Camping near Carrizo Plain National Monument
Carrizo Plain National Monument features free Bureau of Land Management (BLM) campgrounds scattered throughout its remote grasslands. KCL Campground and Selby Campground provide established sites with basic amenities, while dispersed camping options exist in surrounding areas like Old Sierra Madre. Both campgrounds offer tent and RV sites with fire rings and picnic tables, though larger RVs may find access challenging on the monument's rough roads. The Little Brave House provides the area's only cabin accommodation, complete with electric hookups and amenities not found at the primitive BLM sites.
Road conditions significantly impact camping experiences in this isolated area, with many access routes consisting of dirt roads subject to washboarding and becoming impassable after rain. "The 19-mile access road from highway 33 can be grueling in places with heavy washboard," noted one visitor about reaching KCL Campground. Water availability is limited, with some campgrounds having non-potable or unreliable water sources, making it essential for campers to bring their own supplies. Cell service varies widely, with T-Mobile reported as functional in some areas while other carriers have limited coverage. Summer temperatures frequently reach the 90s, and persistent flies can be problematic during warmer months.
The monument's remote character delivers exceptional stargazing opportunities and wildlife encounters. Campers frequently mention seeing and hearing great horned owls in the eucalyptus trees at KCL Campground, along with observations of kangaroo rats, bats, hawks, and coyotes. Spring visits are particularly popular when wildflowers bloom across the plains, transforming the normally arid landscape. A visitor remarked, "The evenings here are spectacular—very little light pollution so you get a clear view of the night sky and all of the stars." The campgrounds typically remain uncrowded except during peak wildflower season, providing a peaceful retreat for those seeking solitude in California's largest remaining native grassland.
