Google Maps does not have a color for BLM land. However you can use Google Maps to help you pinpoint BLM campsites, and to find other BLM areas. Google Maps will also let you place a pin on a campsite and then give you driving directions there.
What Color is BLM Land on Google Maps?
Google Maps does not use color to distinguish to jurisdictions, with the exception of cities, military areas, and Indian reservations. Instead, BLM lands, as well as forests and parks are identified by angular boundaries. The shades of white, tan, brown, and green are used to identify variances of vegetation, trees, and soil compositions.
- Not all BLM lands are represented by angular boundaries. The only BLM lands identified by angular boundaries are national monuments.
Use FreeRoam to Find All BLM Lands
You can find free BLM lands using another camping app called, “FreeRoam“. FreeRoam contains BLM land boundaries, and it links these locations to Google Maps so that you can save places and get turn-by-turn driving directions.
- Install FreeRoam to Your Phone or Tablet
FreeRoam is available on both Google Play and Apple App Store. FreeRoam is completely free, and it contains no ads, despite what Google Play says.
- Tap on the Layers Icon to enable both “BLM Land” and “Satellite”
You will now see orange shaded areas laid over a satellite map. These orange shaded areas are BLM lands. You can camp for free on these lands, as long as there is a public road leading into these lands.
- Look for Roads Leading into BLM Lands
Follow these roads until you see a clearing where you can pull your vehicle off to and camp. You’ve now found free BLM camping.
How to Use FreeRoam and Google Maps Together
Google Maps Shows Locations of Certain BLM Areas
Google Maps will display pin markers of certain BLM areas…
- Developed campgrounds
- BLM field offices
- Visitor centers
- OHV areas
But there is no way to find all of these BLM areas easily. Google’s naming convention is woefully inconsistent, and still relies heavily on crowdsourcing. You can try searching Google Maps for “BLM” or “OHV” and hope for the best.
Very helpful, thanks!
March 10, 2021 at 8:08 am