Top Free Dispersed Camping near Amboy, CA

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Amboy

116 Reviews of 30 Amboy Campgrounds

• J

  John M.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 26, 2024

  Razor Road Dispersed Camping

  Peaceful and quiet with lots of space

  Verizon had excellent reception, enough room between campers to run a generator without bothering anyone. Lots of litter everywhere. It would be nice if people would haul out more trash than what they bring in. After all it is free camping.

• C

  Carson S.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 25, 2024

  BLM Dispersed Camping at Joshua Tree

  Definition of Dispersed Camping

  Everything about this site is not only free, but literally free to park and camp anywhere. There are private properties around, so just double check, but for the most part its wife open land to camp. Also currently in a fire ban, but that should be getting lifted in October. So campfires would be a great idea out here as well.

• 

  Julia H.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 6, 2024

  Razor Road Dispersed Camping

  Ehh

  It was an aight spot. did the job. the spots are like behind a sketchy gas station, so i drove down a little bit so i wasn’t near it. tons of garbage. other than that, decent morning view ! stayed safe the whole night. can’t complain.

• 

  joel G.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 8, 2024

  Gold Park Road Camp

  South of 29 Palms

  Takes a bit of time to find just the right spot, as some areas are a little trashy. Quiet, beautiful evening sunset enjoyed. Cools down nicely at night.

• N

  Nikolas P.

  Traveler

  

  May. 29, 2024

  Kelso Dunes Dispersed

  Great spot

  Really nice area. Only one other person on a Thursday night. Room for 5-6 different campsites, plus overflow onto the road. Next to the dunes. Highly recommend hiking up them.

• 

  Evan F.

  Scout

  

  May. 24, 2024

  Indian Springs near lava field

  Seclusion

  Amazing view and secluded period Take the road all the way down until it ends comma about two miles comma and there's a cul-de-sac that would be great for a small group. Please respect the land: keep it down and pack it out!

• 

  Jami C.

  Traveler

  

  May. 21, 2024

  Granite Pass in Mojave National Park

  Beautiful, but critters and thorns

  Traveling across country, Jeep camping. Spot was perfect and beautiful. Could have been off the road a bit more considering the amount of traffic for such a remote spot. Make sure to wear shoes as there are thorns. Also be ready to wake up to critters (mice? Chipmunks?) running across your exhaust, chewing on their dinner.

• D

  Daniel H.

  Traveler

  

  May. 12, 2024

  Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping

  GOOD ENOUGH

  The area was easy to navigate; even when we pulled in late at night. There were a lot of people coming in and out as well. I wouldn’t recommend if you’re looking for privacy. Aside from that, I would camp if you’re looking for something easy, safe, and accessible.

• 

  Josee D.

  Traveler

  

  May. 10, 2024

  Kelbaker Boulders Dispersed — Mojave National Preserve

  Magnificent

  We couldn’t believe we were the only ones here, incredibly beautiful, clean, peaceful with beautiful sun sets and sun rises. We stayed there for 4 days and didn’t see anyone. Our dogs enjoyed it tremendously too.

• J

  Jin S.

  Scout

  

  May. 9, 2024

  Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping

  Some areas are private land

  Nice area but we were told that some areas have now become private land, so that’s something to watch out for.

• 

  Doc P.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 21, 2024

  North Lava Tube Camp

  Perfect desert camping for beginners and families.

  Just 10 miles down a great, stereotypical, paved desert road off of I-15 you’ll find an unmarked turnoff as the road curves. The turnoff quickly becomes a dirt road that runs straight for miles. On the right side is the Mojave National Wilderness and on the left is the Mojave National Preserve where camping is allowed in designated areas only. These are marked pretty well and can easily accommodate groups (see “camping” below). The road is easy (see “Approach” below) and I’d feel comfortable taking a 2wd sedan to at least the first campsite which is only about 200m from the road. Fires are allowed in fire pits only which both sites I saw have.

  Camping There are two designated dispersed campsites that I saw. I didn’t drive much past the second site though the road wasn’t difficult. The sites are well established and well marked. Some places look like they could be campsites but they are marked as “No Camping.” Look for the established areas with a fire pit that have the designated camping signs. They are located next to rock formations that help block the wind and give you a place to get on top of to look around. Watch out for snakes! The first one is maybe 200m down the road on the left. It has a driveway leading to a circular area so it would be good for a pull through camper or two. It’s large enough for a few campers, I’d say, or several vehicles. Pretty ideal if you had a horse trailer (there is not water source) as across the site is a good equestrian/hiking trail. I chose this one because it was actually smaller and I didn’t want to take up the larger second site. The second site is visible from the first but not close enough to interact much. The rock formation is larger, it’s more hidden from the main road, and has more space for vehicles. Better for a group - even a large one. Check the sign on the way into the preserve to make sure fires are allowed that day. Firewood can be purchased at the market in Baker.

  The Approach and Ace Test The exit off of I-15 is convenient - stop in Baker immediately on the right for supplies then right across the interstate is Kellbaker Rd - the paved road that goes through the Mojave. After the mile 10 marker, the road turns right and in the middle of the turn is an unmarked paved driveway. Turn onto that driveway and it becomes a sandy dirt road that runs straight. There are some signs that say “No Motor Vehicles” and “No Camping” but these signs are talking about not leavening the road. You’re fine if you stay on the road. There are some pull offs that look like campsites but they will have rocks across the path and have signs saying no camping. Look for the designated camping signs and pull offs with a fire pit. This road does pass the Ace test for me (Ace was my 216 VW Jetta that I took on roads like this often); however, there are a couple spots toward the second campsite and beyond that I, personally, would do with Ace but if you’re less comfortable, the first campsite is maybe 200m in and any car could make that easily.

  Activities The trails are well marked and one can explore the Lava Tubes which is just across the dirt road and easy access. It’s hot even in spring so bring a lot of water - more than you think you need. WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES. I had a fire and it was great to sit, relax, and stargaze. There isn’t a lot of light pollution so on a clear night, it’s awesome. Further down the paved road, there are other things like more Lava Tubes, some mines, and a trail you can drive along to check out water tanks. I like this camp area because it’s isolated and out of town but close enough to get supplies while allowing access further into the preserve. You can also go check out the World’s Largest Thermometer in Baker as well as an Alien kitsch shop and a few restaurants.

  Weather I was there towards the end of April and it was in the 90’s and sunny during the day, a hot breeze coming from the west. At night, it was clear and starry and a low around 65.

  Cell Service and Other Services I had 3 bars of Verizon LTE and was able to text and send videos and do some of my remote work. There are no amenities; however, Baker is just 10 miles away and has a few gas stations and a market that have pretty much everything from laundry detergent to firewood.

• 

  Rainer R.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 14, 2024

  North Joshua Tree

  Nice stay, plenty of space

  We arrived early in the afternoon around 4:30 pm and found a vast, open place witziges only few, dispersed campers. Access was easy, Solid ground . Only the partly littered areas prevent us from giving 5 stars.

• 

  Emmi O.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 10, 2024

  Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping

  Ok for one night stay

  We arrived late in the evening and spent one night there. There was couple of other campers too, so we felt safe. No trash but smelled like urine. Cell service was okay.

• 

  Danny T.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 6, 2024

  Heart of the Mojave on Kelbaker Road

  It’s ok.

  23ft rv Beginning of april The camping area is small. There was one can there when we arrived on Friday , early in the day. By 5 pm there were several vehicles. Another rv parked about 30 ft away and a van pulled in at night and was about 15 ft behind us. The area is very pretty. Great mountains etc. bit if garbage around which always bums. Me out. Spent shell casings.
  It’s ok in a pinch for sure and I could see it being good mid week when maybe nobody is around.

• A

  Audry

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 4, 2024

  Heart of the Mojave on Kelbaker Road

  easy on/off highway

  beautiful surroundings - large open space with fire pits and great views - fantastic night sky

• D

  Dan

  Guide

  

  Apr. 2, 2024

  Wild Horse Road Dispersed

  Beautiful Spot

  Great spot just before Hole in the Wal About 1/4 mile down a road marked “4x4 high clearance only.” But if you’re just hitting the campsite you can make It in a lot less. There’s a turn around there for people towing trailers. No facilities, just a fire ring, red rock peaks and quiet. Absolutely stunning.

• C

  Caroline S.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 22, 2024

  Razor Road Dispersed Camping

  Flat open space by freeway

  Large flat open space with several fire pits. Some highway noise, but nothing terrible

• 

  Andrew B.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 17, 2024

  Joshua Tree Hilltop

  High clearance 4x4 camping JT

  High clearance 4x4 required Can be windy Great views

• 

  Maura G.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 13, 2024

  Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping

  Stolen Tent

  Not a bad spot in close proximity to Joshua Tree, but our tent disappeared from our site on 3/12. We left in the morning to hike and returned to our site to find that every piece of our tent and sleeping gear was gone.

• 

  Sine N.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 10, 2024

  Joshua Tree Lake Dispersed Camping

  Easy to find a spot

  Free. Easy to find a spot, lots to choose from. Clean and quiet. Cell reception was ok. The road was quite bumpy, but we managed with a campervan.

• 

  Michaela H.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 8, 2024

  North Joshua Tree

  Good camping with dump station nearby

  Stayed here for two weeks in February and found it very enjoyable. Nobody too rowdy, people left respectful distances between rigs, GREAT location for travel caravans.

  1. The most paved way in is to take Sunfair to Broadway. Sites are technically in and next to the Coyote Lake bed, but so long as it’s not too crowded the residents next to the solar farm don’t seem to mind parking closer to them, which is a lifesaver during rain because you do NOT want to get trapped in lake mud trying to leave. There’s a large compacted area to the left and right once you pass the solar farm. NOTE: if you park closer to the solar farm, just be aware that there are farm animals so it smells appropriately like manure.
  2. BE CAREFUL!! Don’t drive into areas with any kind of grasses growing or even dead, this is a good indicator you’ve gotten to the sandier soil which is NOT your friend and WILL sink you with only 2WD.
  3. Further up Sunfair is a family run campground, wonderful people, standard site pricing ($30 dry, $55 full hookup). Convenient to have nearby because they’ll let you use the dump station for $20, fill your water for $5, and shower for $10.
  4. When I was here we had rangers driving through semi regularly, but I never saw them stop or approach a rig at any point. Definitely nice to just be left alone!
• 

  Jess L.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 7, 2024

  BLM Dispersed Camping at Joshua Tree

  Awesome

  Loved camping here, my fiancé and I went to a show at Pappy and Harriet’s and afterwards set up camp here. Easy to find and you have SO much space! There were a bunch of camper vans parked but there’s so much space so you don’t feel crammed and still have plenty of privacy! Loved the night sky views as well. We will for sure be returning here in the future.

• S

  Soph D.

  Traveler

  

  Feb. 7, 2024

  North Joshua Tree

  Early February Visit

  It’s everything you need, flat, free and spacious! There was loads of place for space between campers. The weather had been good so the track was not rough. Would love to come back here again the views are amazing.

  Small bits of noise from music, fireworks and ATVs during our stay but that’s part of the experience.

• 

  Garrett L.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 28, 2024

  North Joshua Tree

  FLAT & FREE

  Plenty of sand (but hey it’s the desert). Stayed here for a week and couldn’t have asked for a better spot. The occasional firing squad will come through (even had someone testing grenades) but it’s few and far between. Close enough to JTNP and Walmart. I came right after a rainstorm and it got a little hairy. Not impossible at all but just be sure to check the weather and be prepared.

• 

  5 STAR X P.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 26, 2023

  Razor Road Dispersed Camping

  Excellent stop before Vegas

  Several firepits, leveled big area. You can continue on this dirt road to get farther from the freeway to get a quieter sleep. I dropped in very late, so I didn't want to go further exploring in the dark, but I saw campers drive further out.

• S

  Saurav P.

  Scout

  

  Dec. 3, 2023

  Granite Pass Dispersed Roadside Camping

  Great Quiet Site

  Went at the start of December on a Saturday and was the only one there. The road is manageable with a 2wd sedan as I got through fine with my Corolla, but I had my underbody scrapped the whole way there by the plants growing in between the tire tracks. The road is probably only 7 feet wide with only one small pull out a mile in. There's a couple of different camp spots at the end so even if there are other people there you can still get some privacy.

• 

  Emma S.

  Scout

  

  Dec. 3, 2023

  Joshua Tree North BLM

  Okay in a pinch

  We tried to get first come first serve sites in J tree but they were all taken. Got here in the dark as a last resort and there was a lot of space, but also a lot of trash and dilapidated cars (which was moderately creepy and unpleasant). There was also a large group of people riding jeeps and dune buggies very fast and late across the land. Like I said, worked for what we needed but wasn’t an ideal spot.