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Painted Rock

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

The Painted Rock sandstone formation is one of many beautiful sites in California's Carrizo Plain National Monument. Thousands of years ago, Native Americans painted many sacred images representing their cultural and spiritual beliefs into the rock's alcove. This special place is still significant to local indigenous groups, and it can only be toured with a reservation. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) protects and preserves the Painted Rock formation. This federal organization oversees public lands, including 30% of the country's minerals. While you can't camp in the Painted Rock area, you can find nearby campsites in the surrounding Carrizo Plain National Monument area. The closest national parks to Painted Rock are Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, which are both about 160 miles away.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Wallace Creek San Andreas Fault Line Hike

The rock formations here were split by an earthquake in the past right along the San Andreas fault line. Visitors can walk the dry, low-lying creek bed full of tumbleweeds. You're sure to enjoy the views of Soda Lake and the rocky mountains in the distance. Length: 1.7 miles Intensity: Easy

Caliente Mountain Ridge Trail

You'll need a high-clearance vehicle to make it to this path's trailhead. Hike your way up Caliente Mountain to see where a World War II airplane watch hut once stood. To the north is Soda Lake, while Cuyama Valley is to the south. Length: 16.8 miles Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

The recently opened Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area is 25 miles from the town of Bakersfield. It has 112 campsites and an 873-acre lake for fishing, boating and Jet-Skiing. Its 86-acre Lake Evans is reserved for serene activities like sailing and fishing.

Climbing

Arlington Peak in the nearby Los Padres National Forest is a popular spot for scrambling, rock climbing and bouldering. As long as you walk the trail marked by white paint, the climb consistently stays at a Class 3 level. Wandering off the trail can bring you to Class 4 areas. More Class 3 rock climbing can be found at the Playground Trail in Los Padres National Forest. There are several climbing walls and a few opportunities for bouldering.

Wildlife Viewing

While exploring the area around Painted Rock, you may spot rare and endangered wildlife species such as the San Joaquin kit fox, the giant kangaroo rat, and the San Joaquin antelope squirrel. It's also possible to see seasonal pools of water with rare longhorn fairy shrimp in them. Other wildlife you might encounter at Painted Rock include California quail, coyotes, and peregrine falcons.

Picnicking

Take a few hours during your trip to explore the Carrizo Plain exhibits at the Goodwin Education Center. This is a great place to picnic because it has wheelchair-accessible bathrooms open 24/7. You can also rest at the Saucito Ranch or Van Matre Ranch.

Stargazing

Some of the best stargazing opportunities in the area can be found around Mount Pinos, which is south of Painted Rock. Head to the Chuchupate Campground off Lockwood Valley Road for a chance to camp out under a star-filled sky. Lockwood Valley itself doesn't have many amenities, but it does boast some of the darkest skies in California. There's a convenient pullout available by Reyes Creek Campground where you can enjoy the clear night sky from your camper.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Search for "BLM camping near me" to find excellent Bureau of Land Management campgrounds like Selby Campground. There are 13 campsites here that have access to fire pits, picnic tables, horse corrals and accessible bathrooms. Drinking water, electricity and trash services aren't available at this location. The campground itself is within walking distance of a Wilderness Study Area. The nearby KCL Campground offers 12 campsites with similar amenities for RV camping. The area used to be owned by Kern County Land Company, and a few of the original barns and horse corrals remain.

Free Camping

The Selby Campground and KCL Campground are the only two established camping areas in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. These Bureau of Land Management free camping options don't charge a daily fee and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors traveling in RVs are welcome to dispersed camp anywhere on BLM lands unless it's marked as prohibited. Consider parking your vehicle along Carissa Highway or Cuyama Highway.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Painted Rock BLM trip

Painted Rock is a valuable Heritage Site, and you can only visit it through a guided BLM tour or a seasonal, permit-only self-guided tour. The guided BLM tours run every Saturday from March 1 to July 15, which also happens to be bird-nesting season there. The self-guided tours are available from July 16 to the end of February. You can reserve a spot on a guided tour or obtain a permit for a self-guided visit by going to www.recreation.gov or calling 1-877-444-6777. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Always be aware of local fire bans when camping in California. Try to travel or camp on hard, durable surfaces like dry dirt, gravel or sand. You should also strive to respect your fellow campers as well as the wildlife. Avoid damaging any trees or flora, and leave natural objects like wood, antlers or moss where you found them. Practice "the "Leave No Trace" principles at all times. At Painted Rock, make sure not to touch or walk on any part of the rock, and keep in mind that commercial photography is not permitted there.

Painted Rock Location

After entering Carrizo Plain National Monument via Soda Lake Road, continue on until you reach the Goodwin Education Center. Turn at the sign and continue for half a mile. Painted Rock Road is behind the center and past a locked gate. Those taking a self-guided tour will receive the gate code after making a reservation. Address: 17495 Soda Lake Rd, Santa Margarita, CA 93453 Ready to visit Painted Rock? 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.

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