If you’re new to RVing or have been exploring new RV options lately, you may have come across BLM land. It’s a great option that every RVer should be familiar with. If it’s something that’s new to you, we’ll share what you need to know to make the most of the it.
What is BLM land?
BLM stands for Bureau of Land Management. BLM land is much more than just a place to camp. The U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management is responsible for managing public lands that are used for all kinds of different purposes. Some of this land is leased to private groups for things like mining or grazing. According to their website it includes: timber harvesting, energy development, livestock grazing, and recreation. They also make sure to maintain historical resources around the country.
In California alone there is 15 million acres of public land. This land is divided into the three districts: Northern, Central, and Desert.
Recreation
Some areas of this land offers Standard and Expanded Amenities. These areas often require a fee for you to access.
- Standard amenities: Usually day use sites. This can include access to trails, picnic areas and visitor centers. They must include a bathroom, trash receptacle, picnic table, parking, signage, and security.
- Expanded amenities: Typically includes things like campgrounds, boat launches, cabins, swim areas, hookups, dump stations, and tours.
Camping options
There are two types of camping options for RVers to consider on BLM land. The first is to stay at one of the campgrounds. This provides you with some of the amenities that make RVing easy. You have access to dump stations and hookups. And, you can take advantage of the convenience to swimming areas and special facilities.
Dispersed camping
Dispersed camping is basically boondocking. These are campsite on BLM land that is away from the developed campsites. It means you don’t have access to the amenities that you may be used to in RV campgrounds. But you can have beautiful scenery, more privacy, and the ability to pick up and move where and when you want.
This doesn’t mean that you can just choose anywhere you want to camp on BLM land. There are designated areas which you can usually spot because they look like others have stayed before. But you can also ask in the park offices for a map to help you view your options.
How to find BLM land?
There is BLM land in every state. The best way to find a location that you can use is by visiting the search page on the BLM website. You can search by location, activity, or keyword.
What you need to know
Here are a few more things you may want to know before heading out to setup camp on BLM land.
Tips for finding BLM dispersed camping locations
This video from We’re the Russos covers some of the things that you should look for when choosing a dispersed camping location:
There is a limit on your stay at dispersed sites
Most dispersed sites will only allow you to stay at one location for 14 consecutive days. This obviously isn’t a problem for anyone doing a short stay every once in a while. But if you’re a full-time RVer or planning an extended trip, you need to pay attention to how long you’re staying in each location.
Current BLM situation
Right now, due to the “shelter in place” orders in California and many other states, the developed campgrounds at BLM locations have been closed. So, before you head out with the plans to camp at one make sure you confirm if it’s open or not. With that said, the dispersed camping options are still open and available in California.
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