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Dispersed Camping

Wagon Wheel Staging Area

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Wagon Wheel Staging Area, near Ridgecrest, California, is a laid-back location perfect for those seeking a quiet escape in the desert. With its vast open spaces, you can easily find a spot to set up camp and enjoy the stunning desert scenery.

This area is known for its peaceful atmosphere, making it ideal for stargazing at night. Visitors have raved about the beauty of the surroundings, with one camper noting, “We woke up to find a beautiful spot.” While there are no amenities like drinking water or electric hookups, the presence of fire rings allows for cozy campfires under the stars.

For those who enjoy off-road adventures, the Wagon Wheel Staging Area provides access to nearby trails, making it a great base for exploring the rugged terrain. Just be prepared for chilly nights if you’re camping in the colder months, as temperatures can drop significantly after sunset.

If you're looking for a free and spacious place to unwind, this location is worth considering. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, as the area is quite remote and relies on visitors to keep it clean.

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Location

Wagon Wheel Staging Area is located in California

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

35.57210742 N
117.55070581 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Minietta Road

Minietta Road

55 min away

Headquarters Campground

Headquarters Campground

1 hr 22 min away

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No 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

  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 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

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Wagon Wheel Staging Area needs a permit.

Contact

General Info


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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

13 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2025

Super spot - great lookout

A fantastic spot. Great views, sheltered behind rocks, and even with clean restrooms. Many spots—some only accessible by 4WD due to deep sand and dry waterways. There are plenty of 2WD spots, though. Apparently popular with motocross riders on weekends. Everything was completely quiet for us. We were completely alone in the entire area. A wonderful place. We only had internet with T-Mobile across the road on the mountain.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Thomas R., September 30, 2025
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Thomas R., September 30, 2025
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Thomas R., September 30, 2025
  • (7) View All
Reviewed May. 28, 2025

Spacious, convenient, quiet

Nice place! Just came to camp a few days very quiet at night, doesn’t get too windy, very convenient to road and many spacious spots around near rocks. I can get up to 3 bars of cell AT&T service in some spots. Has one spot with nice shaded tree which also had a raven nest in there with a baby raven. You can see chuckwalla lizards sun on top of the rocks and we also got a visit from a sidewinder rattlesnake. Just be sure to wear boots, keep kids or animals close, respect the locals.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Stephanie F., May 28, 2025
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Stephanie F., May 28, 2025
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Stephanie F., May 28, 2025
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2024

Gorgeous but DON’T GO IN THE SUMMER

We arrived in the evening, when it was still 33 celcius (95f), but the whole day it was about 45 celcius (113f). So the place was as hot as it can be. But that won’t change my rating too much. Because if the weather was a bit cooler I would have loved this even more, when we woke up, we were greeted by a beautiful desert. If you have an AC that you can put on during the night, it shouldn’t be a problem!

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Roy V., July 24, 2024
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Roy V., July 24, 2024
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Reviewed Mar. 1, 2024

Great quiet spot

We stayed here 1 night and had the place to ourselves. It is a very large area and quite beautiful.

Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Trent B., March 1, 2024
Reviewed Jan. 17, 2024

Beautiful spot to stay

Arrived in the dark and woke up to find a beautiful spot. Quiet, plenty of space and very few people here. Be prepared for freezing temps overnight in colder months.

Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Diana P., January 17, 2024
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Diana P., January 17, 2024
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Diana P., January 17, 2024
Reviewed Mar. 12, 2022

Lots of space to spread out.

We drove our skoolie in and didn’t have any trouble with the small bumps and sand. There were a few rvs and one tent, but it is so spread out that we never heard them. There are two toilets as well. The location has access to off-road trails, but the riders stopped before dark and we had a quiet night.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Gretchen P., March 12, 2022
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Gretchen P., March 12, 2022
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Gretchen P., March 12, 2022
Reviewed May. 27, 2021

Awesome Boon Dock Spot!

We were the only ones here. So quiet and serene. Not a lot of glass in this spot like stated. We will be back one day.

SiteBLM
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by D T., May 27, 2021
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by D T., May 27, 2021
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by D T., May 27, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Apr. 7, 2021

A Nice Convenient Get Away

Was a nice and clean campsite! Plenty of space to branch out on your own. There were about 10 other groups there and still had plenty of space! It was also 100% free, which is even better! There were 2 or 3 restrooms from what I saw. I highly recommend this spot. Absolutely beautiful star gazing at night.

  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Brandon C., April 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Brandon C., April 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Brandon C., April 7, 2021
Reviewed Mar. 3, 2021

Great remote camping

We were fortunate and had the place to ourselves. The site was level and clean. There were plenty of options that had fire rings. I’m sure this place would be busy on the weekends or other times during the season. We had a nice dark sky for star gazing. We’ll definitely stop here again.

  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Michael A., March 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Michael A., March 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Michael A., March 3, 2021
Reviewed Feb. 11, 2021

Better than expected

I was hesitant about this site because it’s right off the road, but we actually really liked it! It’s literally a big open desert flat and you park wherever so there’s plenty of room for privacy. As far as facilities, there are 2 privies and that’s it, so you’ll be dry camping. Some sites are more trashed so watch for broken glass but overall it’s pretty clean. There are plenty of man made fire pits. Star gazing was on point! Sunrises and sunsets were also pretty dope. It’s a OHV staging area so there’s lots of people dirt biking in the morning but we were up by the time there started zooming around. We’d def stay here again for a night of rest after a day of driving.

  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Sara S., February 11, 2021
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Sara S., February 11, 2021
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Sara S., February 11, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jan. 26, 2021

random places to park for free

Super chill areas are perfect if you need to pull off and get rest. Nothing offered here so pack out what you pack in. I saw a lot of groups of people so crowds are welcomed.

  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Brittney  C., January 26, 2021
  • Review photo of Wagon Wheel Staging Area by Brittney  C., January 26, 2021
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Reviewed Aug. 29, 2018

Privacy an issue at Thanksgiving

There are no services available, you are boondocking. The views are awesome - great sunrises and sunsets. Most of the year you can be by yourself out here but at Thanksgiving be prepared to share. And remember what you take in you take out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the Wagon Wheel OHV Staging Area?

The staging area is easily accessible directly off the main road. The access points include both 2WD and 4WD options. While most of the main area can be reached with standard vehicles, be aware that some spots require 4WD due to deep sand and dry waterways. RVs and larger vehicles like skoolies can navigate the area with minimal difficulty, though you may encounter small bumps and sandy patches.

Is camping allowed at the Wagon Wheel OHV Staging Area?

Yes, camping is allowed and it's completely free. The area is essentially a large, open desert flat where you can park and camp wherever you choose. There's ample room for privacy even when other campers are present. Many visitors enjoy the spaciousness that allows groups to spread out while maintaining distance from others. The area can get busy during holidays like Thanksgiving, but is often quiet with few people during off-peak times.

What facilities are available at Wagon Wheel OHV Staging Area?

Wagon Wheel OHV Staging Area offers minimal facilities. There are 2-3 vault toilets/privies scattered throughout the area, but no water, electricity, or other services. This is a dry camping/boondocking location where you need to be fully self-sufficient. The area features several sites with fire rings, and there's plenty of open space to set up camp. Remember to pack out everything you bring in as there are no trash services available.

What are the trail conditions at Wagon Wheel OHV?

Wagon Wheel offers access to off-road trails that accommodate various OHV activities. The trail system is extensive, with riders typically active during daylight hours and quieting down before dark. Some areas have deep sand and dry waterways that require 4WD vehicles, while other sections are more accessible. The surrounding terrain features a mix of open desert flats and rocky areas that provide both challenge and scenic riding opportunities. The staging area serves as an excellent base camp for exploring these trails.