The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
California has tremendous natural beauty once you get outside the bustle of the city. The Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, manages the 49,000-acre Five Springs WSA. It's located in northeastern California, just west of the Nevada border. People often visit Five Springs WSA to enjoy hiking, horseback riding, hunting, camping, and wildlife viewing.
The Five Springs WSA is located about 325 miles north of Yosemite National Park. About 610 miles to the north, you’ll find the iconic Mount Rainier National Park. The Five Springs WSA is fairly remote, with the small town of Susanville, CA about 43 miles to the southwest and the tiny town of Herlong, CA about 50 miles to the south. Reno, NV is the closest large city, located about 100 miles southeast of the Five Springs WSA.
The trailhead is about a 29-mile drive from the Five Springs WSA and is a point-to-point trail that takes about 6.5 hours. While this is a popular trail, you'll still enjoy plenty of solitude while riding it.
Length: 15.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
If you want to get out and stretch your legs, head south to Shaffer Mountain, about 20 miles south of the Five Springs WSA. This there-and-back trail takes a little over six hours to enjoy, with a total elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. Dogs are permitted on the trail, including off-leash in some areas.
Length: 13.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Five Springs WSA is on the Great Basin's western edge and is mainly composed of eroded volcanic mountains. Despite the lack of lush vegetation, you'll enjoy plenty of wildlife, including deer, wild horses, and elk. You'll also have the opportunity to see golden eagles, prairie falcon, quail, and chukar.
Hunting is another popular activity throughout the Five Springs WSA, with nearly 5,700 hunters visiting annually. Deer, antelope, chukar, and quail are very popular pursuits. In the southern part of the Five Springs WSA, hunters also enjoy pursuing rabbits.
You don’t have to settle for rustic RV camping on BLM land. The closest place for a formal campground with amenities is in Susanville, about 43 miles southwest. You'll want to check out Eagle Lake RV Park in Spalding, CA. There are 65 paved RV sites complete with full hookups and satellite TV, and a full-service store is on the grounds. There's also Days End RV in Standish, CA that offers 27 RV spaces, clean showers, laundry facilities, TV access, and available Wi-Fi.
The Five Springs WSA has no formal Bureau of Land Management Campgrounds. However, you'll still find plenty of Bureau of Land Management free camping through dispersed camping. You'll access the Five Springs WSA from US Highway 395. Head west on Stony Creek Road, and you'll find a few areas that are excellent pull-offs once the road turns north past the ranch. You'll also find several pull-offs coming in from the south on Smoke Creek Ranch Road, which goes through the heart of the Five Springs WSA. If you search for "BLM camping near me," you won't have to go far. Travel a little farther west, and you'll find camping at the Susanville BLM campground, or travel north to the Ramhorn Campground, about 18 miles north on US 395.
BLM RV camping can be a fun experience and is much less expensive than traditional camping options. However, making it a great experience requires a little more planning, being you'll be about an hour from the nearest place to get supplies or help. Before heading out to Five Springs, or one of the other BLM RV camping areas, make sure your rig has plenty of potable water and that you've emptied the waste storage. If you're using a generator, be sure you have plenty of fuel. Desert temperatures range widely throughout the day, with nighttime lows in the 40s over the summer and daytime highs reaching into the upper 80s. Finally, ensure you have appropriate attire to remain comfortable through the change.
A significant part of planning is knowing what to expect before you get there. First, take some time to look at the online satellite maps of the area to know what roads you want to take. Next, check the weather to ensure you aren't setting up camp when heavy rain is forecasted, which could make a campsite unstable. Finally, be sure you pack a fire extinguisher and first aid kit, just in case of an accident. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
When you take advantage of Bureau of Land Management free camping, you want to leave the area clean for others. But it goes beyond that, being you are in wildlife's natural habitat. Be sure to leave them undisturbed, and do not leave anything out that might attract them to your campsite. Do this by packing out all your trash and avoiding dumping anything at your site.
Getting to the Five Springs WSA is relatively easy. From Reno, NV, head north on US Highway 395 for about 72 miles. Then turn east onto Smoke Creek Ranch Road. If you're coming from Sacramento, head to Reno on I-80, and then take US 395 north.
Ready to visit Five Springs? 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.
