The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The United States Department of the Interior provides Bureau of Land Management camping on public lands, largely west of the Mississippi River. These campgrounds are generally rather primitive. Some have a few amenities, however. The rules of "BLM camping near me" are that you can stay in one spot for 14 days before being required to move to your next location. After moving, you may not return to the original spot for 14 more days. Most of these campgrounds charge a nominal fee to camp within them. Swasey Recreation Area doesn't have actual RV campsites, but there are four parking lots where you can set up. Three of these have restrooms while the fourth does not. The recreation area is well-known as a mountain biker's destination. Hikers share the trails with the bikers, and the views are worth the trip. Redwood National Park is a drive of about 3.5 hours to the northwest.
This trail is famous for the numerous wildflowers that grow along it. The seasonal streams give you a place to soak hot feet. Length: 8 miles Difficulty: Easy
There are bumps and berms throughout this trail that'll let you do aerial tricks on your mountain bike. Length: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate
This immaculately maintained trail features not only bumps and berms but also terraced constructed obstacles that are great for advanced riders. Length: 0.8 miles Difficulty: Difficult
There aren't any fishing or boating opportunities in the Swasey Recreation Area, but Whiskeytown Lake is just 7 miles away and offers both. You need a fishing license, and fishing in the feeder streams is only available from April to November. You can fish in the lake itself all year, however. There are ranger-led kayak tours available in season. Contact the Bureau of Land Management office in Redding to find out more or to get your fishing license.
There are lots of climbing opportunities near Redding, California, from easy to expert. Bumpy Boi and Getting Over It are two easy climbs. The tough ones include the 5.13a-rated Pit Viper, which is only for the most experienced experts in top physical condition. Clean Palms, Dirty Fingers is rated 5.11, and Devil from Montgomery is 5.10b. These are also expert climbs but are not quite as grueling as Pit Viper.
Nearby Whiskeytown Lake also provides places for picnics. These handicapped-accessible picnic areas have fire grills and restrooms. Pets aren't allowed outside of your RV.
The area is fairly wild, so you'll have to be prepared for possible bear or mountain lion sightings. Fox and deer are abundant in the area, too, so bring your camera. Creatures that live in or near the water are plentiful, too, such as otters, beavers, and harmless water snakes.
BLM RV Camping is available at Swasey Recreation Area, though you won't find any hookups or amenities. The nearby Mountain Gate RV Park has 120 RV-specific campsites with full hookups available. The Premier RV Resort in Redding has not only full hookups but also a hot tub, showers, laundry facilities, and a clubhouse.
Bureau of Land Management free camping in the area is available at Brandy Creek Falls, which is in the Whiskeytown BLM area, and Sheep Camp provides tent-only camping. Peltier Bridge Campground is also tent-only. A little further up the road, there is the Salt Creek Dispersed Area. This campground is first come, first served. The Salt Creek Dispersed Area has trash service and restrooms but no actual RV-specific campsites.
The Swasey Recreation Area is designed for mountain bikers and hikers. In addition to those already mentioned, there are 30 more miles of trails through the area. Be sure your bike is in good repair and that you have adequate water to keep hydrated on your ride. Bringing along energy bars is also a good idea. Be sure to bring a sealable bag of some sort for your wrappers and other trash. Some of the trails are quite steep even for advanced riders. Be sure to have safety pads for your bony joints and a good, sturdy helmet. A first-aid kit is not a bad idea either. Know what to do in case you meet a predator like a black bear or a mountain lion. Usually, these animals are as afraid of you as you are of them, and unless they're hungry, they won't bother you if you simply keep going. It's always a good idea, too, to let someone know which trail you'll be riding and how long you expect to be gone. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
It's easy to leave no trace when visiting Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and trails. Just collect everything that you brought with you, leaving nothing behind. Make sure, too, not to take anything with you that you didn't already have. Cross-contamination of species of plants and animals between the environment at the Swasey Recreation Area and the environment where you live could harm both.
To get there from Redding, California, drive west along Placer Drive. When you reach Swasey Drive, turn north. Proceed 1 mile or so on Swasey Drive, and one of the recreation area parking lots will be on the west side of the road. Latitude / Longitude: 40.554193, -122.475669 Ready to visit Swasey Recreation Area? 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.
