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Camper submitted image from Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation AreaView 5 Photos
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Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area

8 ReviewsAdd Review

A paved road leads into Jawbone Canyon OHV Area, transitioning to dirt as dispersed sites spread across rugged desert terrain. Campers can accommodate rigs up to 60 feet, though a higher-clearance vehicle helps on the unpaved sections. No water is available on-site, and the nearby Jawbone Canyon store charges around $40 for potable water for RVs, so arriving with a full tank is the practical move. Cell service runs at roughly one bar on Verizon.

Wind is a recurring factor here. Multiple reviewers mention it as significant enough to disrupt sleep, particularly for those in trailers. Shade is limited, and summer heat can be intense, though campers who time their visit for fall through spring generally find the temperatures more workable. Trash and broken glass have been noted across the area, a reflection of inconsistent cleanup practices from previous visitors.

OHV use defines the character of this campground. Trails range from beginner to advanced, and the dispersed layout gives groups room to spread out. Traffic tends to quiet down in the evenings, even on weekends. Weekdays bring noticeably fewer rigs and more space. Jawbone Canyon Road BLM Dispersed and BLM Jawbone Canyon Dispersed Site are nearby alternatives for those exploring campgrounds around Cantil.

"A paved road leads to endless dispersed camping options in a beautifully rugged canyon," notes James M. This campground is a solid match for OHV riders and self-sufficient overlanders who can arrive prepared and don't mind variable conditions.

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Map & DirectionsJawbone Canyon OHV Area is located in California near Cantil

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

35.31496921 N
118.04444718 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 12 users
    Last on 8/13/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 12 users
    Last on 8/13/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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General Info

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Reviews8 Camper Reviews - Jawbone Canyon OHV Area

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4.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the spacious, private sites and beautiful canyon scenery as major draws. Several guests observed the complete lack of amenities like water and showers, while some noted cleanliness concerns with scattered trash.

Reviewed May. 14, 2025

Windy good time

Great spot but very windy.

35.31333° N, 118.02982° W

the sunrise was beautiful!

Site35.31333° N, 118.02982° W
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 4, 2025

Windy

Plenty of spots right off the road. I drove in after dark and needed a place to sleep before I hit Death Valley. The wind was absolutely howling, but not too bad.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2025

Jawbone Canyon OHV

This is BLM land camping in an OHV area that we used for an overnight. For this purpose it was great. A paved road leads to endless dispersed camping options in a beautifully rugged canyon. There were a few OHVs but we arrived late on a weekday and OHV traffic stopped altogether in the evening. Wind was a problem and made sleeping hard. We camped in a 24’ travel trailer with a high clearance truck. While not necessary, the larger truck was nice to have on the dirt portions. There are sites that would be accessible by car as well just be more discerning. Verizon was at 1 bar the whole time.

Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Feb. 27, 2025

Good for Off Roading but filthy

Been here several times to boondock with our SxS. It's good off summer due to heat, plenty places to camp, but absolutely filthy because no one in SoCal knows how to clean up after them selves. Trash, ammo, and broken glass absolutely everywhere.

Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area by Christopher J., February 27, 2025
  • Review photo of Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area by Christopher J., February 27, 2025
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2023

beautiful big place

I really liked it! The place looks beautiful, especially with sunset and sunrise and there is a lot of space. Just the toilet was hard to find. You just have to drive 2 min more on the road. It doesn‘t have water, showers or trash dispencers.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area by Sina V., October 20, 2023
Reviewed Feb. 6, 2022

The price is right.

Hey, it's free. Weekends are busy but weekdays are exceptionally peaceful. Be advised the Jawbone canyon store charges RV's $40.00 for potable water. Fill up before you come out here.

Month of VisitJanuary
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2021

Lots of space to spread out!

Came here with friends to ride and we had a great time. We showed up on a Friday with plenty of sites still available. Everything is so spread out that we had a lot of privacy to ourselves.

It can get really warm so we set up under a shaded tree which helped a lot. We had a fire pit for the evenings too, so that was nice.

Lots of trails to ride - for beginners to advanced. We zipped around in a side by side and everyone was responsible and nice.

I'd definitely recommend this spot of you are looking for a quiet place to camp with privacy and ample space.

SiteUnknown
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area by Natalie T., July 11, 2021
  • Review photo of Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area by Natalie T., July 11, 2021
  • Beautiful hyperlapse of the sunset!
    Play button icon
Showing results 1-8 of 8 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Jawbone Canyon Campground located in California?

Jawbone Canyon is located in Eastern Kern County, California, at approximately 35.31333° N, 118.02982° W. It's situated in a rugged desert canyon area that's part of the Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area. The campground is accessible via paved roads and serves as a convenient overnight stop for travelers en route to nearby destinations like Death Valley. The location features beautiful desert landscapes with spectacular sunrise and sunset views.

What camping facilities are available at Jawbone Canyon?

Jawbone Canyon offers dispersed boondocking camping with no hookups or developed facilities. There are numerous camping spots spread throughout the area, providing good privacy between sites. Basic amenities include fire pits at some locations. The area has vault toilets, though they may require a short drive to access. No water, showers, or trash dispensers are available on-site, so campers should come prepared with their own supplies and plan to pack out all waste.

Is Jawbone Canyon open for OHV (off-highway vehicle) recreation?

Yes, Jawbone Canyon is actively open for OHV recreation as it's part of the Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area. The area is popular for off-highway vehicles, particularly side-by-sides (SxS) and other recreational vehicles. There are extensive riding opportunities throughout the canyon with plenty of space for vehicles. OHV activity is typically higher on weekends, while weekdays offer more peaceful conditions with significantly less traffic. The terrain provides diverse riding experiences in a scenic desert setting.

What services are offered at the Jawbone Canyon store?

The Jawbone Canyon store sells potable water, which is particularly important since the camping area itself doesn't have water facilities. RV owners should be aware that the store charges approximately $40 for water fill-ups, so it's recommended to fill your tanks before arriving to avoid this expense. For other supplies and services, it's best to come fully prepared or check with the store directly about current offerings and hours of operation.

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