Wild Cow Springs Campground
RV Guide
Introduction
Wild Cow Springs Campground is a Bureau of Land Management property located on the east slopes of the Hualapai Mountains in Arizona. The campground is situated at 6200 feet, and the climate here is cooler than the surrounding Arizona desert valleys and floor, which see temperatures that are often 20 degrees higher than at the Wild Springs Campground. The high elevations coupled with the green vegetation on the Hualapai Mountains at the BLM campground, which features pine and oak groves, create shade and keep visitors cool. The high elevation also provides amazing panoramic views of the desert floor below.
The campground accommodates RVs and tent campers. However, the access road is difficult to travel on for large RVs and tow vehicles, as it is rough, narrow, and winding, and can be in poor condition depending on recent weather. Most visitors accessing the site use 4x4 vehicles with good clearance. Visitors will find vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and trash receptacles at the campground, which makes an excellent staging area for hiking and exploring the Hualapai Mountain wilderness areas.
Hiking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle activities, sightseeing, and climbing are all popular activities while staying at the Wild Cow Springs Campground. The campground is only lightly used and provides solitude and serenity for those looking to enjoy a natural, high desert wilderness experience.
Several national forests are located within a reasonable driving distance of Wild Cows Springs Campground. Visit the Prescott National Forest, Mojave National Preserve, and Grand Canyon National Park while in the region.
RV Rentals in Wild Cow Springs Campground
Transportation
Driving
The access route to the BLM Wild Cow Springs Campground in Arizona is suitable for 4x4 vehicles, and in dry weather, two-wheel-drive passenger vehicles with good clearance can also access the campground. The site is not recommended for larger RVs or tow vehicles. While traveling in the region during the summer months, please note that high temperatures in the desert landscape at the lower elevations can be hard on vehicles. Ensure you have adequate fuel and fluid levels, and that your “ride” can withstand the harsh hot climate. Take extra water for drinking and for topping up coolant levels if required.
Services and amenities for travelers are available in Kingman, Arizona.
To reach Wild Cow Springs from Kingman, head east on Interstate 40 for six miles, them take the DW Ranch road south for 4.5 miles to Hualapai Mountain Road. Proceed down the Hualapai Mountain Road for 14 miles, through the Hualapai Mountain County Park, to Pine Lake. At the Pine Lake Fire Station, take a right onto the Flag Mine Road. This is an unpaved, single-lane road with tight turns. The Wild Cow Springs Campground is about a five-mile drive down this road.
Hualapai Mountain Road is paved and easily traversed. However, the Flag Mine Road access is only appropriate for high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. For the adventurous with suitable vehicles, the access road to Wild Cow Springs Campground is especially scenic with views of the valleys below, and high desert terrain and vegetation. Take a spare tire and tools as the road is rough and can result in tire blowouts and break downs.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Wild Cow Springs Campground
Campsites in Wild Cow Springs Campground
First-come first-served
Wild Cow Springs Campground
The BLM Wild Cow Springs Campground has tent sites, and sites appropriate for small and moderate-sized RVs and tow trailers, if your vehicle has high clearance. There are 24 sites at the campground with picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. There are vault toilets and waste receptacles so you don't have to pack out your trash.
The campground is open from May to October for a nominal fee, and sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Pets are permitted. There is no water supply, nor electric hookups or RV dump stations. The campground is located at high elevation and has significant vegetation, including ponderosa pine and oak trees, which provide shade to campers, making it cooler than many of the surrounding camping areas. Most of the sites are naturally dirt surfaced and level; however, there is one hard-surfaced, ADA accessible site. You will need to bring your own water supply and firewood.
Seasonal activities in Wild Cow Springs Campground
Off-Season
OHV
Off-highway vehicles are permitted in designated areas on public lands in the Wild Cow Springs Campground Region. The access road to Wild Cow Springs is part of a network of backcountry roads that thread through the wilderness region area, and are rough and appropriate for 4x4 vehicles.
A couple of hours to the south, OHV enthusiasts can visit the 1500 acre, Crossroads OHV Open Area, which has excellent terrain for ATVs, jeeps, dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles. Your vehicle must be licensed for use in public lands and drivers should wear approved helmets at all times on the rough terrain.
Oatman Ghost Town
The Oatman Ghost Town is a definite must see while visiting the region. It's a great trip on a summer day when it is too hot for outdoor activities, or when temps are chilly during the winter. The ghost town is located in the Black Mountains to the south, a couple of hours drive from Wild Cow Springs.
The site began as a small mining settlement in the early 1900s, and was virtually abandoned by the 1960s. The town is now a thriving tourist attraction with the renewed interest in sites along Route 66. This “old west” town stages gunfights on weekends and attracts vintage cars along its main street.
There are several historic buildings, including the hotel, which dates back to 1902. Wild burros roam the town streets and can be fed burro “treats” available at local stores. The town is a popular filming location for movies; you may even recognize some of the buildings from famous movies that have used the site!
Auto Touring
The backcountry roads southeast of Kingsman provide excellent auto touring opportunities, especially if you have a 4 x 4 with high clearance to explore some of the rougher and more inaccessible backcountry roads. Views from roads that climb up into the mountains have especially spectacular views, and the routes are a great way to enjoy the local wilderness area.
Looking for something completely different? Follow historic Route 66. Route 66 has recently seen renewed interest and activity with a resurgence in nostalgia for the famous mid-twentieth century route and its numerous roadside attractions.
In-Season
Horseback Riding
Trails along the slopes of the Hualapai Mountains and in the desert wilderness areas are popular with equestrians. Several local outfitters, ranches, equestrian campsites, stables, and riding clubs in the area facilitate and conduct riding activities in the area.
The Blake Ranch Horse Motel is only 12 miles north of the Wild Cow Springs Campground and provides overnight accommodations for visitors and their four-legged friends looking to explore the beautiful riding country. Spring and fall are the most popular times for riding in the region as temperatures are more moderate.
Hiking
Hike in the wilderness areas around the Wild Cow Springs Campground on informal trails, or use the adjacent Hualapai Mountain Park, which contains 10 miles of developed trails for hikers to enjoy. Hikers will experience significant elevation changes and vegetation, and wildlife typical of upper elevation desert habitat.
Rocky outcroppings, rough ground, and tough desert vegetation require good hiking boots to protect your feet and ankles. Also, keep an eye out for rattlesnakes along the trail. These shy creatures are generally not aggressive, but they sure don’t like being stepped on! While hiking you will enjoy panoramic views and unique geological features. Watch out for equestrians and cyclists that also use the trail system in the region.
Climbing
The Hualapai Mountains are the highest mountain peaks in the region, with 6000 feet of vertical climb from the desert floor to the peaks. The mountains are dotted with massive granite boulders and outcroppings. Hiking trails lead to the bases of the Hulapai Mountain Peak, where mountaineers can then scramble over rocky terrain and do some exposed climbing near the summit to reach the top. The Hualapai Mountain Peak is accessible all year round, with the most popular times for climbing being in the spring and fall when temperatures are moderate. Thunderstorms are prevalent in the area and can be hazardous for climbers on exposed mountain rock faces, so keep an eye to the sky. There is seldom any snow to contend with in the winter, although the temperatures are quite chilly during the winter months.
