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BLM Camping

Hwy 139 Antelope Pit

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

The Hwy 139 Antelope Pit is located near Susanville, California, right near the Nevada border. The antelope pit area sits between the Lassen and Plumas National Forests, and it’s only about an hour and 15 minutes from Lassen Volcanic National Park. The pit is most frequently used by visitors looking to practice target shooting, but there are also many nearby opportunities to view wildlife, enjoy the area’s diverse landscape, hike, fish, boat, and camp.

Many BLM locations, which are protected areas of public lands left in their natural states, offer different recreational activities or options for camping. There are no amenities at the Hwy 139 Antelope Pit, including water or camping options. To find BLM sites that do offer these amenities, search for “BLM camping near me.”

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Heart Attack Hill and Rocky Top Loop

This trail, which is a good option for hiking or mountain biking, is located in Susanville Ranch Park and offers beautiful views of the landscape and the area’s wildflowers.

Length: 6.2 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Bizz Johnson Trail

Hikers can join or leave this lengthy trail at any point, or they can choose to backpack in the area and walk the entire length.

Length: 25.3 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Eagle Lake Recreation Trail

Located in Lassen National Forest, this gorgeous trail offers views of its namesake lake and provides access to fishing areas.

Length: 4.7 miles

Intensity: Easy

Skyline Park Loop

This trail provides lovely views of Susanville but is also a good option for spotting wildlife.

Length: 1.1 miles

Intensity: Easy

Osprey Overlook Trail

This trail provides beautiful views and is generally quiet and not overly crowded.

Length: 1 mile

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

Eagle Lake, located in the Lassen National Forest and not far from Susanville, is one of the most popular nearby locations for fishing. Trout are plentiful, and anglers can choose to fly fish or take a boat out. The lake is also a good option for swimming, but swimmers will sometimes encounter leeches.

Climbing

The area near the Hwy 139 Antelope Pit offers several fantastic options for rock climbing. Pigeon Cliff boasts 59 sport and traditional climbs of varying difficulties. The Lone Valley Boulders offer excellent bouldering options and also provide several traditional and sport routes. Tom’s Thumb is also a great option. This large granite tower offers 18 traditional, sport, and aid climbs.

Wildlife Viewing

The nearby Lassen and Plumas National Forests are ideal for spotting wildlife. Species native to the areas include osprey, eagles, deer, chipmunks, ducks, raccoons, skunks, and coyotes. Some visitors might even see a mountain lion, bobcat, or black bear, but these animals are more reclusive, so they are not as commonly spotted.

Picnicking

Riverside Park in Susanville is quiet and picturesque, with large, open grass spaces. There are also picnic tables, barbecues, and playgrounds. The Willow Creek Picnic Site is also a great option. It offers picnic tables, fire pits, and grills.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Beautiful BLM RV camping can be had at the Susanville BLM Campground. The area is quiet, and there are usually few campers. Amenities are limited, but there is a picnic table. The Eagle Lake RV Park is also a good option. The park offers lovely views and provides RV hookups, a store, and a place to get fuel. Merrill Campground offers over 100 sites with either full or partial hookups and 51 sites with no hookups. The campground offers spaces that can accommodate RVs of up to 75 ft., and there is a nearby dump station.

Free Camping

Visitors to the Hwy 139 Antelope Pit can enjoy Bureau of Land Management free camping at the Goumaz Campground in Lassen National Forest. The campground offers five spaces, and water is available from spring to winter. The Rocky Point East Campground is also free, although visitors can leave a donation. The campground offers vault toilets, and there is a nearby boat launch.

RV Rentals Near Hwy 139 Antelope Pit Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Hwy 139 Antelope Pit BLM trip

While target shooting is allowed in the antelope pit area, shooting at signs is prohibited. Always shoot responsibly, and avoid shooting at plants or animals unless you intend to hunt. Shoot far away from any other visitors or camping areas, and exercise extreme caution for safety reasons while shooting. Dumping or littering of any kind is prohibited. There are no trash cans, so take all of your trash with you when you leave. Leaving any trash in the area can lead to a fine.

The area around the Hwy 139 Antelope Pit sees relatively mild weather throughout the year. Summer temperatures reach into the high 80s, and rain is infrequent. Winters can be cold, but temperatures during the day usually hover at or above freezing. If you plan to camp during the winter, however, prepare for cold weather. The area also sees a high amount of snowfall. Temperatures can also drastically decrease at night during the warmer months, so bring a jacket if you plan to stay into the evening.

Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

You can practice Leave No Trace policies by properly disposing of trash and making sure to leave the area as it was. Respect other visitors to the area by sharing public spaces and keeping noise, such as loud music, to a minimum. Help to keep the plants and animals in the area safe by minimizing your impact on the land. Observe animals from a distance, and don’t pick or take home any plants. When starting fires at Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, only build them in designated fire rings or pits. Ensure that fires stay controlled. This is particularly important in arid environments. Make sure the fire is cool before you leave the area.