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BLM Camping

Dry Valley Rim

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 (BLM) is an agency of the United States Department of Interior. The agency manages 10% of the landmass and 30% of the minerals in the nation. President Harry S. Truman established BLM in 1946 by combining two existing agencies: the General Land Office (GLO) and the Grazing Service. BLM's objective is to preserve these lands' health, diversity, and productivity for current and future use. Although the Bureau of Land Management provides free camping, individual sites may need a reservation and charge a small fee. Amenities and prices vary in different sites. Search for "BLM camping near me" to locate BLM sites in your area.

Dry Valley Rim is a Bureau of Land Management free camping site spreading over 18,100 acres in Lassen County, California and 76,177 acres in Washoe County, Nevada. This 94,308-acre site is mainly natural with a few artificial developments. A vast rocky rim, sagebrush, and grass are the most dominant features in this wilderness study area. Some recreational activities guests can enjoy on this site are hiking, picnicking, and hunting. Lassen Volcanic National Park is a few miles from the Dry Valley Rim.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Dry Valley Rim Trail

Dry Valley Rim Trail circumnavigates a good portion of Dry Valley Rim. There are beautiful flora and fauna to explore when hiking or biking along this trail.

Length: 24 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Black Mountain Trail

Black Mountain Trail is an out-and-back course for hiking and biking. It has a maximum elevation of 2,775 feet, with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Its numerous peaks and rugged surface make it a challenging route. Pets are allowed along this trail.

Length: 8.7 miles

Intensity: Difficult

Fishing and Boating

Water-leisure activities like boating and swimming are possible at Dry Valley Rim. Fishing is also a common activity at Lake Eagle. The predominant fish species in the lake is trophy trout. Other species anglers can catch include speckled dace, tui chub, and Tahoe sucker. You can find boats and angling equipment at Eagle Lake Marina within the BLM site.

Climbing

Rocks worth climbing on this site are on Dry Valley Creek. The creek is about 50 feet tall, with multiple lead climbs and ropes. Its vast, rugged landscape has climbing sections for both novice and advanced climbers.

Wildlife Viewing

Dry Valley Rim is home to many wildlife animals. Antelopes, deer, wild horses, burrows, and pronghorn often graze in the grassy areas of the BLM site. Mountain lions, beavers, gray foxes, coyotes, and bats are also common here.

Picnicking

Picnicking is permitted at Dry Wall Rim. Picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets are spread throughout the wilderness. Guests can set up picnic areas where they want, provided they clean them after use.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is another activity you can enjoy at Dry Wall Rim. Chukar, rock pigeons, and wild turkey are the popular birds you can expect to see in the Dry Valley Rim region. Birds of prey like eagles, hawks, and falcons also love flying over the wilderness to look for food. The best birdwatching spot in this BLM site is atop the rim.

Hunting

There are small and big game animals to hunt in this Bureau of Land Management campground. Antelope and deer hunting are the most common. The hunting grounds in this site attract more than 4,000 hunters every year.

Horseback Riding

Horseback biking is often conducted along the Black Mountain Trail and Eagle's Head Loop. Carry horse feed and gear to enhance your horseback riding experience.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

BLM RV camping is available in various campgrounds near Dry Wall Rim. The nearest campground to the BLM site is Dodge Reservoir Campground. This location boasts 11 RV sites and 11 other tent-only spots. These locations have picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, and garbage bins. Lassen RV Resort is another camping site for RVs near Dry Wall Rim. This site has on-site water, picnic tables, and other significant amenities.

Free Camping

Guests can camp for free at this BLM site. Since no facilities and amenities are available deep in the wilderness, people looking to have dispersed camping should carry their own supplies. Dispersed camping is restricted to tents, which should be positioned far from trails and water bodies. The limit of stay is 14 days.

RV Rentals Near Dry Valley Rim Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Dry Valley Rim BLM trip

Proper planning is necessary for enjoying your trip to any BLM site. When planning a visit to Dry Valley Rim, remember that the area is a wilderness, so call service may be an issue. Therefore, take care of your communication needs beforehand to avoid any inconveniences. Dry Valley Rim wilderness experiences temperatures of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. Also, days can get extremely cold during the winter. Pack extra clothing to help you stay comfortable regardless of the weather.

Although Dry Valley Rim is a frequently visited Bureau of Land Management free camping site, it's home to many wild animals. Avoid intimidating them and help preserve their natural habitat. Since the site is in a remote area without proper roads, AWD vehicles are the most suitable for touring this place. Note that parking spaces on the site are inadequate, so you may need to look for alternative locations.

BLM camping has many benefits. First, camping in a BLM camp is cheaper than privately owned destinations. Camping in BLM locations encourages physical fitness through activities like biking and hiking. Spending time in nature also helps reduce stress and promotes social interaction with other people. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Guests are encouraged to Leave No Trace when visiting Bureau of Land Management campgrounds by cleaning up after themselves. Leave the camping grounds clean by disposing of any waste materials. Collect and bury pet waste far away from the trails and water bodies. Don't interfere with the plants or wild animals in the area. Hunt responsibly and follow all set rules and restrictions. Camp on stable grounds away from water. You'll cause less environmental impact and help keep the environment pristine by following these simple rules.

Dry Valley Rim Location

Susanville is the closest town to Dry Valley Rim. To access the site from the town, head toward Main Street and drive for one mile. Drive on Center Road for about 14.3 miles, then take a slight left on US-395. Take Smoke Creek Ranch Road to your designated location.

Address: 2550 Smoke Creek Ranch Rd. Susanville, CA 96130

Ready to visit Dry Valley Rim? 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.

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