Calico Mountains Wilderness was designated under the Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area Act of 2000. It was the tireless efforts of the Conservation organizations in Nevada, such as Friends of Nevada Wilderness, that assured that the Black Rock/High Rock National Conservation Area would include Wilderness protections for the high-quality natural lands such as the Calico Mountains.

The Calico Mountain Wilderness is about 17 miles long and 7 miles wide with elevations ranging from 3,950 to about 8,000 feet and includes the southern portion of the Calico Mountains. The adjacent High Rock Lake Wilderness protects much of the northern half of the range. Only a primitive dirt road separates these two outstanding Wilderness areas. Elevations in the Calico Mountains Wilderness range from 3,950 to 8,491 feet at Donnelly Peak. The spine of the mountain features weather sculpted rhyolite, forming numerous rock overhangs and shelters, welcome respites from either relentless sun or slamming, ridge-top storm winds.