Camping and Freelance Hiking on Public Lands by The Rugged Outdoorsmen
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id you know that there are incredible camping and hiking opportunities for outdoorsmen outside the realm of state and national parks?
One of the reasons our family chose to move to Mesquite is to enjoy the abundant access to public lands and outdoor recreation here. This area we live in has a lot to offer for those with a sense of adventure in the form of Bureau of Land Management (public) lands. Arizona, Nevada, and Utah rank in the top five U.S. states with the most public land. In our immediate area, we are blessed with places like the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness, the Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area, Gold Butte National Monument, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area, to name a few. All of these 62 | VIEW ON MAGAZINE | May / June 2023
generally allow primitive or dispersed camping throughout. You must pack in and pack out all your gear and trash and can only stake your claim for a period no longer than 14 days, after which you must relocate. Many refer to this style of camping as “boondocking.” Boondocking is a term used to describe camping in the wild and being self-reliant. Some of the benefits of dispersed camping on these wideopen lands are that it’s undeveloped and generally void of manmade structures. It’s also quiet—you’ll be away from the crowds on BLM land—and it’s generally free of charge, though some areas may require an entrance fee.