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 is responsible for managing 245 million acres of public lands, including 15 million acres in California. This is about 15 percent of the state's land mass. Outdoor recreation, such as biking, hiking, and camping, is encouraged in these wilderness areas for you to enjoy the country's natural treasures. Developed Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are popular destinations for RV travelers. These campgrounds often have amenities like showers and charge a small fee. The money collected is used to maintain the site. On these public lands, RVers may also set up camp in dispersed camping areas outside of designated campgrounds. They are free of charge, and many have level parking spots. The BLM asks that when dispersed, camping RVers use existing camping spots and fire rings when available. When camping in California, it is also essential to ensure there are no local fire restrictions in effect, which are updated daily, before making a campfire. Along with Panoche Hills and Griswold Hills, Tumey Hills is one of three Bureau of Land Management sites within a few dozen miles of each other in the desert landscape of Fresno County, California. Like its two sister sites, Tumey Hills does not have a developed campground, but dispersed camping is allowed in the area. This location is popular for hiking and biking, especially in the spring when wildflowers bloom, covering the hills. If you are headed to Pinnacles National Park, Tumey Hills is only 50 miles away, so it may make a good stopping point if you are traveling from the east.
This trail gains 2,100 feet of altitude along its length, and there is little shade, so remember to bring plenty of water and wear a hat. Hikers and bikers will encounter several vantage points along the route that offer panoramic views of the hills fading into the distance and sagebrush-covered landscapes below. Length: 9.57 miles Intensity: Moderate
Panoche Hills, Griswold Hills, and Tumey Hills have picnic tables with shade structures to enjoy a meal while protected from the sun while enjoying the desert landscape. Thousands of years ago, this area of California was covered by an inland sea. If you look carefully at the ground during your picnic, you can see shell-like skeletons of sea algae in the rocks.
Tumey Hills is home to rarely-seen San Joaquin kit foxes, blunt-nosed leopard lizards, and giant kangaroo rats. You may also spot more common animals like mule dear, coyotes, and wild pigs. Birding enthusiasts should watch out for raptors, shrikes, and songbirds.
There is a convenient shooting range near the trailhead of the Tumey Hills Loop Trail. Aside from this spot, you can target shoot on any of the public lands within Tumey Hills as long as you use a suitable hill for a backstop, use only legal firearms and ammunition, and pick up all shell casings, used targets, and clay pigeon debris.
Tumey Hills is in a remote location in California. If you are looking for more amenities than BLM RV Camping provides at Tumey Hills, you have to travel about 100 miles east to the Fresno area. RV campgrounds near the city, like Kings River RV Resort, offer full hookups, pools, laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Alternatively, you can drive 75 miles east to Soledad, which has campgrounds with similar amenities in and around the town.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is available at Tumey Hills and its two sister sites, Panoche Hills and Griswold Hills. When camping at these locations, the BLM asks that you set up camp within 15 feet of the road to minimize your impact on the environment. Once in the area, you can search "BLM camping near me" on your smartphone or tablet to find additional free camping opportunities nearby.
When planning your Tumey Hills trip, keep in mind that there is little shade at this site. If you do not have an awning on your RV, you may want to bring along tarps to create a shady spot to relax in. In arid environments like Tumey Hills, it is recommended that you have a gallon of water per group member per day to ensure everyone stays hydrated. Additionally, it is always a good idea to bring along sunscreen and a hat to protect your skin from the sun. Lastly, while temperatures at this site are hot during the day, it tends to cool rapidly when the sun goes down, so make sure you have clothing suitable to the changing conditions. Camping at places like Tumey Hills allows you a budget-friendly way to enjoy your vacation while getting close to California's natural beauty. However, staying at campsites with no amenities can take careful planning. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The central concept of "Leave No Trace" is that you don't take anything home that you didn't bring with you and don't leave anything behind when you head out. When camping at Tumey Hills, clean up your site before moving on and plan on packing out all trash, as there are no garbage cans at this site.
From Interstate-5, take the Panoche Road exit. Tumey Hills is located roughly three miles from the Interstate. The GPS coordinates are 36.623491, -120.654241. Ready to visit Tumey Hills? 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.
