GMU 15C Unit 15C — Kingman
Colorado River desert-bighorn country north of Kingman, sheep on the rocks and burros in the washes
Northwest Arizona desert — Black Mountains, Mohave County · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
791
sq mi
Public land
80%
approx.
Elevation
500–5,200
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 15C is a hot, open, rocky desert unit west of Kingman, dominated by the steep northern Black Mountains and bordering Nevada along the Colorado River, Lake Mohave and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It is first and foremost a desert bighorn sheep unit — part of the largest contiguous desert bighorn population in Arizona — with only a thin, low-density desert mule deer herd scattered through the same rugged ground. Feral burros are common and compete for water and forage. This is once-in-a-lifetime sheep terrain that rewards optics and hard hiking over roads.
Terrain
Steep, broken volcanic desert mountains rising abruptly from the Colorado River and Golden Valley floor, cut by countless rocky washes and canyons.
Cover: Sonoran/Mohave desert scrub — creosote, brittlebush, cholla, ocotillo, catclaw and paloverde in the washes, with sparse desert grasses on upper slopes.
Landmarks: Black Mountains · Colorado River / Lake Mohave · Golden Valley · Dolan Springs · Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Access
Mostly BLM with NPS Lake Mead NRA along the river corridor. Arizona State Trust parcels require an individual recreation permit to legally enter. Much of the Black Mountains is rugged and roadless; primary vehicle access is via dirt roads off US-93, SR-68 and the Dolan Springs / Cottonwood Road network, then foot travel into the peaks.
Managers: BLM, NPS (Lake Mead NRA), AZ State Trust, Private
Access points: US-93 (Kingman to Hoover Dam) · SR-68 (Golden Valley to Bullhead City) · Cottonwood Road / Dolan Springs · Lake Mead NRA river access
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
common trophyDesert bighorn are the marquee species; 15C sits in the largest contiguous desert bighorn range in Arizona and tags run near 100% success. A true once-in-a-lifetime draw.
- →Glass steep volcanic bluffs and rims at first and last light from long distance
- →Focus on rugged escape terrain near reliable water — springs, guzzlers and the river
- →Plan a physically demanding, boots-on-the-ground stalk once a ram is located; roads get you close but not to the sheep
Mule Deer
limited opportunityA low-density desert mule deer herd is scattered through the washes and lower slopes; hunter use and success are modest. Manage expectations — this is a sheep unit that happens to hold a few deer.
- →Hunt the brushy desert washes and bajadas at dawn where deer feed and water
- →Glass long into shaded draws through midday heat
- →Cover country — deer are thinly distributed and you must find the pockets that hold them
Pro tips
- →Optics win this unit — a quality spotting scope and a tripod are worth more than miles of driving
- →Glass the steepest, ugliest volcanic faces; that is exactly where bighorn feel safe
- →Map every guzzler and spring before the hunt and let water dictate where you glass
- →Feral burros are everywhere — don't mistake them for game at distance and expect them at the water you're watching
- →Have a truck-recovery plan; the two-track roads are unforgiving and help is far away
Watch out for
- !Extreme desert heat and near-total lack of natural water — carry and cache water
- !Arizona State Trust parcels require a recreation permit to enter legally
- !Lake Mead NRA (NPS) has its own rules along the river corridor
- !Rough two-track roads, sharp rock and remote country — tire and vehicle trouble is a real risk
- !Rattlesnakes and rugged, ankle-breaking rock in the sheep terrain
Logistics
Base out of Kingman or Bullhead City for fuel, lodging and supplies; Dolan Springs and Golden Valley offer limited services. Most hunting is off dirt BLM roads that turn rough and rutted — high-clearance 4x4 strongly advised. Carry far more water than you think you need; this is genuine desert with almost no reliable natural water away from the river.
Nearest towns: Kingman, Golden Valley, Dolan Springs, Bullhead City, Laughlin, NV
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 15D / Black Mountains unit information · AZGFD Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy — Black Mountains · GOHUNT Arizona Unit 15C profile
FAQ
- How big is GMU 15C in Arizona?
- GMU 15C (Unit 15C — Kingman) covers about 791 square miles, ranging from roughly 500 to 5,200 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 15C?
- Approximately 80% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, NPS (Lake Mead NRA), AZ State Trust, Private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 15C?
- Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 15C on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.