Borax Bill Substation

Free camping with full hookups is rare. Borax Bill Substation, set within a city-managed park on the edge of the Mojave Desert outside California City, provides electric, water, and sewer connections at no cost, along with showers, a dump station, and drinking water.

The setup does come with some operational caveats worth knowing before arrival. The office runs Thursday through Tuesday, and showers require tokens that are only available when registration is open. Arriving outside those hours means the restroom and shower facilities may be locked until 6 a.m. the following morning, so timing your arrival matters. Dry camping is permitted on days the office is closed, giving flexibility for those who can manage without hookups. OHV activity is common in the surrounding desert, and as Brett L. notes, "you will probably hear some of them long into the night," particularly if you camp near the more active areas of the valley.

The terrain is open desert, with wide sightlines and dark skies after sundown. Wind tends to pick up in the evenings, so securing awnings before nightfall is a practical precaution. Nearby, Plants Foundation Desert Campsite offers another option for desert camping in the area. October through December tends to be the most comfortable window for a stay, when daytime temperatures drop enough to make the desert more hospitable for extended trips.