Best Tent Camping near Baker, CA

Tent camping near Baker, California provides access to the expansive Mojave National Preserve with multiple dispersed camping locations scattered throughout the desert landscape. Established sites like 17 Mile Camp along Mojave Road and North Lava Tube Camp offer designated tent camping areas approximately 10-11 miles from Interstate 15. Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping areas provide additional options for tent campers seeking solitude in this remote desert region.

Most tent campsites require self-sufficiency as amenities are extremely limited. The majority of camping areas lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service—campers must pack in all necessary supplies and pack out all waste. Roads to tent sites vary significantly in quality, with many requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate sandy, rocky terrain. North Lava Tube Camp features established fire rings where fires are permitted when fire restrictions are not in place. A camper noted, "It's hot even in spring so bring a lot of water—more than you think you need." Winter temperatures can drop significantly at night, while summer days regularly exceed 90°F.

The tent camping experience in this region offers exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Many sites position near rock formations that provide natural windbreaks and shade during parts of the day. Wildlife sightings are common, with visitors advised to watch for snakes while exploring. Areas further from main roads typically offer greater privacy and quieter surroundings. Cell service varies by location, with several sites surprisingly maintaining connectivity despite their remote setting. A visitor commented, "The campsite we chose was not visible from other campsites and had a great view of the valley and mountains. You could barely see the highway, and could not hear it."

Best Tent Sites Near Baker, California (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Baker, CA

3 Photos of 7 Baker Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Baker, CA

106 Reviews of 7 Baker Campgrounds


  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2018

    Hole In The Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Great Place To Camp In The Desert

    We wanted to check out ZZYZX but there was no camping there so we had to explore other options. Really wanting to be as close to the dried salt lake area where you can literally yell out and hear your voice echo for miles we discovered Hole-In-The-Wall. It sounded a bit funny considered it was in the middle of the desert and everything is like a hole in the wall as you pass through miles and miles of nothingness, but we gave it a shot and were very pleased.

    It is a first come first serve campsite but when we were there that wasn't an issue there were only a few campers. It made for a quiet night in the desert where we were surrounded by low laying vegetation and views of the mountains around. It looked like a pretty large campground overall with lots of sites each with a picnic table and fire ring.

    There was no potable water when we were there and only pit toilets. Pretty basic, no hook ups and no showers.

    It was pleasant though and I would say it made us happy that we had stumbled upon it. It was $12 fo the night for our site and I did notice that those having the senior card could get a discount, so something to look forward to when I get older!!

    It was pretty no frills camping. But since we always come prepared we had firewood ready to go and were able to enjoy setting up then venturing over to ZZYZX to check out the "abandoned" site, which is actually partially used as a research facility and partially a ruin of times passed. Really unique experience from every angle.

    TIPS:

    • Pack extra water since there is none available and if you are interested in a shower make sure you have an outdoor shower bag already filled before you arrive.

    • While you can have a generator they do have a quiet hours policy for other guest. The campground is so quiet at night and everything echoes in the canyon.

    • Do not camp in washes because even though it seems dry when rain comes it quickly moves across the desert and will flood these areas and create very scary conditions.

  • P
    Apr. 30, 2018

    Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Winter Camping Without the Snow

    Having camped here twice this year, it's a favorite of mine. Temps are decent, even in January (mid-30s for lows) and perfect in April. Tree cover is still a bit sparse and hiking options are limited, but it's a great place to set up camp and do absolutely nothing. Normally, water is available, but they are revamping the water system and the result is that there is no water available at the campground until Spring 2019, so be sure you bring plenty with you.

  • Edwin M.
    Jan. 22, 2022

    Hole In The Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Such a cool place to camp

    We stayed here for two nights both of which were quite windy so stake down your tent extra tight. The views here are definitely what make this place worth it to camp at. The Ring Loop trail is also a blast. Theres potable water available and we payed a total of $24 for two nights here. I would definitely visit again.

  • Ashlee L.
    Apr. 20, 2018

    Hole In The Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Gorgeous scenery and quiet, SUPER windy

    Pros: very quiet campground, with sites that are some distance apart. Absolutely breathtaking scenery - this campground is in the valley between hills and the undeveloped land around the campsites is covered in an amazing variety of cacti. The cost is also reasonable at $12/night. The tent sites are nicely designed with a large tent pad, a picnic table, and fire ring. The visitors' center is very close up the road, and they have flush toilets and water, as well as a very small gift shop, but not really anything else.

    Cons: The only way to get to the campground is driving for about a 1-2 hours on unpaved roads, which are rough in some spots. Once you get there, there are only pit toilets and no sinks or showers. There is usually potable water in the campground, but that was also unavailable during my visit because of drought conditions (however that info was easily found on the website and I was prepared for that). But by far the worst thing about this campground was the wind. It was breezy all day, which was fine, but at about 9 or 10 pm at night the winds picked up to about 30-40 mph sustained through the whole night, with gusts of ~50 mph. It definitely caught myself off guard, and by the looks of the remaining tents the next morning it caught a lot of other campers off guard also.

    If the conditions are like that most of the time (possible since it's in a valley?), I wouldn't tent camp there again because it wasn't relaxing at all. But if that was a fluke or I had an RV, I would consider another stay there. There were a lot of ORVs in the area, and I think anyone who enjoys doing that would love this campground.

  • T
    Aug. 7, 2021

    Mid Hills Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Good for beginning boondocking

    Pure Review:  

    Stayed here on the 29th of May 2021. Was a little warm during the day but hella cool at night. The campground is kinda remote, way better than "Hole in The Wall." You can get there in a 2wd car during dry conditions. Nice sites with a table and fire pit. Room for trailer or tent camping. Might have to arrive early to get a good site. 

    ************************FACTS*********************************************

    Price: $12 (first come basis)

    Water: NO  

    Amenities: Picnic tables and fire ring/grill

    Access: A freaking Prius made it

    Cell service: Verizon 2-3 bars @ top of hill next to site 24

    Pit toilet: Clean

    Privacy: Yes/NO depends on your site.

    Pure Tip:

    Drive the loop before you pick a site. Better ones are at the back. Enjoy!!

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2025

    Hole In The Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Off-Grid & Out There...PERFECT!

    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.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2025

    Hole In The Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Gorgeous & Out There...PERFECT!

    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.

  • B
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Afton Canyon Campground

    Beautiful

    Campgrounds are great. 15ish spots. Was there by myself last night Friday June 20th. Multiple vault toilets, substantial fire rings and grill. Each site has a little pavillion and table as well. High winds. Beautiful rock hounding. Site 12 all the way in the back has some wind cover.

  • aThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 23, 2025

    Kokoweef Dispersed Camping

    Secluded and quit high desert

    This location was secluded and quit when I was there in January. There are at least six nice flat spots with fire rings. There were two burros in the area which were fun to witness. My only caution would be the road into. The road in is very narrow not sure how you would deal with another vehicle coming into the opposite direction ( sack up and back up). The road was also rough and steep in spots so I would be careful with larger vehicles. My promaster did fine.


Guide to Baker

Dispersed camping around Baker, California offers easy access to several primitive camping areas throughout the Mojave Desert. Temperatures range from below freezing in winter nights to well over 100°F in summer days. Most designated camping areas are positioned along Kelbaker Road which runs south from Interstate 15, with sites located between 10-25 miles from Baker's small commercial district.

What to do

Explore lava formations: Tank Six Camp provides an excellent base for exploring the unique volcanic features of the Mojave Desert. "Fabulous quiet spot with a nostalgic cattle corral. Gorgeous vistas," notes one camper who stayed in February when overnight temperatures reached 50°F.

Hike to desert ridges: The terrain around Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping offers opportunities for moderate hiking. A visitor shared, "Took a mostly easy hike to the ridge of the dunes. Aside from the desert gnats, it was bug-free with decent temps."

Night photography: The minimal light pollution makes this area ideal for astrophotography. At North Lava Tube Camp, one camper noted they had "a great view of the valley and the mountains" and that their site was "not visible from other campsites," providing excellent privacy for nighttime photography sessions.

What campers like

Exceptional privacy: Many dispersed sites offer significant distance between campers. At Providence Mountains State Recreation Area, a camper emphasized this benefit: "We laughed as loud as we wanted and sang even louder. This place was perfect to act a damn fool."

Accessible solitude: Despite feeling remote, several camping areas can be reached without specialized vehicles. "Just 10 miles down a great, stereotypical, paved desert road off of I-15 you'll find an unmarked turnoff as the road curves," explains a camper describing access to North Lava Tube Camp.

Surprising connectivity: Many visitors report unexpected cell service despite the remote setting. One camper at Kelbaker Road noted, "There is actually some decent cell service in the Mojave preserve (along Hwy 127). There are also call boxes about every 2 miles further along the 127."

What you should know

Vehicle considerations: Many sites require careful driving. At Granite Pass in Mojave National Park, a Jeep camper warned about thorns and wildlife: "Make sure to wear shoes as there are thorns. Also be ready to wake up to critters (mice? Chipmunks?) running across your exhaust."

Road conditions vary significantly: Road quality changes with weather and usage patterns. A visitor to Kelbaker Road Dispersed Camping described their experience: "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."

Pack out all waste: No trash services exist at most sites. At North Lava Tube Camp, a camper observed: "Unfortunately, we did see some toilet paper around our site which we picked up. It is simple enough to just buy a toilet bucket at Sportsman's Warehouse and add a bag of pine pellets."

Tips for camping with families

Visit during cooler months: The extreme summer heat makes family camping challenging. A winter visitor to Ivanpah Dry Lake suggested, "The larger dry lake is on the west side and a smaller lake is on the east, behind the casinos," offering more options for family exploration during cooler periods.

Plan for no facilities: No established campgrounds offer running water. At 17 Mile Camp, a camper arrived late and still found it workable: "Showed up past midnight and it was still really easy to find a flat spot to park our camper van. It was very quiet all night & the sky was amazing!"

Bring desert-appropriate supplies: All sites require complete self-sufficiency. "There aren't a whole lot of options between Death Valley and Joshua Tree if you're traveling in the shorter days of winter," notes a camper who stayed along Highway 127, emphasizing the need for proper planning.

Tips from RVers

Seek established pull-offs: Several locations offer adequate space for larger vehicles. A visitor to North Lava Tube Camp explained, "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."

Check road conditions beforehand: Seasonal changes can significantly impact access. "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," advises an RVer who successfully navigated to the best tent camping near Baker, California.

Access without four-wheel drive: Some areas remain accessible with standard vehicles. One RVer noted about Kelbaker Road, "With the sun setting and a limping van we had to find a new dispersed location... Along Hwy 127 between I-40 and I-15 there are a number of pull offs where you can spend the night in a campervan or RV."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Baker, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Baker, CA is 17 Mile Camp — Mojave National Preserve with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Baker, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Baker, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.