Where the Carrizo Plain meets the Caliente Range, Selby Campground sits on Bureau of Land Management property accessible year-round through gravel roads that can turn washboarded between maintenance cycles. The campground remains hidden from view until visitors reach the site itself, creating what Sergio C. describes as "a secluded campground away from view from the road."
Each of the limited sites includes a picnic table, fire pit, and shade structure, with spacing that keeps neighbors relatively close together. Two unisex vault toilets serve the campground, and three potable water spigots provide drinking water for on-site use. No cell service reaches the campground proper, though hikers report finding Verizon and AT&T coverage on the hill behind the sites. The area attracts primarily smaller rigs, with tent campers, van dwellers, and truck campers making up most visitors.
Spring brings wildflower displays when winter rains cooperate, while the Selby Rocks formation closes from March through July for migratory bird protection. The campground provides access to the Caliente Mountain Ridge Trail and serves as a base for exploring petroglyphs on rocks near a historic barn down the road. Campers looking for additional options in the region can explore camping near BLM Land — Bakersfield Field Office. Pack-in, pack-out policies help maintain this free camping opportunity.
Description
Camping is available on a first come-first serve basis. Thirteen campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, horse corrals and a wheelchair accessible vault toilet. Electricity and drinking water is not available. There is no garbage service, please act responsibly and pack out any refuse you have. This campground is more secluded and the camper is only steps away from unlimited hiking in the Wilderness Study Area that lies outside the campground.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundSelby Campground is located in California
Directions
Once on Carrizo Plain National Monument, continue on Soda Lake Road until you arrive at sign for Selby Campground. Turn onto Selby Road and travel 4.5 miles to campground.
Address
Bureau of Land Management
Bakersfield Field Office
3801 Pegasus Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Coordinates
35.1281 N
119.8409 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/6/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/6/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/6/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/6/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/6/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/6/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 14 min from San Luis Obispo, CA
- 2 hrs 26 min from Bakersfield, CA
- 2 hrs 40 min from Santa Maria, CA
- 4 hrs 1 min from Oxnard, CA



















