Tent campsites near California City, California span across desert landscapes with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet in the western Mojave Desert. Conditions vary dramatically between seasons, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F during daytime hours and winter nights dipping below freezing. The area's camping options typically feature minimal facilities on hard-packed desert soil with scattered vegetation dominated by creosote bush and scattered Joshua trees.
What to do
Night photography opportunities: Desert camping locations near California City offer exceptional stargazing conditions due to minimal light pollution. At El Mirage Dry Lake, the open terrain provides unobstructed horizon views. According to one visitor, "This place is huge! The dry lake bed is where a lot of the off roaring happens, but there are lots of places to explore too."
Off-road exploration: The surrounding desert contains numerous unmaintained dirt roads suitable for high-clearance vehicles. Near Breckenridge Campground, visitors can access mountain trails with varying difficulty levels. One camper notes, "Cool place to go and chill, just make sure you are prepared for a narrow and bumpy road, also a short dirt trail."
Hot springs visits: Several natural hot springs exist within driving distance of California City. A visitor to Remington reported, "A 10 minute walk to the natural hot springs along the river," making it a popular daytime activity, though camping is no longer permitted at this specific location as of September 2020.
What campers like
Isolation and quiet: Many campers appreciate the solitude available at desert camping sites. At Vakinheim, which offers a single primitive tent site, one reviewer enthusiastically shared, "Amazing campgrounds. We had an area where we could set up bon fire. Had some wood on the area."
Wildlife viewing: The desert ecosystem supports various wildlife species active during different times of day. A visitor to Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles mentioned, "Much wild life and plenty of things to see," highlighting unexpected natural encounters despite the seemingly barren landscape.
Weather diversity: While challenging, the dramatic temperature swings create unique camping experiences. A camper at Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles observed, "Slept in the car and temperatures reached as low as 32 F but with the right equipment we were able to stay warm. Heats up quick in the morning!" This rapid warming effect creates comfortable midday conditions even during winter months.
What you should know
Primitive conditions: Most camping options near California City lack basic facilities. One visitor to Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles noted, "There's no facilities here. Heck, there's barely a sign. But it's a great spot to get away from the city for a day or two and hang out with family and friends."
Navigation challenges: Finding unmarked sites can prove difficult. A camper at Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles reported, "It's hard to find. There is no signs until you randomly pick a dirt road and go a few hundred yards, then you see a Joshua Tree Ranch sign laying on the ground."
Wind factors: Desert wind conditions significantly impact comfort levels. El Mirage Dry Lake experiences frequent dust issues as one camper warns, "Be aware that it's very dusty, obviously the large amount of OHV vehicles causes a giant dust cloud, and it can be windy so the sand gets picked up even more."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Structure desert camping trips with specific goals. Families visiting Breckenridge Campground can combine camping with hiking. A visitor noted, "This is a awesome campground, with just a fire ring and table (if a site has it, if not there's plenty to choose from) there is an outhouse and that it is, no signal unless you go up to the lookout."
Vehicle considerations: Access to many desert camping areas requires appropriate transportation. A visitor to Breckenridge Campground cautioned, "We didn't even make it up to the campground after driving about 20 miles on Breckenridge road," highlighting the importance of vehicle capability when traveling with children.
Self-sufficiency preparation: All tent sites near California City require complete self-sufficiency. For family camping at Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles, one camper advised, "Location is great, only a 70-90 minute drive from LA. Just enough cell service to feel safe, but not enough bandwidth for your kids to stream YouTube all day."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers should research ground conditions carefully. At Antelope Valley Fairgrounds RV Park, one camper explained, "This is essentially one big parking lot behind a fence. Clean showers and bathrooms. Full RV hook-ups. It's absolutely nothing to write home about and really has no personality, trees, or privacy."
Event awareness: Check local event calendars before planning stays. An Antelope Valley Fairgrounds visitor reported, "When we were there there was nothing going on at the fairgrounds, though I can imagine it would be a very different experience depending on what kind of events were happening."
Facility verification: Call ahead to confirm current amenities. One RVer at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds noted, "The place is clean. Sites are level. Full hook ups. But the bathroom is closed. The rate is double. Nothing here but a parking lot," suggesting facilities may change without website updates.
