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BLM Camping

Selby Campground

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 (BLM) is the agency within the United States Department of the Interior that oversees federal lands for recreational, commercial, and environmental purposes. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are available for public use. Many of these grounds feature trails where visitors can hike, bike, and view wildlife. Some are near bodies of water where visitors can fish, boat, or swim. Search "BLM camping near me" to find the locations nearest to you. Selby Campground is a BLM site in California. The site sits within the Carrizo Plain National Monument. It is near Soda Lake and Caliente Mountain. Popular things to do at Selby include picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. National parks near this campground include Sequoia National Park at about 170 miles away and Death Valley National Park at about 250 miles away.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Selby Campground Loop Trail

The Selby Campground Loop Trail is a dog-friendly loop with an elevation gain of 1,167 feet. Capture scenic views of Soda Lake and Carrizo Plain while on this trail. Length: 4.3 miles Intensity: Moderate

Painted Rock Trail

The Painted Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail in the Carrizo Plain National Monument that allows visitors to view the historic Painted Rock site. Painted Rock is a sandstone formation featuring pictograph rock art. The trail is ideal for hiking and bird-watching and has an elevation gain of 209 feet. Length: 2.5 miles Intensity: Easy

Soda Lake Boardwalk

Soda Lake Boardwalk is an out-and-back trail with beautiful views of Soda Lake and an elevation gain of 187 feet. The 816-foot-long boardwalk consists of plastic boards made from recycled milk jugs. It is in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, and many consider it great for walking and hiking. You will see plenty of wildflowers and white dust devils on this trail. Length: 1.3 miles Intensity: Easy

Wallace Creek San Andreas Fault Line Hike

The Wallace Creek San Andreas Fault Line Hike is an out-and-back trail you take to see the San Andreas Fault crossing Wallace Creek. You can learn about earthquakes and plate tectonics on this hike. It has an elevation gain of 203 feet and picturesque views of the Carrizo Plain. The trail is open year-round and is dog-friendly. Length: 1.7 miles Intensity: Easy

Caliente Mountain Ridge Trail

The Caliente Mountain Ridge Trail is an out-and-back trail offering spectacular views of Soda Lake and Cuyama Valley. You can venture on this trail to reach Caliente Mountain for bird-watching, hiking, or mountain biking. There is an elevation gain of 2,414 feet on this trail. It is accessible year-round, and dogs on a leash are welcome. Length: 16.8 miles Intensity: Hard

Fishing and Boating

Soda Lake is an alkali endorheic lake in the Carrizo Plain near Selby Campground. The lake is about 3,000 square acres and is one of the biggest alkaline lakes in California. It is a shallow lake that turns into a dry bed during the summertime. Because it is so shallow, boats or flotation devices on the lake are prohibited.

Wildlife Viewing

Many plant and animal species live near Selby Campground. Carrizo Plain is home to several endangered species, such as the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant kangaroo rat, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, and San Joaquin kit fox. During the winter, when its water level is relatively high, Soda Lake attracts a variety of bird species, including ferruginous hawks, prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, and rough-legged hawks.

Picnicking

Each of the 13 campsites at Selby Campground has a picnic table where you can enjoy a meal. Each site also has a fire pit. Wheelchair-accessible vault toilets are also available at Selby Campground.

Horseback Riding

If you own a horse, feel free to bring it on your trip to Selby Campground because the campsites offer horse corrals. The Caliente Mountain Wilderness Study Area, south of Selby, is vast, and you can ride your horses there.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Travelers love BLM RV camping at Selby Campground because it's very peaceful and secluded. The 13 sites there are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Electricity, potable water, and waste disposal services are unavailable in this area, so be mindful of what you bring when traversing through this campground.

Free Camping

Carrizo Plain National Monument offers numerous Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities in the form of dispersed campsites. There are almost 100,000 acres of land in the Carrizo Plain area where dispersed camping is allowed. Be sure to bring food and water, and collect all your trash before you leave.

RV Rentals Near Selby Campground Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Selby Campground BLM trip

Because of Selby Campground's secluded location and lack of potable water, electricity, or trash services, it's a good idea to use a solar panel to generate power for your RV, fill your vehicle's water tank before your trip, and bring enough trash receptacles to pack out all of your waste. If you need to find a nearby dump station, there is one at Elks Lodge #322 in the town of San Luis Obispo, California. Consider bringing an RV or trailer with a length of 25 feet or less and high clearance. The Carrizo Plain region is filled with bumpy and uneven roads that can become muddy and slippery when it rains. Thus, driving a big, bulky RV to the campground could be risky. You can bring your pets, but they must have a leash. You are prohibited from discharging firearms on the campground. Summers at Selby are dry and warm, while winters are wet and cool. Expect rainfall between November and April. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

When engaging in Bureau of Land Management camping, follow Leave No Trace principles. Do not use any of the shrubs or tree branches you find around the campground to create a campfire. Instead, you can use the fire pits available at each campsite and purchase wood products if needed. You may be tempted to take some of the beautiful wildflowers you will likely spot at or near Selby, but you should not touch them. Leave all you find at the campground, including flora, fauna, rocks, and dirt.