Unit 286 Unit 286
The Las Vegas Range — a once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn ram in the mountains you can see from the Strip
Southern Nevada — Clark County · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
527
sq mi
Public land
97%
approx.
Elevation
2,800–7,290
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
Unit 286 sits in north-central Clark County directly north of Las Vegas and comprises the Las Vegas Range, a rugged desert cordillera capped by Gass Peak. It is a premium, draw-only desert bighorn sheep unit — the only huntable big game here is bighorn, and a tag is effectively a once-in-a-lifetime event. Ram quality is excellent but success demands serious effort: recent harvest ran about two-thirds success across a handful of tags, and the terrain is steep and unforgiving.
Terrain
Terrain grades from level, unbroken alluvial bajadas on the valley floor up through steep, rocky canyons and broken ledges to an unnamed 7,290' peak near Wamp Spring. Classic Mojave sky-island bighorn country — glass the rims and canyon heads, then commit to long, punishing climbs to close.
Cover: Creosote-bush and blackbrush scrub on the bajadas and lower slopes, grading into scattered pinyon-juniper on the higher north-facing benches and canyon heads.
Landmarks: Gass Peak (6,943') · Wamp Spring · Quail Spring · Juniper Peak · Gunsight (far east end near US 93)
Access
Nearly all occupied sheep habitat lies inside the USFWS Desert National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR), where camping and vehicle use are tightly restricted — you must learn and follow refuge rules before hunting. A small portion at the southeast end is co-managed with the DoD's NTTR South Range, and an adjoining piece is BLM. Access ranges from poor to good depending on where restrictions fall. Contact the DNWR office (702-646-3401 / 702-375-4006) for current closures.
Managers: USFWS Desert National Wildlife Refuge, BLM, DoD Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR South Range)
Access points: Refuge roads off US 93 (Gunsight / east end) · Approaches toward Gass Peak from the Las Vegas / Nellis side · Quail Spring and Juniper Peak drainages
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
common trophyDesert bighorn are the marquee — and only — big-game species in Unit 286, occupying the steep core of the Las Vegas Range. A very limited number of ram tags are issued by draw; recent five-year success ran about 66% on roughly two to three tags a year. Expect a mature, fully-legal ram if you put in the miles.
- →Glass the rimrock and canyon heads around Gass Peak, Quail Spring and Juniper Peak at first and last light before committing to a stalk
- →Hunt the far-eastern Gunsight area near US 93 when western refuge access is restricted
- →Be prepared for extremely steep, rocky, physically demanding climbs — pack water and plan multi-day pushes
- →Scout access and camping limits with the DNWR office well before the season
Pro tips
- →Call the DNWR office before you scout — refuge access, road status and camping rules dictate where you can realistically hunt
- →Gass Peak and the country around Wamp/Quail springs hold the most consistent ram numbers
- →The Gunsight area near US 93 is the most accessible corner when interior refuge routes are closed
- →Treat this as a fitness hunt: the Las Vegas Range is steep, rocky and waterless — condition accordingly
- →Water sources (springs, guzzlers) are magnets for sheep; build glassing plans around them
Watch out for
- !Most of the unit is inside the Desert National Wildlife Refuge with strict vehicle and camping restrictions — off-designated-route travel is prohibited
- !The southeast corner overlaps the DoD NTTR South Range; military-managed ground may be closed to entry
- !Terrain is genuinely dangerous — steep ledges, loose rock and long dry approaches; a rescue is far from the road
- !Extreme heat and no reliable water in the interior; carry everything you need
Logistics
Full services (fuel, lodging, gear, medical) are in Las Vegas, minutes from the south end of the unit. Primitive camping is the rule inside the refuge, subject to DNWR restrictions. Cell coverage is decent near the valley floor and Nellis interface but drops off in the interior canyons. Access the east end from US 93.
Nearest towns: Las Vegas, North Las Vegas
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt Information Sheet — Unit 286 · NDOW Hunt Information Sheets · USFWS Desert National Wildlife Refuge
FAQ
- How big is Unit 286 in Nevada?
- Unit 286 (Unit 286) covers about 527 square miles, ranging from roughly 2,800 to 7,290 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 286?
- Approximately 97% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFWS Desert National Wildlife Refuge, BLM, DoD Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR South Range). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 286?
- Bighorn Sheep. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Nevada agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 286 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.