The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area is a Bureau of Land Management camping ground in Yuma, Arizona. It's a popular destination for many campers, with summer and holiday weekends being the busiest. Also, the area receives several visitors during the winter. Campers prefer it because it offers several recreational activities like boating, fishing, hiking, photography, picnicking, swimming, and climbing. You will be charged a small fee for using the area. Day-use costs $10, $15 overnight, and an annual subscription is $75.
Located five miles north of Cibola National Wildlife Refuge and 9.8 miles southeast of Colorado River State Historic Park, the area is ideal for an outdoor adventure. Also, you will be a few miles from the Palo Verde Mountains, home to mountain lions, wild horses, and bighorn sheep.
If you are an experienced hiker, you might consider taking this challenging trail. The trail is popular; you may encounter other hikers. Dogs aren't allowed on this trail.
Length: 9.2 miles
Intensity: Hard
Emerald Lake Trail is a popular spot for hiking, with the best times to visit being June through October. Pets aren't allowed on this trail.
Length: 3.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
It is the best destination for those looking to experience a moderately challenging trail with beautiful scenery. You can bring your dogs, but they must be on a leash.
Length: 5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
If you want to fish, you could head to the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, which accesses the Colorado River. The water bodies in this area are great for fishing. You could also visit the Colorado River to enjoy boating or swimming.
You will get the chance to witness spotted bats, desert tortoises, big horned sheep, wild horses, and deer. Also, you may want to bring binoculars for bird-watching. There are various bird species like the spotted sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, Wilson’s snipe, and solitary sandpiper.
Hunting is a common activity in Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area because of its unique landscapes that are home to larger game. You could encounter elks, deer, horses, wild burros, and the desert bighorn sheep. Before you set out hunting, remember to get a valid hunting license as state laws require.
The vast area provides enough room for shooting exercises. You are allowed to bring slingshots, archery equipment, or guns. Also, with shooting, you will require appropriate permits and licenses. Bring targets or tin cans for practice, and ensure you collect them before leaving the area. Cartridges and shells must also be cleared from the site after shooting.
Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area allows RV camping, but if it's full, you might want to check out the nearby Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. Midland Long Term Visitor Area is eight miles north of Blythe. The site charges $40 for short-term permits and $180 for long-term permits. Available amenities include a dumping station, trash bins, and a landline pay phone. La Posa Long Term Visitor Area is seven miles north of Blythe. It offers dump stations with water, a dance floor and ramada, 10 ADA-accessible vault toilets, eight water faucets, and a dry dump station. You will be charged $40 for short-term visits and $180 for a seasonal long-term pass.
You can find Bureau of Land Management free camping in some primitive areas around Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area. Little Picacho Wilderness is 86.5 miles south of Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area. Here, you will have access to electrical hookups, but there aren’t any water hookups, sewer hookups, fire rings, showers, or toilets. There are no entry fees. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis. For more guidance on BLM public land camping, you can check out the BLM camping near me map and guide.
You should always plan and prepare for your Bureau of Land Management camping trip. For instance, make sure you stock your RV with enough food and water. Check your RV cookware and other necessary amenities. Also, include several changes of clothes and footwear. Sunblock and insect repellent may also be a necessity for this trip. Before leaving for Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area trip, check out our blog for more information about BLM camping.
It is a BLM requirement that all visitors to Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area clean their campsites before leaving. The idea is to maintain the natural quality of the area and be considerate of other campers. Collect and pack trash. Leave what you find in the area and minimize the impact of any campfires. Dispose of human waste by burying it at least 200 feet away from any water body.
Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area is 23 miles south of Blythe, California and 68 miles northwest of Yuma, Arizona. If you are coming from I-8, take the Ogilby Road and turn right once you reach Highway 78 north. The camping site should be approximately three miles south of Palo Verde, CA. Take the gravel road to your east, which has the sign "Colorado River." Follow the road to Oxbow, which should be east of Highway 78; if you are on I-10, exit at the Neighbors Blvd/ CA-78 Blythe exit, and head south on Highway 78.
Ready to visit Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area Location? 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 of 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.
