The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management, or the BLM, maintains our public wild lands for camping and other types of recreation. When you search for "BLM camping near me," you will find many places in the western half of the country.
The Ishi Wilderness is a jointly administered BLM and Lassen National Forest area where you can camp, hike, and hunt. Nearby are the Lassen and Plumas National Forests and Lassen Volcanic National Park. The Ishi Wilderness is named after the last Native American in the country to live a traditional lifestyle. He hid in this area after the other members of his tribe had died, living alone for many years. The area has deep canyons, unusual rock formations, rivers, and streams. Since it has a foothill elevation, you can hike and backpack in this area in the winter because it is not covered in snow.
This trail takes you to Lower Mill Creek Canyon and ends at an old, abandoned cabin. You are not allowed to mountain bike on any of the trails in the Ishi Wilderness because federal wilderness rules specifically prohibit vehicles of any kind.
Length: 6.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This out-and-back trail follows the creek it is named after. It has good fishing, and it can be accessed right off of Highway 32 north of Chico, so you will possibly encounter another hiker or two in this area.
Length: 4.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing for salmon and steelhead is possible in Deer Creek and Mill Creek in the wilderness. Also, fishing, waterskiing, boating, and swimming are available at Lake Almanor, a nearby lake that has campgrounds managed by Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the Lassen National Forest.
The Ishi Wilderness is one of the most remote parts of the Cascades, yet it is in a foothill area. The largest deer herd in the state of California, the Tehama deer herd, resides here. Also, you are more likely to see mountain lions, eagles, and foxes here than in other parts of the state.
Although it is legal to hunt within the Ishi Wilderness boundaries, some of the wilderness has been designated part of the Tehama Game Refuge, so you cannot hunt within those areas. The restricted areas are south of Mill Creek Canyon.
Some of the closest BLM RV camping options are in the area near Lake Almanor. There is the Pacific Gas and Electric campground as well as the Almanor and North Shore Lassen National Forest campgrounds with spaces right on the water of the huge reservoir. All of these campgrounds have no hookups but have water on site along with fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Also, there is RV camping at Lassen Volcanic National Park at their Manzanita Lake, Butte Lake, and Summit Lake campgrounds. These also do not have hookups but have water, fire rings, and picnic tables along with vault toilets on site.
There is free camping on the borders of the wilderness in Lassen National Forest. They are all primitive campsites with only fire rings and vault toilets. Black Grove, Long Point, and Gaither Camp are some of the options. The nearest Bureau of Land Management free camping is the Forks of Butte Creek Campground with six tent-only sites and fire rings. You can backpack into the Ishi Wilderness and camp for free with an overnight permit available from the National Forest Service. Being a designated federal wilderness area, you cannot drive into the wilderness or operate any motor vehicle on public wilderness land.
Check the weather in the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Rain would make it really hard to navigate on the rock formations because they will be very slippery. Dress in layers in the colder seasons so that you can add and subtract clothing as you heat up and cool down.
You will not be able to use your RV to access the dirt road which leads to the wilderness, so you will need to tow your car behind your RV for this use. Your efforts will be rewarded with the area's solitude and plentiful wildlife. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Leave No Trace means that you must, “Leave only footprints, and take only photos.” In other words, you are asked to take all of whatever you brought into the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and their surrounding forests out with you, including your trash. Campfires need to be completely extinguished and are not always permitted. Leave No Trace also means to leave any archaeological artifacts you find there in the wilderness.
The simplest way to get to the Ishi Wilderness is to head north 15 miles out of downtown Chico along Cohasset Road. At around 15 miles, in the town of Cohasset, the name of the road changes to Ponderosa Way, a dirt road. Follow that for 15 miles and cross a bridge; you will be in Deer Creek Canyon at the trailhead for the wilderness area.
Address: Bureau of Land Management, Redding Field Office, Redding, CA 96002
Ready to visit Ishi Wilderness? 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.
