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BLM Camping

Magnolia Ranch Trailhead

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

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Magnolia Ranch Trailhead

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a federal agency that enforces land use, management, and development policies on public lands in the United States. This agency was established in 1946 and is responsible for protecting over 245 million acres of public land, including parks and wildlife refuges. BLM's mission is to sustain public lands' health, diversity, and productivity for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau of Land Management camping program helps the BLM keep in touch with its public land users. This camping program supports recreation, education, and wildlife management. To find BLM sites within your vicinity, search for "BLM camping near me."

Magnolia Ranch Trailhead is one of the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds near Coloma, CA along Highway 49 and the South Fork American River. This BLM camping area is situated between Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park and Greenwood Creek River Access. This Trailhead takes you along the 2.5-mile Gerle Loop Trail, an easy-to-moderate flat trail across rolling hills and oak woodlands. The trail has access to the American River. This Trailhead is located 335 miles south of Redwood National Park, making it a good stop if you are traveling from the north. While visiting this site, you should know that fuelwood cutting and collection are prohibited. In addition, this ranch is a day-use area only, and only non-motorized recreational activities are allowed. You should also be extremely careful when touring this ranch and only take walks in the specified areas because mountain lions and rattlesnakes are present in this BLM area.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Gerle Loop Trail

The Gerle Loop Trail is a 2.5-mile loop trail near Pilot Hill, California. The trail is flat and straight and passes through oak woodlands and works its way up mild slopes across hills. The terrain is rolling hills up to a ridge that overlooks the South Fork of the American River. This trail is suitable for mountain biking, hiking, and running. Dogs are welcome and may be allowed to walk without their leashes in some areas.

Length: 2.5 miles

Intensity: Easy

Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park

The Cronan Ranch Trailhead is located in Pilot Hill, California. This park contains 12 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, running, and bird-watching. This site offers some great views of the South Fork American River, which is popular with river rafters during the summer. The terrain at the Cronan Ranch is mostly flat land and rolling hills, with oak woodlands on the ground and a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees on the slopes. Dogs are welcome and must be leashed.

Length: 12 miles

Intensity: Easy to Moderate

Fishing and Boating

The Magnolia Ranch Trailhead is situated along the South Fork American River. The South Fork American River is a supreme fishing location with a variety of native and non-native fish species, including small and largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, white sucker, and Northern pikeminnow. It also provides excellent kayaking, canoeing, and whitewater rafting opportunities.

Wildlife Viewing

Magnolia Ranch Trailhead is famous for northern spotted owls, bald eagles, golden eagles, California quails, and hawks. Other wildlife species in the area include brush rabbits, gray squirrels, fox squirrels, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, waterfowls, furbearers, and rattlesnakes. Keep in mind that the animals in this area are wild and may behave aggressively. Therefore, you should avoid approaching them and only admire them from a safe distance.

Picnicking

The South Fork American River is one of the most popular places for picnicking near the Magnolia Ranch Trailhead. Visitors can find several flat grassy areas, large shade trees, and picnic tables.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

If you don't want to camp in this BLM area, there is an RV Camping option 3.3 miles away at the Ponderosa RV Resort. This site is ideally situated near the South Fork American River. You can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and sunbathing in a resort-style atmosphere. This campground also provides picnic tables, BBQ facilities, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and showers. In addition, Ponderosa RV Resort offers excellent RV camping sites with 30-amp, 50-amp, sewer, pull-thru, and tent spots. You can also head to Coloma Resort, located 4.4 miles away. This RV campground is also located near the South Fork American River and surrounded by the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Coloma Resort offers level campsites and RV sites, campfire rings, children's playgrounds, a swimming pool, a dump station, clean restrooms, hot showers, and a general store. Kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming are some of the fun activities you can undertake in this area.

Free Camping

For those on a budget, there are Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities within a few miles of Magnolia Ranch Trailhead. Airport Flat Campground is located 46.7 miles away and offers free camping. This campground offers vault toilets, picnic tables, and campfire rings. However, the campground does not have potable water.

RV Rentals Near Magnolia Ranch Trailhead Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Magnolia Ranch Trailhead BLM trip

When planning your visit to this site, you should consider the weather. The best time to visit Magnolia Ranch Trailhead is during the summer. This is because summer months are ideal for BLM RV camping, fishing, and boating along the nearby South Fork American River. The peak months for optimal temperatures and humidity are June, July, and August. You should pack the essentials, including sleeping bags, sun protection cream, a first-aid kit, and good hiking boots. If you plan on camping near vegetation or a river, ensure you have insect repellent to keep the bugs at bay. There are no services, gas stations, or stores in this BLM area. You should also know that a Special Recreation Permit is required for all commercial, organized groups, or competitive activities.

In addition, target shooting and hunting are not allowed in this BLM area. You should also pack enough water and food for your trip. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM Camping.

Leave No Trace

BLM regulations require that you take care of the land you visit and leave it in the same or better condition than when you found it. To keep your visit to the Magnolia Ranch Trailhead as environmentally friendly as possible, you shouldn't leave any trash or food scraps behind. Make sure all your trash is in biodegradable or recyclable containers, and don't leave it on the ground. If you have to dispose of something, do not burn it or bury it. Also, you should pick up after your pets and ensure they are always leashed.