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BLM Camping

Bald Ridge Trail


The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

Bald Ridge Trail is located in the Shoshone National Forest, which is adjacent to the border of Yellowstone National Park. Grand Teton National Park is located a short drive to the west. Bald Ridge Trail is surrounded by national forests, making this an important area for RV drivers wanting to explore the beauty of Wyoming and Montana. The Bureau of Land Management campground at Bald Ridge Trail is an excellent base location for horseback riding and hiking. The views across the Yellowstone River are impressive from the top of the trail.

Bureau of Land Management free camping and RV sites take several forms, including traditional and dispersed options. The traditional Hogan and Luce Campground sits at the head of the Bald Ridge Trail. The federal agency has administered public lands for decades and is responsible for ensuring their responsible use. RV drivers and tent campers can camp away from the traditional campgrounds and enjoy Bureau of Land Management free camping options. Campers are asked to follow the Leave no Trace policy of the BLM and leave the trail from January 1 to April 30.

What to See and Do

What to See and Do

Hiking and BikingHiking and Biking

Bald Mountain Trail

Bald Mountain Trail is a 4.7-mile loop through the Shoshone National Forest. The trail cuts through the forests of Bald Mountain and gains over 1,000 feet in elevation. Shoshone National Forest features impressive hunting, wildlife viewing, and bird watching from the Bald Mountain Trail.

Length: 4.7 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Jade Lakes

Jade Lakes is mostly used for horseback riding along its trail. Mountain biking and hiking are popular in this part of the Shoshone National Forest. The trail gains 666 feet as you trek toward the lake and loop around to return to the trailhead. The view across the lake is impressive.

Length: 5.4 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Moon Lake Trail

Gaining 1,384 feet throughout its 12.8 miles, Moon Lake Trail is a loop taking in the shore of the trail. The trail is open to horses and motor vehicles during the summer months. The hiking opportunities are simpler to enjoy than driving a 4x4 along the trail.

Length: 12.8 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and BoatingFishing and Boating

Clarks Fork boat launch is located less than 10 miles from the trailhead of Bald Ridge Trail. The boat launch allows you access to the Yellowstone River. Boating and fishing opportunities along the river are impressive, with cutthroat trout, large whitefish, sturgeon, and catfish all in plentiful supply.

ClimbingClimbing

Around Bald Ridge Trail, there are several rock climbing opportunities. The bouldering opportunities abound in Shoshone National Forest. To the west, the climbing opportunities become varied in Grand Teton National Park. The climbing options include 277 routes and 211 ascents located within Grand Teton.

Wildlife ViewingWildlife Viewing

Some wildlife experts recommend taking bear spray along the Bald Ridge Trail. The region of the Shoshone National Forest is home to the grizzly and black bear, with gray wolves also calling the region home. Along the Bald Ridge Trail, you could see moose, elk, and bison.

Picnicking

The Bald Ridge trailhead does not have dedicated picnic tables. If you are looking for Bureau of Land Management camping near me, you will have the chance to picnic at the Hogan Luce Recreation Area. The boat access area has several picnic tables and shelters to make your stay at the Bald Ridge Trail as comfortable as possible.

Horseback RidingHorseback Riding

The Bald Ridge Trail is a popular horseback riding location for visitors to the Shoshone National Forest. A dedicated parking lot for horse trailers shows the importance of the activity to the region. The trail is unmarked close to the top of the mountain, where the Bald Ridge Trail climbs up. Horseback riding along the trail has become a popular activity for visitors to enjoy.

Camping

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping Caravan Icon

If you are hoping to enjoy a rustic RV camping experience, Shoshone National Forest offers RV drivers several options. Prices for RV camping in Shoshone National Forest can be as low as $15 per night at the many campgrounds operated by the USDA. Some campgrounds offer vaulted toilets, but electricity hookups are generally not available. If you are looking to spend your time exploring the national forests and parks from Grand Teton and Yellowstone to Shoshone National Forest, you can camp in the city of Cody. The RV camping options in Cody include the Ponderosa Campground, where RV lots and tents are available. BLM camping is available, but RV camping in a luxury manner is available at Absaroka Bay RV Park.

Free Camping Campground Icon

Primitive and dispersed camping is available on the lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are impressive, but camping away from these areas gives a rustic experience. RV drivers and tent campers can spend up to 14 nights camping on BLM lands over 28 days. As long as you camp away from the designated campgrounds, you do not need a permit to spend nights at Bald Ridge Trail.

RV Rentals Near Bald Ridge Trail Plan your next adventure

Planning Your Trip

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Bald Ridge Trail BLM trip

The area around the Shoshone National Forest is remote, so it is important to plan your trip. The city of Cody offers plenty of gas stations, grocery stores, and pharmacies. The winter months can be cold and dangerous along the Blue Ridge Trail. The trailhead is closed from January to March to give the big game a chance to rest during the coldest months of the year. You should be prepared with warm clothes for the winter and sturdy walking shoes for the rugged trail. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace Leaf

To try and encourage visitors to care for Bureau of Land Management grounds, the federal agency introduced the Leave No Trace policy. The policy requires visitors to leave no trace of their visit to any managed area. Visitors to the Blue Ridge Trail should remove all waste when they leave the grounds.

Leave No Trace
Location

Bald Ridge Trail Location

The Blue Ridge Trail site can be found by driving 18 miles north along Highway 120. A left turn onto County Park Road will take you to the trailhead sign for the Hogan-Luce Trailhead.

Ready to visit Bald Ridge Trail? 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.