Best Campgrounds near Amboy, CA

I would give this 5 stars if we had been given the option to move to one of the tent sites that had more of a wind block. Instead the campground was pretty empty but they put us at the back of the campground completely exposed to the wind. Unfortunately the desert is somewhere where it is always a little windy. Now I am familiar to camping in the wind so was able to make do but there were more sheltered spots that would have been preferred

Everything slopes to the south. We had one other camper join us that evening. This is a great spot.

Nous avons dormis ici hier soir, nous étions seuls. L’endroit est magnifique!!!

This campground lies within the most populous state in our union, but feels like it’s a million miles from nowhere. The only thing that might remind you of civilization is the distant glow of interstate trucks moving along the highway which cuts through the Mojave National Preserve some 30 miles distant. 

Situated on a high vantage point the sites offer options to observe the vastness of this desert plain. The sites are mostly small with only a few offering room for larger rigs but lots of space in between sites. The campground loop road is dirt and narrow, so maybe scout ahead if you need more clearance for turns. 

The picnic table, tent pad, and fire ring are cool, and the vault toilets are super clean, at least when we were there. Fresh water is available at the Visitor’s Center just down the road. 

You can hike, road bike or mountain bike right out of the campsite. In fact, one of the coolest hikes we’ve been on is the famous “hole in the wall” which makes you twist through these beautiful marble canyon walls. While it’s not for the faint of heart, it is easy enough for anyone who can climb a ladder. Other, less committing hikes are all around, including some longer distance trails. 

Access to the campground and visitor’s center is easy and paved, but north of the campground the road is 4 wheel drive access only. This makes it great for mountain or cyclocross bikes, with fewer cars and traffic. Driving through the park can be an adventure in and of itself -- defnitely go see the Joshua Tree forest and the lava caves on the north side of the preserve.  

There’s not much nearby at all so come prepared to be self-sufficient. The nearest towns with restaurants are to the east or west along the interstate.

This campground lies within the most populous state in our union, but feels like it’s a million miles from nowhere. The only thing that might remind you of civilization is the distant glow of interstate trucks moving along the highway which cuts through the Mojave National Preserve some 30 miles distant. 

Situated on a high vantage point the sites offer options to observe the vastness of this desert plain. The sites are mostly small with only a few offering room for larger rigs but lots of space in between sites. The campground loop road is dirt and narrow, so maybe scout ahead if you need more clearance for turns. The picnic table, tent pad, and fire ring are cool, and the vault toilets are super clean, at least when we were there. 

Fresh water is available at the Visitor’s Center just down the road. You can hike, road bike or mountain bike right out of the campsite. In fact, one of the coolest hikes we’ve been on is the famous “hole in the wall” which makes you twist through these beautiful marble canyon walls. While it’s not for the faint of heart, it is easy enough for anyone who can climb a ladder. Other, less committing hikes are all around, including some longer distance trails. 

Access to the campground and visitor’s center is easy and paved, but north of the campground the road is 4 wheel drive access only. This makes it great for mountain or cyclocross bikes, with fewer cars and traffic. Driving through the park can be an adventure in and of itself. There’s not much nearby at all so come prepared to be self-sufficient. The nearest towns with restaurants are to the east or west along the interstate.

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.

Stayed here two nights, nicely spread out sites, with a variety of types. Walk in, drive in, pull through etc. Nice area away from traffic and noise. NPS staff a nearby visitor friendly. we did a few nearby hikes. Was a bit windy and rained a bit, but that’s what happens in April.

Stayed here a couple nights to rest on our travels and it was nice. It was getting pretty hot already during March but was safe and no litter.

There are a few options available depending on how far you're willing to push your vehicle into sandy terrain. If you don't turn into the most obvious site by the boulders right away, then you'll get to a four way intersection each way leading to different options.

Regardless of where you are, I find that I was able to hear the cars from the road. It's not bad but something to consider.

Pit toilets are available and maintained. Mossies have fire rings as this seems to be a decommissioned campground. Very spotty cell connection. Great views of the dunes.

The campsite is great, quiet and tidy. The surrounding environment is very nice and suitable for stargazing.

Such an amazing spot to tent camp! Definitely narrow spots for bigger vehicles, but for car-camping with tents, it was perfect! Scored this site on a busy weekend using Dyrt Alerts - the pictures say it all: secluded site, epic sunrise & sunset viewing from scaling the rocks in the campsite, beautiful star-gazing. I will say that despite the "secluded" feel, our neighbors were still really close and noisy late into the night, but the greatness of our site honestly outweighed that disruption for me personally.

We did have a coyote visitor twice in the morning, so don't forget to keep your food/trash locked up from critters!

Originally booked this site because it is a good endpoint for the California Riding & Hiking trail though the national park, so if you’re looking to run or complete the traverse, it is a good spot to campout and/or leave a car. There are also great hiking trails right next to the campground. The campground is also super close to the towns of Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree for picking up supplies, enjoying the local Luna bakery (we went 3 times in 2 days!)

Only downside was sites felt really close together (particularly site 56, although some looked better), so noise levels were a little rough.

We were able to score this site on a Saturday night during the spring break season using Dyrt Alerts!

This is one of my favorite campgrounds.  It's easy to get to and is in the middle of the beautiful Mojave Preserve.  All camp sites now must be reserved on Recreation.Gov.  Luckily, we had enough bars on Verizon to do it on the spot when we arrived.  We found plenty of sites available that were large enough for our 30 foot travel trailer.  The campground was only about a quarter full.

Although the campground is dry camping, there is a dump site and water is available to top off your tank.  They also provide trash receptacles.  

The nearby visitor center closes at 1500, and there is no store or fuel in Mojave.  Most people drive to Baker, CA for fuel, or over to AZ, about an hour away.  I would come next time with a fuller tank of fuel.

This is a decent spot for an overnight stay. Not really pleasant location though. Lots of others in this dry lake bed. Also be careful as some areas can be muddy/soft.

Huge open horse camp with 10 corrals, picnic tables, bbqs and fire rings, pick your spot anywhere you like. Almost all sloped but not awful. Lot gets regularly graded. Central water location so you do have to schlepp your water to the corrals. Trails are amazing. There is even an overland trail from here to the south end of Joshua Tree NP which is around 35 miles long.

I love this campground. The scenery is gorgeous and there are several interesting hiking trails. The campsites are spread out. A great place to enjoy the desert, especially in the winter.

There's indeed plenty of room, but come during daylight hours. Otherwise, you might encounter some unpleasant surprises with the nails and other debris (shell casings, broken glass, metal fragments) scattered across the field. We'll thank the neighbors for the use of their generator all over the night…