Rustic camping near Cantil, California provides direct access to Eastern Kern County's high desert terrain at elevations between 2,000-2,500 feet. This region experiences temperature swings of 30-40°F between day and night, with summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F. Winter nights can drop below freezing, making spring and fall ideal camping seasons.
What to do
Explore OHV trails: Jawbone Canyon and surrounding areas offer extensive off-highway vehicle routes for all skill levels. Wagon Wheel Staging Area provides numerous trail access points. "Lots of trails to ride - for beginners to advanced. We zipped around in a side by side and everyone was responsible and nice," notes camper Natalie T.
Stargazing: The desert's minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. At Trona Pinnacles, campers can experience "Complete silence" while stargazing, according to Michelle W. Michael A. at Wagon Wheel confirms: "We had a nice dark sky for star gazing."
Photography: Capture dramatic desert landscapes during golden hour. The BLM Desert Site offers "Great sunset and sunrise" views according to Erin V. Similarly, Jessie F. notes the "beautiful" sunrise at Jawbone Canyon.
What campers like
Privacy and solitude: Despite popularity among OHV enthusiasts, the vast desert terrain allows for seclusion. "Everything is so spread out that we had a lot of privacy to ourselves," writes Natalie T. about Jawbone Canyon OHV Area. Thomas R. describes Wagon Wheel as a "fantastic spot. Great views, sheltered behind rocks."
Unique landscapes: The geological formations create otherworldly settings. "Felt like Skywalker or Spock was going to walk around a formation at any minute. Very cool vibes out there," shares one camper about Trona Pinnacles. Another mentions, "The landscape is like no other."
Accessibility: Many areas allow easy access for standard vehicles. At BLM Desert Site, Tyler D. reports, "I wasn't sure when driving out here at night in a minivan, but the dirt road didn't give me any trouble." James M. notes that at Jawbone Canyon, "A paved road leads to endless dispersed camping options in a beautifully rugged canyon."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Strong winds frequently impact the region. James M. reports that at Jawbone, "Wind was a problem and made sleeping hard." Derrick H. adds, "The wind was absolutely howling, but not too bad." Prepare with sturdy tent stakes and wind-resistant shelters.
Limited amenities: Most sites lack basic facilities. At East Mojave Camp, Sawyer P. emphasizes it's "Very remote absolutely nothing out there. Definitely somewhere you need to be aware of your surroundings." Judy46563 advises Jawbone campers to "Fill up before you come out here" as local water can be expensive.
Road conditions: Access roads vary widely in quality. Ronnie W. warns of "Huge ruts in dirt road" at East Mojave Camp, though "there's room to go around them." At Trona Pinnacles, one reviewer suggests: "If you have the option, air down your tires at the trailhead of the Trona dirt road. It makes the last 5 miles much more comfortable."
Tips for camping with families
Safety precautions: The remote desert environment requires extra preparation. Sawyer P. notes about East Mojave Camp: "Very remote... You can get far enough away from the highway that you don't need to worry about people driving by."
Wildlife awareness: Desert wildlife may be present around camps. Stephanie F. observed that at Wagon Wheel Staging Area, "You can see chuckwalla lizards sun on top of the rocks and we also got a visit from a sidewinder rattlesnake. Just be sure to wear boots, keep kids or animals close, respect the locals."
Trash management: Pack out all waste as facilities are minimal. Christopher J. observed at Jawbone Canyon that it's "absolutely filthy because no one in SoCal knows how to clean up after themselves. Trash, ammo, and broken glass absolutely everywhere."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many dispersed sites accommodate larger vehicles. At Keyesville Recreation Area, one RVer reports "You can park RVs right next to the water but it gets very busy, there are more secluded spots accessible to even Class A rigs further down. My Class C was able to make it through a few of the dirt roads no problem."
Clearance considerations: High-clearance vehicles have advantages on desert terrain. James M. notes about Jawbone Canyon: "We camped in a 24' travel trailer with a high clearance truck. While not necessary, the larger truck was nice to have on the dirt portions. There are sites that would be accessible by car as well just be more discerning."
Communications: Cell service varies by location. James reports "Verizon was at 1 bar the whole time" at Jawbone Canyon. At BLM Desert Site, Tyler D. mentions "I still had some service with Verizon."
