I've been led to believe camping on a BLM land is free & randomly all over the place?So my question is, how do I know when I'm on BLM land that allows me to pick a spot & set up camp?Part of my concern is I tend to like yo have a drink to relax while camping & I want to make sure I'm 100% legal before I decide to have that adult beverage.I'd hate to be there after I've had & have someone ( Ranger , cop or whatever. ) roll up. & tell me I can not camp there.Because then what do I do?I would not legally be able yo move it.Not to mention other issues.I plan to drive around 6 states & so if I don't find a campground, I like know my options?Thanks for your input.

Maybe hang a sign out that looks something like this. :BSeriously though, I think you'll find BLM land maps for most States online.

MOST BLMs, I believe, have a limit of 2 weeks at a time. Usually you only have to move 25 miles to another spot to be okay. Exception is around Quartzsite, Arizona. In Q, you can pay $180 (?) for 7 months. If I'm not right, others will let us know. We HAVE had our alcohol while on BLM land. Picking the right spot would involve looking at their maps (online) to see if it's okay, looking at the ground (is it muddy and bad, is it a wash -- something you look at in AZ).....but as for leaving your rig for eternity, I doubt you can do that. :)

Good maps, and knowing how to use them, is critical. The excuse of not knowing where you are doesn't work.

The BLM provides much info online in a fairly standardized format. Go to a state's BLM page (Google or the BLM national home page will lead you to it), click the What We Do tab, click Recreation, click Camping. You will often find the maps there. If not, use the contact info provided on the website. I've had good luck in getting responses to very specific e-mail queries ("Can I camp at location XYZ?" not "Can I camp in your state?")Here is an example from Arizona BLM: http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping.html

You should start by reading the BLM Camping Rules so you understand the difference between developed & dispersed camping. As other have said, particularly with dispersed camping, it would be wise to check with the nearest BLM Field office for both maps & what ever additional rules cover the area you wish to camp.

BLM camping? | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

skipnchar
Explorer
Nov 14, 2014
I would advise you check with local BLM office concerning camping rules and regs as they change according to the needs of a particular BLM district.
Good luck / Skip
the_bear_II
Explorer
Nov 14, 2014
In California most of the BLM areas are clearly marked with signage. You'll see the brown signs on the freeways/interstates showing nearby BLM or OHV parks. Once you get to the BLM/OHV land there are signs with rules and regulations plus signs on roads and trails showing where you can or cannot camp. Dispersed Camping is the term the BLM uses for areas where you can camp where you would like.

As others have posted go to the BLM website and locate the district pages you want to travel to. There will be maps and details for each area.
Blanco1
Explorer
Nov 14, 2014
amandasgramma wrote:
MOST BLMs, I believe, have a limit of 2 weeks at a time. Usually you only have to move 25 miles to another spot to be okay. Exception is around Quartzsite, Arizona. In Q, you can pay $180 (?) for 7 months. If I'm not right, others will let us know. We HAVE had our alcohol while on BLM land. Picking the right spot would involve looking at their maps (online) to see if it's okay, looking at the ground (is it muddy and bad, is it a wash -- something you look at in AZ).....but as for leaving your rig for eternity, I doubt you can do that. :)
for us it would like never be more than 3 nights max .
vermilye
Explorer
Nov 14, 2014
You should start by reading the BLM Camping Rules so you understand the difference between developed & dispersed camping.

As other have said, particularly with dispersed camping, it would be wise to check with the nearest BLM Field office for both maps & what ever additional rules cover the area you wish to camp.
Tiger4x4RV
Nomad
Nov 14, 2014
The BLM provides much info online in a fairly standardized format. Go to a state's BLM page (Google or the BLM national home page will lead you to it), click the What We Do tab, click Recreation, click Camping. You will often find the maps there. If not, use the contact info provided on the website. I've had good luck in getting responses to very specific e-mail queries ("Can I camp at location XYZ?" not "Can I camp in your state?")

Here is an example from Arizona BLM: http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping.html
korbe
Explorer
Nov 14, 2014
Good maps, and knowing how to use them, is critical. The excuse of not knowing where you are doesn't work.
amandasgramma
Explorer
Nov 14, 2014
MOST BLMs, I believe, have a limit of 2 weeks at a time. Usually you only have to move 25 miles to another spot to be okay. Exception is around Quartzsite, Arizona. In Q, you can pay $180 (?) for 7 months. If I'm not right, others will let us know. We HAVE had our alcohol while on BLM land. Picking the right spot would involve looking at their maps (online) to see if it's okay, looking at the ground (is it muddy and bad, is it a wash -- something you look at in AZ).....but as for leaving your rig for eternity, I doubt you can do that. :)
Dakota98
Explorer
Nov 14, 2014
Maybe hang a sign out that looks something like this.

:B

Seriously though, I think you'll find BLM land maps for most States online.

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BLM camping?

18 Replies

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