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Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping — Mojave National Preserve

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SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Hiking to the Kelso Dunes ridge and watching Joshua Trees dot the desert floor are the main draws along Kelbaker Road, a free dispersed camping corridor within Mojave National Preserve. Access varies. Sandy, rocky stretches with ruts and rivets make this road manageable in an AWD vehicle but risky for low-clearance rigs, and at least one camper scraped an undercarriage getting in. Pull-offs along Highway 127 work for campervans and RVs; tent campers should push further from the pavement. Cell service is available along the highway corridor, traffic is minimal overnight, and the site costs nothing. Nearby, Aiken Mine Road Dispersed — Mojave National Preserve provides a comparable alternative if conditions here don't suit your rig.

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Map & DirectionsKelbaker Road Dispersed Camping is located in California near Cima

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

35.15044762 N
115.72939518 W

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Connectivity

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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • 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

  • Tent Sites
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Fires

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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Reviews2 Camper Reviews - Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping

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3.5

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 7, 2025

Quiet, remote, accessible

I camped down the road from the designated camping grounds. The road is sandy, rocky, and hilly with rivets and ruts. I made it in an AWD Subaru, but be careful. I scraped the undercarriage in one spot of the road and worried about getting stuck in sand in several other spots. I chose a spot that looked previously used. It was spotlessly clean and even had a fire pit and wood left by generous previous campers. (I didn’t use the wood; maybe you will?) Took a mostly easy hike to the ridge of the dunes. Aside from the desert gnats, it was bug-free with decent temps.

SiteFurther down from the campsites
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping — Mojave National Preserve by Mara S., April 7, 2025
  • Review photo of Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping — Mojave National Preserve by Mara S., April 7, 2025
  • Review photo of Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping — Mojave National Preserve by Mara S., April 7, 2025
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2021

A place to sleep in the middle of nowhere (no 4wd required)

We tried to stay at a few of the other Mojave Preserve sites listed on the Dyrt (17 mile and Kelso dune)  when traveling between Joshua Tree and Death Valley), but a blown tire on our campervan rental meant that we couldn’t reach any of them as they were all down long dirt roads. With the sun setting and a limping van we had to find a new dispersed location.  [Disclaimer: we wouldn't have camped here unless we had other options. Leaving this review in case someone is in a similar situation— I was scouring Dyrt Pro offline for anywhere to go as we were searching that night and everything needed 4WD or a long drive down a dirt road]

The turn off was Aiken Mine Road and we went down it a bit to get off the main road and find a flat wider spot to safely camp.

Along Hwy 127 between I-40 and I-15 there are a number of  pull offs where you can spend the night in a campervan or RV (I wouldn’t recommend a tent unless you can get further off the road). This space we found was very wide and far enough off the road to be quiet, but not too far that we wouldn't be in trouble with the tire. Only one car passed between sunset and sunrise. There aren't a whole lot of options between Death Valley and Joshua Tree if you're traveling in the shorter days of winter and plan to see one of the parks during the day.

I'd only recommend this option if you just need a place to sleep during the dark hours.

There is actually some decent cell service in the Mojave preserve (along Hwy 127) . There are also call boxes about every 2 miles further along the 127.

Cost=$0 also means no amenities. But there were lots of Joshua Trees to be seen and a very, very beautiful night skies because there is NOTHING out here.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping — Mojave National Preserve by Stephanie Z., October 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping — Mojave National Preserve by Stephanie Z., October 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping — Mojave National Preserve by Stephanie Z., October 30, 2021
  • (9) View All
Showing results 1-2 of 2 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access camping areas along Kelbaker Road in the Mojave National Preserve?

Kelbaker Road runs through the Mojave National Preserve and offers various dispersed camping opportunities. Look for pull-offs and existing campsites along the road where others have camped before. The designated camping areas are accessible directly from the main road, though some spots require driving down sandy side roads. It's best to arrive during daylight hours to find suitable spots, as navigation can be challenging after sunset. Many campers choose locations that provide some privacy while still maintaining proximity to the main road.

Is there an entrance fee for camping in the Mojave National Preserve near Kelbaker Road?

Mojave National Preserve does not charge an entrance fee. Dispersed camping along Kelbaker Road is free, making it an economical option for visitors. While there's no fee for camping, remember to practice Leave No Trace principles during your stay. Always check the Mojave National Preserve's official website or contact the visitor center before your trip to confirm current fee policies, as regulations may change.

What are the road conditions like on Kelbaker Road for RVs and larger vehicles?

Kelbaker Road presents challenging conditions for RVs and larger vehicles. The road is sandy, rocky, and hilly with numerous ruts and rivets. Even AWD vehicles may scrape their undercarriage in certain sections, and there are spots where vehicles risk getting stuck in sand. Large RVs and vehicles without high clearance should exercise extreme caution or consider alternative camping locations. If you do attempt to access dispersed sites with a larger vehicle, carefully scout ahead on foot before committing to any side roads or pullouts.

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