The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Devil's Corral Trailhead, which is located just off of the Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail, is a natural area under the protection of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The trailhead is found in northeastern California near the town of Susanville, CA and is a popular hiking destination for those traveling in the region. Although there aren't any official Bureau of Land Management campgrounds found around the trailhead, you can still search for "BLM camping near me" during your visit as long as you don't mind working with a primitive setup.
While the BLM site is known primarily as a hiking destination, visitors regularly partake in other forms of outdoor fun as well. Many travelers head to the nearby Susan River to enjoy some swimming, kayaking, or fishing, and there are also nearby opportunities for biking and horseback riding. Anyone feeling especially adventurous can make the short trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park, which lies only 25 miles west of the trailhead. The breathtaking park offers gorgeous scenery, many volcanic features, and over 150 miles of scenic hiking trails.
The Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail is a point-to-point rail trail and the longest rail trail in California. There are many other trailheads to be found along the extremely long trail, including the Devil's Corral Trailhead. The route is excellent for backpacking and mountain biking, and you'll find many opportunities for camping around the trail. The best times to visit are between May and October, and your pups can be off-leash in some areas.
Length: 25.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Eagle Lake Recreation Trail lies near the town of Susanville and takes hikers along the beautiful waters of Eagle Lake. The pleasant out-and-back trail is suitable for hikers of all fitness and ability levels, and because it's paved, it's also great for road biking and trail running. The serene trail is kid-friendly, stroller-friendly, and wheelchair-friendly, and you can bring your dogs along with you as well.
Length: 4.7 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Susan River Path is a paved out-and-back trail located only a short distance from the Devil's Corral Trailhead. The route is stroller-friendly and wheelchair-friendly, and it's just as popular for road biking and trail running as it is for hiking. The trail parallels the Susan River and features plenty of lush, beautiful scenery. Pups are allowed on the trail but must be leashed at all times.
Length: 3.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
If you're looking to do some fishing or non-motorized boating, your best bet near the Devil's Corral Trailhead is probably the gentle Susan River. The stream is home to rainbow, brook, and brown trout, and it's also a popular destination for kayaking, canoeing, and paddle-boating. If you prefer motorized boating or want to spend your day enjoying watersports, you can head a few miles north of the trailhead to the placid waters of Eagle Lake.
The area surrounding the Devil's Corral Trailhead isn't especially known for its climbing opportunities, but if you head northwest to Lassen Volcanic National Park, there are a handful of quality destinations for climbing enthusiasts. Perhaps the most popular area is Eagle Peak, which offers opportunities for bouldering, traditional climbing, and sport climbing. There's also The Plug area, where you'll find traditional, sport, and alpine routes ranging in difficulty from 5.8+ to 5.12a.
One of the best nearby areas for wildlife observation is Lassen National Forest. Anyone who journeys to the forest and spends time exploring the lush woodlands will have a great chance to glimpse some unique species. Black bears, mule deer, martens, long-toed salamanders, and various types of bats are all known to inhabit the forest. If you enjoy bird watching, you'll want to be on the lookout for brown creepers, mountain chickadees, and white-headed woodpeckers.
There is one picnic table found at the Devil's Corral Trailhead, and if you have good timing, you may be able to claim it for your lunch. However, there's a possibility it will already be occupied, in which case the best option may be to walk down to the banks of the Susan River and put down a picnic blanket. While eating at the trailhead site may be the most comfortable, having a more secluded picnic by the flowing water may be even more memorable and serene.
The Devil's Corral Trailhead and nearby Hobo Camp are both day-use areas, so if you want to partake in BLM RV camping, you'll need to set up a primitive campsite or stay at one of the nearby campgrounds. Various campgrounds and RV parks can be found around nearby Susanville, such as the Susanville RV Park, which offers RV campsites with full hookups, a dump station, and lots of modern amenities and conveniences.
As long as you stay outside of the designated day-use areas, Bureau of Land Management free camping is fair game around the Devil's Corral Trailhead. If you follow the nearby Cherry Creek south, there should be plenty of peaceful, secluded areas where you can put up a dispersed campsite.
If you're heading to the Devil's Corral Trailhead BLM site, you should decide ahead of time whether you're going to camp primitively or stay at one of the nearby campgrounds. If you plan to stake out your own campsite, you should pack plenty of food that's simple to prepare as well as your own potable water. It's also wise to be prepared for the presence of bears, which are known to inhabit the nearby woodlands. If you camp in the area, consider bringing bear spray and keep your food tightly sealed. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The BLM asks that you please do your part to help preserve the beauty and cleanliness of the Devil's Corral Trailhead. If you encounter other visitors while you're at the site, please be courteous and respect their privacy. Overall, treat your fellow guests the way you'd prefer to be treated.
To reach the Devil's Corral Trailhead from Susanville, travel west on Highway 36 toward Westwood, CA. The trailhead is located right off the highway and will be marked by a white railroad marker on your left.
Ready to visit Devil's Corral Trailhead? 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.
