Searching for a tent camping spot near Baker? Finding a place to camp in California with your tent has never been easier. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/
While the campgrounds at Mid Hills and Hole-in-the-Wall accommodate a maximum of 8 people and 2 vehicles per site, the Black Canyon Equestrian & Group Campground (located across the road from Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center) is ideal for larger groups. The campsite is available to groups of 15-50 people and reservations are required. Call (760) 252-6101 to make a reservation up to 12 months in advance. NO WATER AVAILABLE AS OF APRIL 2021. Campers must fetch water at nearby Hole-in-the-Wall Campground.
Guide
Wind was too intense to get the car back tent up at night. Good place to stop before or after the Mojave Trail. There's a small water crossing just after the campground before accessing the trail. My Subaru Crosstrek made it fairly easily just note its presence.
Sites had a concrete table, fire pit with cooking bars, cover over the table and room for a couple cars.
Community vault toilets were available. I'd advise bringing toilet paper!
Traveler
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.
Traveler
After 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.
Guide
We needed a cosy stay and a shower and it was perfect ! magnificent view of the desert
Guide
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.
Guide
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.
Travelerbeautiful surroundings - large open space with fire pits and great views - fantastic night sky
Guide
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.
Legend
The campground (CG) was super easy to find as it was right off I-40 on old Route 66. Our check-in could not have been easier, and the reception was very nice. There are 18 FHU sites here, with half being for long-termers on the west side and short-term pull-throughs on the east side. We were given an option of several sites and chose site 17. We had to disconnect and park on the side of this gravel site. The Wi-Fi speed was 3.32 for Download and 2.35 for Upload, which worked okay. We got 3 bars on Verizon. Due to the expected freeze warning, we did not hook up to the water or sewer. There are a few trees in the CG so getting a clear shot for satellite is easy. The old caboose, the Hwy 66 hotel mural, and the ducks around the pond were a nice touch. They had a shower house and laundry, but we did not use them. Heads up that we got diesel at the exit a couple of miles west of the campground, and that was the most expensive price we experienced in CA at$6.69/gallon last January.
TravelerMy wife and I stopped here in March on out way to death valley 3 miles down a wasboard road which wasn't to bad though the wind good lordy the wind was soooooo loud and so strong!
ScoutEasy to access with 34 ft class A motor home. Beautiful spots with a metal canopy over top of picnic table. Plenty of room.
TravelerHot tubs and pool were gorgeous, great views, friendly staff. The private indoor hot tubs with showers were an extra bonus.
ScoutThe site is about a mile off I-40 and I had no problem pulling my 58ft rig into camp. My only major complaint is that a town of any legitimate size is about 80 miles away.
Pros: -good cell service -incredible view of the stars at night -beautiful landscape
Cons: -SO MUCH trash everywhere -very isolated
Legend
Nice little campground in desert-quiet.
Traveler
Stayed here for one night in July. We were afraid that it will be extremely hot, but the night was surprisingly cold. Only a free other campgrounds we have been on our trip could beat the stars at night. Even though the site is in the middle of the desert, everything is perfectly clean and you even have water.
TravelerCampsite with 30 something spots. Potable water and a hose to refill your freshwater (non potable). Graywater disposal available. Dry toilets clean. Amazing views! Visitor centre and walks nearby. Almost empty when we went in early May. Enjoy!!
LegendThis place is not much of a campground, but it makes up for it in being a super cool, chilled out, low key hot spring. The sites are pretty close together like a lot of other RV parks, and there are very few trees, it’s the desert afterall, but the landscape is stunning!
There are hiking, biking, and ATV roads just off the property, in addition to a few other locally maintained hot pools, so you can get out and enjoy the desert. There are luxurious and clean indoor private pools that allow groups of 8 or less to soak for 30 minutes, and a large outdoor pool with smaller hot tubs right around the perimeter available 24 hours a day.
The resort offers flush toilets and hot showers as well as some pretty slow wifi closer to the office. We had pretty spotty Verizon service in the area but that’s not why you come here. You come to soak, to chill out and get away from all those notifications. And this place allows you to do it.
Additionally there are some small and sparsely decorated cabins and guest rooms for folks without an RV or camping gear. All of the sites have electricity and nearby water, but we never need hook ups because our solar panel system works simply and beautifully out in the desert sun, and everywhere else we’ve been.
Locally, there isn’t much in the way of food except a local steakhouse, bistro and brewery serving barbeque, we didn’t checkout any of them. We did make a day trip down to China Ranch for some amazing Date Shakes and Mediterranean fare. There’s some great hiking down there as well, and well worth the bike ride or drive.
The closest town with all the regular services is Pahrump Nevada, about 45 minutes away.
ScoutGreat camping spots. You feel somewhat close to your neighbors but the are angled where you don't feel on top of eachother. We never saw the host so just bring exactly $12 in cash with you to pay at the stand. Bathrooms are pit toilets but didn't smell and were as clean as the could be. Portable water and the rings loop trail was amazing!!
GuideThe 3.5 Mike gravel road is easy and wash board. Trains are a bit loud every 2 hours or so. Mosquitoes are abundant!! Vault toilets are available. The trails are soft sand, rock and river crossings. Overall a nice stay.
TravelerGreat location with opportunities for nice hiking. Wonderful surroundings. Our 3 boys had a blast calming and hiking. I would no stay more than two nights if you are looking for something new every day.
TravelerRecommended by a friend, this place did not disappoint. We arrived around 3 on a rainy day, checked in ($35/person) and had a full hook-up but only used the electric. Got in a soak before dinner in one of the 4 private tub rooms. Each has a shower and is open to the sky. Later that evening we enjoyed the swimming pool and outdoor spa, then a private soak and shower sans suit . One more stew in the am before checkout left us refreshed, relaxed and ready for the drive into Death Valley.
GuideWe have camped here twice because it is a convenient location on our way from California to other states. But it is also a pretty area. Even though it is first come, first serve, there were plenty of sites available both times we stayed.  There are relatively clean toilets with toilet paper,a waste basket, and hand sanitizer. We were OK in our trailer, but we had to pull down our awning because the wind was extremely strong overnight. We noticed a few of the tent campers left in the middle of the night. A warning to tent campers to check the weather before camping there.
TravelerLoved it. Some big pull through sites and back in sites for 30+ ft trailers. Water stations spread out through the campground and a Dump station. Camp sites are spaced out with some good distance between. Awesome views of the local mountains and hiking trails are close.
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.
GuidePaved road into campsite (about 20miles). Campground itself is smooth gravel. Well spaced and mostly level sites with beautiful desert vegetation between sites. First come, first serve. Almost empty in late Oct. $12/night. No hookups but access to potable water and a sanidump. Very clean pit toilets. Friendly and informative host. Access to trails right from campground, and information center within sight.
RangerStayed: 6/2/2022
Cost: $12 (exact change)
Site: 16
Vehicle: GMC Terrain
Equipment: Tent
AT&T and T-Mobile: Slow but usable
We made the trek out to Hole-in-the-Wall at Mojave National Preserve for one night. It was a much longer dirt road than I had imagined and you go up in elevation. It took almost a half-hour to get to the campground from Cedar Canyon Road.
This is a First Come, First Served NPS campground. We started the loop a little worried because every site was tagged, but by the time we got back over to the first loop, we had our pick of sites. We chose 16 because of the great view and it being directly next to the pit toilet. (The cleanest pit toilet I’ve ever seen)! The campground also has potable water, plenty of dumpsters and a dump station.
We wanted to stay here because we were finishing off our trip the next morning at the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center. It is directly next door, you can even see the lot from the campground.
This was a great place to stay, but maybe it would have been more worth it to stay at least a couple nights. I definitely didn’t realize the trek it was to get here, from the main part of the park. Everything is super spread out at Mojave.
#DareToEverywhere
Scout
The dirt spur over to this site is blocked off with "wilderness boundary" barriers. But there are more sites a few miles south on Kelbaker road.
Camping near Baker, California, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a base for exploring the Mojave Desert, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Camping near Baker, California, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty of unique experiences waiting for you.
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 Mojave National Preserve - 17 Mile Camp with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Baker, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
