The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Mt. Nutt Wilderness is in the 75-mile stretch of land called the Black Mountains in northwest Arizona. You will find the 1.75-mile Twin Springs Trail in this area. It leads to some very unusual rock spires, caves, ledges, and cubbyholes, making it a fabulous hiking trail. This trail near Kingman, Arizona is about 167 miles from Grand Canyon National Park and 255 miles from Petrified Forest National Park.
While no motorized vehicles are allowed in the Mt. Nutt Wilderness, there are BLM campgrounds nearby. You can stay in these campgrounds for up to 14 days in 28 days. These options provide free or inexpensive camping across the western United States. You can search online for "BLM camping near me" before your adventure to find Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the area you plan to visit.
This out-and-back trail is very rocky in places. There is no shade along the trail, so hike it in the cool of the day. You will gain over 1,100 feet in elevation and have great bird-watching opportunities during your hike.
Length: 2.2 miles
Intensity: Strenuous
This loop trail near Kingman, Arizona is a short distance off Interstate 40 and Highway 68. You will love seeing the cactus along this route, especially in the spring when they are blooming. Several other trails cross this trail, so watch the trail markers.
Length: 6.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The first part of the Mesa Trail has solar lamps along it. Then, the trail crosses some switchbacks as it climbs a little. Expect to do some rock scrambling at the end of your hike.
Length: 0.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Willow Creek near Griffith, Arizona is a fantastic place to fish. Depending on the time of year, you may catch northern pike, catfish, striped bass, carp, bream/bluegill, crappie, walleye, largemouth bass, bullhead, or muskie. You can fly-fish or bait fish in this creek.
Old Woman Statue is a fantastic place to climb. When viewed from the east, this natural statue looks like an older woman with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, and the climb starts near her hemline. This climb is in the Old Woman Mountain Wilderness, and you will need to park at Painted Rock and hike to this remote location.
The two namesake springs in this area provide a great place to spot wildlife. You may see bighorn sheep, wild burro, lizards, and various species of birds and small mammals.
Hualapai Mountain Park is a beautiful place for a picnic. Federal officials considered making this a national monument before it became a park in 1939. There are numerous hiking trails, a disc golf course, and playgrounds. Often, events occur at the ballfield, which has been a favorite place for many people for over 80 years. There is a spacious campground on-site as well.
While there are no Bureau of Land Management campgrounds for RV camping at Mt. Nutt Wilderness - Twin Springs Trailhead, there are great options nearby. For instance, Wild Cow Springs Campground is at 6,200 feet above sea level, so it is often 20 degrees cooler than in Kingman. Another fantastic option is Burro Creek Campground. This campground near Wikieup, Arizona lies along Burro Creek. It is a unique location because it is on the dividing line between the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts and features plants and animals from both ecosystems. There are also many campgrounds in Kingman, including Kingman KOA, where some of the sites have a fully enclosed dog pen right at the camping pad.
Bureau of Land Management free camping facilities are numerous in this area. Consider Packsaddle Recreation Site. This high-elevation campground offers a vault toilet and many picnic tables. You will love camping under the pinyon pine and juniper trees. A little further away, Crossroads Campground offers riverside sites and a free boat launch to enjoy while BLM RV camping.
To keep the Mt. Nutt Wilderness wild, groups are limited to 10 people and six pack animals. Therefore, you need to choose who is going camping with you carefully. Summertime temperatures often reach over 100 degrees. While the area has many springs where you can capture water before treating and drinking it, they often dry up in the summer, so you will need to pack water along with you.
You will want to bring your camera to capture the sheer cliffs in Mt. Nutt Wilderness. The best time to photograph the cliffs is in the early morning and evening. Try to find evenly lit areas as they will look the best in photos. Try putting some detail in the corner of your image. Then, when you get home, you can enjoy seeing the sights you saw in person. While you are waiting for the light to be perfect, take a minute and read more about BLM camping.
State officials established the Mt. Nutt Wilderness in 1990, and people have come to this area ever since. Do your part, like those who have gone before you, and clean up after yourself. That way, the place stays photo-worthy for others to enjoy. Observe rules related to exploring the area, and always stick to established trails and roads. Never take anything from the environment home with you, and be respectful of local wildlife and other visitors.
You will need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get to the parking area for the Twin Springs Trailhead in Mt. Nutt Wilderness. Head north on Arizona 93 from Kingman. Turn west on Arizona 68. Go about nine miles and turn south on Estrella Road. In 4.7 miles, turn right on Shinarump Road. Go 0.5 miles and turn south on Kaibab Road. In 2.4 miles, you will see the Jeep trail. Turn right on the trail. In about one mile, you will see the parking area.
Ready to visit Mt. Nutt Wilderness - Twin Springs Trailhead? 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 for the night 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.
