderness has become an increasingly significant tool to ensure long-term protection of natural landscapes. Wilderness areas are special places where the earth and its community of life are essentially undisturbed. They retain a primeval character, without permanent improvements and generally appear to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature.
The St. George Field Office manages nearly 132,000 acres of designated wilderness in 15 wilderness areas that range in size from the 32 acre Taylor Creek Wilderness to the 44,530 acre Canaan Mountain Wilderness.
Familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to specific wilderness areas that you intend to visit. Motorized equipment and mechanical transport, such as chainsaws, motor vehicles, and bicycles, are prohibited in all wilderness areas.