SUSANVILLE, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management has announced opening of the North Eagle Lake and Pit River campgrounds and the Hobo Camp Day Use area in northeast California for the warm weather recreation season. The campgrounds open Wednesday, May 1; Hobo Camp opens Wednesday, May 17.

The North Eagle Lake Campground northwest of Susanville has 20 developed campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground has potable water and sites that can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long. The fee is $8 per night. A camp host is on site.

Also at the north shore of Eagle Lake, the BLM offers Eagle Lake shoreline camping at the undeveloped Rocky Point East and Rocky Point West areas. There are no facilities or services, and the sites are best for fully self-contained camping. There are no fees, but donations are accepted. The sites are open all year, weather permitting. There are information boards and vault toilets at Rocky Point East.

The Pit River Campground, near the community of Fall River Mills in eastern Shasta County, offers eight campsites, a group campsite, a kayak launch facility and a fishing pier for those with disabilities. The fee is $8 nightly and $12 per night for the group campsite. A camp host is on site.

At Hobo Camp, the main vehicle gate off South Street on Hobo Camp Road at the west edge of Susanville will be open daily from 8 a.m. to a half-hour after sunset through the season. Exceptions are Saturday, May 17, and Saturday, May 24, when the gate will open at 5 a.m. to allow early fishing access for the Lassen County Junior Fishing Derby and for the opening day of the California stream fishing season, respectively.

Hobo Camp is also accessible to walkers, bicyclists and horseback riders using the Bizz Johnson Trail from the Susanville Railroad Depot Visitor Center and trailheads on Lassen Street and Miller Road in Susanville. It offers picnic tables, grilling grates and fire rings, open space for outdoor games, toilets and parking areas in a pine grove setting. There is parking for large vehicles and trailers, including horse trailers. A host is on site. There are no fees.

SUSANVILLE, Calif.  —  The Bureau of Land Management is offering an opportunity to live and work in a beautiful public land setting along the Susan River in Lassen County, as a camp host at a popular day use area.

The position at the Hobo Camp Day Use Area along the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail near Susanville runs from May 1 through the onset of winter weather in mid-November. A split summer/fall season could also be arranged for multiple hosts.

The BLM provides a site with all hookups for an RV or camp trailer. The camp host may receive a small stipend to help with living expenses. Duties include greeting visitors, providing information and completing light maintenance.

Anyone interested should contact Stan Bales at the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, 530-257-0456, or at  sbales@blm.gov. Information is also available at www.volunteer.gov. A search feature provides links and application information.

PALMS SPRINGS, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking for a volunteer to serve as a campground host at Coon Hollow campground in Mule Mountain Long Term Visitor Area (LTVA).

Located in eastern Riverside County, the campground is nestled in the lower Colorado Desert adjacent to desert riparian wash habitat. As a camp host, you’ll play a vital role enhancing visitor experiences, while enjoying a remote camping location. This is a fantastic opportunity for those who enjoy the outdoors and interacting with people.

Volunteers will assist the BLM by making visitor contacts, restocking restrooms, recording LTVA permits and reporting incidents, among other tasks.

The area is known for its unique geology and offers ample opportunities for recreation. The historic Bradshaw Trail National Scenic Byway provides four-wheel access to a variety of hiking trails and historic mining areas.

Camp hosts must carry in all supplies, including drinking water, as well as provide their own self-contained trailer or camper. Services are located thirty miles northeast in Blythe. Camp hosts will receive a stipend of $10 for each day worked and the LTVA permit fee of $180 will be waived.

Volunteer hours are flexible, with preferred working hours between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and on weekends. The camp host is not expected to work during this entire period.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. For those interested in the volunteer opportunity, please contact the Palm Springs – South Coast Field Office, 760-833-7100, or email Noel Mollinedo at nmollinedo@blm.gov or Caroline Gish at cgish@blm.gov.

Get more information or directions to the campground by visiting the website online. Learn more about other campgrounds in the area at blm.gov/visit.
 

The 2024 California State Fair in Sacramento opens today! Every year through an interagency collaboration, the Forest Service, CAL FIRE, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Firefighters Burn Institute brings visitors of all ages a fun, educational, and interactive fire safety and prevention exhibit called Camp Smokey.

This year, visitors to Camp Smokey can earn a free limited edition Smokey Bear 80th birthday bandana by completing each of the six unique education stations. People of all ages are invited to start by picking up a passport for their journey at the Incident Command Post. They will learn about home and wildland fire safety, fire prevention, responsible recreation, the history of Smokey Bear, traditional Native American uses of fire, and fire’s role in nature. Smokey Bear and his friends perform a fun and educational puppet show at the top of each hour. This year, guests will receive a limited-edition item at the completion of each station!

Guests will have the opportunity to tour fire trucks, play games, win prizes, saw logs to brand and take home, dress up like a firefighter, learn from expert fire safety personnel and so much more! Camp Smokey is open every day of the State Fair Monday through Thursday from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M., and Friday through Sunday from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.  The California State Fair runs from July 12th through July 28th, 2024.

New exhibits this year include a Bureau of Indian Affairs Community Arbor, Forest Service Ranger House, Bureau of Land Management Trail improvements, and Interagency interactive 911 learning experience where guests can practice calling 911 and relaying vital information to a live dispatcher during an emergency.

On Saturday July 20th, at 12:15 P.M. Camp Smokey’s interagency team will be hosting an 80th birthday celebration for Smokey Bear. There will be activities, cake, and of course Smokey himself!

For more information, please visit the Camp Smokey webpage or follow us on Facebook.

REDDING, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management is offering opportunities to live and work in beautiful public land settings, in five Northern California volunteer camp host positions.

In Lassen County, the BLM has host openings at the Hobo Camp Day Use Area along the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail near Susanville, and at the North Eagle Lake Campground, which includes an undeveloped lakeside camping area. The Hobo Camp area is a popular trailhead for a nationally known Rail Trail, while the 20-unit North Eagle Lake Campground and nearby Rocky Point self contained camping area are popular with visitors to the second largest natural lake in California.

In Trinity County, campground hosts are needed for the Douglas City, Junction City and Steel Bridge campgrounds, all along the Trinity River. Douglas City, popular with anglers and boaters, has 23 tent and trailer campsites, showers and vault toilets. Junction City has 21 tent/trailer sites and offers potable water and vault toilets. The Steel Bridge facility has 13 tent/trailer sites. It is popular with anglers and boaters.

Hosts live on the sites in their own campers or recreational vehicles. The BLM provides hookups and a small stipend to help with living expenses. The hosts greet visitors and provide information, and complete light maintenance.

The camping season runs from mid April through mid November or slightly later, weather depending.

Those interested in the Hobo Camp and North Eagle Lake positions should contact the Stan Bales at the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, 530-257-0456 or at sbales@blm.gov. Information on the Trinity River sites is available from the Redding Field Office, 530-224-2100, or by emailing David Byers at dbyers@blm.gov.

Information is also available at www.volunteer.gov. A search feature provides links to each volunteer opportunity.