Unit 271, Nevada

Rugged, arid basin-and-range terrain rising from a hot desert floor at approximately 2,800 feet to 7,412 feet on Mormon Peak in the Mormon Mountains. The higher elevations feature rocky ridges, cliff faces, steep canyons, and rimrock; the desert floor between ranges is open bajada and dry lake beds typical of the Mojave transition zone. The East Mormon Mountains (including Davidson Peak) lie to the northeast within the unit.

The unit is administered almost entirely by the BLM (Southern Nevada District). Primary highway corridors: Interstate 15 (south boundary, multiple interchanges provide dirt-road access into the ranges), State Route 170 (eastern access), State Route 317 (northern access via Tule Flat Road into the unit interior), and State Route 318 (northern approach via Lyman Crossing eastward). Important note: there is no public access on the west side of SR 317 between Rox and Carp due to private lands and a railroad right-of-way closure. Numerous unmaintained dirt roads penetrate most mountain bases and allow OHV travel, but these roads are prone to flash flooding and erosion damage. The Mormon Mountains Wilderness (157,938 acres, established under the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of 2004) covers a large portion of the Mormon Mountains; no mechanized or motorized transport is permitted within wilderness boundaries. No formal trail systems exist. Nearest services: Mesquite (NV), Glendale (NV), and Moapa (NV). Primitive dispersed camping is available throughout the BLM lands.

Below roughly 4,000 feet: Mojave Desert shrub dominated by creosote bush and various cacti. At mid-elevations (4,000–6,000 feet): sagebrush and mountain-mahogany brush. Upper elevations (above 5,500–6,000 feet): pinyon-juniper woodland with additional browse species. Riparian or mesic features are extremely limited and localized around springs and artificial wildlife guzzlers. Late-summer monsoonal precipitation (late July through mid-August) can trigger ephemeral vegetation green-up that shifts animal distribution.

Desert bighorn sheep (Nelson/desert subspecies) occupy the Mormon Mountains in moderate densities, associated closely with rocky cliff terrain, steep canyon walls, and artificial water developments (guzzlers) as well as natural springs at Horse Spring, Wiregrass Spring, Hackberry Spring, and Davies Spring. Occasional bighorn sightings occur on Moapa Peak. A small, sparse population of mule deer inhabits the higher elevations of the Mormon and East Mormon Mountains; deer density is low throughout the unit group. Deer shift to higher elevations (including deep into the Mormon Mountains Wilderness) during summer and early fall, then move to lower-elevation shrub areas as temperatures cool in autumn. Both deer and sheep are heavily reliant on water sources during hot, dry summers. Mountain lion are present as an apex predator in the range. The unit's Mojave Desert lower elevations also support populations of desert cottontail and other small game. Chukar partridge are associated with the rocky slopes.