The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Hidden away in the California desert is Cowboy Camp, a secluded campground and day-use recreation area open to the public. While the recreation area is open year-round, the campground area and accompanying overnight parking lot are open only from April to November. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a government organization, maintains Cowboy Camp in Clearlake Oaks and ensures that it remains open for all visitors.
Perhaps what sets Cowboy Camp apart is its popularity with horse owners. Trailers and large vehicles are allowed to stay in the campground, and there are twenty-seven horse campsites set up just for campers with horses. Horseback riding is also popular in the mix of desert and mountain areas surrounding the campground, and there is a running creek nearby the campsites for horses to drink from.
The Lynch Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail nearby Cowboy Camp that offers great views of open spaces full of vegetation.
Length: 3.1 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Judge Davis Trail is a popular hiking trail in the area that follows a path through fields of wildflowers and many running creeks.
Length: 10 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail follows a route over and around Bear Creek with a small pond at the end.
Length: 5.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
While you're near Cowboy Camp, be sure to head just a few miles down State Road 16 to the Bear Creek Swimming Hole. This swimming area is a small lake that is filled by Bear Creek, the same creek running through the campground and is a popular destination for hikers to relax in the late morning or afternoon. There are also live fish in the swimming hole; however, there is a high level of mercury in the fish, so the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment does not recommend eating the fish. Boating is not allowed.
There are plenty of rocky mesas nearby Cowboy Camp that climbers can take advantage of. There are also many deep canyon areas along State Road 16 just south of Cowboy Camp, such as Eula Canyon, Craig Canyon, South Jackson Canyon, and Thompson Canyon, that may have sides steep enough for rock climbing.
Lots of campers who stay multiple nights in Cowboy Camp report seeing wild animals like coyotes, elk, and deer. Coyotes can be heard nearly every night, and elk can be heard almost every morning. In the Cowboy Camp recreational area, there is a wildlife viewing deck on the mountainside that you can use to catch a glimpse of these animals from afar with a great view of the landscape in the background, making for amazing photography opportunities.
The day-use area at Cowboy Camp includes benches and tables that you can use for setting up a picnic. This day-use recreational area offers spectacular views of the mountains and mesas of the California wilderness, making it the perfect place to sit and enjoy your meal.
Stargazing is a very popular activity at Cowboy Camp since the camp is far from the interference of city lights in the night sky. Cowboy Camp is also located in the area of California in which you can see the Milky Way in the sky, a rare sight to see in the United States. Remember, though, that overnight stays are not allowed from December to March, so plan to stay and stargaze in the warmer months to catch these views.
If you are looking for BLM camping near me for RVs, you can certainly stay at Cowboy Camp, but if you are looking for RV camping with full hookups, Clear Lake Campground has RV-friendly sites with hookups and a swimming pool. You may also like Hidden Valley Lake Campground, which has shower facilities, playgrounds, a basketball court, and a golf driving range.
Cowboy Camp offers Bureau of Land Management free camping, though there are no hookups for electricity or water, so campers should pack accordingly. There are four vault toilets and fire pits on each campsite, however.
All visitors who plan to go to Cowboy Camp should be advised that ticks and flies are abundant in the area, so pack plenty of bug spray and should check pets and children for ticks often during your stay.
If you are planning on camping overnight at Cowboy Camp, be sure to pack your own water since there are no water outlets in the area. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All visitors to Cowboy Camp and other Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are asked to follow the BLM's Leave No Trace policy to help keep the area clean and safe for the wildlife. To follow this policy, simply keep your distance from wild animals, pick up all of your trash and belongings, and pick up pet waste as needed. You will also want to watch any campfires you start closely and be considerate of fellow campers by keeping quiet, especially at night.
To reach Cowboy Camp from Sacramento, take I-5 N for 58.3 miles and then take exit 578 onto CA-20 W. Travel 19.8 miles and then turn left onto CA-16 E. Follow this road for about a mile, and then the sign and entrance to Cowboy Camp will be on your right.
Ready to visit Cowboy 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 of 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.
