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 (BLM) is a federal organization that takes care of all public land within the United States, which includes state and national parks. The BLM handles several aspects of public land usage, such as recreation and development, and ensures that all activities within those sites preserve both the natural and historical values of that land. To accomplish this, Bureau of Land Management campgrounds charge visitors a fee for the amenities provided, and the BLM official website informs the public of important BLM site details.
The California Desert is home to many natural sights that draw in thousands every year, and the Carrizo Gorge Wilderness houses some of the most expansive views of this desert landscape. From the site, you may see the Salton Sea, the Chocolate Mountains, and even the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which borders the wilderness on the east. The Carrizo Gorge Wilderness offers visitors opportunities for camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing, with plenty of nearby RV parks to get some rest. This site is 144 miles away from Joshua Tree National Park, in case you wish to see the famously strange Joshua trees.
This out-and-back trail has an elevation gain of 1,660 feet and takes around four and a quarter hours to complete. You might encounter signs of Native American habitation and history, so be mindful to not disturb those sites.
Length: 7.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Carrizo Overlook to Peak is a loop trail that sees an elevation gain of 1,220 feet and takes a little over three hours to complete due to its difficulty rating. This trail works in reverse when compared to most similar trails since the starting point is on top of a hill, and it heads down before looping back up.
Length: 5.7 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Carrizo Creek and Lower Left Fork is another nearby looping trail that sees an elevation gain of 1,197 feet and takes a little less than three hours to hike. This rather remote trail passes through a dry creek and into a set of palm trees, where the trail becomes challenging as it involves climbing and jumping between rocks.
Length: 5.2 miles
Intensity: Difficult
The Egg Mountain Trail is a less challenging hike than the rest of the nearby trails. It has an elevation gain of 144 feet and takes less than 50 minutes to finish. There is one downside to this easy looping trail — the lack of shade — so be prepared.
Length: 1.8 miles
Intensity: Easy
Finding a good place to climb in the Carrizo Gorge Wilderness is a bit of a challenge, but there is one place of note: Lowenbrau Pinnacle Climbing. This rock formation is a popular spot for climbers since it is the tallest in the McCain Valley region with plenty of good leads.
Carrizo Gorge Wilderness is situated in a zone where the Colorado Desert meets the California Coastal Mountains, and that creates a unique chance to view wildlife. You can find sheep herds, several kinds of raptors, horned lizards, and even golden eagles.
BLM RV camping is accessible throughout the Carrizo Gorge Wilderness, along with multiple primitive sites that are open to the public. In this region, you can find Stagecoach Trails RV Resort, which offers visitors amenities such as full hook-ups, 30-amp electric service, and horse corrals. The rates for this campsite begin at $39 per night.
Alternatively, you may choose to stay at KQ Ranch RV Resort, where you can expect amenities such as full hook-ups, firepits, and a fishing lake. KQ Ranch RV Resort offers 200 campsites for online reservations.
Looking for Bureau of Land Management free camping near this region is not at all challenging as there are plenty of campsites nearby for you to use. There are more than 10 primitive campsites for you to stay at, but these work on a first-come, first-served basis.
Access to the Carrizo Gorge Wilderness is well taken care of but still intersects with the wilderness and local wildlife, which is why you should drive carefully to avoid roaming animals. There are several herding species in the Carrizo Gorge Wilderness, and some will wander from their herd and venture onto the heavily traveled roads.
If you visit this wilderness in the summer, you should prepare for the heat. Temperatures in the nearby Anza-Borrego Desert have been known to reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring lightweight, breathable clothes and plenty of sunscreen if you plan to walk the longer hiking trails in the region.
Still have basic questions such as, “Where can I find BLM camping near me?” Getting everything right without guidance can be difficult, so be sure to read our blog if you have any concerns about BLM camping.
The Carrizo Gorge Wilderness is a BLM site, and that means that visitors have a responsibility to clean up after themselves and leave no trace behind after camping. Not only must you dispose of trash in an appropriate dump, but you should also take care not to disturb local wildlife when viewing them.
To get to the Carrizo Gorge Wilderness, you need to travel 60 miles east of San Diego, then take the Boulevard/Manzanita exit on Interstate 8. Follow State Route 94 east until you reach McCain Valley Road.
Ready to visit the Carrizo Gorge 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 a nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
