Which Southwestern state has the most open public lands?

[PJS]

I was just wondering if someone knew which state in the SW has the largest amount of public land open to the public? Out of general curiosity. I live in FL and am not familiar with the SW. I've been doing some research on where to go next year for some tracking down of old stories, but I'm concerned about beign blocked by private/ federal (as in military) land. Naturally I would try to find out ahead of time before hitting any of the sites I am interested in, but was curious as to which state has the most public land, if anyone knows. Thanks.

 

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[pegleglooker]

I doubt if it's California.....

PLL

 

[FL Junkman]

It might be Nevada. More than 77% of that state's land is in public ownership.

FL Junkman

 

[Farmercal]

I second Nevada, heard on a TV show just the other day, (might have been Jepardy).

 

[arizonaames]

I was just wondering if someone knew which state in the SW has the largest amount of public land open to the public? Out of general curiosity. I live in FL and am not familiar with the SW. I've been doing some research on where to go next year for some tracking down of old stories, but I'm concerned about beign blocked by private/ federal (as in military) land. Naturally I would try to find out ahead of time before hitting any of the sites I am interested in, but was curious as to which state has the most public land, if anyone knows. Thanks.

AZ and NV are both good. Pretty gold in AZ usually intermingled with quartz. Northern NV also good gold country and some decent nuggets found there but you must be lucky. I do better at the blackjack tables in Reno.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I've not had any troubles hunting various places I've stopped while traveling the southwest. Oftentimes we'd travel back-roads following a research lead or whatever, and the amount of open space is mind-blowing. When we'd stop to check out an out-of-place tree, or old foundations seen in the distance or whatever, we've not had any problems.

 

[johnnycat]

Unfortunately here in New Mexico, "Open Space' is not always public. We found that out in a very rude manner this Summer.

 

[lastleg]

Johnnycat: What happened in New Mexico? It and Colorado have always
been cordial to me. Only had one bad experience in Arizona with the
Forest Service Shedevil at Prescott. Join a club where you want to go
and 'No Problemo'. lastleg

 

[crazyjarhead]

I'd say Nevada