The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Established in 1946, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for over 240 million acres of America's land base. It also oversees more than 30 percent of the minerals located in the country. Aside from these responsibilities, the BLM also manages various wildlife in coordination with other state agencies and organizations. Most BLM land is west of the Mississippi, but BLM camping is possible all across the United States. To find other BLM sites, you can search "BLM camping near me." The Bureau of Land Management offers opportunities for both free camping and RV camping in developed campgrounds.
The Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is a Bureau of Land Management camping site that is conveniently located just minutes from Great Basin National Park in Baker, Nevada. Popular things to do at this BLM RV camping site include hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. Visitors to this recreation area also enjoy off-road driving and picnicking. Thanks to the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area's close location to Great Basin National Park, other activities campers can enjoy here include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, stargazing, and wildlife viewing.
These three trail loops are closed to motorized use. They vary in length and are available for both hiking and biking.
Length: 6.5 miles total
Intensity: Easy
Mountain View Nature Trail is an interpretative trail on a paved road is suitable for kids. This loop trail is ideal for a relaxed walk.
Length: 0.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Lehman Creek Trail is paved and goes through different habitats. Portions of this trail parallel a creek.
Length: 6.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This paved-road trail is a demanding hike. Afternoon storms are a concern when hiking this trail, so it is best to begin your journey on this trail very early.
Lengthy: 8.6 miles
Intensity: Difficult
There is a small fishing pond at the lower campground of the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area. And at Great Basin National Park, a few creeks are available for fishing. Lehman Creek mostly has brook and brown trout, and Baker Creek has a large number of brown trout as well. In Snake Creek, another popular fishing destination at Great Basin National Park, catch-and-release fishing is encouraged.
In Great Basin National Park, you can see mule deer, yellow-bellied marmots, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and bobcats. Wild turkeys are commonly present in this park. Bird-watchers can enjoy viewing bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, western meadowlarks, barn swallows, green-tailed towhees, dark-eyed juncos, red-naped sapsuckers, Steller's jays, Clark's nutcrackers, Cooper's hawks, and more.
Sacramento Pass Recreation Area has picnic tables and grills available for picnicking. There are also six picnic areas available nearby in Great Basin National Park. These picnic areas are available in the following locations: Lehman Caves Visitor Center Picnic Area, The Astronomy Amphitheater, Upper Lehman Creek Campground, Mather Overlook, Pole Canyon Trailhead Picnic Area, and The Bristlecone Trail Parking Area.
In the winter, there are many trails available for both novice and experienced skiers. You will need to bring your own skis, but both adult's and children's snowshoes are available to rent. Trails suitable for skiing are at Grey Cliffs Group Campground, Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, and the Lehman Creek Trail.
Sacramento Pass Recreation Area has a six-mile trail available for horseback riding. At Great Basin National Park, horses and pack animals are allowed on most trails. Certified weed-free hay is necessary, and you will be required to show proof of certification when using any straw or hay in the park.
There are a few roads available for driving off-highway vehicles in Great Basin National Park near the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area. Road conditions vary for some of the paths throughout the year. Seatbelts are required, and it is requested that you drive slowly.
You can gather pine nuts in Great Basin National Park. A single household is limited to gathering no more than 25 pounds of nuts. Only non-commercial gathering is allowed, and it is illegal to break, cut, pull, shake, climb, or otherwise harm any plants in this national park. You can only use free-standing ladders when picking.
Stargazing is a treat at Great Basin National Park, which is designated as an "international dark sky place" because of its beautiful starry nights. The best places for stargazing in the park are Baker Archaeological Site and Ranch Interpretive Site.
BLM RV camping at Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is possible, and there are ten camping sites. Camping at this location is free, and like at most Bureau of land Management campgrounds, visitors can stay for a maximum of 14 days. The pad of this campground is dirt. There is no potable water, but there are shade structures, restrooms, and trash cans.
There is limited availability of Bureau of Land Management free camping at the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area, but free camping is available at Great Basin National Park nearby.
Cellphone service at the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area campground is sporadic at best, so prepare yourself for that. Since there is no potable water available at this campground, ensure that you bring enough along to get by. Spots are first-come, first-served, so plan accordingly. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is protected public land, so you should do your part to keep it clean for yourself and others to enjoy. Visitors must follow all restrictions and rules that are in place to ensure minimal impact on the area. Travelers should respectfully leave no trace. This means picking up after yourself and disposing of trash properly.
Head east from Ely, Nevada via Highway 50. Sacramento Pass Recreation Area is about 50 miles away from the city. You'll see a sign for the site on the south side of the highway.
Ready to visit Sacramento Pass 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.
