Top Tent Camping near Cima, CA

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Best Tent Sites Near Cima, CA (9)


Recent Tent Reviews In Cima

74 Reviews of 9 Cima Campgrounds


  • Jami C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Granite Pass in Mojave National Park
    May. 21, 2024

    Granite Pass in Mojave National Park

    Beautiful, but critters and thorns

    Traveling across country, Jeep camping. Spot was perfect and beautiful. Could have been off the road a bit more considering the amount of traffic for such a remote spot. Make sure to wear shoes as there are thorns. Also be ready to wake up to critters (mice? Chipmunks?) running across your exhaust, chewing on their dinner.

  • Hillary T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kokoweef Dispersed Camping
    May. 16, 2024

    Kokoweef Dispersed Camping

    Easy access from I-15

    After climbing the giant hills out of Baker, my 1984 Vanagon was ready for a rest. We pulled off at Bailey Road and it was quickly dirt road, but certainly manageable for any SUV or Truck. After about 10 minutes (3.1 miles) there were campsites. Plenty of spaces and spread out. HOT in the late spring but overnight temperatures were excellent at about 65F.

  • Doc P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from North Lava Tube Camp
    Apr. 21, 2024

    North Lava Tube Camp

    Perfect desert camping for beginners and families.

    Just 10 miles down a great, stereotypical, paved desert road off of I-15 you’ll find an unmarked turnoff as the road curves. The turnoff quickly becomes a dirt road that runs straight for miles. On the right side is the Mojave National Wilderness and on the left is the Mojave National Preserve where camping is allowed in designated areas only. These are marked pretty well and can easily accommodate groups (see “camping” below). The road is easy (see “Approach” below) and I’d feel comfortable taking a 2wd sedan to at least the first campsite which is only about 200m from the road. Fires are allowed in fire pits only which both sites I saw have.

    Camping There are two designated dispersed campsites that I saw. I didn’t drive much past the second site though the road wasn’t difficult. The sites are well established and well marked. Some places look like they could be campsites but they are marked as “No Camping.” Look for the established areas with a fire pit that have the designated camping signs. They are located next to rock formations that help block the wind and give you a place to get on top of to look around. Watch out for snakes! The first one is maybe 200m down the road on the left. It has a driveway leading to a circular area so it would be good for a pull through camper or two. It’s large enough for a few campers, I’d say, or several vehicles. Pretty ideal if you had a horse trailer (there is not water source) as across the site is a good equestrian/hiking trail. I chose this one because it was actually smaller and I didn’t want to take up the larger second site. The second site is visible from the first but not close enough to interact much. The rock formation is larger, it’s more hidden from the main road, and has more space for vehicles. Better for a group - even a large one. Check the sign on the way into the preserve to make sure fires are allowed that day. Firewood can be purchased at the market in Baker.

    The Approach and Ace Test The exit off of I-15 is convenient - stop in Baker immediately on the right for supplies then right across the interstate is Kellbaker Rd - the paved road that goes through the Mojave. After the mile 10 marker, the road turns right and in the middle of the turn is an unmarked paved driveway. Turn onto that driveway and it becomes a sandy dirt road that runs straight. There are some signs that say “No Motor Vehicles” and “No Camping” but these signs are talking about not leavening the road. You’re fine if you stay on the road. There are some pull offs that look like campsites but they will have rocks across the path and have signs saying no camping. Look for the designated camping signs and pull offs with a fire pit. This road does pass the Ace test for me (Ace was my 216 VW Jetta that I took on roads like this often); however, there are a couple spots toward the second campsite and beyond that I, personally, would do with Ace but if you’re less comfortable, the first campsite is maybe 200m in and any car could make that easily.

    Activities The trails are well marked and one can explore the Lava Tubes which is just across the dirt road and easy access. It’s hot even in spring so bring a lot of water - more than you think you need. WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES. I had a fire and it was great to sit, relax, and stargaze. There isn’t a lot of light pollution so on a clear night, it’s awesome. Further down the paved road, there are other things like more Lava Tubes, some mines, and a trail you can drive along to check out water tanks. I like this camp area because it’s isolated and out of town but close enough to get supplies while allowing access further into the preserve. You can also go check out the World’s Largest Thermometer in Baker as well as an Alien kitsch shop and a few restaurants.

    Weather I was there towards the end of April and it was in the 90’s and sunny during the day, a hot breeze coming from the west. At night, it was clear and starry and a low around 65.

    Cell Service and Other Services I had 3 bars of Verizon LTE and was able to text and send videos and do some of my remote work. There are no amenities; however, Baker is just 10 miles away and has a few gas stations and a market that have pretty much everything from laundry detergent to firewood.

  • Danny T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Heart of the Mojave on Kelbaker Road
    Apr. 6, 2024

    Heart of the Mojave on Kelbaker Road

    It’s ok.

    23ft rv Beginning of april The camping area is small. There was one can there when we arrived on Friday , early in the day. By 5 pm there were several vehicles. Another rv parked about 30 ft away and a van pulled in at night and was about 15 ft behind us. The area is very pretty. Great mountains etc. bit if garbage around which always bums. Me out. Spent shell casings.
    It’s ok in a pinch for sure and I could see it being good mid week when maybe nobody is around.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Wild Horse Road Dispersed
    Apr. 2, 2024

    Wild Horse Road Dispersed

    Beautiful Spot

    Great spot just before Hole in the Wal About 1/4 mile down a road marked “4x4 high clearance only.” But if you’re just hitting the campsite you can make It in a lot less. There’s a turn around there for people towing trailers. No facilities, just a fire ring, red rock peaks and quiet. Absolutely stunning.

  • Danny T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Amboy Crater
    Mar. 3, 2024

    Amboy Crater

    Updated after another visit

    This is a great spot. Now I might be a bit biased because it’s only 1 and 1/3 from my house but this spot is underrated.
    It’s super clean. No trash etc. the Mojave preserve parks do a great job. If you go to the day use area it’s also clean and well kept as well as just really a nice area. Great hike to the crater. They filmed “ Journey ToThe Center Of The Earth “ there. There aren’t a lot of spots to camp but because nobody comes here very much it’s always pretty simple to find a little spot. It’s a great weekender/ short get away spot. There is a train that runs by but it’s not loud. It’s far enough away that the train sound is actually soothing at night and I think ads to the charm. Yes, can be windy but also can be perfect. The stargazing is amazing and it will be busy here if there is a stargazing event

  • Danny T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Amboy Crater
    Mar. 1, 2024

    Amboy Crater

    Great easy little fun spot

    This is a seemingly in remarkable spot but we really like it. It’s close to home for us but on a nice day it’s very pretty and the volcano is cool to hike to. The day use parking lot has bathrooms. Not a lot of spots to camp but it’s also not a crowded spot unless there is a stargazing event. It’s close to Roy’s for a fun little touristy stop. The camping area is the overflow parking lot.

    We had a 23 ft rv Decent cell service

  • cole R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Heart of the Mojave on Kelbaker Road
    Nov. 17, 2023

    Heart of the Mojave on Kelbaker Road

    Easy access & astounding stars

    The site is about a mile off I-40 and I had no problem pulling my 58ft rig into camp. My only major complaint is that a town of any legitimate size is about 80 miles away.

    Pros: -good cell service -incredible view of the stars at night -beautiful landscape

    Cons: -SO MUCH trash everywhere -very isolated

  • Wayne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Cottonwood Cove Campground
    Nov. 9, 2023

    Lower Cottonwood Cove Campground

    Quiet, inexpensive and peaceful

    When we first got here there was no available water ( main water line break) and the bathrooms were closed and they had set up several portable bathrooms. They quickly fixed the water line on day two and bathrooms were re-opened and water was available at the sites. No hook ups, but worth the $20 a night ( must be done online), quiet, peaceful and only a couple other campers here. Walking distance to Lake Mojave ( Sandy beach looks beautiful when you walk up to it, but then you see all the rusty battle caps, bottles, some broken glass, fishing line and trash about) where there is a marina with a store ( pricey as you’d expect). Camp sites aren’t very big, but I had no problem with my 19ft trailer. They have 45 sites ( loops around for easy turn around at top of campground) and ours was level. No camp host here, but service truck drives through at about noon everyday. Trash bins available. Regular flush bathrooms were pretty clean ( no showers).The nights ( sun down here at 4:30pm) are awesome and star gazing is amazing and you can hear coyote’s in the distance. A few palm trees and some sites have nice shade. We had such a nice experience here, we decided to stay an extra night!

  • Honza P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve
    Jul. 9, 2023

    Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Epic spot directly in the Mojave desert

    Stayed here for one night in July. We were afraid that it will be extremely hot, but the night was surprisingly cold. Only a free other campgrounds we have been on our trip could beat the stars at night. Even though the site is in the middle of the desert, everything is perfectly clean and you even have water.

  • Courtney B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve
    Apr. 23, 2023

    Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Out in the Middle of Nowhere

    Great camping spots. You feel somewhat close to your neighbors but the are angled where you don't feel on top of eachother. We never saw the host so just bring exactly $12 in cash with you to pay at the stand. Bathrooms are pit toilets but didn't smell and were as clean as the could be. Portable water and the rings loop trail was amazing!!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve
    Mar. 25, 2023

    Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Quiet and convenient

    We have camped here twice because it is a convenient location on our way from California to other states. But it is also a pretty area. Even though it is first come, first serve, there were plenty of sites available both times we stayed.  There are relatively clean toilets with toilet paper,a waste basket, and hand sanitizer. We were OK in our trailer, but we had to pull down our awning because the wind was extremely strong overnight. We noticed a few of the tent campers left in the middle of the night. A warning to tent campers to check the weather before camping there.

  • Mitchell C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Searchlight BLM
    Feb. 19, 2023

    Searchlight BLM

    Nice big lot with some fire pits

    Perfect for cars, vans, and trucks if you just need a legal place to park. Need to drive some gravel roads to get there. We were all alone when we went to sleep and the only light or noise was from the nearby highway. There’s scattered woody trash in the surrounding land so do your part and start a campfire with it. I found a pallet on the ground on my way in.

  • Ian S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve
    Oct. 26, 2022

    Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Easy access to Majove Desert

    Paved road into campsite (about 20miles). Campground itself is smooth gravel. Well spaced and mostly level sites with beautiful desert vegetation between sites. First come, first serve. Almost empty in late Oct. $12/night. No hookups but access to potable water and a sanidump. Very clean pit toilets. Friendly and informative host. Access to trails right from campground, and information center within sight.

  • Dare To Everywhere  .
    Camper-submitted photo from Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve
    Jun. 13, 2022

    Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Really nice campground, LONG dirt road to reach.

    Stayed: 6/2/2022

    Cost: $12 (exact change)

    Site: 16

    Vehicle: GMC Terrain

    Equipment: Tent

    AT&T and T-Mobile: Slow but usable

    We made the trek out to Hole-in-the-Wall at Mojave National Preserve for one night. It was a much longer dirt road than I had imagined and you go up in elevation. It took almost a half-hour to get to the campground from Cedar Canyon Road.

    This is a First Come, First Served NPS campground. We started the loop a little worried because every site was tagged, but by the time we got back over to the first loop, we had our pick of sites. We chose 16 because of the great view and it being directly next to the pit toilet. (The cleanest pit toilet I’ve ever seen)! The campground also has potable water, plenty of dumpsters and a dump station.

    We wanted to stay here because we were finishing off our trip the next morning at the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center. It is directly next door, you can even see the lot from the campground.

    This was a great place to stay, but maybe it would have been more worth it to stay at least a couple nights. I definitely didn’t realize the trek it was to get here, from the main part of the park. Everything is super spread out at Mojave.

    #DareToEverywhere

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Searchlight BLM
    Apr. 8, 2022

    Searchlight BLM

    Good For An Overnight / Dirt Bike Playground

    This is a good spot if you just need to stop for the night. It's a great alternative to a truck stop or a Walmart because a) apparently there's an ordinance and Vegas Walmarts don't allow overnight parking and b) it's so quiet here / no idling trucks all night.

    This appears to be a popular spot for dirt bikers to come and play as well. There was a small group that parked here and went off to ride, then zoomed back and zipped around the hills and jumps in this spot before packing up and going home.

    One other camper stayed the night here when we stayed here. Plenty of space for people to spread out and there's room for many campers and for large rigs.

    This spot is ideal because it's easy access from the freeway and yet it's far away enough and blocked by a little hill, so you don't get the loud freeway noise (you do hear it, but it's not at all bothersome). Access from the freeway is doable for most rigs, just take it slow as there are some ruts and dips. It's .4 miles from the freeway to this spot.

    Google maps doesn't seem to recognize the dirt road that will lead you straight from the freeway to this spot and will try and take you along a more roundabout path. Check satellite view and you will see where to get off the freeway.

    Good cell service here as well.

  • Edwin M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve
    Jan. 22, 2022

    Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve

    Such a cool place to camp

    We stayed here for two nights both of which were quite windy so stake down your tent extra tight. The views here are definitely what make this place worth it to camp at. The Ring Loop trail is also a blast. Theres potable water available and we payed a total of $24 for two nights here. I would definitely visit again.

  • Herbster
    Camper-submitted photo from Amboy Crater
    Jan. 13, 2022

    Amboy Crater

    Dispersed BLM

    Plain and simple just a spot to pull off route 66 and do disbursed BLM camping. I found a spot not too far off the road because it had LTE 1 bar. Trains rumble by fairly often but it's not that loud. Some folks are staying up the day use area but there are no posted signs saying no overnight camping either there or at the 2nd parking lot which is halfway to the road. I enjoyed the hike up to the top of the crater.

  • r
    Camper-submitted photo from Mojave National Preserve - 17 Mile Camp
    Nov. 6, 2021

    Mojave National Preserve - 17 Mile Camp

    Great camping spot

    Great easy access dispersed camping. Showed up past midnight and it was still really easy to find a flat spot to park our camper van. It was very quiet all night & the sky was amazing! Only one other group of campers, somewhat nearby, couldn’t really hear them. There was plenty of distance between us & could have been more. When it was light we saw there was a fire pit from previous campers. Sunrise was beautiful! Would definitely stay here again.

    PLEASE NOTE, the coordinates are slightly off. If headed east, turn left onto a short paved road that turns into a dirt road BEFORE the coordinates state. If headed west, the turn would be after the coordinates on the right.



Guide to Cima

Camping near Cima, California, offers a unique experience in the Mojave National Preserve. With stunning landscapes and a variety of campgrounds, it’s a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails around the area. At Hole in the Wall Campground, one reviewer mentioned, “The rings loop trail was amazing!!” This campground also has great views and is perfect for a night under the stars.
  • Stargazing: The clear desert skies make for incredible stargazing opportunities. A camper at Mojave Cross Dispersed said, “The sunset was sublime and the stars were even better.” You won’t want to miss the night sky here.
  • Exploring Dunes: Visit the nearby Kelso Dunes for some fun. One family at Kelso Dunes Dispersed shared, “My 3 boys loved climbing the dunes,” making it a great spot for families.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the sites. A visitor at Hole in the Wall Campground noted, “Everything is perfectly clean and you even have water.” This is a big plus for those who value hygiene while camping.
  • Seclusion: Many enjoy the quiet and privacy offered by the campgrounds. A reviewer at Granite Pass Dispersed Roadside Camping mentioned, “The road is manageable with a 2wd sedan... I was the only one there.” This makes it a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle.
  • Beautiful Views: The scenery is a major draw. A camper at Kelbaker Boulders Dispersed said, “Incredibly beautiful, clean, peaceful with beautiful sunsets and sunrises.” You’ll definitely want to have your camera ready.

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Many campgrounds, like Mojave Cross Dispersed, don’t have drinking water or toilets. A visitor warned, “No toilets, no trash, no water hookups.” Be prepared to bring your own supplies.
  • Weather Considerations: The desert can get windy and chilly at night. One camper at Mid Hills Campground advised, “This site can be windy depending on when you go.” Check the weather before your trip.
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Many sites operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A camper at Hole in the Wall Campground mentioned, “Even though it is first come, first serve, there were plenty of sites available.” Arriving early can help secure a good spot.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with space for kids to play. At Kelso Dunes Dispersed, a parent shared, “Our 3 boys had a blast climbing and hiking.” It’s a great place for kids to explore.
  • Bring Plenty of Water: Since many campgrounds lack water, make sure to pack enough for everyone. A family at Granite Pass Dispersed Roadside Camping emphasized, “Pack out all trash and waste,” highlighting the need for self-sufficiency.
  • Plan for Activities: Keep the kids engaged with activities like hiking and dune climbing. One camper at Kelso Dunes Dispersed said, “Bring lots of water,” which is essential for a fun day out.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. A reviewer at Indian Springs near lava field noted, “The road was fairly easy... just a bit bumpy.” Make sure your RV can handle the terrain.
  • Look for Level Sites: Finding a flat area to park is crucial. A camper at Kelbaker Boulders Dispersed mentioned, “Level site with easy access to interstate,” which is helpful for RVers.
  • Be Prepared for Wind: Wind can be a factor, especially in open areas. A visitor at BLM Knob Hill Primitive Camping said, “It does get fairly windy though.” Secure your setup to avoid any issues.

Camping near Cima, California, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the stunning desert scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cima, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cima, CA is Mojave National Preserve - 17 Mile Camp with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Cima, CA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Cima, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.