Best Dispersed Camping near Inyokern, CA

The desert landscape surrounding Inyokern, California features predominantly dispersed camping options on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, with notable sites including Trona Pinnacles and Wagon Wheel Staging Area. Located in the eastern Sierra region where the Mojave Desert meets the Sierra Nevada mountains, these camping areas typically offer minimal facilities and emphasize self-sufficiency. Most sites are primitive with few amenities beyond occasional vault toilets, making them suitable for experienced campers seeking solitude. The region's stark desert terrain, unusual geological formations, and dark night skies attract photographers, stargazers, and those seeking remote camping experiences within 30-60 minutes of Inyokern.

High clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing many dispersed sites in the area, particularly at Trona Pinnacles where dirt roads can be rough and washboarded. Campers consistently note the need for thorough preparation when visiting these remote locations. "The dirt road is worrisome, but it worked out fine with my Tesla model Y. Lots of great sites overlooking an alien planet landscape," reported one Trona Pinnacles visitor. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during summer and fall. Weather conditions present significant challenges with strong winds, extreme summer heat often exceeding 100°F, and winter nights dropping below freezing. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with many sites having limited or no coverage.

Stargazing opportunities receive frequent praise in camper reviews, with the dark skies and minimal light pollution creating exceptional viewing conditions. "The night sky has no light pollution and is beautiful enough to knock you off your feet because of all the stars," noted one camper at Stine Cove Recreation Site. The otherworldly landscape of Trona Pinnacles draws particular attention, with its unusual tufa formations creating what campers describe as a "sci-fi" atmosphere. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with typical 14-day stay limits. Visitors should be prepared for complete self-sufficiency with all necessary water, as no potable sources exist at most sites. The wind is frequently mentioned as both a challenge for camping and a factor that keeps the air clear for photography and stargazing.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Inyokern, California (47)

    1. Wagon Wheel Staging Area

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

    "Great place to dry camp(boondock). Love camping out here. Most of all it's free."

    "It’s literally a big open desert flat and you park wherever so there’s plenty of room for privacy. As far as facilities, there are 2 privies and that’s it, so you’ll be dry camping."

    2. 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."

    "Free BLM dispersed camping here, so bring everything you need and take everything with you when you leave. The landscape is like no other."

    3. Fossil Falls dry lake bed

    11 Reviews
    Little Lake, CA
    23 miles
    Website

    "March 5-6, 2021 This area is pretty trippy going from volcanic rock and flows to various brush to the dry, beautifully cracked dirt."

    "Short drive from 395 and once the road became dirt it was easily navigable in our Promaster. No one else there. Nice wide open views."

    4. Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area

    8 Reviews
    Cantil, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 384-5400

    "This is BLM land camping in an OHV area that we used for an overnight. For this purpose it was great. A paved road leads to endless dispersed camping options in a beautifully rugged canyon."

    "It can get really warm so we set up under a shaded tree which helped a lot. We had a fire pit for the evenings too, so that was nice. Lots of trails to ride - for beginners to advanced."

    5. Stine Cove Recreation Site

    15 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    31 miles
    Website

    "Good location. I would definitely do this again. I'm planning to stay for the full 14 days. Tip - Evening winds come from a westerly direction."

    "We love lake Isabella and just discovered this free camp spot right on the beach…"

    7. Hanning Flat Dispersed Area

    7 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    31 miles
    Website

    "Great hideaway with plenty of dispersed sites. I spent two days here and only seen a handful of vehicles drive through, mostly US Forest Service trucks. Pack in, pack out."

    "On my way into Sequoia NF I was so excited to see Hanning Flats dispersed camping area. My pup and I stayed for three nights and didn’t see another person or vehicle the whole time."

    10. Trona Pinnacles Camp

    1 Review
    Trona, CA
    25 miles

    "Had a nice evening right next to the Pinnacles. Easy drive in. Had my F150 and my teardrop trailer. Easy walking along with some stunning views. Worth spending a night."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Inyokern, CA

150 Reviews of 47 Inyokern Campgrounds


  • Emily C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 20, 2025

    Monarch-Rand Mine

    Quiet, Peaceful

    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. Additionally, this campsite has nothing so take what you need and leave no trace! It worked for a night. 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.

  • Mike N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Hanning Flat Dispersed Area

    Great hideaway

    Great hideaway with plenty of dispersed sites. I spent two days here and only seen a handful of vehicles drive through, mostly US Forest Service trucks. Pack in, pack out. No toilets, showers, or water so bring in everything you need. 14 days of free camping every 30 days. A great find to get away from it all.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2023

    East Mojave Camp

    Very very remote

    Very remote absolutely nothing out there. Definitely somewhere you need to be aware of your surroundings. You can get far enough away from the highway that you don’t need to worry about people driving by. There is nothing out here. The road to it is unmarked and very unmaintained Would definitely recommend high clearance vehicle if you want to be further away then 100 feet from the highway. Lots of wash outs. Beautiful sunrise. We were the only people there.

  • Popeye F.
    Sep. 6, 2022

    Dispersed Camping

    San Bernardino National Forest

    Dispersed camping at a Yellow Post campsite was great. About 4 mi. of washboard dirt road past Heart Bar Campground to Yellow post site #6. No amenities other than a picnic table and a fire ring. That means, bring plenty of water and a port-a-potty. There is no fee, however, you need to go on line to get a fire permit, which is necessary even for a propane stove. Actually, the fire permit is for anything that has a flame. This trip was over Labor Day weekend of 2022 and the use of the fire pit was forbidden at that time due to high fire hazard conditions. The campsites are quite far apart so you feel a sense of privacy. However, you will see vehicles and or horses go by on the road next to the campsite. Some of the vehicles drive fast on the dirt road which can kick up dust clouds. This is only a problem if you are downwind. The temperature was about 83 for a high and 55 for a low and the wind was light and comfortable. We were glad we had our canopy. The canopy has bug screens on 4 sides but the bugs were not too bad. We used lemon grass bug spray repellent and were comfortable. This campground is away from light sources making it great for stargazing. We enjoyed the campsite so much that we just hung out and relaxed there all weekend ...no hikes or trips away from the campsite. We hung a couple of hammocks with tarps for shade but backed our teardrop under a naturally shaded area of the campsite. We will probably camp there again. If you are not into dispersed camping, there are several campgrounds nearby. Heart Bar campground is huge with amenities and South Fork Family Campground is nice with more shade and a small stream running through. The parking for rv's at South Fork is a bit short at some of the campsites. Best to check the length for a match with your gear. This area is great for camping but make sure you have everything you need as there is no grocery store at the corner. Happy camping..!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 27, 2024

    Ballarat Ghost Town

    I think I was in the right spot.

    Campground had some nice spots for dry camping. I planned to stay on BLM land off the road but this seemed part of the ghost town private property. It was late and I was confused..I need to go back and donate $5.

  • E
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park

    Quiet & Nice Camping Site

    This camping site is a nice free area super close to the Giants Trail entrance (5 minute drive). As you head in you go thru a little dirt road and at the end you see an opening for this site. There is one site located right at the start of the access road but with no views. The main area is cleared to pitch your camping tent. There are no trash cans around or toilets (closest is entrance of Giants trail) but trash may be near at the other camp sites. I did have to put my trash in the tree with a rope about 20-50ft away just for safety. Make sure you don’t keep anything smelly in your tent or around your truck because there is a local bear that comes by in the middle of the night when everyone’s sleeping. The Bear didn’t tamper with my ground tent but I ended up sleeping in my camper due to it being too cold. Although, I did hear the next campers yell out bear for safety. But nothing to worry about if you pack in and pack out and are respectful. The stream and meadow is beautiful. I would recommend this to anyone looking to have a secluded quite area that some ppl may not come to due to the friendly bear wink.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 10, 2025

    BLM Desert Site

    Great spot

    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. It’s a great little secluded spot about 4 miles off the highway in the desert. I missed the sunset but caught a beautiful sunrise.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area

    Jawbone Canyon OHV

    This is BLM land camping in an OHV area that we used for an overnight. For this purpose it was great. A paved road leads to endless dispersed camping options in a beautifully rugged canyon. There were a few OHVs but we arrived late on a weekday and OHV traffic stopped altogether in the evening. Wind was a problem and made sleeping hard. We camped in a 24’ travel trailer with a high clearance truck. While not necessary, the larger truck was nice to have on the dirt portions. There are sites that would be accessible by car as well just be more discerning. Verizon was at 1 bar the whole time.

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Dome Rock Dispersed Camping

    Convenient access for rock climbing

    This camping area is at the end of dirt road Route 21S69, there is a sign for Dome Rock. It's very close to Ponderosa, a small town(?) with a general store and lodges, so that makes it super convenient if you need to buy some standard supplies.

    At the end of the dirt road there is a parking area. You can camping anywhere in this area, no fee. Just make sure to apply for a fire permit ahead of time. There are NO facilities at this campground - no bathrooms or trash even. That said, it is a beautiful area, especially if you want to rock climb or hike with great views, including The Needles. Rock climbing info for the area can be found here.

    Keep in mind that this location is at ~7,000ft elevation, so the temperatures will be cooler here, and you should plan accordingly.


Guide to Inyokern

Dispersed camping near Inyokern, California provides access to high desert terrain at elevations ranging from 2,300 to 4,000 feet. The area sits at the junction of the Great Basin and Mojave Desert ecosystems, creating unique ecological transitions. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F during day but can drop 30-40 degrees at night, requiring campers to prepare for significant daily temperature fluctuations.

What to do

Explore volcanic formations: At Fossil Falls dry lake bed, visitors can examine ancient lava flows and unusual rock formations. "The volcanic river bed and falls area were very cool to explore and learn about," notes one camper. Another visitor describes how "the black dirt and yellow grass make this a magical place to wake up."

Off-roading adventures: Jawbone Canyon OHV Area provides extensive trails for all skill levels. "Lots of trails to ride - for beginners to advanced. We zipped around in a side by side and everyone was responsible and nice," shares one reviewer. The area has designated paths that range from easy flat terrain to more challenging hill climbs.

Wildlife observation: Many campsites offer chances to spot desert wildlife. At Wagon Wheel Staging Area, one camper reported, "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."

What campers like

Privacy and space: Wagon Wheel Staging Area earns praise for its spaciousness. "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," writes one camper. Another notes, "It's easy to social distance when you need binoculars to see most of the fellow campers in the area."

Night sky viewing: The clear desert air provides exceptional stargazing opportunities. One camper at Fossil Falls dry lake bed shared, "Such a gorgeous spot, lovely sunsets and sunrises. We loved walking on the sandy dirt roads at golden hour." Wagon Wheel campers consistently mention "nice dark sky for star gazing" as a highlight of their stay.

Geological wonders: Trona Pinnacles offers unique landscapes not found elsewhere. "Had a nice evening right next to the Pinnacles. Easy drive in. Found a really neat spot right in a little bowl surrounded by pinnacles. A little kitfox even wandered into my camp," reports one visitor, highlighting both the unusual terrain and wildlife encounters.

What you should know

Road conditions vary: Many access roads require careful navigation. At Hanning Flat Dispersed Area, campers advise, "Would suggest 4x4 and wouldn't recommend heavier vehicles as it's a sandy dried up lake bed and we had to dig ourselves out in the morning." Know your vehicle's capabilities before attempting rougher roads.

Wind management: Strong winds affect most sites in the region. "Only one other person nearby. We had a few bars of service on Verizon and AT&T. Overall nice secluded spot off the road with great scenery," notes a Hanning Flat camper, but many warn about wind intensity, with one Fossil Falls visitor reporting "extremely windy with 50+mph gusts which calmed after the sun went down."

Seasonal preparation: Winter nights can drop below freezing while summer days reach dangerous heat levels. "Temps were lovely during the day, but quite chilly at night and during the mornings/evenings," reports a Hanning Flat camper from winter months. Pack appropriate clothing and gear for extreme temperature shifts.

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife education opportunities: Bring field guides to identify desert species. At Wagon Wheel, families can spot various wildlife as one camper notes, "Had a raven nest in there with a baby raven. You can see chuckwalla lizards sun on top of the rocks."

Choose sites with amenities: Some rustic camping areas near Inyokern offer basic facilities. At Stine Cove Recreation Site, "There is only one pit toilet bathroom so that was rough waiting for the line to go down. Kernville isn't far away so you can go to town easily to get supplies and food," shares one visitor.

Safety considerations: Always bring extra water, sun protection, and first aid supplies. "There are several very dispersed spots, but its all open so don't expect too much privacy or shelter from the wind. Gorgeous sunset to sunrise. Watch eagles prey on ducks, pelicans gather, hear the frogs croak," mentions a Stine Cove camper, highlighting both natural attractions and exposure concerns.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategies: Find level spots away from soft sand. "There are plenty of options that had fire rings. I'm sure this place would be busy on the weekends or other times during the season," notes an RV camper at Wagon Wheel Staging Area.

Water management: No potable water exists at most sites. One Jawbone Canyon visitor warns, "Be advised the Jawbone canyon store charges RV's $40.00 for potable water. Fill up before you come out here."

Leveling challenges: Many desert sites require careful positioning. "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," shares a Wagon Wheel camper, offering reassurance about accessibility with larger vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Inyokern, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Inyokern, CA is Wagon Wheel Staging Area with a 4.7-star rating from 13 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Inyokern, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 47 dispersed camping locations near Inyokern, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.