The Bureau of Land Management within the Department of Interior is a federal agency. It is responsible for administering public lands. The agency's mission it to protect and preserve the nation's natural, cultural, and historical resources. The agency also regulates logging rights, grazing rights and mineral rights. The agency oversees almost one-eighth of the United States' landmass, which amounts to approximately 245 million acres.
Washington, DC is where the agency's headquarters are located. Most of its public lands can be found in the west. BLM does manage land in 12 US states, including Alaska. The agency is divided into land districts, which are geographically separate. The Bureau of Land Management oversees both developed campgrounds as well as undeveloped open lands. Developed campgrounds usually have pit toilets and fee collection boxes. They also include picnic tables, benches, and other amenities.
Some campgrounds are charged a nightly rate, while others are totally free. A permit may be required for day-use in some states. It all depends on the region. Some states have wildlife management areas that permit camping. In these cases, the rules for campers vary, but most are designed for fishing, hunting, and other recreational activities. No matter where you are planning to camp, it is best to contact the BLM field office nearest to you to find out current conditions.
Outdoor enthusiasts love the undeveloped BLM public lands. These lands offer numerous camping options. Some sites are for hikers only, while others are remote and rugged. There are many dispersed BLM sites in Southern California. These sites are often located on rugged roads. Those interested in RVing will be glad to know that most OHV areas have a staging area for campers.
Although there are numerous BLM campsites, they are all primitive and lack basic amenities. Some sites do not have potable water sources or toilets. Visit the website of BLM for more information. The agency also offers maps showing the locations of its lands. The map can be helpful for planning your trip, and many of the campgrounds are listed online.
The Bureau of Land Management manages over 245,000,000 acres of public land across the United States. The agency's main focus in the west is to preserve and manage wilderness areas, national monuments and historic landmarks and other protected land. It also owns many of the country's most popular inland and coast recreation areas as well as hundreds upon thousands of campgrounds. While BLM land can be a little confusing to locate, it is worth the effort to explore it.
No matter where in the United States you are, there will be a Bureau of Land Management site that is right for you. Many of these lands can be found in remote areas that are less touristy than others. They are great for hiking, skiing, and wildlife viewing. Some campgrounds have picnic tables and fire ring, while others are simpler.