Best Campgrounds near Baker, CA

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.

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.

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.

Ivanpah is a world-renowned spot for land sailing.  The BLM has set the playa aside for use only by non-motorized vehicles and the lake is fantastic!  All types of land yachts, kite buggies and other wind-powered craft sail there. 

Motorized vehicles must stay off the lake to avoid rutting the surface.  

The area is closed and no vehicle movement is permitted when the surface is wet - you'll probably get stuck if you try.

There is a bathroom kiosk with picnic tables about half-way to the prime sailing area, which is about 3 miles from the turnoff at turn by the state lottery in Primm.

The larger dry lake is on the west side and a smaller lake is on the east, behind the casinos.

A great place to climb rocks and watch sunrises and sunsets. Lots of birds to listen to and spy with binoculars. In the spring the desert flowers are blooming and beautiful to seek out different species. The road leading to the research station is tight, you will likely get the sides of your vehicle scratched. Lots of dirt roads to explore and even found some petroglyphs nearby.  The dispersed sites are about and 1/8 of mile apart and separated by boulders so privacy is great. 

It was pleasing to see almost no litter or bottles and cans. 

Bring your own water, bring your own privy. 

Drive slow and watch for desert tortoises and other wild life while exploring the miles and miles of dirt roads. 

Only complaint was the guy who drove his dirt back around the rocks like it was his own personal dirt track. He did that for half an hour the disappears.

Great isolated spot, probably great for stargazing when the moon isn’t in your face.

Campground is nothing special, but the hot springs are…. Great for a day or two.

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.

Convenient parking for any size of RV with water and power connections and very reasonable price. We paid $25 per night.