BLM - BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
When true boondockers decide that they want to stay in a wide open space with no neighbors within feet of them, the first acronym that comes to mind is BLM
These vast tracts of land can be found all over the western United States and many of these areas are not even known to be available for camping. Sometimes, when traveling through open grassland, if you look yonder into the mountains, you might catch a glimpse of a single RV or trailer. If you wonder how come the camper is there in the wilderness, you would probably be right in guessing that they are on designated BLM land and they are probably going to be in that remote spot for some time to come.
There are a few options for campers to take if they want to stay in 'the boonies' for an extended period:
These vast tracts of land can be found all over the western United States and many of these areas are not even known to be available for camping. Sometimes, when traveling through open grassland, if you look yonder into the mountains, you might catch a glimpse of a single RV or trailer. If you wonder how come the camper is there in the wilderness, you would probably be right in guessing that they are on designated BLM land and they are probably going to be in that remote spot for some time to come.
There are a few options for campers to take if they want to stay in 'the boonies' for an extended period:
Free stays for a set number of nights
These areas will have sign posts dotted around the camping area stating what the allowed number of days to stay are; usually fourteen nights. The BLM Rangers will make their presence known and they will make a note of your arrival day either by driving by your rig or introducing themselves to you and explaining the rules of the area.
Sometimes there might even be a campground host available who will issue you with a permit and explain the rules and the allowed time to stay in the area.
Before you go, you will need to refer to various internet resources to discover which areas are of interest to you, including the BLM home page, which then directs you to the state you are visiting. Also, the freecampsites.net website has good information on free BLM sites. Click here for an example of the Arizona area
Sometimes there might even be a campground host available who will issue you with a permit and explain the rules and the allowed time to stay in the area.
Before you go, you will need to refer to various internet resources to discover which areas are of interest to you, including the BLM home page, which then directs you to the state you are visiting. Also, the freecampsites.net website has good information on free BLM sites. Click here for an example of the Arizona area
LTVA - Long Term Visitor Area
The following information is taken from the BLM website as of September 2016
" Winter visitors who wish to stay in an LTVA, must purchase a long term permit for $180 or a short visit permit for $40. The long term permit is valid for the entire season or any part of the season which runs from September 15 to April 15. The short visit permit is valid for 14 consecutive days with the option to purchase an unlimited quantity of additional permits. Both permits are valid in any of the designated LTVAs. "
If you visit the BLM website, there is a map showing the general layout of the campsites both in Arizona and California
The following information is taken from the BLM website as of September 2016
" Winter visitors who wish to stay in an LTVA, must purchase a long term permit for $180 or a short visit permit for $40. The long term permit is valid for the entire season or any part of the season which runs from September 15 to April 15. The short visit permit is valid for 14 consecutive days with the option to purchase an unlimited quantity of additional permits. Both permits are valid in any of the designated LTVAs. "
If you visit the BLM website, there is a map showing the general layout of the campsites both in Arizona and California
LTVA Permit with river access
Although we have not yet utilized this option, because we have our own boat, we are interested in the permit that allows 14 nights in one location before you have to move to another location. This permit costs $75.00 for the year. We will probably try this one out when next we are in Arizona, close to the Colorado River. Here's what the BLM website has to say about this permit:
"SUMMARY: Persons may camp or occupy any specific location within designated campgrounds or on public lands within the Yuma District, Arizona and California and California Desert District, California for a period of not more than 14 days within any period of 28 consecutive days. Exceptions would include Long Term Visitor Areas, areas closed to camping and areas with specially designated camping stay limits. The 28-day period will begin when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public land. The 14-day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous occupation during the 28-day period. After the 14th day of occupation campers must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location. Camping means the erection and use of a tent or shelter of natural or synthetic material, preparing a sleeping bag or other bedding material for use or mooring of a vessel for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy. Occupancy is defined as the taking or holding possession of a camp or residence on public land."
Although we have not yet utilized this option, because we have our own boat, we are interested in the permit that allows 14 nights in one location before you have to move to another location. This permit costs $75.00 for the year. We will probably try this one out when next we are in Arizona, close to the Colorado River. Here's what the BLM website has to say about this permit:
"SUMMARY: Persons may camp or occupy any specific location within designated campgrounds or on public lands within the Yuma District, Arizona and California and California Desert District, California for a period of not more than 14 days within any period of 28 consecutive days. Exceptions would include Long Term Visitor Areas, areas closed to camping and areas with specially designated camping stay limits. The 28-day period will begin when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public land. The 14-day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous occupation during the 28-day period. After the 14th day of occupation campers must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location. Camping means the erection and use of a tent or shelter of natural or synthetic material, preparing a sleeping bag or other bedding material for use or mooring of a vessel for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy. Occupancy is defined as the taking or holding possession of a camp or residence on public land."
