Finding Wild Horses and Burros in California
Return to Finding Wild Horses here for tips on visiting the range and to find herds in other areas
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There are 26 wild horse and burro herds remaining in California; 21 herd areas managed by the BLM, 4 herd territories managed by the Forest Service, and 1 managed by both Forest Service & BLM:
• Big Bear is 10 miles east of Big Bear Lake • Bitner is 40 miles of Cedarville, CA in Nevada • Black Mountain is 20 miles east of San Luis Obispo • Brushy Mountain is 40 miles southwest of Chester • Buckhorn is 40 miles southwest of Cedarville • Carter Reservoir in NE California on the NV border • Centennial is 10 miles north of Ridgecrest • Chemehuevi is south of Needles • Chicago Valley is near Death Valley Junction on the NV border • Chocolate-Mule Mountains near the Picacho State Recreation Area west of Yuma, AZ • Coppersmith is 30 miles southeast of Cedarville • Devil's Garden Plateau is just north of Alturas • Fort Sage is east of Doyle • Fox Hog is 45 miles southwest of Cedarville • High Rock is 45 miles southeast of Cedarville • Lee Flat is east of the Owens Dry Lake Bed, Inyo County • Massacre Lakes is 30 miles east of Cedarville • McGavin Peak Wild Horse Territory • Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory • New Ravendale is near the town of Ravendale • Nut Mountain • Piper Mountain • Red Rock Lakes is 10 miles east of Macdoel • Round Mountain (Devil's Garden Plateau) is north of Alturas • Three Sisters Wild Horse Territory is 7 miles northeast of Tennant • Twin Peaks is 25 miles northeast of Susanville • Wall Canyon is 46 miles east of Cedarville • Waucoba-Hunter Mountain is 30 miles east of Olancha • White Mountain is 7 miles east of Benton *Note: the BLM map to the top right shows the Palm Canyon HMA but that herd has been zeroed out |
BLM Map
USFS herd territory map
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Big Bear Wild Burro Territory
Size: 35,000 acres
Number of wild burros the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 60
From the USFS webpage: "Burros can be found east of Big Bear Valley. Popular hangouts for the burros include Broom Flats, Arrastre Creek, Round Valley, and the Rose Mine area. These areas can be reached via Forest Road 2N01 and 2N02. Occasionally burros are seen in Lone Valley on Forest Road 3N03. Burros are more visible in the early morning and early evening. The majority of the territory is within the Arrastre Creek drainage basin. Arrastre Creek is a perennial stream that bisects the territory from north to south, occasionally flowing underground and resurfacing.
The majority of the Wild Burro Territory is located in pinyon-juniper woodlands with small inclusions of sagebrush scrub and Joshua tree woodlands." Again, look for fresh burro droppings and trails and keep your eyes peeled in the woodland areas.
Size: 35,000 acres
Number of wild burros the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 60
From the USFS webpage: "Burros can be found east of Big Bear Valley. Popular hangouts for the burros include Broom Flats, Arrastre Creek, Round Valley, and the Rose Mine area. These areas can be reached via Forest Road 2N01 and 2N02. Occasionally burros are seen in Lone Valley on Forest Road 3N03. Burros are more visible in the early morning and early evening. The majority of the territory is within the Arrastre Creek drainage basin. Arrastre Creek is a perennial stream that bisects the territory from north to south, occasionally flowing underground and resurfacing.
The majority of the Wild Burro Territory is located in pinyon-juniper woodlands with small inclusions of sagebrush scrub and Joshua tree woodlands." Again, look for fresh burro droppings and trails and keep your eyes peeled in the woodland areas.
Bitner Herd Management Area
Size: 53,748 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 15-25; the estimated population for 2023 is 58
The Bitner wild horse area can be found 40 miles east of Cedarville, CA. While listed as a CA herd area, the Bitner HMA is located in NW Nevada. Find the directions here under Nevada Wild Horses & Burros.
Size: 53,748 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 15-25; the estimated population for 2023 is 58
The Bitner wild horse area can be found 40 miles east of Cedarville, CA. While listed as a CA herd area, the Bitner HMA is located in NW Nevada. Find the directions here under Nevada Wild Horses & Burros.
Black Mountain Wild Horse Territory
Size: 13,215 acres
Number of wild horses the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 20
From the USFS website: the wild horses can be found "approximately 20 miles east of San Luis Obispo. The territory consists of 13,215 acres of National Forest land and 635 acres of private land and lies primarily on the east side of the La Panza Mountain Range."
Size: 13,215 acres
Number of wild horses the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 20
From the USFS website: the wild horses can be found "approximately 20 miles east of San Luis Obispo. The territory consists of 13,215 acres of National Forest land and 635 acres of private land and lies primarily on the east side of the La Panza Mountain Range."
Brushy Mountain Wild Horse Territory
Size: 3,285 acres
*Number of wild horses the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 0 (there may be horses remaining)
Size: 3,285 acres
*Number of wild horses the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 0 (there may be horses remaining)
From the Forest Service page: The Brushy Mountain herd has naturally declined with only 2 studs remaining in 2003. Due to the limited amount of contiguous federal land within this territory, the territory is not able to sustain a viable population of wild horses. Contact the Almanor Ranger District at 530-258-2141 for information.
Buckhorn Herd Management Area
Size: 76,590 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 59-85
The HMA can be found 40 miles southwest of Cedarville, CA in Lassen County, CA and Washoe County, NV, adjacent to and north of the Twin Peaks HMA.
Size: 76,590 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 59-85
The HMA can be found 40 miles southwest of Cedarville, CA in Lassen County, CA and Washoe County, NV, adjacent to and north of the Twin Peaks HMA.
Carter Reservoir Herd Management Area
Size: 23,468 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 25-35
The HMA is located in Washoe County, NV with a small portion in Modoc County, CA. A high clearance vehicle is recommended if driving off of Highway 299 / County Road 8A.
Thank you to Janine D for providing the photos below:
Size: 23,468 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 25-35
The HMA is located in Washoe County, NV with a small portion in Modoc County, CA. A high clearance vehicle is recommended if driving off of Highway 299 / County Road 8A.
Thank you to Janine D for providing the photos below:
Centennial Herd Management Area
Size: 318,499 acres
Number of wild horses and burros the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 134-168
Size: 318,499 acres
Number of wild horses and burros the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 134-168
The Centennial Herd Management Area is located in Kern County, CA approximately 10 miles north of Ridgecrest, CA. Some of these animals live primarily on the China Lake Naval Weapons Base and some live outside the Base. The Navy helps manage the herds.
Chemehuevi Herd Management Area
Size: 138,333 acres
Number of wild burros the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 97-108
Size: 138,333 acres
Number of wild burros the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 97-108
This burro herd is located in eastern San Bernardino County, CA and encompasses an area from 7 miles south of Needles, CA to the Parker Dam and includes land east of U.S. 95 eastward to the Colorado River.
Chicago Valley Herd Management Area
Size: 278,105 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 10-12
Size: 278,105 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 10-12
The Chicago Valley Herd Management Area is located in southeastern Inyo County, CA along the California/Nevada border near Death Valley Junction. Per the BLM, the horses are well-monitored by the people in the town of Death Valley Junction.
Chocolate Mule Mountains Herd Management Area
Size: 205,539 acres
Number of wild burros the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 109-133
Size: 205,539 acres
Number of wild burros the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 109-133
Located in southeastern Imperial County, CA along the Colorado River bordering the Picacho State Recreation Area west of Yuma, AZ.
Coppersmith Mountains Herd Management Area
Size: 73,422 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 50-75
Size: 73,422 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 50-75
Located 30 miles southeast of Cedarville, CA in Lassen County, CA and Washoe County, NV.
Devil's Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory / Round Mountain Herd Management Area
Size: 248,428 acres of Forest Service land / Size: 7,759 acres of BLM land
Number of wild horses the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 402 / BLM is 8-10
Located in California approximately seven miles north of Alturas. Read more here.
Size: 248,428 acres of Forest Service land / Size: 7,759 acres of BLM land
Number of wild horses the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 402 / BLM is 8-10
Located in California approximately seven miles north of Alturas. Read more here.
Fort Sage Herd Management Area
Size: 15,967 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 24-29
Size: 15,967 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 24-29
Located approximately 40 miles southwest of Susanville, CA just east of the town of Doyle, CA.
Fox Hog Herd Management Area
Size: 127,122 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 120-220
Size: 127,122 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 120-220
Located approximately 45 miles southwest of Cedarville, CA in Washoe County, NV. The HMA is named for Fox Mountain and Hog Mountain located in the area.
High Rock Herd Management Area
Size: 94,708 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 78-120
Size: 94,708 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 78-120
Located approximately 45 miles north of Gerlach, NV and 45 miles south east of Cedarville, CA. The area is entirely in Washoe County, NV.
Lee Flat Herd Management Area
Size: 73,380 acres
Number of wild burros the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 12-15
Size: 73,380 acres
Number of wild burros the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 12-15
Located east of the Owens Dry Lake bed in Inyo County, CA.
Massacre Lake Herd Management Area
Size: 39,942 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 35-45
Size: 39,942 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 35-45
Located in northern Washoe County, NV. It is approximately 30 miles east of Cedarville, CA.
McGavin Peak Wild Horse Territory
Size: 3,860 acres of Forest Service land, 1,860 acres of Bureau of Land Management land, and 10,325 acres of private land on scattered tracts, which cannot support a sustainable herd.
Number of wild horses the Forest Service & BLM deem appropriate for the herd area is 0
Located in California about 7 miles east of Doris. Read more here.
Size: 3,860 acres of Forest Service land, 1,860 acres of Bureau of Land Management land, and 10,325 acres of private land on scattered tracts, which cannot support a sustainable herd.
Number of wild horses the Forest Service & BLM deem appropriate for the herd area is 0
Located in California about 7 miles east of Doris. Read more here.
Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory / HMA
(aka Mono Lake / also listed under Nevada)
Size: 200,000 acres in California and Nevada / 49,023 acres of BLM land
Number of wild horses the Forest Service is the herd area is 138 - 230 but per BLM the appropriate for the herd area is 64 - 81 (each agency lists different information)
Located in/near the Inyo National Forest and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, east of Mono Lake, approx. 40 miles north of Bishop, California along the Nevada-California state line, north and ne of Mammoth Lakes, and along Highways 120 and 6.
(aka Mono Lake / also listed under Nevada)
Size: 200,000 acres in California and Nevada / 49,023 acres of BLM land
Number of wild horses the Forest Service is the herd area is 138 - 230 but per BLM the appropriate for the herd area is 64 - 81 (each agency lists different information)
Located in/near the Inyo National Forest and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, east of Mono Lake, approx. 40 miles north of Bishop, California along the Nevada-California state line, north and ne of Mammoth Lakes, and along Highways 120 and 6.
New Ravendale Herd Management Area
Size: 32,137 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 10-25
Size: 32,137 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 10-25
Located near the town of Ravendale, CA in Lassen County, CA and is bordered on the east by Highway 395.
Piper Mountain Herd Management Area
Size: 96,261 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 14-17
Size: 96,261 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 14-17
Located in central California on the Nevada border east of the town of Bishop, CA
Red Rock Lakes Herd Management Area
Size: 18,541 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 16-25
Size: 18,541 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 16-25
Located 10 miles east of Macdoel, CA in northern Siskyou County, CA
Three Sisters Wild Horse Territory
Size: 26,000 acres
Number of wild horses the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 15
Size: 26,000 acres
Number of wild horses the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 15
From the Forest Service website: Located in California about 7 miles northeast of Tennant. The territory consists of 26,000 acres of Forest Service land.
Topography is open, rolling rangeland. Elevation ranges from 4,600 feet in the north to about 5,200 feet in the south. Temperatures during the winter may drop well below zero for short periods of time, and temperatures during the summer can reach 100° F. The horses spend the summer in the higher elevations of the southern part of the territory and move north during the winter. Read more here.
Topography is open, rolling rangeland. Elevation ranges from 4,600 feet in the north to about 5,200 feet in the south. Temperatures during the winter may drop well below zero for short periods of time, and temperatures during the summer can reach 100° F. The horses spend the summer in the higher elevations of the southern part of the territory and move north during the winter. Read more here.
Twin Peaks Herd Management Area
Size: 758,128 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 448-758 and for burros is 72-116
Size: 758,128 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 448-758 and for burros is 72-116
Located approximately 25 miles northeast of Susanville, CA. Highway 395 borders the HMA to the west. The herd area is located in both Lassen County, CA and Washoe County, NV and is a vast area.
Wall Canyon Herd Management Area
Size: 41,158 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 15-25
Size: 41,158 acres
Number of wild horses the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 15-25
Located 46 miles east of Cedarville, CA. The area lies in both Washoe and Humboldt Counties of Nevada.
Waucoba-Hunter Mountain Herd Management Area
Size: 22,670 acres
Number of wild burros the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 9-11
Size: 22,670 acres
Number of wild burros the BLM deems appropriate for the herd area is 9-11
Located in southern Inyo County, CA approximately 30 miles east of Olancha, CA.
White Mountain Wild Horse Territory
Size: 149,690 acres of Forest Service land and 60,000 acres of BLM land
Number of wild horses the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 75
Size: 149,690 acres of Forest Service land and 60,000 acres of BLM land
Number of wild horses the Forest Service deems appropriate for the herd area is 75
Located on the California/Nevada border approximately 7 miles east of Benton, CA. The territory consists of 149,690 acres of Forest Service land and 60,000 acres of BLM land and lies on the east side and crest of the White Mountains. The territory is bounded by Highway 6 on the north, Fish Lake Valley on the east, Cottonwood Creek on the south, and the crest of the mountains on the west. Find more information here.