Great Falls Basin WSA

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

Imagine that in the middle of the desert, you found a huge basin filled with water regardless of the time of year. If you are in California, you can see this phenomenon by visiting the Great Falls Wilderness Study Area near Ridgecrest. The surrounding area contains many ridges and tuba formations ranging from light brown to gold. This area is about 110 miles south of Death Valley National Park. The government set this area aside as habitat for the Inyo brown towhee, a state-listed rare bird species. You are also likely to see bighorn sheep.

While traveling to this area, consider staying at Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. While these campgrounds offer few services, they are usually in gorgeous areas you will love visiting, and you will want to discover BLM camping near me wherever you travel. You can stay in them for up to 14 days out of 28 free or at a minimal cost. You will also want to check out Bureau of Land Management camping facilities while exploring the Western United States.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Lone Ridge Trail

This out-and-back trail off South Downs Street in Kerns County starts very easy. Then it gains a little elevation and gets rocky. It is best to hike it in cooler weather because there is very little shade. You will love the views of Ridgecrest from this trail's midway point.

Length: 2.5 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Mikes 8 Trail

The first 1.2 miles of this trail are brutal, with about a 45 percent uphill grade. This area is also rocky. Then the trail follows a dirt road and becomes much easier to hike. You will love seeing the vertical mining along this trail.

Length: 7.1 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Sheep Spring Trail

This trail off Brown Road near Ridgecrest leads to Sheep Spring. Be sure to look high on the hills near the spring to see the petroglyphs. This hike is especially pretty in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming.

Length: 3.4 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

Lake Isabela is about 69 miles east of Ridgecrest and is a terrific place to fish. Anglers can catch largemouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie, and catfish. While there are fabulous marinas on this lake, the best way to fish it is usually using a float tube and spinner bait in places that are unreachable by boat.

Climbing

Located near US 90 between Ridgecrest and Lone Pine, Fossil Falls is a terrific place to go climbing. There are over 50 documented routes, some of which are up to 100 feet tall. The area divides into five sections, with Scott's Bluff closed to climbers as it is private property.

Wildlife Viewing

A unique place to go for wildlife viewing is the Bald Mountain Lookout near Kennedy Meadows. You can climb this fire lookout tower for free during the summer months. The knowledgeable rangers will gladly show you different sites from this vantage point.

Picnicking

Luis Miro de Acevedo Sculpture Garden at Cerro Coso Community College is a fantastic spot for a picnic. It features student and instructor sculptures made since the gardens founding in 1997. Check the calendar for star parties and other events occurring at the Dr. Alex Shlanta Astronomical Observatory on the same campus in Ridgecrest.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

While there is no campground for RV camping at Great Falls Basin WSA, you can go BLM RV camping at Fossil Falls Campground. While there are no hookups at this 11-site campground, there are picnic tables and fire rings. Drinking water is available. There are over 50 campgrounds in Sequoia National Forest. If you are going to spend time playing on Lake Isabella, consider camping in the Old Isabella Campground, where you can camp on the lake's shores. Another fantastic option at Lake Isabella is Auxillary Dam Campground. Note that if you want to build a campfire at either of these locations, you need to get a free permit.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping facilities are scarce in this area, but you can find free options within Sequoia National Forest. One option is Chico Flat Dispersed Camping. This area on the Upper Kern River is a fantastic place to fish. Another choice is Chamise Flat Dispersed Campground. This is a terrific choice if you want to fish on the North Fork of the Kern River.

RV Rentals Near Great Falls Basin WSA Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Great Falls Basin WSA BLM trip

Great Falls Basin is a fantastic place to go canyoneering. Take the trail to the left of the basin and bushwhack your way into where the rappels start. You should never bushwhack without a helmet on your head and protective goggles to protect your eyes. Consider wearing boots that pull on instead of tie so that your laces will not get caught on branches and come untied.

This basin is a memory-building experience filled with rusted bolts and old pipes from mining operations. Many of the bolts are great places to anchor your rappelling ropes. When throwing your ropes, plan their trajectory carefully because you do not want them caught on the pipes. Once you reach about the water level, there is a trail to the north that you can follow to get out of the basin. While you are celebrating your success at rappelling the Great Basin, take a minute and read more about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

The trash and graffiti left in the Great Basin should upset you. It means that people did not care enough to protect this unique basin. Be sure to clean up after yourself, so you do not add to the problem.

Great Falls Basin WSA Location

From Ridgecrest, take China Lake Boulevard south to Highway 178. This will take you to the small town of Trona. From the high school, continue 4.7 miles. Turn on the dirt road to your left. Continue down this road, and you will see the basin on your left in 3.1 miles.

Address: Great Falls Basin WSA, Trona, California 93562

Ready to visit Great Falls Basin WSA? 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.