The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
BLM stands for Bureau of Land Management. The BLM is a government agency that is tasked with caring for many lands that are held by the federal government. The beauty of camping on BLM land is that there are many places to camp, and just about all are free or are very reasonably priced. Some people ask, “Where can I find BLM camping near me?” The answer is that you can find Bureau of Land Management camping in many areas of the southwestern and western US. In general, you can camp in many places for up to two weeks. Then you must move at least 25 miles from your last camping location.
US Route 66 was a famous highway that stretched from Chicago, Illinois west across the country to Santa Monica, California. It was established in 1926. It was the most famous road in the country, and it was the route by which many escaped from the Dust Bowl of the 1930s by heading west to California. Route 66 was officially replaced in 1985 by the interstate highway system. The Historic Route 66 California Gateway Site Day Use Area sits in the heart of Route 66 as it enters California from the Arizona border. At the site, you will find an information kiosk that memorializes the famous highway and its era. You will also find a visitor logbook full of very nostalgic and interesting remembrances from visitors. Nearby is the popular Colorado River and Lake Havasu as well as Goose Lake. Also, just 10 miles away is the eastern entrance to the Mojave Trails National Monument that contains a huge stretch of historic Route 66 that is undeveloped wilderness in the midst of mountain ranges, sand dunes, and volcanic remnants.
This BLM trail has hikers and bicyclists riding on an old railroad grade. Sometimes, the grade disappears, and you have to detour due to past flooding in the area. Signs and rock cairns (piles of rocks) guide your way. If you want to see the desert wildflowers, they tend to bloom from February through April. The wildflower show is best in years with better rainfall.
Length: 7 miles
Intensity: Easy
The trail takes you up to Wabayuma Peak. The hike begins on a Jeep road but will take you up to the saddle for a bit of cross-country travel. For a while, you are in tall ponderosa pine trees. The views include mountain ranges in each of the cardinal directions.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Located in the Turtle Mountains Wilderness, this is a tiny portion of a trail that took travelers to the Colorado River. It is an uphill slog. In the area is the Lost Arch Historic Mining Camp. This is a great area for photography, with historic mining relics and floral cacti displays.
Length: Unknown
Intensity: Strenuous
This trail takes you to the top of Cupcake Mountain that has an overlook of Lake Havasu. The mountain is in the Whipple Mountains Wilderness Area.
Length: 5 miles out and back
Intensity: Strenuous
Located in the Mt. Nutt Wilderness, the Twin Springs Trail takes you in the direction of its namesake springs. This area has volcanic and lava deposits that have created caves and spires to explore. You will see wild burros and cattle in the area. Mountain bikes are prohibited, since the trail proceeds into designated wilderness land.
Length: 1.4 miles is the trail length. Getting to the springs is an unknown distance farther.
Intensity: Easy on the trail. More strenuous adventures take you up to the springs and farther explorations in the Black Mountains.
Fishing and boating opportunities abound, as well as paddle boarding, swimming, kayaking, and inner tubing. The day use area is in close proximity to the Colorado River and Goose Lake. Lake Havasu is only 50 miles away.
Although there are no designated climbing spots in the area, the Black Mountains in the Mt. Nutt Wilderness with their volcanic spires may be inviting. The Twin Springs Trail is the entrance to this area.
In the local area, you will see coyote, jack rabbits, kangaroo rats, bighorn sheep, golden eagles, falcons, roadrunners, desert tortoises, wild burros, antelope squirrels, chuckwallas, mourning doves, California quail, and lizards. You will also see tarantulas, ravens, bats, vultures, horned and black-collared lizards, mountain kingsnakes, and rattlesnakes. Good places for wildlife viewing include Chalk Hills and West Well, which has a wildlife watering guzzler in place. Also, you can go to the Twin Springs Trail to see the burros and cows as well as to the Monkeyhead Flat Wildlife Viewing Area which is on the California side of the Colorado River.
There are two picnic tables at the day use area, but many people will likely go for a picnic at the nearby Colorado River or at either Goose Lake or Lake Havasu. Lake Havasu has grills as well as picnic tables at the BLM sites.
The Mohave Milltown Trail is also an equestrian trail, but equestrians and ORV riders ride below the railroad grade following a parallel trail that crosses the railroad grade at times. The Wabayuma Peak Trail is extremely difficult for equestrians, but the BLM permits horseback riding on this trail.
Besides the Mohave Milltown East Motorized Trailhead, there is also a designated ORV site at the Chemehuevi Wash ORV area, but little details about the area exist. It is known that there are motorcycle trails there.
Lake Havasu Shoreline Campsites - There are a few Bureau of Land Management campgrounds that are located right on Lake Havasu. There are 73 camping sites in total across the campgrounds on the Arizona side of the lake. The fee is $20 a night. You can stay for up to 14 nights. Each site has a grill and picnic table. Most of the camping areas provide a shade structure, and there are vault toilets. No reservation is required.
Snaggletooth Primitive RV Camp - Free BLM RV camping is available at the Snaggletooth Primitive RV Camp. It is near the Chemehuevi Mountains and is a spot where backpackers start their journey into the wilderness. Since it is a primitive site, it does not have water or any other amenities.
Lisa Dawn Developed Campground - Located in the Turtle Mountains Wilderness, you will see mining relics in the area and cacti. There is also abundant wildlife to be viewed. It is a free campground even though it is developed. Vault toilets are on site, but no water is provided. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended to get to the campground.
Brown’s Cabin Developed Campground - Also located in the Turtle Mountains Wilderness, this campground is near Lisa Dawn and also has access to the mining camp and relics. Vault toilets are available.
Craggy Wash Dispersed Camping Area - Located in the area of Crossman Peak, this is also a Bureau of Land Management free camping area. There are no amenities. You can stay for up to 14 days.
You will need to bring ample water for both bathing and drinking in the Mojave Desert. It is important to check the weather and be aware of the possibility of flooding in the rainy seasons. Be careful of deep sand when driving your vehicle through primitive camping areas.
The desert can be quiet, clean, and peaceful. You will find many mountain ranges and places to hunt and engage in target shooting. The stars are incredible to see at night. Desert camping adventures tend to be more economical. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog to find out all you need to know about BLM camping.
The government encourages visitors to leave no trace of their activities out in nature. This includes taking out everything that you take in to the sites back out with you, including trash. Please do not feed wildlife because then they become dependent upon visitors and can become aggressive, even birds. If you go in the winter or rainy seasons, please ensure that you do not rut up roads by driving in the mud. Leave artifacts at sites undisturbed.
The nearest town is Needles, California, right near the California/Arizona border. From Needles, head south on US 95 for about 4 miles. You will turn left at 5 Mile Road and drive for 1.5 miles to the site, which is signed and located on the left-hand side of the road.
Ready to visit Historic Route 66 California Gateway Site Day Use 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.
