Camping near Hinkley, California occurs primarily on public lands with minimal shade cover where summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F. The region sits at approximately 2,100 feet elevation in the Mojave Desert, characterized by alluvial fans, rocky outcroppings, and sparse vegetation. Most sites require driving on unpaved roads that can deteriorate significantly following seasonal flash floods, particularly during July and August monsoon seasons.
What to do
Hiking at Owl Canyon: Follow the main trail at Owl Canyon Campground for a moderate 3-mile round trip hike through limestone formations. "The hikes through the colored rocks are so pretty. It can get pretty windy and trash just gets blown all over so part of our daily activities when we stay here is walking around with our trash pickers and picking up trash that's blown into the washes," notes one camper who regularly visits.
Rock climbing opportunities: The rocky outcroppings at Sawtooth Canyon Campground attract climbers year-round. "This canyon is great for a couple of days of climbing. The area is unique from the Mojave topography. Plus, it is free to camp," reports a regular visitor. The sites are particularly popular on weekends when climbers arrive from Southern California urban centers.
Historical exploration: Visit Calico Ghost Town during your stay to explore mining history. "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. Very cute little town and lots to see," explains a visitor who stayed at the regional park campground nearby.
What campers like
Desert night skies: The minimal light pollution around BLM dispersed camping areas provides exceptional stargazing. "I really could not have asked for a better nights rest. There is a vault toilet and some rock fire pits scattered around the area... The highway isn't too far but the noise is pretty minimal," reports a camper who stayed at Stoddard Valley OHV area.
Affordable camping options: Most BLM sites near Hinkley charge minimal fees compared to private campgrounds. "This is a nice campground with picnic tables, shade covers and fire rings. We camped here in April and it was already getting warm during the day," notes one visitor about Sawtooth Canyon, where camping remains free of charge year-round.
Privacy between sites: Despite the open desert landscape, many campsites offer reasonable separation. "Nice level spots with reasonable distance from other campers. The horse campground has no water and is about 1/2 mile from the main campground which has a handful of water stations," explains a long-term visitor to Owl Canyon Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require traveling on rough roads. "Beautiful area, but I couldn't drive in. Road is completely inaccessible and saw many others turning around as well. I'm in a Kia SUV and this road is like Godzilla shaking your rig, and giant waves of the ground make it completely inaccessible," warns a visitor about Sawtooth Canyon Campground.
Water limitations: Water sources at most campgrounds are unreliable and sometimes non-functional. "I needed to get some work done in Barstow while I was on the road and this was the closest decent looking campground I could find. There are 2 water faucets I found in camp but neither are working," notes a camper who stayed at Owl Canyon for four nights.
Extreme temperature variations: Weather conditions can change dramatically within 24 hours. "I stayed with a group here for 3 nights a few years ago in October. It was also extremely hot (I think above 110F during the day), but at night it was beautiful. We didn't even need a tent because of the mild temperatures and calm breeze."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Barstow-Calico KOA offers family-friendly amenities including playground equipment. "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," reports a family who stayed at the campground.
Ghost town activities: Children particularly enjoy exploring Calico Ghost Town's attractions. "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," explains a visitor to Calico Ghost Town.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for desert wildlife encounters. "Found some critters including a sidewinder but we are camping in their home so to be expected," notes a camper at Owl Canyon. Bringing field guides or wildlife identification cards can turn potential concerns into educational opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: Look for level sites with protection from prevailing winds. "I don't have anything negative to say about this location. Nice level spots with reasonable distance from other campers," notes an RVer who spent 14 days at Owl Canyon during winter.
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise from nearby interstates. "Unfortunately it is extremely close to I-15 and the traffic on 15 never stops. It made for a rough night's sleep. We'll find somewhere else to stay next time," warns an RVer about staying at Barstow-Calico KOA.
Water management: Plan to arrive with full tanks when staying at dispersed sites. "Dry, clean, every spot level, good cell service," reports a visitor to a BLM site near Hinkley, highlighting the need for self-sufficiency regarding water supplies when camping in this desert region.
