It begins north of San Gorgonio Pass, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Morongo Valley and 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Palm Springs, California.

[2] The wilderness is part of the eastern slope of the San Bernardino Mountains, with topography rapidly changing from low, rolling foothills and canyons to steep, rugged mountains.

These mountains include Mount San Gorgonio and several other peaks over 10,000 feet (3,000 m).

[2] The United States Congress designated the San Gorgonio Wilderness in 1964.

[1] The San Gorgonio Wilderness is now within the Sand to Snow National Monument, established by President Obama in February 2016.