Camping options near Calico, California include both developed campgrounds and dispersed sites across the high desert terrain. Situated at approximately 3,000 feet elevation, the area experiences dramatic temperature swings, with summer daytime highs regularly exceeding 100°F and winter nights dropping below freezing. The surrounding landscape features colorful mineral deposits that give Calico its name, with sparse desert vegetation dominated by creosote bush and barrel cactus.
What to do
Off-roading opportunities: Several dispersed camping areas cater to off-road enthusiasts. BLM Barstow - Dispersed Camp Area provides access to extensive trail networks. "Dirt Biking heaven! Our friends brought their toy-haulers and we played in the desert for a few nights. The weather was pretty good for November. Plenty of space to have 2 RV's, a van, and a few guests," notes a visitor who found the area ideal for off-road recreation.
Visit Calico Ghost Town: Camping at Calico Ghost Town Regional Park includes free admission to the historic site. "You can't beat having a campsite AND you can enter the ghost town either by foot or drive to the ghost town's parking lot. Your camping fees include all that. Very cute little town and lots to see," reports one camper. The park features restored buildings, mine tours, and historical exhibits documenting the area's silver mining past.
Hiking canyon trails: Owl Canyon Campground offers direct access to hiking through colorful rock formations. "The hikes through the colored rocks are so pretty. It can get pretty windy and trash just gets blown all over so part of our daily activities when we stay here is walking around with our trash pickers and picking up trash that's blown into the washes," shares one regular visitor who appreciates the natural beauty of the area.
What campers like
Desert night skies: The clear desert air and minimal light pollution create spectacular stargazing conditions. At Afton Canyon Campground, campers appreciate the celestial views. "Stargazer's, off-roaders and Boy Scouts use this campground. It's one of the few places that the Mojave River flows above ground. This is a really nice campground," notes one reviewer who enjoyed the night sky.
Wildlife encounters: Despite the harsh desert environment, wildlife viewing opportunities abound. "There is lots of wildlife and the geology seems neat. There are pit toilets, no showers some shade structures which are newish. It's a good pretty campsite not far from I-15 and close to other areas of Mojave Natl Preserve," explains a visitor to Afton Canyon who enjoyed observing desert species.
Water features in desert settings: Unusual for the Mojave, some camping areas feature natural water. "The campsite is located along the only section of the Mojave River that is above ground. It's a great place to explore the desert landscape," notes one Afton Canyon camper, highlighting this rare desert feature.
What you should know
Temperature extremes: Summer heat makes desert camping challenging. "I was here one October where the weather was above 100F during the day. The sites have absolutely no shade or cover, and are just lined up in a row next to each other with no privacy," reports one visitor to Calico Ghost Town Regional Park, emphasizing the need for heat preparation.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating rough roads. At Owl Canyon, one reviewer warns: "We stayed with a group here for 3 nights a few years ago in October. This is a beautiful campground. Very primitive, with pit toilets and one water faucet. Trash is carry in carry out."
Wind considerations: High winds can disrupt camping plans. At Stoddard Valley OHV, one camper notes: "This spot isn't anything special, but desert camping under the stars is never a bad time. Once the wind settled in the evening, I made some tea and read a book."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer built-in entertainment for children. "Talk about good times!! Get dirty as you can and have a blast doing it!! Razrrrr city!! Super cool ghost town, and really family friendly! Clean bathrooms and well maintained. This place has cool little mining caves and a cool train for kids to ride on," shares one family visitor to Calico Ghost Town Regional Park.
Recreation options: Barstow-Calico KOA provides numerous family activities. "The kids loved the pool and other kids to play with. Great game room with pool, foosball, air hockey etc. big playground and easy campground to bike around. BIG area out back to ride around in and play baseball," reports one family who found plenty to keep children occupied.
Educational opportunities: Mining history exploration engages curious children. "I had always wanted to visit a ghost town so when this came up in our travel path, we had to stop for a night. The next morning, we wandered into the Ghost Town for some entertainment. We took pictures of the bottle house, mercantile, and many other buildings. There was a shooting show going on that was really cool and the boys enjoyed ice cream on a hot day," describes a parent who camped at Calico Ghost Town with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Calico Ghost Town Regional Park, RV site placement matters. "There are 253 different sites. There are primitive sites, only electric sites as well as full hook up sites. Section A came with the full hookup, I saw mainly large class A RVs parking there, probably came for a longer time. I took a space in camp B with only electricity, which is enough for me and my Class B."
Level site availability: Most area campgrounds offer relatively level spots. At Newberry Mountain RV Park, "Gravel pads they were level no problems with the hook ups. It's a nice pool and two ponds. It was 120° when I got there so the pool felt really good."
Seasonal timing: RVers recommend avoiding summer heat. "Free admission to Ghost Town with camping reservation. Good fall to spring. Way to hot in summer. No shade. Dusty but that's expected in an OHV Campground," advises an RVer who visited Calico Ghost Town Regional Park during more moderate temperatures.
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