[4] A 9,000-acre (36 km2) portion of the northwest corner of the facility has been designated as The Rockwell Natural Area and is off limits to vehicles to preserve and shelter desert plants and animals.

[6] The sand consists of quartz grains, with minor amounts of feldspar, biotite, calcite, garnet and magnetite.

The recreation area sees the highest number of visitors over holiday weekends from spring to fall.

The area is home to typical Great Basin Desert wildlife including mule deer, pronghorn antelope, snakes, lizards and birds of prey.

Great horned owls make their home among juniper trees in the Rockwell Natural Area.