Boondocking and Public Lands (BLM)

[easler7267]

Any of you Airstreamers found any good sources, apps, etc for navigation to and discovery of BLM lands for boondocking? I'd like to try boondocking in the middle of nowhere and am looking for a good source of info for planning.


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[ghaynes755]

Apps and the web

Apps:
Public Lands
USFS and BLM Campgrounds

Web
Boondockerswelcome.com
freecampgrounds.com
campendium.com
daysenddirectory.com Need to be an Escapees member
Wheelingit.us
Aluminarium.com

[Tincampers]

Also, RVSueandcrew.net does a lot of boondocking.

[youngpeck]

Here is an example of what is available from the BLM (this happens to be the Monticello, Utah office):

Travel Plan Maps 11" by 17"

Note that you can access their entire web site, which has all kinds of useful information and suggestions for travel. Each state's district offices have equally valuable information.

BUT ALWAYS CALL before you go. Many of the roads shown are not passable with travel trailers, especially when wet!! The BLM staff are very helpful in suggesting appropriate roads and things for you to see and do, especially in your case, as you wish to get off the beaten track. There is much in southern Utah, western Colorado, and Wyoming and Nevada for you.

[Thalweg]

Your best information will come directly from the BLM itself. Start at the website: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en.html Pick the state you want to go to, find the appropriate field office, and get a map. Once you figure out approximately where you want to go, contact the appropriate field office (FO) and ask for the Recreation Specialist (Rec specialist). It is their job to provide info to the public (most offices have a Rec Specialist, but not all). Ask them about dispersed camping opportunities. Don't call it boondocking; they may not be familiar with that term. Most Rec Specialists I've worked with are highly personable and are happy to help.

If you want to dig further, go to the individual FO Resource Management Plan (RMP). You can usually find it on their website. They will define the dispersed camping regulations and areas that may be closed to dispersed camping.

By the way, I work for the BLM, but cannot speak in an official manner.

[Photobum]

some great wisdom here, and timely for me....many thanks!

[TG Twinkie]

I am very interested in this thread. Will keep a watch on it.
Thanks


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[Meeks]

Thank you all for the fabulous information!

[UKDUDE]

The US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, produces "Motor Vehicle Use Maps" for its National Forests, and clearly marks on them where you can do dispersed camping (as they call it).
Go to this web page:
Maps | US Forest Service
...then search for "Motor Vehicle Use Maps" and then go to the links underneath.
You can view the maps online or get them free from Ranger stations. Maps are listed according to States.
Hope that helps.

[jbroedlow]

We're presently camped at Oliver Lee State Park in Alamogordo, NM. I might add that this is a terrific campground. I noticed some BLM land as we drove into the campgrounds but the roads in looked really rough. Is this what you can expect at most BLM Lands or does it differ at each. I would not want to drive my AS down the roads I saw.

[Firedog1]

Good info. Thank you

[Thalweg]

Originally Posted by jbroedlow

We're presently camped at Oliver Lee State Park in Alamogordo, NM. I might add that this is a terrific campground. I noticed some BLM land as we drove into the campgrounds but the roads in looked really rough. Is this what you can expect at most BLM Lands or does it differ at each. I would not want to drive my AS down the roads I saw.

The quality of the road on BLM surface will vary according to the designated use. If the purpose of the road is recreation access for the general public, it'll probably be maintained and in reasonable condition. If it is for large oil field equipment, it'll probably be very good due to safety concerns. If it's for a grazing lessee to chase cows, It might be barely passable. Of coarse your deffinition of a good road and mine might be very different.

Keep in mind that we're just coming out of winter. A lot of maintenance isn't done until things dry out.

[AtomicNo13]

It might seem like a primitive concept, but old fashioned maps are a great start. BLM field offices are a wealth of maps, info, and personal experiences!

I love technology, but lately as I reach my kids how to use maps, I'm rediscovering how much I really love the feel if paper. The Internet is then a supplement.
If you're looking for a great off grid experience, look to the free BLM land around Quartzsite. If you get there before the peak season, you'll have endless space, lots to see, and great weather. Plenty of places to service your unit and re provision. During off season you can stay literally as long as you like. The rangers get a little mire firm as the masses arrive!

[Rocinante]

Our only real concern for "dispersed camping" sites is whether we can safely tow our trailer there and back. Our truck has far more capability in this regard than our trailer with its low belly pans and dangling rear end.

From the sources listed above, have you gotten reliable information that doesn't leave the trailer stranded on a rock, suspended over a gully, or at the end of a long narrow road with no way out other than backing up a mile or two? Any of these "adventure opportunities" would pretty much ruin an outing.

[AtomicNo13]

I think that's stretching things a bit far! We must incur some liability! Who can know the details of this sort of thing? That would be like saying "well since you upgraded your wheels and tires to 16' over the standard 15" wheels giving you an additional 1.25" of clearance...."
I think the best you could hope for is "it's a pretty gnarly trail or its a petty flat and straight road".

[Rocinante]

Oh, I'm good with accepting liability for my actions. For example, I was once tossed out during jury selection for a slip-n-fall suit when they asked whether anyone had a problem with people suing for that sort of thing. I was dying to ask whether it occurred to the plaintiff to look where he was going, but I had to settle for raising my hand.

So, I guess it's more about avoiding getting Rocinante into an avoidable pickle by asking smart questions and doing smart things before driving down that road, and wondering out loud how much value the sources cited here have, in the experience of others, added to that process.

[NevadaGeo]

Bureau of Land Management means no one owns the land. Whatever roads exist are roads through to somewhere else, a state road, county road, or a trail. Many state roads in Nevada aren't paved. Until recently, most roads in Nevada were open range; where if you hit the cow in the road, you just bought your self a $10,000 prize animal at your responsibility. We still have trouble with people hitting the wild horses in the road and complaining about it.

[Thalweg]

Originally Posted by NevadaGeo

Bureau of Land Management means no one owns the land. Whatever roads exist are roads through to somewhere else, a state road, county road, or a trail. Many state roads in Nevada aren't paved. Until recently, most roads in Nevada were open range; where if you hit the cow in the road, you just bought your self a $10,000 prize animal at your responsibility. We still have trouble with people hitting the wild horses in the road and complaining about it.

That's not entirely accurate. There are many roads on BLM surface (which belongs to all of the citizens on the United States) that are not through roads. There are thousands of miles of roads on BLM that go to facilities on the BLM. These facilities could be oil wells, stock water reservoirs, range management features, campgrounds, or other recreation sites. There are also many existing roads that seem to go nowhere. You are correct though that there are many through roads.

In most cases, the public has a right to travel over roads on BLM. The only instances I can think of where that wouldn't be a case would be if there was potential resource damage or a safety issue. Some roads will be closed in wet conditions or during critical wildlife habitat times. I've seen some roads closed to the public when the oil company that built it was unable to build it to public use standards.

In our Field Office, dispersed camping must be within 100 feet of an established road (I'm not 100% certain of that number, but it's close). I think most Field Offices have a similar requirement.

[Len n Jeanne]

Actually, "the public" owns BLM land, but it is managed through the Department of the Interior, and there are restrictions on what you can/cannot do, depending upon the type of use and the location. Usually dispersed camping is permitted unless posted to the contrary; but there is an awful lot of BLM land of little recreational interest.

I'd like to second the strategy of (a) finding out the location of the BLM field office in your area of interest and then checking out their website. Some are better than others with posting maps and descriptions of camping areas. (b) Phoning ahead to make sure that the roads are passable-- especially for anyone towing an Airstream! Our trailers weren't designed for shooting the rapids. Some of the dirt roads can be really rough, and with curves too tight for a long trailer.

In southwestern Utah, a lot of the BLM roads are used by jeeps and ATVs. These people seem to like the rocks and sheer drop-offs, but the roads are not trailer-worthy.

Our strategy (in the Price, Monticello, and Moab, Utah field areas) has been mostly to camp in one of the BLM boondocking campgrounds that are accessible by at least a graded road, drop the Bambi, and then take off on adventures in our truck or on foot.

Just a reminder to take a lot of extra water, basic emergency stuff like a good first aid kit, and probably an extra gas can, depending upon where you go and for how long. A lot of the BLM campgrounds have no water , and some are a long way from the nearest gas station, as well.

Some of our favourite BLM campsites in Utah are the San Rafael Bridge in Buckhorn Draw, Horse Thief near Dead Horse Point State Park, and Hatch Point south of Moab. However, dispersed camping is allowed beyond these CGs.

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by youngpeck

Here is an example of what is available from the BLM (this happens to be the Monticello, Utah office):

Travel Plan Maps 11" by 17"

Note that you can access their entire web site, which has all kinds of useful information and suggestions for travel. Each state's district offices have equally valuable information.

BUT ALWAYS CALL before you go. Many of the roads shown are not passable with travel trailers, especially when wet!! The BLM staff are very helpful in suggesting appropriate roads and things for you to see and do, especially in your case, as you wish to get off the beaten track. There is much in southern Utah, western Colorado, and Wyoming and Nevada for you.

.........and Arizona and New Mexico.