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Castle Rock Hiking Trail

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Castle Rock Hiking Trail

BLM sites are areas of unincorporated public lands that are taken care of by the Bureau of Land Management. These sites offer a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, off-roading, fishing or boating, and, sometimes, Bureau of Land Management free camping. To find out which sites offer which amenities or camping options, search for "BLM camping near me."

Framed by mountains and situated in a beautiful desert landscape, the Castle Rock Hiking Trail offers visitors a unique glimpse into California's southern landscape. The trail is part of the Turtle Mountain Wilderness Area, which is east of Needles, California, the closest town, and Lake Havasu City in Arizona. The area is filled with dramatic cliffs and peaks of eroded volcanic spires. There are several natural springs in the area as well, which help to provide water for the area's many native plant species, including creosote, mesquite, catclaw, palo verde trees, and several other types of cacti and shrubs.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Castle Rock Trail

This gentle trail leads through some of the area's most beautiful scenery and provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.

Length: 8 miles

Intensity: Easy

SARA Crack Trail

This trail in Lake Havasu State Park offers beautiful views of the scenery and the lake itself.

Length: 3.4 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Hole-in-the-Wall Rings Trail

This scenic trail offers a strenuous challenge, and there are several rock climbing options along the route.

Length: 1.3 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Bridge to Nowhere East Fork Trail

Located in the nearby Sheep Mountain Wilderness area, this trail offers views of spectacular scenery. The trail is also dog-friendly.

Length: 9.5 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

Moabi Regional Park in Needles is the perfect place for boating, swimming, and fishing. The nearby Catfish Day Use Area, which is located on the Colorado River and is part of the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, is also a good place for fishing.

Climbing

Crab Claw Rock is one of the most popular climbing spots in the area near the Castle Rock Trail. This rock, which is shaped as its name suggests, offers several climbing options. Climbers can choose to use the boulders near the base, or they can climb the rock formation itself.

Wildlife Viewing

The Castle Rock Trail itself is a perfect place to view native wildlife, including rabbits, ground squirrels, coyotes, bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, golden eagles, falcons, quail, roadrunners, and several species of lizards and snakes. The surrounding Turtle Mountain Wilderness also offers many wildlife viewing opportunities as does the nearby Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

Picnicking

One of the best locations in the area for a picnic is Moabi Regional Park. This park, which is popular with boaters, offers picnic tables and beautiful views. There is also a nearby restaurant.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

There are several BLM RV camping options near the Castle Rock Trail, and visitors can choose an RV camping area that fits all of their needs. The Needles KOA Journey offers full hookups, a dog park, and a pool. Desert View RV Resort also has full hookups and offers a pool, dog park, laundry room, and several nearby recreational activity options.

Free Camping

Free dispersed camping is available in the Turtle Mountain Wilderness. There are no amenities or hookups, so pack in everything you need, including plenty of water, for your stay. Although the area is rugged, RVs can easily park in several locations, and the space is quiet and peaceful.

RV Rentals Near Castle Rock Hiking Trail Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Castle Rock Hiking Trail BLM trip

The Castle Rock Trail and the surrounding area are beautiful examples of California's desert landscape. Most people prefer to visit the area during the winter, spring, or fall, as daytime temperatures are mild although nights can be very cold. Temperatures during the summer can quickly heat up, exceeding 100 degrees. Throughout the year, the area sees little rain, which helps to guarantee that days will be clear for camping, hiking, biking, or whatever recreational activities you choose. This also means, however, that dehydration is a risk, so always carry plenty of water with you and drink frequently.

It's a good idea to call ahead and ensure that there's space at any Bureau of Land Management campgrounds you're considering as most BLM sites don't take reservations. When you call, you can also double-check on the campground's policies. Most campgrounds allow for a stay of two weeks within a month's time, but this can vary from site to site. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Whenever you're hiking, enjoying a natural area, or doing some Bureau of Land Management camping, it's important to leave the area as untouched as possible so as to preserve and protect it. Remember to always dispose of your trash properly, and if there are no trashcans, take any trash with you. Desert landscapes can have high fire risks, so only build a fire in a designated area and only build when the fire danger is low. Try not to disturb the local flora and fauna, and don't take anything home with you except photographs.

Castle Rock Hiking Trail Location

Take U.S. Highway 95 south from Needles, California for about 45 miles. Turn right onto CA State Highway 62 and continue west for eight miles until you reach Castle Rock Road. Turn right and continue for another nine miles. You'll see the Turtle Mountain Wilderness Area boundary, and there will be a small parking lot at the trailhead.

Ready to visit Castle Rock Hiking Trail? 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.