Camping With Cows

So we have camped with cows before, but usually there are only a few running around and they don’t get too close to camp. We just spent a little over a week at Indian Bread Rocks where a decent sized herd of cows had no problem walking right up to our camper.

Arizona is one of multiple open-range states in the U.S.A.. Open-range allows livestock to roam freely munching to their little hearts content in certain remote parts of the state.  The responsibility for keeping livestock off property falls on the property owner, not the livestock owner. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers thousands of permits and leases to ranchers each year who graze their livestock on BLM land.

The herd at Indian Bread Rocks strolled by our campsite multiple times a day while we were there. Everest loved watching them walk by from the door and window. Dexter is not a fan of cows though. These cows got so close to the camper sometimes I think I could of pet one through the window. One day the little black calf in the picture above scratched his butt on the tailgate of our truck for a good 5 minutes.

There were a number of babies in the herd and they were a hoot to watch running around and playing with each other.  They definitely recognized the ranchers ATV and truck. The minute they saw him on the road they would start chasing after him. And I know this may sound a bit weird, but the large bull of the herd was a magnificent looking beast.

So if you boondock on BLM land a lot or plan to chances are good you may share your spot with one of these walking beef sticks. General rule of thumb is you don’t mess with them and they won’t mess with you. Just keep an eye out for those cow patties while your walking about, because they are everywhere!