The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Located in southeastern California next to the Arizona border, the scenic Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness is made up of the Chemehuevi mountain range, a horseshoe-shaped range that surrounds a deep valley lush with green desert vegetation. Here, you'll encounter Chemehuevi Peak, the tallest mountain in the Chemehuevi range, sitting at 3,694 feet high. The mountains themselves make for great photography opportunities thanks to their unique gray and dark red coloring, which tends to be brightest in the early morning hours.
The Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness area itself is owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a US agency that protects the wild land and ensures that its environment remains clean for the animals and any future visitors. Visitors are permitted to camp overnight here free of charge so long as they follow the rules and regulations of staying on the land.
The Heritage Trails Loop is paved and generally easy to hike or bike. There are also picnic tables located along the trail and trailhead for visitors to use.
Length: 6.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Located in Sara Park, AZ, this trail follows a path up to the top of Lizard Peak. Along the trail are naturally formed rock arches and scenic views of the desert floor.
Length: 2.1 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Also located in Sara Park is the Pilot Rock Trail, an intense trail that winds past a few mountaintop lakes.
Length: 6.7 miles
Intensity: Difficult
The Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness provides a few options for rock climbing, and these include both shallow and steep excursions. The mountains are made of granite and mostly have pointed peaks though there are some flatter mountains in the area, particularly in or on the edges of the valley area.
You'll encounter plenty of wildlife at the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness, including vegetation like cholla, cacti, ocotillo, and agave plants. Animals native to the area include bighorn sheep, wild burros, desert mule deer, mountain lions, coyotes, and black-tailed jackrabbits. Be sure to keep an eye out for ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, roadrunners, quail, rattlesnakes, and many varieties of lizards as well. As for birds, you may be able to catch a glimpse of golden eagles and bald eagles.
There are no picnicking areas or shelters set up in the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness, but visitors are still permitted to eat on the land. If you'd like to have a picnic in this wilderness area, consider bringing your own chairs, blankets, or towels to sit on. Remember, there are no trash bins in this wilderness area, so you'll also need to supply your own trash bags in order to pick up when you're finished with your meal.
The California desert is known for being the perfect destination when it comes to stargazing activities. Since the desert days and nights are both usually dry and cloudless, the sky is visible most times of the year. However, keep in mind that nights may be chilly, so pack appropriate clothing if you plan to stargaze outside for long periods of time.
When searching for "BLM camping near me," you should know that there aren't many BLM-owned RV camping options with electrical campsites. However, you may still enjoy staying at another campground near the BLM-owned Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness, such as the Crazy Horse Campgrounds featuring hookups, free Wi-Fi, and a swimming pool. You can also check out Davis Campground, which is located on the beach of a large river and has picnic tables and fire pits at every campsite.
There are options for Bureau of Land Management free camping right within the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness. Though there are no organized Bureau of Land Management campgrounds here, you can still take advantage of dispersed camping and choose your own camping spot anywhere in the wilderness area. However, since this is a designated wilderness area, all motorized vehicles and transportation devices with wheels are not allowed on the land. This means only tent and backpack campers can take advantage of this option.
Pack everything you'll need in bags and backpacks and leave your vehicle at the area entrance. It's also a good idea to bring plenty of water and sunscreen when you visit the area during the daytime because the days in the California desert tend to be hot and sunny year-round.
By choosing to enjoy the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness, you'll explore an environment almost completely untouched by humans. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Whether you stay at the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness for an hour or a few days, you'll need to follow a few simple Leave No Trace rules. This includes picking up all of your trash, food, and belongings before you leave the area and being sure not to disturb the wildlife in any way. Remember, the BLM oversees this land and wants to protect the animals and plants that are native to it.
To reach the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness from Las Vegas, take US-95 South for approximately 78 miles. Then, merge onto I-40 East toward Needles for 11 miles. Take exit 144 toward Blythe and turn right almost immediately onto East Broadway Street. Next, turn right onto Victory Drive, and the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness area will be located on your left.
Ready to visit Chemehuevi Mountains 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.
