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, or BLM, is responsible for managing many of our country's most pristine natural areas. Many of the sites that are watched over by the agency feature affordable campgrounds in serene settings, which has led to BLM camping becoming a popular activity. In fact, you may even find that there are beautiful locations for "BLM camping near me" in your area. BLM lands are found throughout the United States, with the majority located in the western side of the country.
The Clark Mountain Camp, located in the southeastern part of California, is one site administered by the BLM. This site, which lies within the Clark Mountain Area of Critical Environmental Concern, offers breathtaking views of the Mojave Desert and is surrounded by amazing destinations. The famed Death Valley National Park lies an hour to the northwest, the City of Las Vegas lies an hour to the northeast, and the Mojave National Preserve is only a few minutes to the south. The Clark Mountain Camp itself is home to excellent views as well as opportunities for wildlife viewing, horseback riding, camping, mountain biking, and more.
Found within the Mojave National Preserve, the Lava Tube Trail is a short, easy hike where visitors can experience unique sights away from the crowds. When you hike this out-and-back trail, you'll make your way up an incredible lava tube. If you peer through the gaps, you can see the light from the lava shining through. There's no bad time of the year to visit this trail, and you're welcome to bring your leashed pups.
Length: 0.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Spooky Canyon is a long out-and-back trail near the town of Baker, CA. Despite some elevation gain, the trail is suitable for hikers of all skill levels. The route is popular for hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, and even rock climbing. You can bring your dogs along, and they can be off leash in designated areas of the trail.
Length: 7.9 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Clark Mountain Camp lies in an arid part of California, so you'll need to travel a bit to find any significant bodies of water. The majestic Colorado River, which flows into beautiful Lake Mohave, is found roughly 50 miles to the east of the BLM site. If you're an angler, you can try your luck fishing for large and smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie, and channel catfish in the river. If you're looking to enjoy a day of boating, watersports, or swimming, Lake Mohave will serve as an excellent destination.
If you travel south into the Mohave National Preserve, you'll encounter several areas that offer rock climbing opportunities. A couple of the best climbing destinations in the area are Teutonia Peak and the Castle Peaks. Alternatively, you can find some great spots for bouldering if you head to the Providence and New York Mountains. Most of these climbing areas should be doable for beginner and intermediate climbers.
The most common animals seen around the Clark Mountain Camp are desert bighorn sheep and mule deer, and if you travel north to Death Valley National Park, you should be able to spot many more interesting creatures, like desert tortoises, roadrunners, jackrabbits, porcupines, foxes, and mountain lions. Those are just a few of the many fascinating species that inhabit the area.
The Clark Mountain Camp, with its gorgeous views, makes for a fantastic picnic destination. The site features several picnic tables and a dual-pit cooking grill, so you won't need to bring your own picnic blanket. You can prepare and enjoy a delicious meal right there at the site.
Anyone looking to do some RV camping at the Clark Mountain Camp BLM site will need to set up their own primitive campsite. However, if you like to rough it, the area makes for a serene camping destination. No developed Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are nearby, but there are several RV parks and campgrounds within a short distance. One of the closest options is RV Park Baker to the southwest. There, you can stay in an RV campsite and utilize the sewer, water, and electrical hookups.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is permitted at and around the Clark Mountain Camp. As noted above, it's primitive camping only. You'll need to bring your own food and water and stake out a place to camp. When you put together a campsite, be sure that you're doing so on durable land.
The most important thing to prepare for when planning a trip to the Clark Mountain Camp is the potential extreme heat and the dryness of the area. The temperatures regularly reach triple digits during the summer, so most campers plan their visit for one of the other seasons. If you visit from February through April, you can have the incredible experience of seeing the desert in bloom. Bring lots of extra drinking water and whatever type of sun protection you prefer. Additionally, keep in mind that the BLM site is far from any major towns or cities. So bringing any food, supplies, and equipment that you anticipate you'll need is essential. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The BLM asks that all visitors to its administered sites help to preserve the natural land. By doing your best to leave behind no trace of your stay, you can help keep sites like the Clark Mountain Camp pristine and open to the public for many years to come. All you need to do is practice common courtesy by respecting the land, cleaning up after yourself, keeping your distance from the local wildlife, and being respectful of your fellow visitors.
To reach the Clark Mountain Camp BLM site from Needles, CA, travel west on I-40 for approximately 10 miles to reach the US Highway 95-North exit. Follow the highway for about 45 miles, then turn left on NV State Route 164. After about 20 miles, the route will turn into Nipton Road. Follow Nipton Road for about 15 miles, then merge onto I-15 West. Travel on I-15 West for around 6 miles, then turn right onto Bailey Road and take the first left onto Clark Mountain Road. After about 5 miles, you'll reach the BLM site.
Ready to visit Clark Mountain Camp? 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.
