Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the office addresses and telephone numbers?
  
  The main office and telephone number is:
  Barstow Field Office
  2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311
  (760) 252-6000 voice
  (760) 252-6099 FAX
  
  There are detached offices that cover the periphery of the Barstow Field Office. These are:
  
  Apple Valley Fire Center
  18809 Central Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307
  (760) 240-8500
  
  California Desert Management Project
  P.O. Box 2205, Yucca Valley, CA 92286
  (760) 365-0955 voice
  (760) 365-5526 FAX.
  
  El Mirage OHV Recreation Area
  73 Colusa Road, El Mirage, CA 92301
  (760) 388-4411 for lakebed and weather conditions and events
  (760) 388-4363 FAX.
  
  Shoshone Ranger Station
  P.O. Box 85, Shoshone, CA 92384
  (760) 852-4402, voice
  (760) 852-4231 FAX.
  
  
  
• Where can we camp?
  
  Most of the desert is open for camping, with some basic rules. See the camping page for more details.
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• Where can we shoot?
  
  Recreational shooting is a popular activity in the desert, but must be undertaken with caution and take into account scattered dwellings and other activities. See the Target Shooting page for more information.
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• Where can we ride?
  
  Off-highway vehicle use is the most recognized recreational use in the Barstow Resource Area. There are many places to ride in two general classes, Limited Use and Open Areas. For an overview, go to the Off-Highway Vehicle page.
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• In 1995, BLM began managing wilderness in the desert. What does this mean?
  
  There were many areas that have been under wilderness study as described in the California Desert Conservation Area Management Plan of 1980. Many of these areas became designated wilderness with the passage of the California Desert Protection Act of 1994. Please see the Wilderness page for more information.
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• How can we get a piece of land from the government?
  
  Many people call our office essentially asking about getting a homestead. The Homestead Act was repealed in 1976, with homestead claims in existence at that time being honored. The passage of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 established the Bureau of Land Management as a multiple use agency. The Bureau's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. As such, Bureau employees manage the lands under their stewardship for the Nation's benefit. There are occasional exchanges coming about to consolidate certain areas to make a more manageable land pattern. Other than that, there are no active sales of government land.
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• How do we get answers to our other questions?�
  
  Contact our office at the address and phone number at the top of this page, or send us a message here.