Leave No Trace 
A "leave no trace" policy requires everyone to pack out all waste and trash. When BLM camping, you should make sure to camp on durable surfaces, follow local fire restrictions, and leave the area as you found it.
BLM Camping
Amargosa Canyon
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency that manages renewable resources, preserves natural habitats and wildlife, and studies various ecosystems. The BLM oversees more than 247 million acres of public lands, which is around one-eighth of the total landmass of the United States. Amargosa Canyon, a BLM site, is part of the Mojave Desert. The Amargosa River originates in Nevada and flows south to the Mojave Desert and then north to Death Valley National Park.
Most of the river is underground, but it has a 24-mile above-ground flow of water between Shoshone and Tecopa in California, where Bureau of Land Management free camping is available. The BLM recently developed the Amargosa Canyon Trail near the China Ranch Date Farm, which travels from Willow Creek to the confluence of Willow Creek and the Amargosa River. From here, visitors can hike onto other branching trails. The BLM also has plans to develop a "rail-to-trail" path connecting Tecopa to Dumont Dunes.
What to See and Do
Hiking
Creek Trail
Creek Trail, a loop trail that is located near Tecopa, CA, is part of a series of trails that are accessed from China Ranch. This short trail follows Willow Creek to where the creek meets the Amargosa River and then back along the east side of the creek. While on the trail, hikers will be treated to views of plants like screwbean mesquite, honey mesquite, Goodding’s willow, seep willow, and Fremont cottonwood. You may also see a frog or crawfish and even get a glimpse of the rare Amargosa speckled dace.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Easy
Mesa Trail
Mesa Trail is an in-and-out trail that is located near Tecopa. The trail has an elevation gain of around 500 feet and also has steep drop-offs on the sides. The trail begins near the parking area of China Ranch and rises sharply up to a ridge, which offers a great scenic view of the ranch below and the date palms.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Slot Canyon Trail
Slot Canyon Trail is a loop trail that is located near Tecopa. It leads off the Amargosa Canyon Trail and continues through a slot canyon. This multi-use hiking and equestrian trail branches off to the west from the main trail and continues across the Amargosa River wash, and after crossing, you will hike through a narrow and twisted slot canyon. While on the trail, you will find excellent opportunities for bird-watching and catching glimpses of the rare speckled dace and the Amargosa River pupfish that are found in the creek and river.
Length: 4 miles
Intensity: Moderate/Difficult
Wildlife Viewing
As you travel around the Amargosa Canyon Trail and the additional trails in the area, you will find plenty of chances to see the native wildlife. Besides the resident coyotes, bobcats, gray foxes, jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, and roadrunners, you will also find many rare species of mammals, birds, amphibians, and fish. These include the Amargosa vole, Amargosa pocket gopher, Amargosa toad, Amargosa speckled dace, and Amargosa pupfish.
Bird Watching
This unique desert river region has a large population of birds with more than 260 species having been recorded within the Amargosa Canyon and surrounding areas. You will find swallows, wrens, tanagers, thrushes, blackbirds, and many other common species. There are also several rare birds, including the yellow-billed cuckoo, the Least Bell's vireo, and the southwest willow flycatcher.
Plant Life
The Amargosa Canyon is part of the Mojave Desert of Nevada. The canyon and river sections feature a variety of habitats that include mesquite, willow and cottonwood forests. There are alkaline meadows and many spring-fed plants.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
There are no Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at Amargosa Canyon, but there are other campgrounds around Tecopa and Shoshone near Amargosa Canyon that offer RV camping. Tecopa Hot Springs Resort is near the edge of Death Valley National Park and provides large RV full-hookup sites that can accommodate 40-foot rigs. There are hot showers and also two private hot-spring tub rooms that are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Shoshone RV Park is near Amargosa and is only a mile from the southeast entrance to Death Valley National Park. The park has 25 full hook-up sites, and the amenities include restrooms, showers, a laundry, a library, a community room, and a firepit.
Free Camping 
Free or dispersed camping is the practice of camping for free at primitive campsites. Some of these sites have amenities like a fire ring, table, and pit toilet while others may be totally undeveloped. Free RV parking can often be found in a local business's parking lot. Many Bureau of Land Management areas have free camping options, but there are no Bureau of Land Management camping options in Amargosa Canyon. However, there are numerous national forests and national parks nearby, which often provide free camping areas.
RV Rentals Near Amargosa Canyon Plan your next adventure
Planning your Amargosa Canyon BLM trip
Whenever you plan on BLM RV camping, you should bring along items like food, water, a sleeping bag, a lantern, a flashlight, seasonal clothing, hiking shoes, a GPS navigational device, a toolkit, a flashlight, rain gear, and small cooking utensils. Visit our blog to discover more about BLM camping.
Leave No Trace
Amargosa Canyon Location
You can access Amargosa Canyon by driving to China Ranch Date Farm near the town of Tecopa. A trail leads from China Ranch approximately two miles to the Amargosa River. Turn right on China Ranch Road and drive 2.1 miles to China Ranch.
Address: Amargosa River Trail, Tecopa, NV 92389
Ready to visit Amargosa Canyon? 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.