Located 30 miles North of Winnemucca off of state Highway 95, this 31,000 acre Wilderness was established in 1989 and includes Santa Rosa Peak; the highest at 9,701 feet. There is also Paradise Peak and Singas Peak.

Santa Rosa peak was named for St. Rose of Lima, the first person in the Americas to be named a Saint. Santa Rosa Peak is a lonely and rarely visited place even though it parallels US Highway 95 and State Route 290. Without lakes, alpine meadows, or large coniferous forest, Santa Rosa Peak is quietly spectacular with rugged granite rock formations, abundant springs, wildflowers, and wide basins containing pockets of aspens.

Trails and Trailheads:
There are several roads leading into the area, although 4-wheel drive is not always necessary, a high clearance vehicle is advisable. West side roads are flat, soft and sandy, with high centers. The East side roads are rocky and made up mostly of clay. They get slippery when wet.

There is a developed trailhead at Singas Peak with a horse unloading ramp, hitching posts, large circular parking area, and an informational bulletin board.

All of the Eastern Trailheads are accessible off of State Route 290.
The Summit Trail runs North and South along the Eastern side of the range through several drainages and dropping over the west side at Buffalo Canyon Trailhead. Approximately one half of the trail is actually in the wilderness with the rest running parallel a few hundred feet below the boundary. The most accessible section is Lamance Creek to Buffalo Canyon, about 10 miles long.

Other access points for the Summit Trail are Abel Creek, Hanson Creek, and Lamance Creek.
Western access trails are all reached from Highway 95 north of Winnemucca.
The trail in Andorno Creek is accessed through private land. Permission should be requested from the owner of the Andorno
Ranch before crossing private land.

Buffalo Canyon Trail is a 4.5 mile climb. It ties into the Summit Trail at the head of Abel Creek.

Falls Canyon Trail passes a small water fall about one-half mile into the 1.5 mile trek.

Horse Canyon Trail is a 2 mile trek into dramatic views of mudslide scars. A great reminder of Mother Nature's tremendous strength.

McConnell Creek Trail is a 2 mile hike that rewards you with spectacular views of Santa Rosa Peak.

Santa Rosa Peak can be scaled by only the hardest and experiences hikers, with its crescent shape and its windswept timber pine growing at the tree line.

Rebel Creek Trail is a gradual climb of only 3 miles. From the top you can see the near vertical rim of Santa Rosa Peak, before dropping into the headwaters of Cottonwood Creek.

The Santa Rosa's were at one time occupied by a prehistoric people. Rock art/Petroglyphs, tool shaping sites, and hunting sites have been found and recorded. These sites contain valuable information on the prehistoric history of the area.
Enjoy the cultural areas, but treat them with respect by leaving artifacts exactly where they are found. These sites are protected by federal law from vandalism and disturbance.

Check with US Forest Service for more information on the Santa Rosa / Paradise Peak Wilderness Area.

As always, be prepared when venturing out in any area of Nevada. Carry extra water, nuts, dried fruit, shovel, warm clothes, flashlight, and let someone know where you are going and when you will return. If you change your plans, don't forget to let someone know, even if it is the local gas attendant. Be aware of the weather which can change rapidly and of fire danger .