220 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas in the high desert surrounding Apple Valley, California range from established campgrounds with amenities to free dispersed sites on public lands. Mojave Narrows Regional Park offers water and electric hookups for RVs along with tent sites near Victorville, while Bell Mountain Road provides free dispersed camping on BLM land. The region includes both year-round facilities like Hesperia Lake Park and Campground as well as seasonal options such as Hanna Flat Campground, which operates from May through October.
Many campgrounds in the Apple Valley region experience extreme temperature fluctuations, with summer highs frequently exceeding 100°F and winter nights dropping below freezing. A review mentioned that "spring is probably the best time to go as it can get very hot in summer and very cold in winter." Road access varies significantly, with developed campgrounds offering paved access while dispersed sites like those along Bell Mountain Road require vehicles that can handle unpaved desert terrain. Most established campgrounds provide water and toilets, though amenities differ widely. Reservations are recommended for popular sites, especially during pleasant weather periods in spring and fall when visitation increases.
The landscape around Apple Valley encompasses desert terrain, mountain forests, and small bodies of water that create diverse camping environments. Campers report mixed experiences with noise levels, particularly at Mojave Narrows Regional Park, where one visitor noted "trains running by all night long." Sites near water features tend to be more popular, with Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area and Hesperia Lake drawing visitors for fishing and water activities. Desert camping offers solitude and expansive views, though with minimal shade and facilities. Several campgrounds feature picnic tables, fire rings, and hiking access, with developed sites typically providing more amenities than primitive camping areas. Higher elevation campgrounds in the San Bernardino Mountains offer cooler temperatures and forest settings compared to the desert floor.
"I am here in California getting ready to leave the state by FY22 and had to get outside. I have been exploring the idea of going camping and decided to go this weekend."
"There has been a lot of disrespectful off trail sites being made that is destroying the wilderness that has rebounded since 2003. Before that, it was the wild west."
"The lakes are nice, there are mountain views, and some cool hikes to explore in the riverbed area."
from $3 - $40 / night
Check Availability"The trees are massive and plenty and make you feel like you are a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of California."
"The campground overall is really pretty and in a great location in Lake Arrowhead. However, we made the mistake of booking site 005, which is right on a ridge... it was SO windy."
from $40 - $81 / night
Check Availability"Silverwood Lake Campground offers a range of site experiences depending on where you stay."
"Silverwood Lake was just that. Lush green mountains in the back drop that surrounded every view you turned to take in. "You need to recharge your batteries!""
from $45 - $350 / night
Check Availability"There is some garbage, target shooting in the distance and the occasional maniac driving through too fast and kicking up lots of dust. Generally it was quiet."
"We pulled in at night and passed a few other people camping, but there are so many little roads/trails around we had no problem finding a spot."
"We were tucked up into the hill side with neighbors far enough sway to make it very private. There were no showers so we brought our travel one and hung it from a branch."
"We arrived at Hanna Flat campground around 11 am on Friday, August 21. First thing about the campground is that the road to get to it is pretty rough."
from $33 - $67 / night
Check Availability"We camped just a few steps away from the lake, there were other campers there but the campgrounds are far enough away from each other."
"This camp site is located walking distance to the lake. There are bike paths and walking trails located near the camp ground."
from $44 - $91 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to the hot springs and no services to speak of. Basically a patch of dirt you can occupy for $10 a night. Loved it."
"Super fun place to visit with the hot springs trail. Went in January with snowfall, hardly any campers and nature all around! Two nights are perfect."
from $10 - $119 / night
Check Availability"Spaces are pretty close together and small, but we got lucky and didn’t have anyone around us (likely due to bad air quality). If you kayak this is a great place to camp, it’s right next to the lake."
"Lake arrowhead isn't a public lake so it's a bit of a drive to do any water activities, but there was a close offroad trail."
from $29 - $58 / night
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ScoutAlot of open site fire pits rest room grills and table quiet and if you into rock hunting and hike this is a great place to start pack in pack out and leave better than it was when you came or try to fyi it cold at nite
TravelerI stayed at Little Pines. This spot has some beautiful sites. Some are semi-secluded with stunning views. Some have a lot of shade, some have little. Silver Moccasin Trail is on-site and a great hike. Notorious for bears but I didn’t see any.
I camped with a bear canister and bear country precaution anyway. A few sets of vault toilets and dumpsters so no site is too far from one. But no sinks. There is running water here but it’s non-potable.
It’s a beautiful spot but I had a group of about 10-15 people in diesel trucks roll in at 10pm on a Friday and blare Banda music for 3 days. From about 8am-10:30pm-ish. Unrelenting. Even with earplugs I could feel the bass of the tubas. Ruined the entire trip. So be aware that like any campground, loud jerks can spoil it for everyone.
I noticed a lot of people coming in until about 10pm on Friday and there were still spots. This wasn’t a holiday weekend but it was a pretty weekend in June. I got there at 6pm and got a great spot.
The Manzanita area is very pretty but sites are smaller and it’s more of an Oak Woodland with Manzanita and lots of boulders. Far fewer pines and cedars so not a lot of shade. In the fall this might be a nice option but in summer it may be a little hot.
Little Pines is pretty accessible for wheelchairs. The road has some pot holes but it’s paved and the grade isn’t terrible. Several spots would be very accessible to anyone with mobility devices or wheelchairs as you can park and get right to the campsite beside the car, on level ground. Restrooms are ADA-accessible.
WARNING: Watch out for the purple plant everywhere! Behaves like poison oak. Keep pets (and yourself) away. Included pics.
TravelerNice spot. A little rough getting there due to road a little rough. A few cars passed by but nothing bothersome.anyone who likes off roading will love this place
ScoutFirst stayed around 25-30. Maybe flies season? Crazy amount of bugs. Moved to down the hill much better. Clean bathroom. Quiet at night.
GuideIncredible sunset and night sky! Lots of sites available, some more private than others, some more spread out than others. There’s a vault toilet that was fairly gross unfortunately. To access the campground there’s about a mile of rough gravel/dirt road, but our Prius managed it alright. Our site had a fire pit and a covered picnic table.
Accessibility: varies by site. Picnic tables are covered and even cement, but that cement isn’t always level with the ground. Some sites are rockier/uneven while others are less so. Likely could navigate with an outdoors-y wheelchair if prepared to handle some slightly tricky terrain.
TravelerThe entrance is opposite of lone pine canyon rd . At night the train goes by . We saw a dead drop pickup in the morning. We woke to a car and motorcycle parked nearby- a lady and heavily tattooed guy were out walking around. They dug out 3 black bags from some brush and took off. So that was exciting.
RangerFull hookups, free laundry, easy in and out (with military ID), and cheaper gas on post
ScoutPlace is super cool but there's a sign that says No overnight camping :(
TravelerWhen I booked at the reservation site I screenshot that water and 30 amp power was available at my site. There is NO water hook up. Overall it’s good 7 out of 10. Lots to do within 2 hours of this place. Staying for 6 days.
The Apple Valley region offers camping options on both desert floors and mountain elevations ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 feet. Temperature variations between seasons can be extreme, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F during day and dropping below 50°F at night. Many campsites near Apple Valley, California provide access to diverse recreational opportunities including rock climbing, fishing, and hiking trails of varying difficulties.
Rock climbing access: Sawtooth Canyon Campground attracts climbers with its unique rock formations. "This canyon is great for a couple of days of climbing. The area is unique from the Mojave topography. Plus, it is free to camp," notes Tommy B. The campground features several climbing routes suitable for different skill levels.
Fishing opportunities: Hesperia Lake Park and Campground offers stocked fishing areas with easy shoreline access. "We stayed here for the weekend, the only issue is the gates around the lake," reports Melissa M. The lake maintains regular stocking schedules for trout and catfish, though some areas may be fenced with restricted access.
Trail exploration: Multiple interconnected hiking trails branch out from Dogwood Campground. "Access to the Enchanted loop nature trail is at the back end of the camp and offers some great views," reports Jeremiah F. The campground connects to well-maintained pathways suitable for day hikes ranging from 1-5 miles.
Night sky viewing: Bell Mountain Road provides excellent dark sky conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. "We didn't follow the directions all the way to the pin, there was plenty of parking on the way... Generally it was quiet," notes Howard S. This dispersed camping area sits away from major light pollution sources, creating optimal stargazing conditions.
Wildlife observation: North Shore Campground offers opportunities to view local fauna. "We had our kayaks and it is a beautiful lake to kayak. But when it gets windy, know your limits," advises Ed E. The lake attracts various bird species, particularly during morning and evening hours.
Hot springs access: Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground provides natural soaking pools. "I had never been before, but I had a few friends bring me and it was the most amazing time! The hike down is super chill and the hot springs at the end are so worth the hike back up after," shares Carina M. The springs maintain temperatures between 100-105°F year-round, with several pools of varying sizes.
Road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires preparation. At Sawtooth Canyon Campground, "East access. 1.5 miles from pavement. Road is washboarded so keep your speed under 10mph and its a fairly smooth 5 minute drive," advises Scott D. Other visitors report more challenging conditions: "Beautiful area, but I couldn't drive in.. Road is completely inaccessible and saw many others turning around as well," notes Annie G.
Campsite spacing: Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds. "The sites around Horseshoe Lake are close to an active rail line. And by active, I mean really active – I stopped counting after I counted 24 trains lumbering by during our short overnight stay," reports Lee D. about Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited availability during winter. "We camped here in April and it was already getting warm during the day," notes Robert A. about Sawtooth Canyon. Higher elevation sites like Hanna Flat Campground close entirely from November through April due to snow conditions.
Playground access: Mojave Narrows Regional Park offers designated play areas. "There was a very nice playground in the day-use area, a reasonable walking distance from the Horseshoe Lake sites," notes Lee D. The park also features "a little zero gravity water park" that Michelle K. describes as "nice if you have children."
Wildlife management: Be prepared for local fauna encounters. At Hesperia Lake, "the only issue is how many ground squirrels there were! I ended up with two in my tent and one in my van! Very unsettling," warns Melissa M. Secure food storage is essential at all campsites in the region.
Shade availability: Research sun protection options before booking. "Each campsite has a nice picnic table and fire pit with a grill," notes Ed E. about North Shore Campground. However, at Hesperia Lake, "There is also a great lack of shade," according to Melissa M.
Hookup variations: Serrano Campground offers partial utility connections. "Only thing I wish is that the bathrooms were closer to the hookup spots. I know most RVs have bathrooms but most pop ups don't and from space 58 to the nearest bathroom is a 1/4 mile walk," advises Martha S.
Site leveling challenges: Consider topography when selecting campsites. "Our site wasn't super flat," reports Christian N. about North Shore Campground. Several reviewers mention bringing leveling blocks, particularly for desert camping areas where the terrain can be uneven.
Winter preparedness: Cold temperatures affect utilities even at lower elevations. "Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning, so we had to dump when we got out of the mountains," reports Nicole W. about Serrano Campground. RVers should prepare with tank heaters during winter months when overnight temperatures frequently drop below freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds in Apple Valley?
Apple Valley offers access to several campgrounds in the surrounding area. Mojave Narrows Regional Park is located near Victorville, just a short drive from Apple Valley. For those willing to venture a bit further, Applewhite Campground in the San Bernardino National Forest is about 5-7 miles from Highway 215, offering a natural setting amid the mountains. Other nearby options include Hesperia Lake Park and Campground, which is convenient for Apple Valley residents, and Bell Mountain Road, which offers free dispersed camping. Most campgrounds in the area provide essential amenities like toilets and water access, though availability varies by season.
How much does it cost to camp in Apple Valley?
Camping costs around Apple Valley vary by campground and amenities. At Serrano near Big Bear Lake, expect to pay moderate fees for sites with lake access and basic facilities. Holcomb Valley Campground charges fees that some campers consider slightly steep, but the clean facilities and camp host supervision justify the cost. For budget options, Bell Mountain Road offers free dispersed camping, though without amenities. Most developed campgrounds in the region range from $20-35 per night for basic sites, while premium locations with hookups or lake views can cost $35-50 nightly. Some campgrounds also charge additional vehicle fees or day-use fees for visitors, so check the specific campground's website before planning your trip.
What camping options are available near Apple Valley, CA?
The Apple Valley area offers diverse camping experiences within a reasonable drive. For RV and family camping, Bonelli Bluffs provides comfortable sites though limited playgrounds for children. Those seeking a unique experience might enjoy Calico Ghost Town, which offers simple sites tucked into a canyon below the historic ghost town with easy access to OHV trails. For a more natural experience, Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp Retreat is perfect for larger groups and offers necessary amenities despite requiring a 6-mile drive on dirt roads. Additional options include Hesperia Lake Park and Campground for fishing enthusiasts and several campgrounds in the San Bernardino National Forest for those seeking mountain escapes.
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