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 a body of the US Department of the Interior tasked with managing public lands. Administering over 247 million acres of land, the BLM is responsible for approximately one-tenth of the nation's landmass. Most BLM sites in the nation are distributed among 12 western states, including California, Montana, Nevada, Alaska, and Arizona. Although the BLM allows free camping, individual sites have charges and may require a reservation. Look up "BLM camping near me" to find a site near your area.
If you’re interested in staying at one of the Bureau of Land Management free camping sites in California, you should consider the El Paso Mountains Wilderness. The 23,790-acre site is in the northern part of the Mojave Desert in Ridgecrest. The El Paso Mountains Wilderness has a versatile terrain featuring the Black Mountain, the Black Hills, multiple dark volcanic mesas, and narrow canyons. There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy in the El Paso Mountains Wilderness, including hiking, climbing, and picnicking. The nearest national parks to the wilderness area include Death Valley National Park, which is two hours and 52 minutes to the northeast, Joshua Tree National Park, which is three hours and eight minutes to the southeast, and Sequoia National Park, which is three hours and 36 minutes to the northwest.
Black Mountain Trail is an out-and-back trail in the El Paso Mountains Wilderness with a maximum elevation of 1,492 feet. It is a nice trail with shaded areas. Many visitors enjoy hiking and biking on this trail because of its panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Hard
Bonanza Trail is near Inyokern, which is 46 minutes north of the El Paso Mountains Wilderness. It is a loop trail connecting various mining sites in the wilderness. With an elevation of 748 feet, this trail provides a challenging terrain for hikers and bikers. Wildlife and birds are common along this trail.
Length: 7.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The El Paso Mountains Jeep Trail is near Ridgecrest, 50 minutes northeast of the El Paso Mountains Wilderness. It is an out-and-back course that leads you past scenic wilderness views. Pets are allowed on the trail. You can complete hiking the trail in less than one and a half hours.
Length: 3.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Little Dixie Wash, flowing through El Paso Mountains Wilderness, is an excellent spot for water leisure activities like boating and swimming. Anglers can also try their luck in the water. The common fish in Little Dixie Wash is largemouth bass. You can also drive two hours and five minutes to the northwest to the Kern River to enjoy more fishing, boating, and swimming experiences. Black bass, bull trout, and channel catfish are common in the Kern River. To avoid penalties, guests must follow all fishing rules, including using the correct bait.
The El Paso Mountains Wilderness features immense rock formations, massive buttes, and craggy cliff faces, which provide fantastic climbing spots. These sites suit new and established climbers who want an exciting climbing experience.
The El Paso Mountains Wilderness is home to many wildlife species. Some animals found at this California BLM site include desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, Mohave ground squirrels, desert foxes and various bat species. Owls and raptors often wander around the wilderness. If you are lucky, you can come across mountain lions roaming the wilderness.
Picnicking is allowed in the El Paso Mountains Wilderness. There are various picnic zones throughout the site and in designated areas. The picnicking areas have picnic tables and fire rings to add convenience. Picnickers must clean their sites after use.
You can spend hours sightseeing various landmarks in and nearby the El Paso Mountains Wilderness. One place to sightsee is Burro Schmidt's Tunnel, 22 miles to the southwest, which was dug by a renowned miner over a period of 38 years. Carry a flashlight to explore this half-mile tunnel. Also, you can travel a half-hour southwest of the El Paso Mountains Wilderness to visit the Last Chance Archaeological District, which houses many exhibits and excavation sites. You can tour old gold mining camps while in the area.
If you want your RV camping experience near the El Paso Mountains Wilderness to have more comforts than dispersed camping, you can stay at Desert Empire RV Park, 50 minutes northeast of the El Paso Mountains Wilderness. This campground is located on the Desert Empire Fairgrounds. It provides full-hookup sites along with a dump station, horse stalls and pens, and a storage shed. Lake Isabella RV Resort, an hour and 33 minutes northwest, features full-hookup RV sites, Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and showers and restrooms.
Dispersed camping is allowed in the El Paso Mountains Wilderness. Carrying supplies is recommended since the camping is remote and no amenities are available. Dispersed camping is limited to tents, and the maximum period to spend on the site is 14 days.
One of the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds near the El Paso Mountains Wilderness is Ricardo Campground in Red Rock Canyon State Park, which is 43 minutes to the southwest. You will find picnic tables, fire pits, vault toilets, and drinking water at this campground. It receives guests on a first-come, first-served basis, so no reservations are accepted.
When planning a BLM RV camping trip to the El Paso Mountains Wilderness, remember that call service may be an issue. Take care of all your information needs to avoid inconveniencies. Also, know that the wilderness has no good roads, so visiting the place with an AWD vehicle is highly advisable.
This area experiences harsh weather conditions with an average temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold days can reach 24 degrees Fahrenheit while hot summers can get up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Pack appropriate clothing and footwear to help you stay comfortable in these conditions.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The BLM requires all visitors to leave no trace when visiting the El Paso Mountains Wilderness. Drive and camp on durable surfaces. Dispose of waste properly, and leave what you find. Reduce campfire impacts, and respect wildlife. Share the site, and be considerate of other guests.
The BLM site is easily accessible from Ridgecrest. Drive east on West Ridgecrest Boulevard toward South China Lake Boulevard. Take a left turn to stay on West Ridgecrest Boulevard for three miles. Turn right onto Jacks Ranch Road and drive for two miles. Turn left onto the CA-178 Highway, and drive for 9.1 miles before turning left. Turn right onto Red Rock Canyon Road. The site is along this road.
Ready to visit the El Paso Mountains Wilderness? 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.
