WC-1. Lands allocated to maintain wilderness characteristics contain few human intrusions with primitive and natural landscape settings, providing self-reliant and self-directed visitor experiences. These characteristics have been determined to be reasonably present and of sufficient value (condition, uniqueness, relevance, importance) and need (trend, risk), and to be practical to manage and maintain.

WC-2. Lands and resources within these areas exhibit a high degree of naturalness. These areas are affected mainly by the forces of nature, and the imprint of human activity is substantially unnoticeable. Naturalness is evaluated by the following:

WC-3. Outstanding opportunities for solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation are present. Travel generally occurs through non-motorized and non-mechanical means. Motorized use that does not degrade natural and cultural resources or conflict with DFC is allowed on designated routes. Non-motorized conveyances (such as bicycles) are allowed on designated trails.

WC-4. There is no or minimal development of recreation facilities. Lands allocated to maintain wilderness characteristics provide opportunities for visitor adventure, challenge, solitude, and discovery. Recreation settings and associated experiences are semi-primitive non-motorized to primitive with limited areas of semi-primitive motorized around designated vehicle routes. Hunting, hiking, backpacking, camping, horseback riding, mountain bicycling, wildlife observation, photography, and historic/cultural study are the chief activities with foot or horseback the customary means of travel.

WC-5. Wildlife populations and habitat are recognized as important aspects of the naturalness and are actively managed.