The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
All over the United States, travelers who like to sleep under the stars and forge connections with nature participate in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) camping. The BLM has hundreds of sites that it maintains across the country, and a large percentage of them feature established camping areas where outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a peaceful stay. Even those sites that don't offer opportunities for "BLM camping near me" tend to feature beautiful landscapes, unique landmarks, and plenty of recreational opportunities.
One fascinating BLM site is the Desert Discovery Center in Barstow, CA. The 7,000-square-foot facility comprises a partnership of government, educational, and non-profit organizations. While there aren't any Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at the site, the attraction does offer visitors a variety of awesome exhibits and displays. Anyone who explores the center will have the opportunity to learn a ton of interesting information about the natural world.
The Owl Canyon Trail is a scenic out-and-back trail near Barstow that offers great bird watching and camping opportunities. While hiking the trail, you'll enjoy impressive desert views, and you'll see quite a few colorful rock formations. About halfway through the route, there is a scramble that is somewhat challenging to traverse. Dogs are allowed on the trail and can even be off-leash at times.
Length: 3.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Rainbow Basin Loop is another beautiful hiking trail in the Barstow area. The loop trail is relatively difficult, featuring slot canyons that include several scrambles. However, it's certainly worth putting in the effort to enjoy the breathtaking views of the nearby Joshua trees and desert scenery.
Length: 7.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
San Bernardino National Forest lies about 35 miles south of Barstow and features numerous excellent hiking trails. One of the most popular routes in the scenic forest is the Heart Rock Trail, which is a short, partially paved loop trail. The trail includes several small waterfalls and the unique Heart Rock formation. There are also lots of colorful wildflowers, and you may even get to spot some local wildlife during your visit.
Length: 1.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Since the Desert Discovery Center is located in the middle of an arid region, you'll need to travel a bit from the site to enjoy any quality fishing or boating. Most likely, your best bet will be to head south to Big Bear Lake. The reservoir is located in the northern part of San Bernardino National Forest and is a popular spot for catching rainbow trout, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. The lake is a wonderful spot for boating, too. You can head out on the calm water for a day of paddling, motorized boating, jet-skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, or just about any other watersport.
Visitors to the Desert Discovery Center can check out the on-site native plant and animal habitat, which is home to several awesome desert tortoises. If you're hoping to spot some other unique animals, you may want to travel to San Bernardino National Forest, which is inhabited by many interesting species. If you go hiking through the woodlands and forested ridges, some of the creatures you may catch a glimpse of include beavers, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, wild boars, bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, gray foxes, broad-footed moles, ringtails, and American black bears. There are also lots of awesome reptile, amphibian, and bird species that make their homes in the area as well. Keep your eyes on the sky for roadrunners, owls, hawks, and eagles.
While you're checking out the cool exhibits at the Desert Discovery Center, you can always take a break to enjoy a nice picnic lunch at the facility. There may be a picnic table or two outside of the center, but if not, you could alternatively head to one of the nearby parks around Barstow. If you want to enjoy your meal in a more lush, scenic environment, consider making the journey south to San Bernardino National Forest and laying out a picnic blanket near the shores of Big Bear Lake.
There are quite a few opportunities for RV camping near the Desert Discovery Center. Although there's no designated camping area at the BLM site, the Barstow area features a good selection of campgrounds and RV parks. If you want to camp somewhere that offers RV hookups and significant amenities, you'll have a handful of quality options. For example, you could go with the Shady Lane RV Park, the Saloon RV Park, or the Desert Springs RV Park.
Technically, visitors to the Desert Discovery Center won't have any opportunities for Bureau of Land Management free camping. With the BLM site located in the middle of a town, there aren't really any appropriate spots for dispersed camping. So if you are looking to set up a primitive campsite in the area, you'll need to exit Barstow. You could either have a unique experience desert camping outside the city or head to San Bernardino National Forest and find a peaceful clearing among the trees.
When you're planning a trip to the Desert Discovery Center, remember to verify ahead of time that the center is actually open. The facility does sometimes experience temporary closures, and you wouldn't want to travel all the way to Barstow only to discover that it isn't open. Because the BLM site is located in the middle of the Mojave Desert, you should also come prepared for very high temperatures, particularly if you're visiting between May and October. If you plan on doing any hiking or exploring outside of the city, stay hydrated and bring a bit more drinking water than you'd expect to need. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
When you're visiting any site administered by the BLM, please be respectful of the land and follow the Leave No Trace principles. While you're checking out the cool exhibits and artifacts at the center, please refrain from touching, altering, or removing anything from the site.
The Desert Discovery Center is located at 831 Barstow Rd, Barstow, CA 92311.
To reach the site from Highway 15, take the northbound exit onto Barstow Rd and continue for about 0.3 miles. The Desert Discovery Center will be on your right.
Ready to visit Desert Discovery Center? 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.
