BLM dispersed camping areas surround Hinkley, California at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 feet in the western Mojave Desert. These sites typically feature minimal amenities but offer unrestricted desert views and access to numerous OHV trails. The camping terrain consists primarily of flat, sandy desert with scattered rocky outcroppings that provide natural windbreaks during the frequent gusty conditions.
What to do
Off-road adventures: The Stoddard Valley OHV area offers extensive terrain for dirt bikes, ATVs, and other off-road vehicles. A camper at BLM Barstow - Dispersed Camp Area noted, "Dirt Biking heaven! Our friends brought their toy-haulers and we played in the desert for a few nights."
Rock climbing: Visit the New Jack City rock climbing area near Ord Mountain Dispersed camping. One reviewer mentioned, "This site is located across the 247 road from Sawtooth Canyon Campground / New Jack City rock climbing area." Dozens of established sport climbing routes are available for various skill levels.
Stargazing: The desert's dark skies make for excellent night viewing. At BLM Desert Site, campers reported, "Great space. Easy to find. Away from highway enough. Very windy. Great sunset and sunrise." The minimal light pollution allows for exceptional stargazing opportunities on clear nights.
Photography: The unique desert landscapes offer compelling photographic opportunities, especially during sunrise and sunset. At Bell Mountain Road, a reviewer shared, "We didn't follow the directions all the way to the pin, there was plenty of parking on the way... Generally it was quiet."
What campers like
Solitude and space: Many BLM sites provide ample room to spread out. A camper at Monarch-Rand Mine remarked, "Quiet place, we only saw one other set of campers. The warm sun the next morning was beautiful but there is next to no vegetation."
Cell service availability: Unlike many remote camping areas, most sites near Hinkley maintain usable cell reception. A camper at BLM Desert Site confirmed, "I wasn't sure when driving out here at night in a minivan, but the dirt road didn't give me any trouble and I still had some service with Verizon."
Convenience to highways: Many dispersed camping locations are relatively close to main roads, making them accessible for overnight stays. At Wagon Wheel Staging Area, a reviewer appreciated that it was "Super chill areas are perfect if you need to pull off and get rest. Nothing offered here so pack out what you pack in."
Established fire rings: Despite the primitive nature of these sites, many have existing fire rings from previous campers. A visitor to Wagon Wheel noted, "There were plenty of options that had fire rings. We had a nice dark sky for star gazing."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads range from easily navigable to challenging. At Monarch-Rand Mine, campers reported, "The road in is kind of weird as it runs parallel to another road similar, we drove along one and would alternate to try and avoid bad potholes. Some are inevitable and I would imagine high clearance is needed to access."
Wildlife encounters: Desert wildlife is present throughout the area. At Trona Pinnacles, one camper mentioned, "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."
Seasonal considerations: Fall through spring provides the most comfortable temperatures. A camper at BLM Barstow noted, "The weather was pretty good for November. Plenty of space to have 2 RV's, a van, and a few guests."
Noise levels: Weekends can bring increased activity, especially from off-road vehicles. A Stoddard Valley OHV camper commented, "If you don't like dust think twice before coming. The ORV stir up a lot and are very noisy even into the late evening."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for safety: Choose locations away from major OHV trails if camping with children. At Stoddard Valley OHV, a visitor observed, "It is not at all level but if you drive around you can find a spot that will work."
Toilet facilities: Most areas lack facilities except for a few with vault toilets. A camper at Stoddard Valley OHV noted, "There is a vault toilet toward the back of the entrance."
Entertainment options: Bring activities for children as the desert terrain offers limited natural play structures. At Wagon Wheel Staging Area, visitors mentioned, "We were fortunate and had the place to ourselves. The site was level and clean."
Weather preparation: Desert temperatures fluctuate dramatically between day and night. At Trona Pinnacles, a camper advised, "Bring water and sweat rags it's a lot of walking and also bring a truck or SUV it's not exactly a dirt Rd. More like just dirt and kinda take your own trail."
Tips from RVers
Level parking: Finding flat spots for larger rigs requires some searching. A reviewer at Ord Mountain Dispersed 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."
Self-sufficiency: Free camping near Hinkley, California requires complete self-sufficiency. A camper at Wagon Wheel Staging Area advised, "As far as facilities, there are 2 privies and that's it, so you'll be dry camping. Some sites are more trashed so watch for broken glass but overall it's pretty clean."
Site spacing: RV campers can find adequate spacing for privacy. A visitor to Wagon Wheel noted, "We drove our skoolie in and didn't have any trouble with the small bumps and sand. There were a few rvs and one tent, but it is so spread out that we never heard them."
Dust management: The fine desert dust gets everywhere. One camper at Trona Pinnacles confirmed, "Somebody commented it's the type of dust that sticks to everything and they were right."
