Bureau of Land Management land makes up a significant portion of the Mojave corridor. Most of it is open to dispersed camping (free, no permit needed unless posted otherwise), OHV use on designated routes, and general exploration. It’s the land between the parks — and in a lot of ways it’s more interesting. Less infrastructure, fewer people, more access. Primary resources: BLM Nevada · BLM Arizona · BLM California · BLM Utah · Recreation.gov for permits.
Gold Butte National Monument — Nevada
300,000 acres of remote southeastern Nevada desert. Red sandstone, petroglyphs, the Gold Butte ghost town, and the Virgin River Gorge adjacent. Accessible by high-clearance 2WD on most routes; some require 4WD. Good dispersed camping throughout — no developed facilities, pack everything in and out. Little Finland (eroded sandstone formations) is worth the drive if you’re in the area.
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument — Nevada
500,000+ acres anchoring the southern tip of Nevada. Spirit Mountain (Avi Kwa Ame) is sacred to the Mojave, Chemehuevi, and Southern Paiute peoples. OHV use, camping, hiking, and hunting all permitted. The Newberry Mountains sit in the center — decent terrain for a day run via US-95 south toward Searchlight.
Mojave Trails National Monument — California
1.6 million acres connecting Mojave National Preserve to Joshua Tree. OHV, hunting, and dispersed camping all remain open. The historic Route 66 corridor runs through it. The Old Mojave Road — a 140-mile historic wagon route — is a classic overland traverse: sand, lava rock, and desert wash. 4WD required for most of it. Can be run in sections; a BLM map is recommended.
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument — Arizona
Red and orange sandstone cliffs rising 3,000 feet from the Arizona Strip. The Wave requires a permit via lottery at recreation.gov — one of the hardest permits to draw in the system. Buckskin Gulch (the longest slot canyon in the world at 12+ miles) is the better overlanding-adjacent destination. No permit required from the Wire Pass trailhead.
Arizona Strip (BLM) — Arizona
Remote BLM territory north of the Grand Canyon, accessed through Utah. Roughly 3 million acres of plateau, canyon, and desert — very little infrastructure, minimal cell service, serious 4WD country in the back sections. Mount Trumbull, Toroweap Overlook (North Rim viewpoint without the crowds), and Hack Canyon are the standout destinations. Toroweap requires 60 miles of dirt road one-way. Worth it.
Johnson Valley OHV Area — California
135,000 acres east of the San Bernardino Mountains. Rocky terrain, open desert, and technical hill sections. Home of King of the Hammers — held annually in February, one of the most demanding off-road races in the world. The Hammers area is the gnarly rock crawl terrain. Free dispersed camping throughout. Closest services in Yucca Valley or Twentynine Palms.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area — California
7,620 acres of sand dunes about 40 miles north of Baker. Big dunes — some runs exceed 300 feet — with a mix of skill levels. Less crowded than Glamis. Primitive camping on-site. Best conditions November–March; avoid summer.
Imperial Sand Dunes (Glamis) — California
Largest OHV sand dune area in the US. 40-mile dune system, up to 300 feet high. The main Glamis hub gets extremely crowded on holiday weekends. Gecko Road runs north-south through the middle — the main corridor. North Algodones Dunes Wilderness is closed to OHV; know the boundaries before you ride.
Logandale Trails / Nellis Dunes — Nevada
Southern Nevada BLM riding close to the I-15 corridor. Logandale Trails covers varied terrain north of Valley of Fire — good for a day run without committing to a long drive. Nellis Dunes is 10,000+ acres northeast of I-15. Both are free, open to OHV, with primitive camping.
Dispersed Camping — General BLM Rules
No hookups. No amenities. Often no cell service. That’s the point.
- Camp at least 200 feet from water sources and roads unless at a designated site
- 14-day stay limit at any one spot, then move at least 25 miles
- Pack out everything — there are no trash services
- Fire restrictions vary by season; check current conditions at local BLM offices
- Dogs allowed, on leash in developed areas
- Most BLM land in NV, AZ, CA, and UT allows dispersed camping unless posted closed
Check current conditions at blm.gov/visit or call the relevant field office before heading out.