BLM Exploration

On Sunday we made a short drive about 20 miles north of Yuma on the California side of the Colorado river to explore the Imperial Dam BLM LTVA area.  For the uninitiated, BLM is the federal Bureau of Land Management and LTVA is Long Term Visitor Area.  There are BLM areas all over the USA.  Most of the LTVA’s seem to be in the desert southwest USA.  Most BLM areas allow free dispersed camping year around.  That means you go find a spot you like and set up camp.  There is a fee in the LTVA areas of $180 for the winter season (about 5 or 6 months) or $40 for two weeks.  For that one time fee you can travel between and set up in different BLM sites.  There are many campgrounds in the area.  Most are just unimproved barren desert.  Some, however, are equipped with bathroom facilities (flush toilets), dump stations and fresh water supply points. 

There are about 20 named sites around Imperial Dam, including, Senator Wash, South Mesa, Florida Flats, Naugy’s Knob, Gravel Pit, E. Skunk Hollow, Lonely Hill, Dogpatch and Cozy Cove, among others.  There is a BLM check in station near South Mesa staffed by a delightful couple that seemed to enjoy working with boondockers.  We chatted with them for a bit, picked up some information and drove around checking out the area.  There are all types of rigs here; big newer motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, and Class C’s both old and new.  Lots of solar panels showing and at least one personal windmill.  Here are some pictures, including some flowering cacti that got Rosie’s attention:

   

We think this area looks like somewhere we could boondock for a week or so between LA and Yuma in December.  At this time, we plan to leave Yuma on March 30 and head north out of the ever rising temperatures.  We will make reservations to return December 15 for our next winter escape from snow and ice.

Thanks for stopping by.