The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are on public land. The United States Department of the Interior administers these public lands through the Bureau. Generally, the rule regarding camping on these lands is that you can only stay for a maximum of 14 days before you need to move at least 25 miles to your next camping spot. After another 14 days, you can return to the original spot if there is a place available there. The Tumco Historic Mine site is a ghost town that sprang up before the Gold Rush and prospered during it. It was a typical boom town. There was little regard for the long-term viability of the town, so it gradually fell apart before being abandoned in 1905. Miners gave it another go in 1910, but they only lasted a year. The Tumco Town Site Historical Ruins are just about a mile from the campground. You can explore the area and find many unnamed and abandoned mine shafts, but it's not recommended to go into them. Joshua Tree National Park is a three-hour drive from the Tumco Historic Mine.
This trail meanders through the abandoned town, and you can see not only the remains of the structures but also of the residents in cairns along the trail. Length: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Easy
This nearby trail takes you within sight of the Mexican border, and it's great for solitude. Length: 3 miles Difficulty: Moderate
The Tumco Historic Mine is in the middle of a desert, so there aren't any fishing or boating opportunities at the campground. However, the Colorado River is nearby, and it offers both. If you're skilled with rapids, then whitewater rafting and canoeing are available on the river as well.
The area is quite flat, so the climbing opportunities are scarce. The climb called 5.10 to Yuma is nearby, and it's rated a 5.8 traditional. Just over the border in Mexico, there are numerous bouldering opportunities of different difficulties from beginner to expert. The Cargo Muchacho Mountains combine hiking and very easy climbing on gentle slopes.
The entire area around the Tumco Historic Mine is open and free for picnics as long as you pack out all of your trash and don't take anything with you.
Desert bighorn sheep clamber up the hills of the Cargo Muchachos. Cougars hunt these sheep and other prey endemic to the area. Lizards, birds, and several species of rodents make up the small game of the area. Never approach a predator closer than 175 feet, and stay at least 75 feet from all other wildlife.
BLM RV Camping is available at this site. There are no actual campsites; it's just a wide open space. You can park and boondock anywhere you want. Bureau of Land Management camping at the site offers no amenities, not even vault toilets. If you need amenities, there are hookups and a dump station at the nearby Gold Rock Ranch, which is fewer than two miles away. Both that campground and a nearby rest stop on the highway have running water.
The whole area is open to Bureau of Land Management free camping. The site isn't as popular as other similar sites, so if you love boondocking with lots of space between you and the next person, then the Tumco Historic Mine site fits the bill.
The Tumco Historic Mine is in the middle of a desert, so you need to have enough water. Be sure to have all that you need before setting out on a hike on one of the trails or simply across the landscape. At a minimum, you should have at least a gallon of water per hour per person. If you're doing hard physical activity, then you should have at least two gallons per person per hour. There is no shade, so it's important to have sunblock, dark sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your skin and eyes. Loose, breathable clothing is best for staying cool in the heat of the day. Being a desert, the area cools off drastically as soon as the sun goes down. Bring warm clothing if you plan on doing anything outside in the evening or at night, such as stargazing. It's still crucial to have water at night, so be sure to stock up at one of the two nearby running-water locations. Review what to do if faced with a cougar or other predator. If you plan on hiking cross-country, remember that you can't leave your rig or other belongings alone for more than 72 hours. No matter what you're going to do, if you're leaving your campsite, always let someone else know where you're going to be. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Don't leave anything behind that you brought with you, and don't take anything with you that you didn't have when you arrived. Doing either could upset the balance of the area's ecosystem or transport something with you that could cause problems with the environment back home.
If you're near the confluence of the borders of California, Arizona, and Mexico near the town of Ogilby, California and want to find "BLM camping near me," then you can travel due north until you reach BLM Route 668. Turn east, and take that road about a couple of hundred yards to the mine site. Latitude: 32.8809889 / Longitude: -114.8326111 Ready to visit Tumco Historic Mine? 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.
