Best Campgrounds near Inyokern, CA

Dispersed camping opportunities surround Inyokern, California, situated in the high desert region between the Sierra Nevada and El Paso Mountains. The Wagon Wheel Staging Area offers free primitive camping on BLM land with space for both tents and RVs, while Ricardo Campground at Red Rock Canyon State Park provides established sites with more amenities. Trona Pinnacles, approximately 30 miles southeast, features unique geological formations with dispersed camping options. Mixed-use campgrounds like Walker Pass accommodate both tent and RV camping, though space is limited for larger vehicles.

Desert conditions dominate the camping experience with extreme temperature fluctuations common throughout the year. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most dispersed areas lack water sources, requiring campers to bring all necessary supplies. Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier. Sites closer to highways typically maintain some connectivity, while more remote areas offer little to no coverage. A visitor to Wagon Wheel noted, "Just came to camp a few days, very quiet at night, doesn't get too windy, very convenient to road and many spacious spots around near rocks."

Public lands near Inyokern attract campers seeking solitude and star-gazing opportunities. The flat desert terrain provides unobstructed views of night skies that receive consistent praise in visitor reviews. Developed campgrounds like Desert Empire Fair RV Park offer full hookups for those requiring amenities, while dispersed areas appeal to self-sufficient campers. Wildlife encounters are common, with visitors reporting sightings of desert species. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "We were fortunate and had the place to ourselves. The site was level and clean. There were plenty of options that had fire rings. We had a nice dark sky for star gazing." Many dispersed camping areas like Wagon Wheel feature vault toilets but otherwise require complete self-sufficiency, with visitors advised to pack out all waste and come prepared with sufficient water, fuel, and supplies.

Best Camping Sites Near Inyokern, California (134)

    1. Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park

    38 Reviews
    Cantil, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 946-6092

    "The red rock canyons surrounding the campground are reminiscent of Arizona or Utah desert. Great for hiking, photography, star gazing, climbing and off roading. Dog friendly."

    "We luckily got a site away from the road, so less blowing sand from people driving by. We were right next to the nature trail, which was great to have to get some exercise and nice views.  "

    2. Wagon Wheel Staging Area

    13 Reviews
    Ridgecrest, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 384-5400

    "The location has access to off-road trails, but the riders stopped before dark and we had a quiet night."

    "Great views, sheltered behind rocks, and even with clean restrooms. Many spots—some only accessible by 4WD due to deep sand and dry waterways. There are plenty of 2WD spots, though."

    3. Bertrand's High Desert Mobile Home & RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Inyokern, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 377-4000

    $35 / night

    "Great location to lots of fun for outdoor or off-road enthusiasts. Easy drive to Death Valley. The girl in the office is super sweet and helpful. Great rate."

    "One of us felt that being secluded away from the main park gave the overnighters area a spooky lonely vibe at night (the other of us didn't feel that way and felt fine)."

    4. Vakinheim

    1 Review
    Inyokern, CA
    2 miles
    +1 (559) 308-1748

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Easy to find the location based of Joe's directions. I will definitely be coming back !! Thank you Joe !"

    5. Walker Pass Campground

    3 Reviews
    Onyx, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    "This is a stop along the Pacific Crest Trail. The scenery is an amazing mix of Joshua Trees, pines, chaparral, mountains and large rocks, some snow on the peaks facing north."

    "Right off the highway either beautiful overlook. Simple to access but few spaces for campers…lots if tent space."

    6. Desert Empire Fair RV Park

    1 Review
    Ridgecrest, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 375-8000

    $35 / night

    "Sites are close together but still far enough to have all slide outs out and room to walk between. Amenities: Big trash and recycling bins were a bonus."

    7. Fossil Falls Campground

    14 Reviews
    Little Lake, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 384-5400

    $6 / night

    "A very cool and Very unique spot in Southern California. Places to walk around places to climb around. If you plan on doing any rock climbing then you’re planning on doing this in the morning."

    "Just off the highway and easy to get to. The volcano in the distance is beautiful and fossil falls is so unique…lots of room to explore the lava flows."

    8. Isabella Walker Pass Road

    1 Review
    Inyokern, CA
    9 miles
    Website

    "It was right next to the road, so not exactly quiet, but we were alone and got to hit the road nice and early. Great for what we needed. Pretty dark skies if youre into night photography!"

    9. Trona Pinnacles

    17 Reviews
    Trona, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 384-5400

    "I never knew this was here and grew up camping in California. Filming for the remake of Planet of the Apes happened here."

    "The winds starts around dinner time/dusk and really doesn't let up u til midnight. So if you are down to clown, this place is absolutely beautiful."

    10. Chimney Creek Campground

    5 Reviews
    Little Lake, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    "If you like to stay off the beaten path and away from crowds. The this is a spot to check out. Stayed memorial weekend. We were one out of about 5 campers in the area."

    "are open (at least 1, maybe 2) water appears to have been turned off. on plus side many sites have nice shade, but bugs are a problem in summer because of small creek. overall a great place to get away from"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 134 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Inyokern, CA

463 Reviews of 134 Inyokern Campgrounds


  • Bull D.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Horse Meadow Campground

    Horse Method Campground

    went there on a picnic once, nice place, very quiet,

  • Bull D.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Evans Flat Campground

    Evans Flat Campground

    Good place, lot of ATV and dirt bike riders, also lot of horse riders,

  • Bull D.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Breckenridge Campground

    Breckinridge Campground

    good place, been there several times, peaceful,

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Minietta Road

    Silence & Solitude!

    I loved boondocking here in Panamint Valley. The road is really long, so I’m sure there are a lot of spots. Most of them seem to be spread out 1/4 mile or so. The valley is known for having ZERO background noise, so the only sound you’ll hear are the occasionally car, the ravens, and the Hornet fighter jet that flights overhead. At night, you get an unmatched view of the stars and Milky Way because there’s no light pollution.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Fairview Campground

    If you need a place to crash

    Not particularly nice, clean, or scenic. Perfect place to crash for the night but not great otherwise

  • John L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Fossil Falls Campground

    Very rocky terrain

    Nice for a night or two lots of spots but close together some are more level than others, saw all types of campers from vans to trailers and my lifted Motorhome

  • Marie D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Bertrand's High Desert Mobile Home & RV Park

    Great location

    Pull through sites easy in and out. Full hook ups. No laundry, restrooms, or showers here. Great location to lots of fun for outdoor or off-road enthusiasts. Easy drive to Death Valley. The girl in the office is super sweet and helpful. Great rate. We found so much to explore in the area we stayed 2 weeks. Ghost towns, abandoned mines, Schmidt Tunnel, movie road, robbers Roost, Red Rock Canyon State Park, trona Pinnacles. Great weather in early October too.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Wagon Wheel Staging Area

    Super spot - great lookout

    A fantastic spot. Great views, sheltered behind rocks, and even with clean restrooms. Many spots—some only accessible by 4WD due to deep sand and dry waterways. There are plenty of 2WD spots, though. Apparently popular with motocross riders on weekends. Everything was completely quiet for us. We were completely alone in the entire area. A wonderful place. We only had internet with T-Mobile across the road on the mountain.

  • D
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Chico Flat Dispersed Camping - Partially Closed, See Description

    Quiet place for undisturbed camping

    Good campground on the way to Sequoia. Plenty of space, we had no problems finding a spot for our 30ft RV. There are restrooms available which seem to be cleaned every second day. You have access to the river nearby. The generator can be used until 10 p.m. Would recommend.


Guide to Inyokern

Camping near Inyokern, California, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful vistas. One reviewer at Fossil Falls Campground said, “The stars were amazing and the sunrise was on point too.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Trona Pinnacles remarked, “It was very quiet and secluded.”
  • Wildlife Encounters: Campers enjoy spotting wildlife. At Stine Cove Recreation Site, one camper mentioned, “Watch eagles prey on ducks, pelicans gather, hear the frogs croak.”

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park, don’t have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper noted, “No drinking water, no electric hookups, but fires are allowed.”
  • Windy Conditions: Be prepared for strong winds, especially at places like Trona Pinnacles. One camper advised, “The wind woke me up at 3 am and kept me up all night.”
  • Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. A visitor at Fossil Falls Campground mentioned, “Rough road depending on rain washout - I managed to navigate in my low clearance station wagon.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Kern River Campground, which has spacious sites. A camper said, “The sites are spacious and private.”
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor activities. One family at Camp James enjoyed, “So many things to do and the campground resort is run well.”
  • Pack for Comfort: Ensure you have enough supplies for comfort. A visitor at Rivernook Campground mentioned, “Restrooms and showers were very well kept.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Tehachapi Mountain Park warned, “This is not a place for large RVs or trailers.”
  • Use Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups, like KRS RV Resort@Camp James. A visitor said, “Full hookups, close to everything.”
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A camper at Rivernook Campground noted, “People drive way too fast through the campground.”

Camping near Inyokern, California, offers a variety of experiences, from serene landscapes to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free camping near Inyokern, California?

Several free camping options exist near Inyokern. Trona Pinnacles offers dispersed camping with plenty of space and privacy in a unique geological setting where Planet of the Apes was filmed. There's no potable water available, so bring your own supplies. Another option is Ant Canyon, which provides secluded spots next to large rock formations. It can be challenging to find, so look for the sign on the right when approaching. For better chances at seclusion, arrive early. Additionally, Walker Pass Campground offers free camping with basic toilet facilities about 30 minutes from Inyokern. Most of these sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis and follow standard BLM dispersed camping rules.

What are the BLM camping regulations in the Inyokern area?

BLM land around Inyokern typically allows dispersed camping for up to 14 consecutive days within a 28-day period. Fossil Falls Campground offers a BLM camping experience with toilets but no water, so bring plenty of your own. Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park operates on first-come, first-served basis and while technically a state park, follows similar regulations to nearby BLM lands. Standard BLM rules apply throughout the region: camp at least 200 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings, practice Leave No Trace principles, and pack out all trash. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, especially during summer and fall. Check the Ridgecrest BLM Field Office for current fire restrictions and any special permit requirements before your trip.

Is Inyokern good for RV camping and what amenities are available?

Inyokern area is excellent for RV camping with several accommodating options. Wagon Wheel Staging Area is spacious enough for large RVs including skoolies, with basic amenities like two toilets. The area is spread out, providing privacy despite multiple campers. Dove Springs OHV Area offers plenty of spots for larger rigs with a wide, flat dirt road that's easily navigable for Class A motorhomes. For more amenities, Desert Empire Fair RV Park near Ridgecrest provides water hookups, toilets, and is big-rig friendly with reservable sites. Bertrand's High Desert Mobile Home & RV Park also offers reservable sites with water hookups for those wanting more creature comforts while still experiencing the desert landscape.