Dispersed camping near Daggett, California centers primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the Mojave Desert at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 2,500 feet. The area receives less than 4 inches of annual rainfall, creating arid conditions with significant diurnal temperature swings. Campsites typically sit on hard-packed desert soil with vegetation consisting mainly of creosote bush, Joshua trees, and scattered yucca plants.
What to do
Off-road adventures: 15+ miles of trails surround dispersed camping areas like Stoddard Valley OHV. "If you are into ORV riding then this is your place. Tucked right off the freeway it is easy to find and not to much noise from the main highway. It is HUGE. Tons of room to spread out," reports one camper.
Rock climbing: 7 miles from Daggett at Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp. "This area is used almost exclusively by rock climbers, but anyone is welcomed. As long as you follow the guidelines for the area, you can set up your tent anywhere you see a spot," notes a reviewer.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk optimal for spotting desert wildlife. Multiple campers report seeing desert wildlife, with one stating: "Saw multiple deer walking by our site" at East Flats, making early mornings and evenings prime observation times.
What campers like
Solitude: Weekday visits recommended for quieter experiences. "I was there on a Wednesday, didn't see another soul except for the couple that pulled off the highway for a quicky," notes a camper at Stoddard Valley OHV, highlighting the mid-week tranquility available.
Night skies: New moon period optimal for stargazing in this low light pollution area. Many campers appreciate the clear desert nights, with one camper stating they "saw a shooting star when I laid down in my tent" at Stoddard Valley.
Desert exploration: Morning hours best to avoid heat at South Soggy Dry Lake. "Soggy has a long and very rocky road getting into the lakebed area. There are many camping spots all along the shoreline that will accommodate any size rig. From there you can reach all that Johnson Valley has to offer."
What you should know
Road conditions: Prepare for rough terrain. A camper at East Flats notes: "Trails a little rough but good thing I have X-Mode on my Subaru. Arrived around 5:30pm on a Wednesday. Drove past a few campers."
Noise levels: Distance from highways matters. One camper reported about Arrowhead Trail Dispersed: "Highway noise is an issue, but we were so exhausted it didn't matter. There's also a lot of people that stop to stretch, pee, sleep here."
Weather preparation: 40°F temperature swings common between day and night. The desert climate can be challenging, with one camper noting Bell Mountain Road conditions: "Many Trucks at night. Don't drive to the campground just search a space after road ends."
Tips for camping with families
Bring extra water: 1 gallon per person per day minimum due to extreme heat. At Cougar Buttes, a camper mentions: "Cougar Buttes is the site of a lot activities like 4x4/Rock Crawling, Trials, Desert Riding and most will camp in the draw that cuts the mountain range in half."
Pack dust protection: Goggles and bandanas essential for children during windy periods. One family at East Flats mentioned: "Starlink internet here was great and we stayed 2 days to work here. Easy to drag in dust and very annoying."
Activity planning: Morning exploration recommended before afternoon heat. A family camper at East Flats shared: "We are here RN! It is so peaceful and the air is so fresh! Pines, and clear blue skies!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Arrive before 2 PM to find level spots on busy weekends. A reviewer of BLM Barstow - Dispersed Camp Area advises: "There are several sites at this location that each can hold 5-7 RVs. Each of the sites has a primitive fire ring, but there is no wood in the area, so bring your own."
Space considerations: 50+ foot clearance between campers recommended for comfort. For large rigs, Arrowhead Trail offers advantages: "This spot works well for big rigs, I am about 52 ft tip to tail and could turn around and park easily and get to a relatively flat spot in the dark."
Free camping access: 2-3 miles down access roads provides more seclusion. At Ord Mountain Dispersed, one RVer noted: "We made it down the dirt road fine in our 26 ft class c. Proceed at your own comfort level, but it seems like a road that would be ok for any rig (maybe not a class A?) if you go slow and watch for dips and bumps."
