ShareTrails | Keysville Recreation Plan in California- Massive Dispersed Camping Limitations

The Bureau of Land Management in California is accepting comments through August 30,2024 on the environmental assessment for the proposed Keysville Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP). This plan will significantly limit dispersed camping options near Lake Isabella and northeast of Bakersfield. Scoping began a decade ago for this project in 2014 now more than a decade later the Bakersfield Field Office has given only two alternatives to current management. The goals identified for the project include accommodating for the growing recreational demands and evaluate which unauthorized routes could be permanently added into the road system yet they do not actually propose to increase mileage open to the public. The proposals also include motorized trial bike courses.

One of the main points of concern for this area is free and dispersed camping. Generally BRC supports plans that include all forms of camping opportunities for those who have various camping preferences such as free and dispersed campsites and developed campgrounds. Both alternatives propose to limit where free dispersed camping can take place. The graphs are misleading as you will see below. It shows that current management has 50 campsites and they are proposing 100 or 200 campsites depending on the alternative. It looks as though they are increasing camping opportunities. It only looks this way because they are proposing to make free, dispersed camping illegal and only providing a finite amount of camping spots within this recreational area. Please fill out the form below to submit a comment to your elected officials and the BLM. Although we don’t oppose creating designated camping areas BRC also advocates for areas that allow opportunities in these areas for all camping preferences.

No action alternative (current management): dispersed camping is currently allowed in the French Gulch and Gold Fever Recreation Management Zones (RMZ’s). Dam and Wallow Rock RMZ’s prohibit dispersed camping and would designate dispersed campsites. This is not current management however.

Vehicle access to Kern River would be prohibited with 100 feet of the river other than boat launches in the Dam RMZ. No new staging areas or roads would be constructed.

Alternative 1: Within the Dam and Wallow Rock RMZ’s camping would only be permitted in designated campsites (up to 50 in each zone). Dispersed camping would be allowed in the French Gulch and Gold Fever RMZ’s in certain areas.

BLM would build 5 trial bike courses. This alternative will also close and re-route certain motorized trails. New parking areas would be developed in Dam and Wallow Rock RMZ’s. Permits will also be required for all non-commercial river rafting.

Alternative 1 will also approve different group size limitations for non-motorized and motorized groups (250 motorized participants and 125 vehicles).

Alternative 2: Dam and Wallow Rock RMZ’s will only allow designated dispersed camping and will create up to 100 campsites. Dispersed camping will only be allowed in certain areas in the French Gulch and Gold Fever RMZ’s as is in Alternative 1.

15 trail bike courses would be constructed. The BLM will also construct a new one way paved road to Slippery Rock Boat Launch and a new down hill singletrack route for race events. This alternative will also set a higher number of allowable people in a group for motorized and non-motorized groups (300 motorized participants and 150 vehicles)