Is Blm Camping Safe
While safety is never guaranteed anywhere you go, BLM camping can be just as safe as camping in a gated RV resort that costs hundreds of dollars. No matter where you are, you are ultimately responsible for doing the things you need to do to keep you feeling safe.
When camping anywhere, the general rule of thumb is to trust your gut and know your surroundings. Plan ahead. Know what amenities are available and what youll have to bring in to make up for those that arent.
If you know youll be off the beaten path a bit, are you prepared for an emergency if theres no cell service? Do you have a plan in place to handle the unknown? You cant prevent everything, but you can do your best to be prepared and feel safe.
In the end, camping on BLM land can be just as safe, if not safer, than camping in that gated RV park.
Bureau Of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is a federal land management agency within the Department of the Interior. The BLM organization in Utah consists of one State Office and field offices in 12 Utah communities.
BLM in Utah is responsible for the stewardship of more than 22 million acres of public land or 42% of Utah’s total land area. Utah public lands are noted for providing wide-open spaces rather than highly-developed recreation sites.
While the Bureau does manage developed sites , most of the emphasis is placed on providing areas and trails for biking, hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, and similar activities. BLM lands are unparalleled in their diversity, offering rainforest ecosystems, desert landscapes, rugged peaks, and fishable streams.
The BLM should be contacted prior to traveling into BLM backcountry, including Wilderness Areas and Wilderness Study Areas . Maps, information, regulations and permits can be obtained from the BLM’s many offices.
Visit Utah’s BLM’s website: for more information.
How To Camp On Blm Land
Like the National Park Service, the mission of the Bureau of Land Management is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
However, the 245 million acres managed by the BLM include wilderness areas, historic trails, landmarks, and primitive public land, is generally a lot more secluded and offers a welcomed escape from the hustle and bustle of high-traffic recreation areas.
But just because BLM land is generally off the beaten path, so to speak, that doesnt mean its completely devoid of rules and regulations. A few things need to be ironed out before boondocking in the backcountry, heading off the grid in your adventure rig, or appreciating the amenities of a developed site on BLM land.
How to Find BLM Land
The Bureau of Land Management manages one in every 10 acres of land in the United States. So, although most BLM land is located in the Western states, you shouldnt have to venture too far to find the perfect place to pitch a tent.
One of the easiest ways to find BLM land is by leveraging the interactive maps provided by the Bureau of Land Management. Pick your destination, filter the results based on your favorite outdoor activity, or type in a few keywords to narrow your search.
Developed Campgrounds vs. Dispersed Camping
Permits and Fees
Rules and Regulation
When camping in a developed campground:
When camping in undeveloped areas:
Morgan Shannon
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Where Can I Go Hiking In New Mexico
Hiking Trails near AlbuquerqueThe Sandia Mountain trails are open to small groups who practice social distancing while on the trails.
The La Luz, Embudo, Embudito, Bear Canyon, and Foothill Trails, on the west face of the Sandias are great trails but can be steep, rocky, and very hot as the weather warms. The east side is gentler, cooler in the summer, and offers cross country and snowshoeing opportunities in the winter.
The Bosque Trail along the Rio Grande is the best riparian walking and cycling trail in the area. It is a very low impact trail. Check out 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of ABQ for more recommendations.Hiking Trails near Santa FeSanta Fe is a hikers paradise. Many trails are just a few minutes from the downtown Plaza. There are day use trails from 7000 ft. elevation to 12,000 foot elevation near Santa Fe.
The Borrego-Bear Wallow Loop and Circle Trails are good for a quick walk off Hyde Park Road, which dead ends at the Santa Fe Ski Area.
The Lake Katherine and Nambe Lake Trails are the best day hikes in an alpine environment but are not recommended in the winter.Santa Fe also has a network of trails in town. The Dale Ball Trails and close to town and the Glorieta Basin Preserve south of town have horseback riding and mountain biking opportunities, as well as hiking. Atalaya Peak and Picacho Peak are popular, moderate to difficult hikes on the northwest side of Santa Fe.
Public Lands Stewardship
Is Dispersed Camping Legal In National Parks
Most national parks do not allow dispersed camping. You might have to check in with the park you have in mind before deciding to go there. The good thing is, national forests and BLM land border many national parks, if you are visiting National Parks, you can drive a little further and setup your dispersed campsite outside the park.
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The Ultimate Guide To Blm Camping With Your Rv
Bureau of Land Management land is home to epic campsites, but finding them can be intimidating. Experienced boondockers Jesse and Rachael Lyons share their tips for successful RV camping on BLM land.
Did you know that some of the most scenic and spacious campsites in the U.S. are free or budget-friendly? Those seeking a more natural and remote RV experience should try BLM camping. If youre unfamiliar with BLM, intimidated to camp on public lands, or looking for campsites to add to your bucket list, this guide to RV camping on BLM land shares it all.
BLM, or the Bureau of Land Management, is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior that oversees more than 247.3 million acres of land. Much of it is available to the public for camping.
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The agencys mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. While RVers primarily use the BLM lands allocated for camping, hiking, and recreation, thats only one way the Bureau of Land Management permits its public use. It can also be used for livestock grazing, conservation, mining, timber harvesting, cultural preservation, and energy production.
So, how can you respectfully use BLM land for camping and RVing? Lets find out.
How To Locate Blm Land To Camp Free On Your Phone
While I definitely use BLM.gov, I also use a variety of phone apps to locate and use BLM public land-free camping. My go-to apps are currently Campendium and Ultimate Campground. Both of these apps are invaluable to the avid adventurer. Personally, The Dyrt Pro is really outstanding, its up-to-date has interactive maps that outperform the others mentioned.
The Dyrt is a Free App and the free version has lots to enjoy, however by paying the $35 for the PRO version, you get to unlock lots more features and specifically the downloading offline maps and route planners that become invaluable as you venture out and cell phone service is spotty or non-existent.
But here is the best part, if youre not a fan of paying for the premium service, just grab the app and use the 7-day free trial for the Dryt PRO version, and youre not obligated to use it after your trip. That way, you get all the perks of the app, you get to find those sweet camping spots, and youre not out any extra cash, thats a win/win.
Psst! Bringing your doggo camping with you? You need to check out our Camping With A Doggo Checklist, you wont regret it!
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Blm Land Camping Rules Summary
The Bureau of Land Management manages over 240 MILLION acres of land in the USA. Fortunately for us, its here for us to use and enjoy! Many people have heard that using BLM land is possible, but because it isnt advertised like National Parks, many people dont know much when it comes to actually get the info needed to go explore this wonderful land or how to find BLM land.
The first and most obvious stop to make when gathering info on how to find BLM land is heading to www.blm.gov. There you will find more info than you know what to do with regarding rules, maps, activities, and missions related to the preservation and use of BLM managed lands.
On the right-hand side of the home screen is a link labeled Visit, clicking that link will take you to a search page within BLM that will allow you to search by state and filter by recreation activity type . Its a great resource that will get you started in the right direction when starting to plan out your next adventure.
Many people assume that BLM camping is all free, and while many areas of land are free to camp, some areas have a day-use fee area, they refer to these as Developed Camping Areas and in these areas, you can usually find vault style toilets, designated fire pits and sometimes a picnic bench. In these Developed Campgrounds, there is a pay station where you can place your fee in an envelope and tear off the receipt portion to leave fixed to your campsite so passing rangers will see you paid.
Permit Requirements And Fees
You must have a permit to use a designated LTVA between September 15 and April 15. The permit authorizes you to camp within any designated LTVA using those camping or dwelling unit indicated on the permit between the periods from September 15 to April 15. There are two types of permits: Long-Term and Short-Visit. The long-term permit is valid for the entire season or any part of the season. The short-visit permit is valid for 14 consecutive days, and may be renewed an unlimited number of times for the cost of the permit. LTVA users must pay the cost of the fee indicated on the LTVA permit, in U.S. funds only, before or upon arrival. The Bureau of Land Management will not refund permit fees.
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Finding Blm Rv Campgrounds
The BLM Website will get you to information about it’s developed BLM campgrounds. The website will guide you by state to the various BLM Field Offices, and each Field Office has links to it’s campgrounds. There are a few BLM campgrounds that allow reservations, and you might try searching for them at ReserveAmerica.com.
Where Can I Find Blm Campsites
Before the advent of smartphones, people used to talk to each other to get the scoop on the best places to camp. Thats definitely still a great option. Ask friends for recommendations or stop off at a local ranger station. Theyll often know of places that arent on any maps or apps.
But there are now smartphones and other technologies allowing us to find some of the best camping sites around. From camping apps to social media sites, finding camping sites is as easy as turning on your phone. Some popular apps for camping are Recreation.gov, Freecampsites.net, Campendium, Allstays, and iOverlander.
One best way to find BLM campsites is through BLM.gov, where you can seek out campsites and many other recreational opportunities. By starting here, youll know for sure that you are camping on BLM lands. Another great resource is using an app called Free Roam.
Pro Tip:Check out the best places for BLM camping in California.
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Dispersed Camping Sites With Bathrooms In Colorado
Not everyone has the luxury of traveling with a portable toilet. Likewise, not everyone wants to do their duty in the outdoors. Fortunately, you can still find campsites that are free, and come with bathrooms!
For starters, apps like The Dyrt already list campground amenities so if youve found one you want to visit bathrooms are easy to check.
As a rule of thumb, you should expect all dispersed camping areas to be primitive and undeveloped unless otherwise stated.
You can look up bathrooms and other amenities at specific campgrounds using these links:
For the National Forest and BLM campsites, click dispersed camping and you can find information including location, directions, water and restroom facilities.
Where Can You Disperse Camp
There are different dispersed camping regulations for each distinct land area. You can start by searching Google Maps for BLM, National Forest, Wildlife Management Areas, and state forests in your area. To make sure you follow all local regulations, you should give the nearest ranger station or BLM office for guidance and complete list of rules and check if there are any additional requirements.
The Bureau of Land Management is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior and manages land in the United States. The BLM is in charge of land in the Western US, deserts, and open landscapes. You can camp in Vans, RVs, and sometimes tents on BLM land. On BLM land, there is a possibility of waking up with cattle or sheep grazing in your campsite since BLM land is used for various purposes.
National Forests are public lands that belong to the Forest Service. National Forests are in almost every state in the United States, and they often border National Parks although it is illegal to camp in most National Parks and other areas maintained by the National Park Service. You can camp in National Forests with RVs and tents. Most National Forests allow dispersed campers to stay for two weeks, although the limit depends on the Forests regulations.
Wildlife Management Areas and state forests are run at the state level and have a wide range of regulations you will need to check in with your local rangers or land managers responsible for these areas.
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What Is Blm Camping
BLM Camping encompasses many camping styles, from paid campgrounds with amenities to dispersed camping with nothing but nature to keep you company. No matter the style, when camping on BLM land, you are on public lands, and you need to respect it. This means following the rules of each specific campground or site.
Just because it is BLM land doesnt mean you have the right to camp overnight or use it as you see fit. The best way to know if you can camp on public lands is to read and follow posted signs and rules or refer to each areas specific BLM websites.
On that note, though, many can use public lands for camping as long as you arent disrupting wildlife management or land conservation. When choosing a site not in an established campground, do your best to choose a place already used as a campsite.
Flattened grass, tire tracks, and previously created fire rings are tell-tale signs that others have camped here before you. The less impact we have on public lands, the more we will keep camping on them.
Blm General Land Office Records
- The Official Federal Lands Records SiteSurveys from 1810 to present. Maps downloadable as PDF, JP2 , or SID . Field notes downloadable in PDF or JP2 format.The BLM General Land Office Records Automation website provides access to Federal land conveyance records for the Public Land States.Click on “Survey Plats and Field Notes” to search surveys dating back to 1810. These survey plats show the extent and ownership of Federal Lands. Search by location, land description, or miscellaneous descriptors such as survey type or surveyor. Documents can also be searched using a map by clicking the Search Documents by Location tab. Included in the search are field notes, which contain details about the survey such as instrumentation used, procedures utilized, and the names of surveyors.
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Blm Rv Camping Locations
All the information about RV camping on BLM administered land is available on line. Links to each BLM Field Office are available through the BLM web site. You can purchase official travel maps for each BLM area you intend visiting through their websites. Good detailed maps can help you find BLM campgrounds that appeal to your type of RV camping. If you travel in the western US, the individual state Benchmark Recreation Atlas is our personal choice. Each state atlas is divided into two sections. A shaded relief road section, and a recreation section with roads and public land boundaries. What we like about the Benchmark maps is that roads shown into public lands are suitable for vehicle travel, and you can feel pretty safe heading up a mapped road that you do not end up at a dead end. The different land administrators show up in different colors so you can determine which government agency to contact for information if you need to.
You can get a great feel for the type of RV camping area to look for quickly by using the shaded relief section. You will soon find areas that look interesting to you, and getting campground information from the BLM website will get you to some great RV camping sites.
Where To Find Blm Campgrounds
BLM public lands are primarily located in 12 western states. This map from the Bureau of Land Management shows areas managed by the agency. States with designated land include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
There are two types of BLM camping: developed and dispersed.
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