Camping cabins near Daggett, California offer shelter in an area that experiences temperature extremes, with summer highs frequently reaching 100°F and winter lows dropping below freezing at night. The high desert terrain sits at approximately 2,000 feet elevation with sparse vegetation dominated by creosote bush and Joshua trees. Sites are primarily clustered around the Calico Mountains and Mojave Desert regions, offering minimal natural shade.
What to do
Explore Calico Ghost Town: Access to the historic mining town is included with camping fees at Calico Ghost Town Regional Park. "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," notes one visitor. The town features preserved buildings, mining exhibits, and seasonal events.
Visit mining caves: Several guided cave tours are available within walking distance of cabin accommodations. "This place has cool little mining caves and a cool train for kids to ride on. Somethings are locked down due to covid but this place isn't shy of family fun," reports a camper who stayed at Barstow-Calico KOA.
Utilize OHV trails: The desert terrain surrounding Daggett provides extensive off-highway vehicle opportunities. "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," explains a visitor who organized a 24-person outing.
What campers like
Convenient basecamp: Cabin rentals provide air-conditioned shelter in an otherwise harsh environment. "We arrived well after dark and the security folks helped us get into our cabin. Very nice staff," reported a guest about their experience at Calico Ghost Town.
Accessibility to attractions: The proximity to Interstate 15 makes cabin camping in the Daggett area particularly convenient for travelers. "Barstow is a good mileage stop between Las Vegas and SoCal. The campgrounds are pretty quiet with only a little road noise (surprisingly, due to its proximity to the highway) and very easy to access," mentions a visitor at North Shore Campground.
Desert landscape: The stark beauty of the Mojave Desert provides unique photographic opportunities. "The sites have absolutely no shade or cover, and are just lined up in a row next to each other with no privacy," explains a camper, highlighting the openness of the terrain that allows for unobstructed desert views.
What you should know
Extreme temperatures: Summer heat in the Daggett area can be dangerous. "I was here one October where the weather was above 100F during the day," notes a camper at Calico Ghost Town Regional Park. Air conditioning becomes a necessity rather than a luxury in cabin accommodations during summer months.
Limited privacy: Most cabin and RV sites offer minimal separation between neighbors. "The sites are tightly packed and simple but the proximity to the ghost town, nearby OHV trails, and the ability to walk up out of the canyon for views make this a great spot," explains one reviewer about the campground layout.
Bathroom facilities: Public restrooms serve multiple cabins at most locations. "The bathrooms are older, but clean and ok," mentions a visitor at Barstow-Calico KOA. Bringing sanitizing wipes and shower shoes is advisable for shared facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Ghost town activities: Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp Retreat offers unique geological features for older children. "The spring pools at our site were so relaxing to have all to ourselves and well worth it to reserve for our party," says a visitor who brought a large group with 10 children.
Playground access: Some facilities offer dedicated play areas for children. "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," notes a family that stayed at the Barstow-Calico KOA.
Educational opportunities: The historical exhibits at Calico Ghost Town provide learning experiences suitable for school-aged children. "There was a shooting show going on that was really cool and the boys enjoyed ice cream on a hot day," shares a visitor who brought scouts to the area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Mojave River Forks Regional Park offers more spacious sites than some other local options. "We found the campground to be very clean and well-maintained. The campsites in the area where we were, were spacious and spread out. We liked very much not being on top of one another and appreciated how vast this campground is," reports a recent visitor.
Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited electric capacity. "There is water and electricity hookups, along with a dump station and separate tent camp spaces," notes a camper about Mojave River Forks Regional Park, highlighting the basic but functional amenities available.
Road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires navigating unpaved roads. "You will have to drive 6 miles of mountainous dirt roads to reach the property, but it takes you away from all signs of the city and surrounds you in nature when you get there," explains a visitor to Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp Retreat.
