Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon Campground offers camping on BLM land 5 miles from Barstow along a washboard dirt road. The campground sits at approximately 2,300 feet elevation in the Mojave Desert, providing views across the basin's geological formations. Weather conditions range from below freezing in winter to over 100°F in summer with minimal natural shade available.
What to do
Hiking in Rainbow Basin: The area surrounding Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon Campground features multiple trails for day hiking. "We camped one night and explored/hiked around the area. We also did the scenic drive. Very cool spot in the Mojave," notes Tommy B.
Fishing at Mojave Narrows: The lakes at Mojave Narrows Regional Park provide year-round fishing opportunities. "The lakes are nice, there are mountain views, and some cool hikes to explore in the riverbed area. It's a green Oasis in the desert," reports Megan S.
Hot springs soaking: Several hot springs locations exist near Barstow. "The spring pools at our site were so relaxing to have all to ourselves and well worth it to reserve for our party!" shares Jessica B. about Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp Retreat.
What campers like
Desert solitude: Most campgrounds around Barstow offer space between sites. "Easy going campground with all the necessary amenities for camping and a great spot for our large group of 18 adults & 10 kids to gather and camp out together," says a reviewer about Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp Retreat.
Night sky viewing: The Mojave Desert provides excellent stargazing conditions. "Dark nights. Very quiet. Clean," writes Michele H. about Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon Campground.
Water features: Despite the desert location, some campgrounds feature water access. "A small forest of Cottonwood trees abounds, which are the only native tree to this area. The lakes are nice, there are mountain views, and some cool hikes to explore in the riverbed area," notes a camper at Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most horse campgrounds near Barstow, California require self-sufficiency. At Hesperia Lake Park, "Water and electric only on camp sites. No dump site there. There's nice shade on probably half the sites, the other ones have little or none," reports James C.
Weather planning: The high desert experiences extreme temperature fluctuations. "We would usually go toward the end of the year when it is not so hot (Oct-Dec) and have had a variety of weather over the years. From beautiful skies, to wind, rain and snow," shares Brett L. about camping in the region.
Road conditions: Many access roads require careful driving. "Go slow!" warns Michele H. about the 5-mile washboard road to Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "There is a very nice playground in the day-use area, a reasonable walking distance from the Horseshoe Lake sites," notes Lee D. at Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
Wildlife encounters: Children should be taught about desert wildlife safety. "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," cautions Melissa M. about Hesperia Lake.
Water activities: Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground provides unique water experiences. "The deep creek hot springs were absolutely fabulous, as they were situated next to a cold creek where we could do therapeutic hot cold plunges," shares a camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most equestrian campgrounds near Barstow have minimal or no hookups. At Borax Bill Substation, "Office is only open th-tue, but staff roaming the area are very helpful. Dry camp the other days anywhere you want," advises Ken W.
Level sites: Look for level parking areas when choosing sites. "Level, paved, separated FHU sites with picnic tables and fire rings," notes Rich J. at Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
Water planning: Fill tanks before arrival at most sites. "As you drive in you pass a ranger station. $10 gets you water to fill up your tanks and a pass to use their dump station," explains Brett L. about camping in the desert region.
