If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, consider camping on BLM land. BLM land is public land that the Bureau of Land Management manages. It’s a great place to camp, hike, bike, and explore! This article will teach you how to camp on BLM land safely and enjoyably.
What Is BLM Land?
BLM land is public land that the Bureau of Land Management manages. The BLM manages over 245 million acres of public land, which is about one-eighth of the total land in the United States. These lands are located in 12 Western states, including Alaska.
The BLM’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The BLM accomplishes this by managing such things as recreation, livestock grazing, minerals, and energy development.
The History Of BLM Land
The Bureau of Land Management was created in 1946 when the General Land Office and the U.S. Grazing Service were combined. The BLM was created to manage the nation’s public lands.
Since then, many RVers and travelers flock to BLM land for fun and free camping. Keep reading to learn more about how to do this properly, and even preserve our great lands.
What Is BLM Camping?
Camping on public land is legal that the Bureau of Land Management manages. BLM camping is a great way to experience the outdoors and enjoy the many activities that BLM land has to offer. There are many different types of BLM campsites, from primitive campsites with no amenities to developed campgrounds with RV hookups.
How To Choose A BLM Campsite
There are a few things you should consider when choosing a BLM campsite:
- The number of people at your party:
Try to find a campsite that can accommodate your entire party. If you have a large group, you may need to find a group site.
- The type of camping you want to do:
Are you looking for a primitive campsite with no amenities or a developed campground with RV hookups?
- The length of your stay:
You should book a site that can accommodate the entire group. If you have a large group, you may need to find a group site.
- How far you want to travel:
You must consider how far you are willing to travel to get to your campsite. BLM land is located in 12 Western states, so you will have plenty of options to choose from! Additionally, your resources may be limited, so you may want to travel that into your length of stay.
How To Camp On BLM Land Safely
In order to remain safe when camping on BLM land, there are a few precautions you should keep in mind:
- Be aware of your surroundings:
When you are setting up your campsite, be aware of your surroundings. Look for things like dead trees that could fall, or steep cliffs that could be dangerous.
- Check with your local BLM office:
It is a good idea to check with your local BLM office for BLM camping. They will be able to tell you about any restrictions or permits that may be required for camping in your area. They will guide you about potential hazards in the area, and can also give you a map of the area.
- Stay on marked trails:
When hiking or biking on BLM land, stay on marked trails. This will help you stay safe and avoid getting lost.
- Don’t leave food out:
Bears and other animals are attracted to food. If you leave food out, you could attract unwanted visitors to your campsite.
- Be prepared for emergencies:
Make sure you have a first aid kit and a plan for what to do in case of an emergency.
- Follow Leave No Trace principles:
It’s critical to follow Leave No Trace ethics while camping on public lands like the Bureau of Land Management’s property. This means packing out all of your trash, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other campers. By following these principles, you can help keep BLM land beautiful for everyone to enjoy!
Click here for more information about environmentally friendly RV travel.
How to find BLM land to camp on
The easiest way to find BLM land to camp on is to go to the BLM website. Once you are on the website, you can use the search tool to find BLM land in your state. The search tool will allow you to narrow down your results by things like location, activities, and amenities.
Once you have found a few BLM campsites that you are interested in, you can use the map tool to help you find them. The map tool will show you where the BLM land is located and how to get there.
What to do on BLM land
There are many different things you can do on BLM land. Some of the most popular activities include camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting. There are also many opportunities for OHV recreation, such as biking, ATVing, and four-wheeling. You can also find BLM land that is perfect for horseback riding.
In the feature photo for this article, my friends and I were camping on land near Anza-Borrego State Park in California. We mostly just hung out, Barbequed, and enjoyed the scenery.
No matter what your interests are, you are sure to find something to do on BLM land!
How To Make A Reservation
You must make a reservation if you are planning to camp on BLM land. You can make a reservation by going to the BLM website or by calling the BLM office. When making a reservation, you will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and the dates you will be camping.
You are supposed to pay a fee when making your reservation. The fee is $10 per night, per campsite.
How To Cancel Or Change A Reservation
If you want to cancel or change your reservation, you can do so by going to the BLM website or by calling the BLM office. You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and the dates you will be camping.
There is a $10 service fee for canceling or changing a reservation. This fee is non-refundable.
How To Check In And Check Out Of A Campsite
When you arrive at your campsite, you will need to check in with the BLM office (if you can find one). You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and the dates you will be camping.
When you are ready to leave, you will need to check out with the BLM office. You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and the dates you were camping.
There is usually a non-refundable service fee for checking in and checking out of a campsite. Be sure to check the BLM Website for any updates to the fees.
How To Camp On BLM Land – RV hookups?
- The length of your stay:
You should find a campsite that can accommodate your entire party. If you have a large group, you may need to find a group site.
- The type of camping you will be doing:
If you are planning on doing any activities that require a lot of gear, such as hiking or fishing, you will need to find a campsite that has enough space for all of your gear.
- The amenities that you want:
If you want to be able to camp with your RV, you will need to find a campsite that has RV hookups.
- The time of year:
Some campsites are only open during certain times of the year. You will need to make sure the campsite you want to stay at is open during the dates you are planning to camp.
- The location:
It is good to decide how far you are willing to travel to get to your campsite. Keep in mind that the further away you are from civilization, the more remote your campsite will be.
Conclusion
BLM camping is a great way to experience the outdoors. In this article, we explored different aspects of How To Camp On BLM Land. We covered topics such as finding a campsite, making a reservation, and what to do on BLM land. We hope this article was helpful and that you are now ready to go camping on BLM land!
Have you ever been camping on BLM land? What are your favorite places? Share your experience in the comments below!
