Wilderness provides so much more than a place to camp or fish or hunt. Wilderness clears our air and filters our water. Wilderness provides essential habitat for wildlife, including endangered species. And wilderness is a natural retreat from the stress of our everyday lives.
So What Is Wilderness?
When we talk about Wilderness, we're referring to a legal definition laid out in the Wilderness Act of 1964. In short, Wilderness is designated by Congress on federal public lands -- National Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Refuges, and Bureau of Land Management lands -- and is the highest form of protection for federal lands. No roads or permanent structures are allowed in Wilderness, nor activities like logging, mining, or most vehicular traffic.
Since passage of the Wilderness Act, more than 107 million acres of public lands have been designated as Wilderness, less than five percent of the entire United States. But as much as 200 million additional acres of federal public lands may be suitable for Wilderness, and so we and others continue the fight to win Wilderness designation for those lands -- because once an area falls victim to roads or other destructive activity, that land is no longer eligible for Wilderness designation.
The Wilderness Act of 1964
Read the Act and learn how it came to be.
National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS)
The Wilderness Act established the NWPS to include all designated Wilderness. It now totals more than 107 million acres in 662 Wilderness Areas. Read more about the NWPS.
How is Wilderness designated?
An overview of the process.
History of Wilderness & Conservation Timeline
An environmental timeline and overview of how much acreage each Congress has added to the Wilderness system.
The Importance of Wilderness
From ecological values to solitude, Wilderness protects and offers much.
Managing Wilderness
Wilderness management principles.
Wilderness FAQ
Common questions and answers about Wilderness.
How Wilderness Affects the Economy
Debunking the myths that wilderness locks up resources and locks out growth. In fact, the opposite is true.
Famous Quotes About Wilderness
Inspiring words about wilderness and conservation.
The Future of Wilderness
What's next for the Wilderness system?
How Can I Save Wilderness?
- Sign up for our WildAlerts.
- Sign up for our Wilderness Report.
- Consider becoming active in a local campaign.
