Rustic camping near Littlerock, California primarily consists of undeveloped sites across Bureau of Land Management territory and Angeles National Forest at elevations ranging from 2,600 to 5,000 feet. The region experiences extreme temperature variations with summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F and winter lows occasionally dropping below freezing. Most dispersed camping locations require campers to be entirely self-sufficient with zero amenities and potentially challenging access roads.
What to do
Hiking from base camp: Campers staying at BLM Desert Site can access several informal desert trails for day hiking. "I missed the sunset but caught a beautiful sunrise," reports one visitor who found the spot offered good opportunities for early morning exploration.
Target practice: Bell Mountain Road area permits target shooting in designated zones. "There is some garbage, target shooting in the distance and the occasional maniac driving through too fast and kicking up lots of dust. Generally it was quiet," notes one camper who appreciated the open space despite occasional noise.
Stargazing: The remote desert locations provide exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. Rim of the World Byway campsites offer elevated viewing positions away from major urban centers. One camper mentions finding "nice spots" if you "go a bit further down alongside the road" to escape ambient light from the highway.
What campers like
Solitude and privacy: Most dispersed sites offer considerable distance from other campers. At BLM Desert Site, one visitor appreciated finding "a great little secluded spot about 4 miles off the highway in the desert" with limited traffic even during holiday weekends.
Road accessibility: Many locations can be reached without specialized vehicles despite their remote nature. A camper at BLM Desert Site noted, "the dirt road didn't give me any trouble and I still had some service with Verizon" while visiting in a standard minivan.
Scenic vistas: East Mojave Camp offers panoramic desert landscapes. "Beautiful sunrise. We were the only people there," reports one camper who ventured far enough from the highway to ensure complete privacy despite the unmaintained access road.
What you should know
Cell service reliability: Connectivity varies dramatically by location and carrier. At Angeles Crest Overlook, one visitor noted they "didn't have any service (Visible/Verizon), so that was a little scary" despite being relatively close to developed areas.
Vehicle requirements: Many sites demand high-clearance vehicles. At Stockton Flats Yellow Post Sites, visitors warn the "trail was fun but definitely needed 4x4" and note that the "specs of this campground are wrong, no toilets/water/etc."
Security concerns: Roadside camping locations can attract unwanted visitors. One Angeles Crest Overlook camper reported, "There were two others in our lot that stayed the night too... it did seem like maybe a teen hangout or something - cars did flow in and out occasionally through the night until around midnight."
Tips for camping with families
Best timing: Weekday visits significantly improve the camping experience with children. One visitor to Angeles Crest noted, "During the week it's more quiet," and recommended families consider "the trail pull off" where "my dogs really enjoyed the hike" rather than more exposed overlook areas.
Weather preparedness: Desert temperature swings require extra planning with children. East Mojave Camp experiences dramatic day-night temperature differences, with campers reporting comfortable days but requiring winter sleeping bags even in summer months.
Location selection: Choose campsites away from potential hazards. At Rim of the World Byway, a visitor recommends families "go a bit further down alongside the road" to avoid both the highway and train tracks for a safer experience with children.
Tips from RVers
Road navigation: RV access varies considerably between sites. One camper attempting to reach Stockton Flats with a 35-foot trailer noted: "The turn is not marked well... if you miss the turn like we did you have to go 5 miles or more to get a turnabout big enough to turn around. We decided not to go to the site because it looked like a one lane road and too tight for our 35 ft bumper pull."
Alternative parking: When designated areas prove inaccessible, nearby options exist. A camper at Rim of the World reported finding "easy in and out" access "by Rim of the world scenic byway and mormon rocks" that was "quick stop friendly" for larger vehicles needing to avoid more challenging roads.
