Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area is 103,507 acres of CDFW land in San Bernardino County, in CDFW's Inland Deserts Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type C: open daily for hunting all legal species without a hunting pass, except where CDFW's area rules say otherwise. It lies in deer Zone D17, where CDFW estimates 58 deer were taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Rules: CDFW's 2026-2027 land use regulations (updated July 1, 2026). Boundary and acres: CDFW. Zones: CDFW. Land around it: CPAD 2026a.
BLMCDFW landNational Park ServiceOther state or federal landKelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 103,507 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone D17 |
| Nearest towns | Baker (7 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area beyond those for every wildlife area (Sections 550 and 551).
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
What does CDFW say about Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area?
Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area is approximately 102,400 acres of dunes playa (dry lake), lava beds, and mountains of lime and granite. It has typical Mojave Desert vegetation, and is habitat for mountain sheep, golden eagles, and red-tailed hawks.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Type C: Kelso Peak and Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area does not require the purchase of a hunting pass for entry. Entry permits and/or passes or special drawing may be required for hunting on some Type C wildlife areas.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D17 | 103,507 | 58 deer taken in 2025, 11.6% hunter success; 2026 general season October 10 to November 1 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 255,698 acres of National Park Service land, 24,752 acres of BLM land, 5,306 acres of other state or federal land and 2,649 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: 12 miles southeast of Baker, along Kelbaker Rd., within east Mojave National Scenic Area
Highways within 8 miles: I-15 and CA 127. Nearest towns: Baker (7 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Type C areas are open daily for all legal species, unless CDFW's area rules say otherwise.
Can you camp on Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone D17, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 58 deer were taken in Zone D17 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area?
Baker (7 miles), by the Census Bureau's places.
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Where these facts come from
- Rules: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations.
- Boundary and acres: CDFW public access lands (BIOS ds3077); CDFW, Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains Wildlife Area.
- Zones: CDFW BIOS zone layers. Surrounding public land: California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a.
- Deer harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.