Camping on BLM land in California

[user 22017]

I just watched Bob's latest video and he mentioned LTVA's in California. Now I'm curious why I rarely read about them in this forum. It's almost always Arizona for BLM. What are the main differences?

For those who have camped on BLM land in California, have you noticed if the terrain and/or wind conditions are more suitable in CA for tent camping? (versus Arizona)

Thanks. (posting a screenshot of Bob's list)

 

[bullfrog]

It isn’t much different than the ones in Arizona except for some water features and being larger crowds around them with much higher fuel prices in my opinion. Plus Quartzsite has a big tent market with items and employers for RVers.

 

[GotSmart]

The difference is about a dollar a gallon for gas.

Otherwise not much.

Everyone is different and the fee you pay will allow you to see the different sites to find what you like.

 

[wayne49]

Winterhaven, CA is on the AZ border, both Pilot Knob LTVA and Imperial Dam LTVA are not too far from Yuma with AZ fuel prices and grocery stores with "free" trash bags. Also close to the Los Algodones border crossing.

Close to the CA border is 8th Street Coin Laundry, West 8th Street, Yuma, AZ.

 

[user 22017]

Winterhaven, CA is on the AZ border, both Pilot Knob LTVA and Imperial Dam LTVA are not too far from Yuma with AZ fuel prices and grocery stores with "free" trash bags. Also close to the Los Algodones border crossing.

Close to the CA border is 8th Street Coin Laundry, West 8th Street, Yuma, AZ.

Thanks Wayne. I should have looked them up on a map. So all are near Arizona?

I got excited (after watching his video) when I saw some beautiful photos at Campendium of BLM campsites in California mountains. Amazing views. So, I guess I'm searching for BLM land in California (not LTVA). I kept hearing that you can't camp for free in California, so it surprised me.

 

[abnorm]

I kept hearing that you can't camp for free in California

WRONG

 

[JeepLiving]

Whether or not to use the LTVAs may depend on your priorities. I spent several weeks at Imperial Dam in Winterhaven last year. Easy access to Yuma was a big plus in terms of accessing lots of food shopping choices (check out Green Tree for grocery overstock deals), Home Depot and Walmart. Quartzsite lacks all three. As a car camper, I won't use LTVA again because of the restrictions placed on non-self contained vehicles. Good for full RVs, not for tenters. The LTVA rules are very unfair to the latter group.

 

[jacqueg]

Thanks Wayne. I should have looked them up on a map. So all are near Arizona?

I got excited (after watching his video) when I saw some beautiful photos at Campendium of BLM campsites in California mountains. Amazing views. So, I guess I'm searching for BLM land in California (not LTVA). I kept hearing that you can't camp for free in California, so it surprised me.

It's true you can't camp for free in California state parks. That is not the same thing at all as saying you can't camp for free in California! Plenty of free camping in California on federal lands. Might be other publically owned lands in California where you can camp for free, dunno.

Check out freecampsites.net. Also the apps Campendium and AllStays.

 

[user 22017]

Check out freecampsites.net. Also the apps Campendium and AllStays.

It was on Campendium this morning when I found the gorgeous views of the free campsites. I was looking up Mule Mountain(s) from Bob's list, but must have clicked away from BLM areas, because this is what I found (all the reviews say free):

https://www.campendium.com/big-black-mountain

 

[GotSmart]

Small detail. LTVA land is a seasonal fee. BLM land is a restricted time usage but no fee.

 

[user 22017]

Small detail. LTVA land is a seasonal fee. BLM land is a restricted time usage but no fee.

I knew that much... I think.

BLM is free but there is a 14 day limit then you must move 25 miles.

LTVA costs $180 for 7 months, but you can stay in one spot the whole time (or move around). LTVA has water and waste dump, but if your vehicle/camper doesn't have black tanks you must camp within 500 feet of the bathrooms. Did I miss anything?

 

[NctryBen]

You got it Carla... I used the LVTA’s to stay, but would go off to other BLM area’s for a change. I could pay less if I just payed for two weeks at a time. But it’s way more convenient to just have the seasonal stickers. And to use the garbage and dump facilities.

 

[bullfrog]

^^^There are several BLM areas with dispersed camping near National Parks and Recreational Areas where you can with a National Parks pass use dumps, fill water tanks, shower and use the internet during the day and sleep on BLM land at night for free. An annual parks day use pass is like $80 for the regular citizen and if you are over 62 years old it’s a lifetime pass!

 

[LoupGarou]

My CC permit isnt valid in California, so I don't travel there.

 

[rruff]

This interactive online map is great for scoping out public lands. Most of the NF and BLM will allow free dispersed camping. BLM tends to be more chill about everything (I've never seen a BLM ranger), but if you camp in popular spots, that might be different. Lots of free camping in the west! If you want solitude it might be best to avoid Campendium sites...

https://blm-egis.maps.arcgis.com/ap...0bfe20eddd7550 &extent=-125, 31.0, -114, 43.0

 

[rruff]

^^^There are several BLM areas with dispersed camping near National Parks and Recreational Areas where you can with a National Parks pass use dumps, fill water tanks, shower and use the internet during the day and sleep on BLM land at night for free. An annual parks day use pass is like $80 for the regular citizen and if you are over 62 years old it’s a lifetime pass!

I'm curious about the showers part... where do you find those in the NPs?

 

[bullfrog]

It varies but usually you can ask at the lodge, campground host or visitor center if there is one. Since many employees are seasonal many may not know so keep asking! Here at Glen Canyon National Recreational Area (Bullfrog) they are in the public restrooms in the Post Office building as well as the RV camping area. At Organ Pipe National Park they are in the RV camping area. There are several smaller parks that do not have them but most with a lodge or improved campground do. Your day pass allows you access to all public areas although contract run campgrounds within the park may charge a fee or have coin operated stalls as they do in the Wahweap (Page) area of Glen Canyon National Recreational Area as well.

 

[maki2]

There are often paid RV parks close to the entrance of National parks. Many will sell you a shower, let you use the laundry machines or pay a per bag charge for trash. The Grand Canyon National Park was on water rationing this summer when I arrived so no showers, laundry, dump and fill available in
the Park’s camper services area. But the nearby RV park sold all those services to campers. So that is where I went for such things while camping for free on NFS land literally just a few minutes away.

 

[ibuzzard]

My CC permit isnt valid in California, so I don't travel there.

Thanks for sharing.