Top Tent Camping near Barstow, CA
Searching for a tent campsite near Barstow? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Barstow's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Barstow, CA (17)
1. Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
25 Reviews•47 Photos•532 SavesSilverwood Lake camping includes a table, BBQ and fire ring. These sites hold up to 8 persons including children and 3 vehicles. There are boat ramps and boat rentals on-site. You can fish Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Trout, Catfish, Bluegill, and Carp at the lake.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$45 - $350 / night
2. Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground
4 Reviews•13 Photos•197 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$10 - $119 / night
3. Keller Peak Yellow Post Campsites
8 Reviews•19 Photos•362 SavesThese 9 Yellow Post sites are individual camping sites. Each campsite will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. No reservations. Each site is limited to a maximum of 8 people at any one time. There is limited parking at these Yellow Post Sites for 2 vehicles. Amenities include 1 picnic table and 1 fire ring per site. There are no restroom facilities or drinking water. Please pack it in - pack it out! During winter, Keller Peak Road closes due to snow accumulation, but it is still possible to hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski to these sites. These sites are near the Children's Forest Visitor Center, the Children's Forest Exploration Trail, and the Keller Peak Fire Lookout. Campfire permits are required for any type of fire use - campfires, charcoal BBQ`s, or gas stoves. Campfires and charcoal BBQ's may not be allowed certain times of the year. Click here for current fire restriction information. Keller Peak Yellow Post Site Map
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
4. San Bernardino National Forest Crab Flats Campground
6 Reviews•4 Photos•30 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
5. El Mirage Dry Lake
2 Reviews•10 Photos•37 SavesPermits are available for sale on-site using a fee machine. The fee machines at EL Mirage sell $15 daily, $30 weekly and $90 annual passes.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
6. Lake Arrowhead - Green Valley Lake Recreation Area
6 Reviews•18 Photos•155 SavesIncludes: Lake Arrowhead, Lake Silverwood, Crestline, Running Springs, Green Valley Lake and Keller Peak recreational activities
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
7. Fishermans Group Campground
3 Reviews•8 Photos•91 SavesOverview
Fisherman's Group Campground is a semi-primitive campground reached by a 2.5-mile hike into the mountains of southern California. The dirt road and walk to the sites are well worth the effort once you reach the campground, which is nestled in a scenic forest on the banks of Deep Creek.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy access to some great birding and wildlife viewing. Other activities include hiking, horseback riding, hunting and mountain stream fishing. A variety of trailheads can be accessed near the campground.
Natural Features
The campground is situated along Deep Creek, 2.5 miles into an area forested by tall pine, oak and cedar trees at an elevation of about 7,000 feet. It is nestled in the mountains of southern California, in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Nearby Attractions
Big Bear Lake and the Big Bear Discovery Center are located about 21 miles from the campground. The center provides information on the area, a nature-themed gift shop, educational programs and restroom facilities. Trailheads are available at and near both the lake and the visitor center.
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
- Toilets
$10 / night
8. Tanglewood Group Campground
1 Review•3 Photos•11 SavesOverview
The Tanglewood Group Campground provides a picturesque spot for an extended family or large group getaway. It is nestled in the pine-covered mountains of Southern California, providing a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors of any age.
Recreation
A variety of hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails are nearby, including the scenic Gold Fever Trail. Climbing is also a popular activity. Fishing and boating in the nearby Big Bear Lake are also popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the campground. Anglers can look forward to a catch of trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass, among other fish. Because of cold water temperatures and the presence of underwater obstacles near the shorelines, swimming at the lake is somewhat discouraged, unless done in designated areas.
Natural Features
The campground is located northeast of Big Bear Lake at an elevation of 7,542 feet. It is situated in a dense pine forest along the Gold Fever Auto Tour Trail, which provides a variety of interpretive sites that highlight the rich gold mining history of the area.
Nearby Attractions
A general store and restaurants are available about eight miles southwest of the campground in Fawnskin. The closest available showers are at Serrano Campground, east of Fawnskin.
Charges & Cancellations
Rules & Reservation Policies As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov, there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations. Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites. Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Tours & Tickets: You may request changes to tour dates at no cost before the arrival date. If you cancel before your tour date, you may be eligible for a refund. Cancellation fees apply. Please check the tour facility description details page for cancellation policies. Permits: Varies by location. Please check the permit details for the permit location. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Tours: A tour or ticket no-show is one who does not cancel a ticket before arrival and does not arrive for the tour. Tour no-shows are not entitled to a refund. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$149 - $159 / night
10. Adobe Boondocks Camp
Be the first to review!- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$20 - $50 / night
Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Barstow
426 Reviews of 17 Barstow Campgrounds
Kim N.
Traveler
Calico Ghost Town
halloween event
Great camping site during halloween event. Very kid friendly. There were free balloon twisters, pumpkin craving, arts and crafts, toss games. We enjoyed the train ride. it was about $5 per a ride. Campsites were dirt roads. we had electric hookup. Dump station was easy to access and water/trash located next to it. No fees for water and dump. Weather was perfect in mid 70's. Would definitely take the kids back again before they get older.
- E
Erin V.
Guide
BLM Desert Site
BLM desert site
35.08627305276245,-117.54092669125416 Great space. Easy to find. Away from highway enough. Very windy. Great sunset and sunrise.
- RRosalina P.
Scout
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
Fun for groups!
Just had the best weekend even with the 3 bears that decided to come by. Group of 30 . Definitely a good time. Be careful with the bears! 😮💨🥰🏕️
Noel L.Guide
Barstow-Calico KOA
Nice KOA
Clean and well maintained. Friendly service. Awesome pool! Just a little pricey...$71
- mmelinnaScout
Holcomb Valley Campground
2 nights at Holcomb Valley Ranch campground
Just got back from a 2 night stay with a group of 6 at this camp. Enjoyed the ample space between camps because it allows for extra privacy and less noise from other campers. However, we stayed on a night where a wedding reception was taking place and the DJ sound system was blasting until about 10:15 pm— this is unacceptable for a campground. They should’ve closed the sites all around the wedding area down, we were about a 3 minute walk away and this really tarnished the experience for Saturday afternoon thru evening. Pros- clean accessible bathrooms and showers, gorgeous horse meadow with about 40 horses roaming free. The road into the camp is totally unpaved, so truck & suv recommended. Camp manager Ed was very kind and helpful.
Laura M.
Legend
Sawtooth Canyon Campground
Great, and free
This is a great BLM campground, FREE, individual sites with varying levels of privacy and levelness, no reservations. Each site has a shade structure, table, fire pit, and grill. There are pit toilets but no other amenities. No water and no trash service- please pack your trash out! We had to pick up after some other campers which is just so dumb to have to do. There was a camper there who looked like they had set up for long term residency, and the sheriff came by and kicked them out.
This is also a big rock climbing destination so you’ll have climbers coming in for the day as well. There are some “dispersed” type sites in the brush area so if you show up and all the spots are taken, you can sleep in one of those spots in a pinch until morning. We were there in late December and there were only a couple of other campers, and then again in early January and it was busy on weekends but quiets down during the week.
The road coming in is 1.6 miles of washboard and some big dips, but it’s doable. Cell service is very spotty throughout the campground. Parts of decent ATT or Verizon service, and parts have zero. Lots of hikes and trails and places to walk and scramble.
- DDee M.Traveler
Mill Creek Dispersed Camping
Over a dozen sites
There are lots of sites on this road. The closer you are to the road the more dust will get in your site from the vehicles passing. The road here. I went a to the second fork after the Bluff lake fork. There’s a private campground near the Bluff Lake entrance which made noises i can hear from my site which was before Bluffs lake fork. There are over a dozen sites along the main road. If you can pull in, it’s a site. Some better than others and spaced out so you may not see your neighbors from your site. 2x4 accessible as long as it’s not muddy or after snow. I saw a Prius on the trail.
Connor M.GuideMill Creek Dispersed Camping
Plenty of Spots
Overall great campground, there are definitely some permanent residents but there is more than enough spots to have some privacy.
- Lori C.Scout
Pine Knot Campground
Close to town and chair lift
We booked for a weekend, in spot 37. This campground is basically in town. You enter its access road through the Snow Summit parking lot, and the chair lifts border it. That's a pro if you are looking to access the mountain bike park, but a con if you are trying to get out of town. The campground was packed when we were there, seemed every site had 6 to 8 people. It was a real party scene, again, a pro if that's what you are looking for. Lots of people with string lights up that they kept on all night.
The site itself, 37, was terrible. Most trees had been removed, and it's on the corner of two camp roads with no screening at all. The only flat tent pad was next to the road and dumpsters. We actually didn't stay or second night
Pros: close to town and mountain bike park. You could walk to both, or the free trolley. Cons: crowded, many sites have no privacy. On some weekends loud and lots of lights
Dickie Simmons S.Traveler
Pineknot
Clean camp located next to Snow Summit lifts.
Clean campsites. Roads thru out camp can be a bit tight in areas, larger rigs not recommended. Ride in, ride out location for Snow Summit MTB lifts. Reserve your dates early.
- Dickie Simmons S.Traveler
Mill Creek Dispersed Camping
Convenient free camping just outside of town
Great free camping when campgrounds are booked. Easy to navigate with GPS. Many large and small sites along the road. Some spots more secluded than others. Smaller rigs, medium clearance and lite off-road capabilities recommended. Good cellular reception in my particular location.
Vincent B.Guide
Afton Canyon Campground
Convenient stop before the Mojave Trail
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!
- NNicole W.Traveler
Serrano
Excellent camping near Big Bear Lake
We camped here the last weekend before they closed for the winter, after Thanksgiving. The campground was clean, quiet, and had a decent amount of space between sites. There is a biking trail that goes through the campground that was well used. Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning, so we had to dump when we got out of the mountains. 100% would stay here again.
Francisco F.TravelerMill Creek Dispersed Camping
Beautiful Spot For 4x4, But NOT For RVs
My husband and I were looking for good boondocking spots yesterday and we decided to check out this spot, after finding it on The Dyrt and a few other sites. It's definitely a beautiful place, and most of the road to the site is paved, but the road up to the actual spot is gravel, with lots of potholes and washboard areas, which would make it difficult for an RV. But the biggest issue for RVs is an area of the road that is very steep and immediately turns into a hairpin turn that we didn't even want to try in our 4x4, since the road is very thin and our SUV (a 2009 Nissan Pathfinder) is kind of thick. I'm sure it's probably nothing for people who are used to using their 4x4 for more than regular driving in the snow, etc., but it was too dodgy for us. There is no way that even a Class C rig would be able to take that steep incline and immediately do that sharp turn. And since there's nowhere to turn around in that spot, you'd have to back your rig down the incline and then quite a ways down the pitted, gravel road to get out of it.
It's full of trees and seems fairly remote, but we had 5 cars pass us as we were backing away from the incline, so it's obviously a busy spot - you wouldn't be there alone, and this was on a Thursday.
- NNathan S.Guide
Calico Ghost Town
Nice but small sites
I think I was lucky. There was myself and two others in the entire campground. Granted it was June and hot. The sites are ok. The electric and water worked. The bathrooms were clean and maintained. The shower costs $1.00 for 6 minutes. The water was pleasantly warm. The Ghost town is a fun place to walk through.
Roger W.Guide
Dogwood
Beautiful and Clean
The place is clean and quiet. Our camp site was very spacious, and it was easy to back in our teardrop trailer. Restroom was cleaned every day, but wished there was some sort of light in there. It is dark in there even in the day. Camp hosts are friendly and knowledgeable. Overall, we had a really great time, my wife and I and our two labradors. We will return.
Andre V.
RangerDogwood
Nice little Mountain Getaway
The campground is located in some lush pines In Angeles forest. It’s nothing too spectacular but well maintained and a pretty area. Most of the sites are spaced out fairly decently. I would recommend for a quick one or two night escape from the city.
- JJoe R.Guide
Rim of the World Byway (near 15 fwy south) Dispersed
Easy in and out by mormon rocks
By Rim of the world scenic byway and mormon rocks. Easy in and out but next to train tracks. Quick stop friendly ;)
- MMichi S.Traveler
Bell Mountain Road
quite ok near highway
many Trucks at night. don't drive to the campground just search a space after road ends
Jason M.GuideBarstow-Calico KOA
Great Waypoint for Passing Through
It's an excellent location for access to Barstow and Calico. We appreciated the pool, hammocks next to the pool, and the treats at the store. Sites are primarily pull-throughs, and many are occupied by people passing through them for one night. There are easy hookups, 50 amp service, and easy on/off from the highway. We visited both Barstow and Calico and had a good time at both.
- aalain E.Scout
Pineknot
Great weekend.
Peaceful experience, very clean, great camp host. Would come back.
- AAndrew C.Traveler
Saddleback Butte State Park
Desolate
The only thing more desolate than this campground is the landscape, but perhaps that's your thing. I'm the only one here on a Sunday night in May. A couple pulled in before me, but after a once-around, they left. Each campsite is well sheltered from the sun and wind -- 8' tall plywood windbreak wall plus lattice ceiling with room under it for two picnic tables and your tent. Too much noise from the nearby highway. By the way, if Google maps leads you to the closed picnic area, don't worry, there's a separate campground entrance south of it on the connecting street.
Michelle W.RangerSawtooth Canyon Campground
Amazing experience
I was lucky to get campsite #9. One of the regular campers told me to keep driving til the end when I could find a spot. So amazed when I got there. I had the entire canyon to myself! The next day I met some climbers from France and one from Ohio. They were the only other people in the canyon. I watched them climb and they invited me to try it. I made it up a 40ft rock that was adjacent to my campsite. Exhilarating!
Grant W.Scout
Skypark Camp RV Resort
Beautiful Campground
It was an amazing and clean campground. The sites were very tight but had plenty of room. The staff was accommodating and friendly. Verizon had service at the camp, but I was not able to access the WiFi all weekend.
Raquel D.ScoutSaddleback Butte State Park
peaceful
My family and I enjoyed the peaceful trails and the beautiful landscape
- SShaun R.Scout
Owl Canyon Campground
AVOID - Not suitable for RVs
Nearly 5 miles of either hard washboard dirt road (Shaking parts of the vehicle loose) or loose sand that you can get stuck in.
After driving 4 miles down the track there was a huge ditch across the middle of the road, which was uncrossable in a vehicle and lead to us turning around.
Didn’t get to stay at the site as it was unreachable, had to book a motel as it was late in the day to book another site.
- Jason M.Guide
Mojave River Forks Regional Park
Basic, Clean Campground
We had a great overnight stay at this park. Two other campers were there, and we had no interactions other than waving. We arrived after hours, and the gate code was included in the reservation information. We will be adding this park back for future stays.
Guide to Barstow
Camping near Barstow, California, offers a unique blend of desert landscapes and historical sites. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
What to do:
- Explore Calico Ghost Town: This old mining town is a fun place to walk through and learn about the area's history. One visitor mentioned, "The Ghost town is a fun place to walk through," making it a must-see while camping at Calico Ghost Town.
- Hiking and Biking: Many campgrounds, like Serrano, have trails nearby. One camper noted, "There is a biking trail that goes through the campground that was well used."
- Rock Climbing: For those who love climbing, Sawtooth Canyon Campground is a popular spot. A camper shared, "This is truly an amazing spot... clean, quiet and spectacular views all around."
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and campsites. One review for Dogwood said, "The place is clean and quiet. Our camp site was very spacious."
- Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer ample space between sites. A visitor at Serrano mentioned, "The campground was clean, quiet, and had a decent amount of space between sites."
- Friendly Staff: Campground hosts often receive praise for their helpfulness. A camper at Hanna Flat Campground said, "The campground hosts are super sweet and they give you a rundown of the whole campground once you get there."
What you should know:
- Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at San Gorgonio noted, "While the campgrounds were packed, it was really quiet and not crazy busy."
- Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have showers or markets. For example, Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground has no showers, and one camper mentioned, "The camp toilets were decently clean."
- Wildlife: Be aware of local wildlife. A camper at Serrano warned, "Bears and coyotes in the area, recommended not to let small dogs or cats roam unattended."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One family at Dogwood enjoyed the "great trail system" nearby.
- Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets for chilly nights. A visitor at Hanna Flat Campground mentioned, "It was cold enough at night but was absolutely perfect during the day."
- Plan for Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A camper at San Gorgonio noted, "The camp host was nice, and the bathrooms were clean."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Sawtooth Canyon Campground mentioned, "There are only about 20 spots here and it is popular."
- Bring Water: Some campgrounds, like Calico Ghost Town, do not have drinking water available. One visitor advised, "Please pack your trash out!"
- Watch for Weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A camper at Serrano said, "Our sewer outlet was frozen in the morning, so we had to dump when we got out of the mountains."
Camping in Barstow, CA, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Barstow, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Barstow, CA is Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area with a 4-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Barstow, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Barstow, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.