BLM California COVID-19 Updates

A graphic depicting safe COVID related practices on public lands.

Reconnect with your local BLM Field Office

The BLM continues to work with local, state, and federal officials to support responsible recreation on public lands throughout California. At this time, many of our public rooms and visitors centers are beginning to open on a limited basis. Please check the list below to see what public rooms are open near you.

Despite some visitor center closures, millions of acres of BLM-managed public lands across California remain open to enjoy, as long as you do so responsibly and safely. Click here for more Responsible Recreation tips.

✅Find a recreation site that matches with what you want to do. Do you want to hike? Go fishing? Camping? https://www.blm.gov/visit

✅ Finally, check this interactive map to see if there are any fire or target shooting restrictions: https://go.usa.gov/xwRdk

Remember to plan ahead, be responsible, be safe and above all, have fun!

California State Office

Public Room

  • 8:30 am-4:30 pm M-F by appointment only.

Northern California District

Applegate Field Office

  • Public Room: 7:45 am-4:30 pm M-F
  • Surprise Field Station: The office is temporarily closed to in-person visits.

Arcata Field Office

  • Public Room: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for in-person visits and 7:45 am - 4:30 pm M-F virtual only - via email or phone.
  • King Range NCA: Walk up window open 7 days from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Eagle Lake Field Office

  • Public Room: 7:45 am - 4:30 pm M-F virtual only - via email or phone. The office is temporarily closed to in-person visits.
  • Litchfield Corral: Visitation by appointment. Please call 530-254-6575.

Redding Field Office

  • Public Room: 7:45 am to 4:30 pm Closed for lunch 11:30 to 12:30.

Central California District

Bakersfield Field Office

Bishop Field Office

  • Public Room: 8:30 am-4:30 pm M-F virtual only - via email or phone. The office is temporarily closed to in-person visits.

Central Coast Field Office

  • Public Room: The office is temporarily closed to in-person visits. 7:30 am-4:00 pm M-F virtual only - via email or phone.

Mother Lode Field Office

  • Public Room: Virtual Office Hours by EMAIL or PHONE Monday - Fridays 8:00am to 4:00pm. Office Lobby Hours by APPOINTMENT ONLY Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Ukiah Field Office

  • Public Room: 8:30 am-4:30 pm M-F virtual only - via email or phone. The office is temporarily closed to in-person visits.

California Desert District

Barstow Field Office

  • Public Room: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F by appointment only (in-person and virtual appointments available).

El Centro Field Office

  • Public Room: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, not to exceed 25% CDC occupancy requirements.  

Needles Field Office

  • Public Room: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. M-F virtual only - via email or phone. The office is temporarily closed to in-person visits.

Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office

Ridgecrest Field Office

  • Public Room: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. M-F virtual only - via email or phone. The office is temporarily closed to in-person visits.
  • Jawbone Canyon Visitors Center: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Monday thru Friday; 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Saturday;
    10:00 am - 2:00 pm Sunday.

 

Long-Term Visitor Areas

The Bureau of Land Management in California is planning to offer normal services and facilities at the Long-Term Visitor Areas (LTVA) for the upcoming winter season. The season will begin on schedule on September 15 at the following LTVAs:  

Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office 

  • Midland 
  • Mule Mountain

El Centro Field Office

  • Pilot Knob  
  • Tamarisk  

BLM staff will continue monitoring COVID-19 guidelines from state and local health officials, and we will adjust operations as needed to comply with those guidelines.  

While we plan to maintain facilities and services as we do each year, LTVA visitors can be best prepared by bringing their own sanitation supplies such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer. We remind our visitors to follow the CDC’s guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, including maintaining social distancing, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and staying home if you feel sick.   

We continue to keep most BLM public lands in California accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing the public to have a place to be socially distant, together. We appreciate our visitors’ cooperation in making this winter’s LTVA season a successful one.