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Red Hills Recreation Management Area

Chinese Camp, California · Tuolumne County

Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY. NOTICE: Red Hills ACEC is Day Use Only. No camping on public lands within the Red Hills ACEC. Overview The Red Hills is a region of 7,100 acres of public land located near the intersection of State Highways 49 and 120, just south…

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About Red Hills Recreation Management Area

Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY. NOTICE: Red Hills ACEC is Day Use Only. No camping on public lands within the Red Hills ACEC. Overview The Red Hills is a region of 7,100 acres of public land located near the intersection of State Highways 49 and 120, just south of the historic town of Chinese Camp in Tuolumne County. The Red Hills are noticeably different from the surrounding countryside. The serpentine-based soils in the area support a unique assemblage of plant species. Included among the thorny buckbrush and foothill pine is a rich variety of annual wildflowers. View Flickr Album to see the beauty of the Red Hills. In the Red Hills buckbrush and other shrubs provide browse and seeds for small populations of mammals, including mule deer, jackrabbits, and rodents. Coyotes, bobcats and fox can also be found in the Red Hills. Approximately 88 bird species have been observed in the Red Hills. Some common species include mourning dove, acorn woodpecker, ash-throated flycatcher, scrub jay, wrentit, plain titmouse, bushtit, Bewick's wren, and house finch. Valley quail and mourning doves are the major game birds in the Red Hills. An abundant insect population supports insectivorous birds including western kingbirds, ash- throated flycatcher, tree swallows, barn swallows, black phoebes, and others. Raptors include the red-tailed hawk, Cooper's hawk, prairie falcon, and great horned owl. Fish-eating birds seen in the Red Hills include the belted kingfisher and great blue heron. Roadrunners can also be found. Wintering bald eagles roost along the shores of Don Pedro Reservoir and have been observed where Six Bit Gulch enters the lake. As many as 20 bald eagles have been sighted during the winter on the shores of Don Pedro Reservoir, roosting in stands of foothill pines. Hunting and Shooting Info - Red Hills No target shooting Discharge of firearms is prohibited except in the course of licensed, in-season hunting acti

Plan Your Visit to Red Hills Recreation Management Area

Heading to Red Hills Recreation Management Area? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for Red Hills Recreation Management Area?

No central reservation system listed for Red Hills Recreation Management Area. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/613) for the latest entry policy and availability.

How do I get to Red Hills Recreation Management Area?

From Sonora, take State Highway 49 south 15-miles to Chinese Camp, then drive south on Red Hills Road for 1/2 mile.

How do I contact Red Hills Recreation Management Area?

You can reach the park at phone: 916-941-3101 or email: BLM_CA_Web_ML@blm.gov.