Hollister Field Office

Tumey Hills

View of Tumey Hills and Tumey Gulch, photo by BLM

View of the Tumey Gulch and Tumey Hills

wildfire, photo by BLM



NOTICE: FIRE RESTRICTIONS FOR THE SAN JOAQUIN MANAGEMENT AREA ARE IN EFFECT FROM APRIL 15 THROUGH THE BEGINNING OF UPLAND BIRD HUNTING SEASON


General Description: Like the Panoche Hills, the Tumey Hills were once part of a vast inland sea. If you look closely at the ground you will find evidence of the sea which once covered the Tumey Hills. The porous, light rocks at the east Tumey access are composed of diatoms, the tiny, bleached, shell-like skeletons of sea algae.

These annual grasslands are lovely in springtime, with beautiful wildflower displays.  The federally protected San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and giant kangaroo rat all make their homes in these hills, although they are rarely seen.

Visitor service improvements are now complete at the new day use facility, which features a parking area, a shade structure, picnic benches, a vault toilet, and a kiosk providing an interpretive panel, a map, and information about the area.

Activities

Hunting

Target Shooting

Camping

Biking

Equestrian

Hiking

Nature Study

 

 

Facilities

Picnic Shelter

Restroom

Parking Area

Information

  

 Tumey Hills User Map & Brochure:

Desert Hills of the San Joaquin Valley (17" x 17")

Recreation Opportunities: hunting, target shooting, hang gliding, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and birding. 

Birding: Birds of many species may be found including raptors, shrikes, and several species of songbird.

Camping: Dispersed camping is available in the Tumey Hills. There is no camping within 200 yards of any wildlife watering improvement. You must park within 15 feet (roughly one vehicle length) of any roadway when camping or leaving a vehicle unattended to minimize habitat and vegetation impacts. Although no reservations or fees are required, there is a 14 day camping limit within any 28-day period. Please remember to bring a shovel with you for both personal sanitation and fire prevention purposes.  Please utilize good camping ethics, and remember to pack out your garbage when you leave.

Hiking: No developed trails.

Hunting: Deer, pig, upland game bird, small game, and varmints.  Hunter walkthroughs are located near the vicinity of the western access point.

Restrictions: Closed to motorized use during fire season from mid-April to mid-October. No shooting zone within 150 yards of any developed area. There is no night hunting. Vehicles are restricted to designated routes. OHV’s are prohibited.



Directions: From Interstate-5, take the Panoche Road exit.  The first Tumey Hills access point is located roughly 3 miles from the Interstate.  Be aware that Panoche Road is not paved after the first mile.  The second Tumey Hills access point is about 5 miles beyond the first access point.  The Tumey Hills are closed to vehicle access with the onset of fire season. 

If you are coming from Hollister or King City (west), take State Highway 25 to the town of Paicines and head east on Tres Pinos Road; this becomes Panoche Road.  A 14-mile stretch of this route is unpaved.  Note that Jackass Pass in Fresno County is extremely hazardous in wet weather.

Rick Cooper, Field Manager
Bureau of Land Management
Hollister Field Office
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: (831) 630-5000
Fax: (831) 630-5055
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., M-F
Contact us by Email