The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The California National Historic Trail, Salt Lake Cut Off, was used by people traveling in wagons from Salt Lake City to Oregon and California. The trail runs north out of Salt Lake City before skirting the northern edge of the Great Salt Lake. Then it continues until it rejoins the Ft. Hall route of the California Trail near Almo, Idaho.
You can stay for free or for a minimal fee at Bureau of Land Management campgrounds along the trail. In most cases, you can go Bureau of Land Management camping for 14 days in a row before you need to choose a different location at least 25 miles away to camp again. Then you can return on the 30th day.
Start this trail at the Emery Creek Picnic Area at City of Rocks Nature Reserve. After about a mile, you will follow North Creek toward the bottom of the basin before turning to the right and running alongside the impressive Stripe Rock Formation. Then it follows another stream back up the basin to its starting point.
Length: 3.3 mi.
Intensity: Strenuous
This trail is an out-and-back trail to Cecent Lake. There is a significant elevation gain along this trail. Bring a picnic with you to enjoy on the rocks near the lake.
Length: 1.7 mi.
Intensity: Moderate
This trail starts by passing through an evergreen forest before reaching the waterfall. A grotto surrounds the waterfall with a pebbly surface. You will love seeing the donut-shaped hole formed by erosion in the rock.
Length: 3.1 mi.
Intensity: Easy
This paved trail in Bear Canyon crosses a suspension bridge. There is a steep climb near the middle of this hike. Take this hike when temperatures are cooler because there is no shade.
Length: 2.3 mi.
Intensity: Easy
Weber River is a Blue Ribbon fishery and a fantastic place to fish for trout. Anglers usually divide this river into three parts. The upper part offers outstanding rainbow trout fishing in the spring and good brown trout fishing throughout the year. The middle section provides excellent brown trout fishing year-round. It is challenging to fish the lower river, but it can be a fantastic place to go kayaking as it passes through beautiful canyons.
City of Rocks National Reserve is a mecca for climbers. There are over 1,000 named climbs at this location so that everyone can find their favorite. Bath Rock is a particularly great place to begin with its numerous five-point routes. If problem-solving is more your style, head to Easy Arete and Unidentified Boulder Problem.
Antelope Island State Park is a fantastic place to see wildlife in their natural habitat, including bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorns. It is also a great place to go birdwatching as thousands of migrating birds visit this park's shoreline.
Castle Rocks State Park is a fantastic place for a picnic. This park adjacent to City of Rocks National Reserve is home to the pinyon forest west of the Great Smoky Mountains. After your picnic, you can go hiking, mountain biking, and climbing.
If you are in Salt Lake City and wondering where to find BLM camping near me, there are at least four developed RV camping facilities to consider. Clover Spring Campground has first-come, first-served individual camping spots, a large reservable group spot, and horse corrals. Little Creek Campground and the nearby Birch Creek Campground offer easy access to Little Creek Reservoir. Simpson Springs Campground lies along the Pony Express National Historic Trail.
There are numerous opportunities for Bureau of land Management free camping. Fivemile Pass Campground is a popular area for off-roading and mountain biking, and you can camp in the large parking lot. Horseshoe Knolls Campground that lies across the highway from Horseshoe Springs is another fantastic option for those who have off-road vehicles.
If you plan to go hiking along the California National Historic Trail, Salt Lake Cut Off, you need to think about your footwear. You will want to wear hiking boots with a thick sole, especially in the summer, to protect you from the hot desert ground. Wearing shoes with a short chunky heel usually makes it easier to walk, and the heel can help you maintain your balance better. You will want to look for a pair of boots with the proper arch support for your foot type. Be sure that the toe box is wide enough that your toes are not squashed together. Choosing a pair of boots with a deep heel cup can help prevent blisters as your feet are less likely to move up and down.
Exploring remote areas allows you to see things you usually miss when flying down a busy highway. You will also love spending time with your traveling companions and building memories. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Whenever you are traveling, be sure that you leave no trace behind. This is especially true when staying in campgrounds without trash service. Leaving food scraps behind encourages wildlife to move into these areas to secure human food, which is terrible for them. In some cases, wildlife has gotten aggressive with campers, especially those staying in tents.
Consider starting your visit to the California National Historic Trail, Salt Lake Cut Off at the Salt Flats Rest Area located at milepost ten along Interstate 80. You can view interpretative trail maps of the California National Historic Trail in kiosks at this location. It is also a great place to walk out onto the salt flats.
Address: Salt Flats Rest Area, Milepost 10, Interstate 80 Wendover, Utah 84083
Ready to visit California National Historic Trail, Salt Lake City Cut Off? 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.
