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BLM Camping

Cadiz Dunes Wilderness


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 responsible for the preservation of lands around the US. Cadiz Dunes Wilderness is one of the areas managed by the BLM, with 19,935 acres under the management of the federal agency. Protecting areas of natural beauty from the problems of overpopulation has become the main idea behind the work of the BLM. Camping and RV camping are both available on Bureau of Land Management properties. The agency manages traditional campgrounds and allows for dispersed camping at no cost. Returning to dispersed camping allows you to enjoy the beauty and isolation of Cadiz Dunes Wilderness.

Cadiz Dunes Wilderness is located along the border of Joshua Tree National Park and 100 miles from Death Valley National Park. Cadiz Dunes Wilderness contains some of the most impressive desert landscapes for viewing wildlife and photo opportunities in California. Cadiz Dunes Wilderness is part of the Mojave Trails National Monument located just to the north.

What to See and Do

What to See and Do

Hiking and BikingHiking and Biking

Hole in the Wall Rings Trail

The Hole in the Wall Rings Trail is rated as moderate and provides you with excellent views on the Mojave Trails National Monument. The short trail is a 1.3-mile loop that takes you to a ridge 127 feet above your starting point. The desert rocks can be difficult and require some scrambling. Temperatures can be hot in the summer, with sunshine a staple of the desert winter.

Length: 1.3 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Lava Tube Trail

Hiking to the lava tube cave at the end of the trail is rated as moderate. This one-mile trail is relatively flat, with an elevation gain of 62 feet. Scrambling is required, with loose rock and sand adding to the difficulty level. The cave is low, and caution should be used when descending into the cave.

Length: One mile

Intensity: Moderate

Rock Spring Loop

Rock Spring Loop is an easy in-and-out trail. The path to the Rock Spring settlement is well-maintained and allows you to enjoy a leisurely walk to the site. Once you arrive at Rock Springs, you will find a natural supply of spring water. The house and copper mine provide a stunning backdrop for your hike.

Length: 1.4 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing & Boating

The fishing and boating options in the high desert are limited. However, some saltwater lakes and streams are available in the Joshua Tree National Park. Day use passes for fishing are available from $4.

ClimbingClimbing

The area around the Cadiz Dunes Wilderness is not one of the most popular for climbing. The desert area includes some rocks where climbing trails have been created. The low-lying rocks do not lend themselves to climbing, although scrambling is a popular activity from Joshua Tree National Park to Mojave Trails National Monument.

Wildlife ViewingWildlife Viewing

As part of the Mojave Desert, the Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Area is home to several species of animals. Lizards and snakes are plentiful in the Cadiz Dunes Wilderness area, including rattlesnakes. During your RV journey and BLM camping at Cadiz Dunes, you may see jackrabbits and kangaroo rats.

Picnicking

The Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Area is not equipped with picnic tables, but picnicking is available in the Mojave Desert. The picnicking opportunities are plentiful at the Mojave Trails National Monument, where picnic tables are available.

The Old Woman Meteorite

Stargazing is a popular activity in the Mojave Desert because of the clear skies available each night. An interplanetary object, the Old Woman Meteorite, was found in 1975, less than 50 miles from the Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Area. An exhibit of the largest meteorite found in California is available at the crash site.

Camping

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping Caravan Icon

The main attraction of the Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Area is the unblemished dunes. The Bureau of Land Management has banned all motorized vehicles from the wilderness area to protect the dunes. The best option for Bureau of Land management campgrounds for RV camping is at the Mojave National Preserve. Several campsites are available with hookups for RVs. Outside BLM lands, you can explore the Mojave Desert region from the Crossroads RV Park. Several RV parks are available in the Mojave Desert region, including the Desert View RV Resort.

Free Camping Campground Icon

BLM free camping options are not available in the Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Area. However, undeveloped and dispersed camping is available at the Mojave Trails National Monument. Dispersed camping is conducted away from organized BLM campgrounds. Bureau of Land Management free camping in the Mojave Desert region does not require a permit.

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Planning Your Trip

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Cadiz Dunes Wilderness BLM trip

Cadiz Dunes Wilderness is an isolated region of California. It is a good idea to top up your gas tank and collect supplies when passing through the Twentynine Palms settlement. The weather is changeable in the Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Area, with spring and fall offering mild temperatures. Packing warm clothes for the nights in the Mojave Desert is vital to staying safe and healthy during your trip. The desert winters are cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing. The summer months are hot, meaning you should pack plenty of water for your trip.

BLM RV camping is a popular option because of the changeable weather in the Mojave Desert region. The long distances needed to travel to and from the Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Area mean Bureau of Land Management campgrounds can be busy. Booking ahead and bringing the correct change for cash payments is recommended. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace Leaf

The Leave No Trace program is designed to protect the natural beauty and integrity of the Bureau of Land Management locations. When you leave Cadiz Dunes Wilderness for Bureau of Land Management free camping, you should take all trash and camping equipment with you. The area you access should be left as if humans had not been present.

Leave No Trace
Location

Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Location

The Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Area does not have a physical address. Maps to the location can be obtained from the Bureau of Land Management field office in the Needles region. You can make your way to Cadiz Dunes by traveling 40 miles east from Twentynine Palms along Route 66. The Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Area is signposted from Historic Route 66 and Highway 62.

Ready to visit Cadiz Dunes 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 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.