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Grass Valley Wilderness Area

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Grass Valley Wilderness Area

Grass Valley Wilderness Area is one of California's fascinating Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites. A BLM site is federal land reserved for outdoor recreation, energy production, livestock grazing, and mineral development. Regulations are in place to protect the area, wildlife, and vegetation from encroaching human settlements. The Grass Valley covers about three-fourths of the wilderness area. This wilderness is relatively flat, boasting several yellowish to reddish-brown scattered hills with elevations between 200 and 600 feet. In addition to creosote bush scrubs, the wilderness area features a handful of Joshua trees. Grass Valley Wilderness Area is near several national and state parks including Death Valley National Park and Sequoia National Park. Death Valley National Park is about 148 miles to the north, and Sequoia National Park is nearly 216 miles to the northwest. The wilderness area offers plenty of recreational activities throughout the year including camping, fishing, winter activities, birdwatching, hiking, and more. To find more Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and recreational areas in the area, search for "BLM camping near me."

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Hole-in-the-wall Rings Loop Trail

This trail winds around and through Banshee Canyon. Exploring the path guarantees you beautiful vistas and unique geological features. Length: 1.3 miles Intensity: Moderate

Rock Springs Trail

Enjoy hiking this trail in the Mojave National Preserve which passes near a water hole that serves as a resting area for historic and pre-historic travelers. Length: 1.2 miles Intensity: Easy

Rings Loop Trail

The Ring Loop trail is a popular hiking path that treats campers to ancient petroglyphs and beautiful vistas in the Mojave National Preserve. Length: 1.5 miles Intensity: Moderate

Climbing

The Grotto Canyon is the best place to climb near the Grass Valley Wilderness Area. Most of its routes are well-kept and range from easy to difficult. Sport climbing routes are the most popular in the area, with the Nymphet and Siren Song routes being some of the most common climbing paths. Check the weather before climbing to ensure you are not caught in a storm and be sure you have ample supplies, including water.

Wildlife Viewing

Since the Grass Valley Wilderness Area has scarce water and vegetation, it's home to Mojave ground squirrels, desert tortoises, and lizards. Carry a pair of binoculars to spot birds like raptors and eagles looking for food. Turkey vultures are also common at this California BLM site and are easy to spot as they circle fresh carrion.

Rockhounding

Campers with a penchant for rockhounding will be pleased to know this wilderness area is near Searles Lake, one of California's best mining destinations. The endorheic dry lake is abundant with rare minerals, including halite and trona. Sifting the area could reveal surprises for all experience levels, maybe even some fool's gold.

Horse Riding

The vast plains of the Grass Valley Wilderness Area make it suitable for horse riding. Ensure you bring enough water for you and your horses, as no waterways exist in the wilderness.

OHVing

A long road cutting through the wilderness is suitable for OHV use. The non-wilderness path divides the BLM site into western and eastern halves and offers impressive views.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Since the Grass Valley Wilderness is inaccessible by motorized vehicles, RV camping is not available at the site. You can indulge in BLM RV camping nearby at Red Rock Canyon State Park. The campground is open all year long and offers guests camping opportunities on a first-come, first-serve basis. Most campsites come with picnic tables, fire grills, and rings. The campground provides picturesque desert cliffs and spectacular rock formations, offering amazing hiking, wildlife viewing, and climbing opportunities.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping in a tent is possible in the Grass Valley Wilderness Area. Camping is allowed for a maximum of 14 days on a single site, after which you must go to another location about 25 miles from the previous one.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Grass Valley Wilderness Area BLM trip

When planning your RV camping trip to the Grass Valley Wilderness, remember that the wilderness doesn't allow motorized vehicles, and campsites are limited. The best place to keep your RV is the Red Rock Canyon State Park. Phone reception is also poor in the wilderness, hence the need to plan and take care of your communication needs before traveling. The wilderness area experiences harsh weather conditions throughout the year, with hot days. When you tour the BLM site, ensure you carry enough clothes and footwear to change when the weather fluctuates. If you want to camp for a day or more, take cooking equipment, plenty of food and water, insect repellant, and other basic items. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Grass Valley Wilderness Area is a protected area where all guests must follow the "Leave No Trace" policies stipulated by BLM. Always plan and prepare for a stress-free camping experience. Travel and camp on durable surfaces, and leave what you find in their natural positions. While fires are allowed, visitors should minimize campfire impacts. Since the Grass Valley Wilderness is a natural habitat for wildlife, be respectful of the animals living there and be considerate of other visitors.

Grass Valley Wilderness Area Location

You can access the Grass Valley Wilderness Area from Ridgecrest. From the city, drive six miles to U.S. Highway 395 north of Red Mountain and along Red Mountain-Trona Road to Steam Well Road. Continue going south on U.S. Highway 395 to Atolia. Turn left onto Hoffman Road, drive for about 40 miles, and then go right for nearly two miles. You'll find the wilderness right in front of you. Address: Ridgecrest Field Office, 300 S Richmond Rd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 Ready to visit Grass Valley Wilderness Area? 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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