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Silurian Dry Lake Bed and other BLM dispersed camping areas near Baker provide free pet-friendly options with no restrictions on dog breeds or sizes. Located approximately 11 miles from Interstate 15, North Lava Tube Camp accommodates both tent and RV campers with pets in designated areas adjacent to hiking trails. Campsites feature established fire pits where permitted, though campers should check current fire regulations before arrival. Absolutely amazing free dispersed camping at Silurian dry lake bed with level surfaces ideal for boondocking. Afton Canyon Campground offers more developed pet-friendly sites with picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and trash disposal for $6 per night, accessible via a dirt road suitable for all vehicle types.
Leashed pets can explore hiking trails throughout Mojave National Preserve, with some areas providing shelter from desert winds among lava formations. Campers should carry ample water for pets, especially during spring and summer when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F during daytime hours. The desert environment contains wildlife hazards including snakes, requiring vigilant pet supervision. Overnight temperatures can drop significantly, necessitating warmth considerations for pets. Most dispersed camping areas lack amenities, though Baker's commercial establishments provide necessary supplies including drinking water, food, and firewood. Verizon cellular service remains strong at most campsites, with 3-5 bars reported at Silurian Dry Lake Bed and North Lava Tube Camp, allowing emergency veterinary contact if needed.
"Great location for exit out of Death Valley and close to Interstate 15. Mojave Preserve closed so stayed in Baker, CA on BLM land. Simple gravel pad, quite, opposite School."
"Literally tucked just off the road, few different entry points can be used to access it. We were the only ones staying the night so was a great quiet spot."
"We got a 25ft RV in hear albiet with some pin stripping. about 5 options along the trail nestled into the lava fields that provide some shelter from the wind. Beautiful spot."
"Quiet spot about 15 minutes away from the interstate. Saw one other camper out here, and it was a 1/2 ton pickup truck like mine."
"Wind was blowing, and we managed to park in behind a hill. Had a great night's sleep. Still a bit of trash here, but not too bad. Didn't put us off.
A good place to overnight ."
"Some highway noise, but nothing terrible"
"The turn off to 2 dispersed camping sights is 8 mile from the Mojave Preseve sign in Baker, California. There are two free dispersed sights in the first 1/10 of a mile on a sandy dirt road."
"I didn’t drive much past the second site though the road wasn’t difficult. The sites are well established and well marked."
"It's a turn around that's not used anymore. Mountains in every direction. Easy in and out with bumper pull trailers. Bushes did pop a tire so watch that."
"I arrived close to 1AM on a Friday and didn't have any trouble getting a prime spot. I originally was planning my trip to a different campground but that was full by the time I got there."
"Located in Afton Canyon, this BLM Campground offers plenty of level sites, compete with concrete picnic tables, fire pits and charcoal grills. There are also pit toilets."
"There were many spots with fire rings to camp at when you turn onto the dirt road and a couple at the beginning with picnic tables, but the spots where you really want to be are all the way down the path"
"Find the first road adjacent to the white cross memorial."
"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. "
"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. "
from $25 / night
Check Availability"This was was one of the favorite spots I stayed at during a cross-country road trip from California to Florida in February 2021."
"Trail to dunes are close by. The trail to the dunes is deceptively far. Bring lots of water. Even on a cool day like we went."
"Look for a spot on the outside of the loop - some of them have amazing views out over the adjacent hills. I highly recommend this campground."
"views of the surrounding mountains."
from $20 / night
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TravelerGreat location for exit out of Death Valley and close to Interstate 15. Mojave Preserve closed so stayed in Baker, CA on BLM land. Simple gravel pad, quite, opposite School. Close to overhead power lines. Mad Greek Restaurant awesome for evening meal and Chevron Gas station has great bathrooms and supplies!!
RangerVery quiet here. I like it so much I stayed 3 nights, allowing me to decompress before continuing my adventures. While a paved road thru the preserve is relatively close I can hardly hear the occasional vehicle and due to the terrain only catch glimpses of the vehicles if I bother to look. The turn off to 2 dispersed camping sights is 8 mile from the Mojave Preseve sign in Baker, California. There are two free dispersed sights in the first 1/10 of a mile on a sandy dirt road. Don’t bother going further o the dirt road as there are no other approved spots, at least the first 5 miles I looked. I had no other people even go down the road I was on in the 3 days.
GuideJust 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.
RangerThis place is great. Its about halfway between LA and Vegas and only 10 minutes off the 15. I arrived close to 1AM on a Friday and didn't have any trouble getting a prime spot. I originally was planning my trip to a different campground but that was full by the time I got there. Afton Canyon was within an hours drive from my original spot and I had it saved as a place I wanted to go on the The Dyrt. We took a chance at midnight and how fruitful it was. 10 minutes off the 15 lies a small campground tucked behind a beautiful trestle. Some trains come by at night and look amazing. The noise from the trains are actually quite soothing. It is located in one of the only areas where the Mojave River is above ground and is close the Mojave 4x4 Off-road trail. There are some great hikes nearby and beautiful views. The campsites have shaded structures grills and big fire pits. Afton Canyon will now be another go to site for me.
GuideThere's nothing striking about this dispersed area, but it's a nice place to stay for a night or two. Longer, if you want to day-trip around the Preserve. And Baker is just down the road for gas, water, groceries, restaurants. It's plain, but we liked it.
RangerPacked gravel, several places to pull off, road was rough but very passable. We came in late and moved to Kelso Dunes in the am but the other spot close by looked like a 5 star. No entrance fees. No services other than official campgrounds. Preserve is 1.6 million acres, you will need to move around to see different spots. Rings Trail is worth the hike. @TKCompass on YouTube TV
ScoutBit of an awkward spot to camp in my opinion. It’s pretty much an open sandy area in the town of Baker. You can hear the highway and noise from the town. If you prefer more remote areas, choose a different place. It was difficult to find in the dark as well because the coordinates provided aren’t technically in the camping area. I had to zoom in on the map to make sure I was on BLM land.
RangerFriendly host and fellow campers. Almost all camping is large and mid size RV. There are also small trailers and small units you can rent. Camp is $35 a night but gets you into the outdoor hot springs large and small pools and 4 private tubs which I really liked. I’m car camping and my immediate neighbors were truck camping. Heard coyotes at night and beautiful stars. It’s a funky spot and maybe a tad rough around the edges but everything was clean and folks were friendly. Cool desert trail in the sand where I walked the dog and nice bench to sit and mountain watch. All water here is mineral water so get your driving water elsewhere. Definitely was a good spot to stop for the night.
TravelerAfter climbing the giant hills out of Baker, my 1984 Vanagon was ready for a rest. We pulled off at Bailey Road and it was quickly dirt road, but certainly manageable for any SUV or Truck. After about 10 minutes (3.1 miles) there were campsites. Plenty of spaces and spread out. HOT in the late spring but overnight temperatures were excellent at about 65F.
Dispersed camping areas near Baker, California offer varying terrain from dry lakebeds to lava field surroundings. Elevations range from 930 feet at Baker to over 4,000 feet in parts of Mojave National Preserve. Seasonal temperature variations are extreme, with summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F and winter nights dropping below freezing.
Explore lava formations: At Indian Springs near lava field, hiking trails wind through unique volcanic rock formations. "Shady lava rock spot 👌 Quiet nobody else around, a lil tricky to find if you don't plug in coordinates. Found a spot a past reviewer had a picture of, in a little cove in the lava rocks which had some nice shade for my pup," shares Brandon from a Indian Springs near lava field.
Climb sand dunes: The Kelso Dunes rise 600 feet and provide challenging hiking with rewarding views. "The trail to the dunes is deceptively far. Bring lots of water. Even on a cool day like we went," advises Jared S. from Kelso Dunes Dispersed. Morning climbs are recommended when temperatures are cooler.
Night sky observation: Minimal light pollution makes this region ideal for stargazing. "Amazing view and secluded period. Take the road all the way down until it ends, about two miles, and there's a cul-de-sac that would be great for a small group," notes Evan F. about finding optimal viewing locations at Indian Springs.
Solitude and space: The dispersed areas provide ample room between campsites. "We pulled over to the first available area. There are plenty of spots along the back side of the lava field to camp. Good solitude," reports R V. about camping at Indian Springs.
Accessibility from major highways: Many camping areas are within easy reach of Interstate 15. "Large flat open space with several fire pits. Some highway noise, but nothing terrible," describes Caroline S. about Razor Road Dispersed Camping, which offers convenient overnight options.
Wildlife viewing: Desert species are commonly spotted throughout the area. "We saw some great wildlife when we came across a few deer and a gorgeous jack rabbit! The sunsets were unreal!!!" shares Kate W. from Mid Hills Campground, located at higher elevation with diverse fauna.
Road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires navigating unpaved roads. "Paved road into campsite (about 20 miles). Campground itself is smooth gravel. Well spaced and mostly level sites with beautiful desert vegetation between sites," explains Ian S. about Hole In The Wall Campground, which has better road access than some alternatives.
Wind exposure: Strong winds can affect camping comfort, particularly in open areas. "I choose this site for its privacy. Boy I should have considered the hill for the wind factor. My fault. But overall great camping experience. Just a little windy at night," reports Bobby C. from Mid Hills Campground.
Water availability: Most dispersed sites have no potable water. "No potable water at the campground currently, but you can get some at the visitors center a few miles away," advises Lauren S. about water access at Mid Hills Campground.
Select sites with natural barriers: Look for camping areas with rock formations that provide wind protection. "There are two larger sites near the road, but if you drive a little way past those, you will find one small site before the little hill. We also found two more sites after the little hill and one of them was about 30 feet deep," recommends Amy H. about North Lava Tube Camp.
Plan short hikes in morning hours: Desert temperatures rise quickly during daylight hours. "Kids will love it. Pretty rough road coming in but easy to find a place to camp. Trail to dunes are close by," notes Jared S. about family-friendly activities at Kelso Dunes.
Bring supplies for multiple days: Services are limited in the Baker area. "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," mentions Doc P. about supply options near North Lava Tube Camp.
Site selection for vehicle size: Not all dispersed camping areas can accommodate larger rigs. "Easy to find. Were the only ones here. Wind was blowing, and we managed to park in behind a hill. Had a great night's sleep," reports Warren T. about finding suitable parking at Razor Road Dispersed Camping.
Level parking surfaces: Many areas offer naturally flat terrain ideal for parking. "Great place to stop off the 15 on the way to where ever you're going! One other car other than us at this spot. Few other campers closer to the main road," notes Lee D. about Silurian Dry Lake Bed.
Dump station availability: Only certain developed campgrounds offer waste disposal facilities. "Potable water and a hose to refill your freshwater (non potable). Graywater disposal available," mentions Michael about facilities at Hole In The Wall Campground, making it a good option for multi-day RV stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Baker, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Baker, CA is Silurian Dry Lake Bed with a 4.3-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Baker, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 32 dog-friendly camping locations near Baker, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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