The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
BLM sites are public lands that offer opportunities for visitors to explore and get to know an area. Mainly left in their natural state, these sites provide a wide range of diverse landscapes where visitors can enjoy countless outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, snowshoeing, swimming, wildlife viewing, and more. Although most BLM sites are found in the Western states, you don't have to venture too far to get the best place to pitch your tent. Pick your destination and search for "BLM camping near me."
Mohave County, Arizona hosts the 28,080-acre Mount Nutt Wilderness, with Bullhead City and Kingman 12 and 15 miles away, respectively. Mount Nutt Wilderness sits close to populated areas and offers visitors and residents of the nearby cities stunning views of the Black Mountain Range.
Secret Pass OVH Trail is a point-to-point trail near Bullhead City, Arizona. A significant portion of this trail weaves along Slurry Road. Also, the trail cross paths with diverse wildlife and is accessible all year. The trail offers stunning scenery and features some rugged, steep passages and fun rolling foothills. This magnificent nature trail provides a safari-like tour of this spectacular Arizona wilderness. You can easily view the Mount Nutt Wilderness near the south end of this trail. Route-finding is challenging, and the road to the trailhead needs an aggressive SUV.
Length: 12 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Secret Pass Loop is a loop trail located near Bullhead City, Arizona. This trail is an out-and-back hike with 3900 feet of elevation gain and takes around 7-10 hours to complete. It's renowned for off-road driving. Although this trail is moderately difficult, it takes you through the scenic Black Mountains before ending at Secret Pass along the Mount Nutt Wilderness boundary.
Length: 9.3 miles
Intensity: Intermediate
Cave Spring Trailhead weaves along the east slope of the Black Mountains and ends at Cave Spring. As the name implies, Cave Spring sits within a natural cave that provides wild burros and other wildlife that inhabit the area with water. You'll enjoy a nice view of the Hualapai and Cerbat Mountains and the surrounding Sacramento Valley. Lava depositions and volcanic ash have weathered over the years to form stunning caves, spires, cubbyholes, and ledges throughout this portion of the Black Mountains.
Length: 0.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Mount Nutt is a class three climb that attracts many climbers yearly to its summit. This 15.1-mile has 5,100 feet gain and takes about eight to 20 hours to complete. The climb is a loop, and the views at the top are breathtaking while the satisfaction that comes with overcoming the challenge is worth it.
Mount Nutt Wilderness hosts over 100 burros and bighorn sheep. The wilderness is also home to countless species of birds, lizards, and small mammals. You'll also have an opportunity to spot rattlesnakes and tortoises. Kit fox, deer, jackrabbit, bobcats, and cottontail also call this wilderness their home.
Hunting is a common activity in this wilderness, and hunters catch big game species like bighorn sheep. Also, you might find some trophy rams if you're patient. Although the mule deer population is low, it's also hunted in this wilderness region. You can also find small game species such as waterfowl, quail, and dove.
BLM RV camping is unavailable at Mount Nutt Wilderness, but there are nearby private campgrounds. Black Mountain RV Park is about a 30-minute drive from the Mount Nutt Wilderness boundaries. This campsite offers RV sites with partial and full hookups and a sanitary disposal station for guests. Other amenities include laundry facilities, swim beaches, a day-use area, and a boat launch. In addition, group campsites are provided for bigger gatherings.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is allowed in Mount Nutt Wilderness. Although there are no designated camping sites, there are numerous unofficial areas ideal for dispersed camping.
Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the Mount Nutt Wilderness region are underdeveloped, and camping in the wilderness is purely primitive, so bring all the supplies you require. These include food and water, sunscreen, camping utensils, sleeping bags, lanterns, and a lighter.
The terrain of Mount Nutt Wilderness is highly rugged, so you'll require a four-wheel-drive vehicle to access some of the parts. Also, the trails are unmarked, so bring maps of the region and a GPS device with satellite capabilities. Some lands near and within the wilderness are not federally administered, so respect the owners' rights and don't use or cross these areas without permission.
In addition, it's imperative to keep in mind that temperatures in Arizona change considerably from night to day, so ensure you bring warm clothing for the cold nights and sunscreen for the hot days. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Whenever you visit Mount Nutt Wilderness or any other BLM site, you're required to observe the "Leave No Trace" policy to help preserve the land for coming generations. Ensure you take everything you bring into the Mount Nutt Wilderness out. Also, you'll be required to avoid interfering with wildlife and disturbing the natural environment.
The wilderness has several access routes, so you can use the one you find convenient. For Cave Spring access, follow Highway 93, from Kingman to Highway 68. Head west onto Highway 68, drive for about nine miles to Estrella Road, and then proceed to Guthrie Road. You'll find a small rock-lined area where you can park.
You can find the Kingman Field Office at 2755 Mission Boulevard, Kingman, AZ 86401
Ready to visit Mount Nutt Wilderness? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice, soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
