Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Mojave National Preserve? Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Mojave National Preserve, including photos, reviews, and tips. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your California camping adventure.
Camping in undeveloped campsites is allowed in previously used or disturbed sites outside of the "day-use-only" areas. In most cases these sites include a rock or metal fire ring; not all sites contain a fire ring. All fires must be in a fire ring or fire pan; new fire rings cannot be constructed. Camping tramples vegetation and disturbs soils. By reusing existing sites, you help protect the desert from further damage. Practice Leave No Trace principles, including burrying human waste at least six inches deep.
Careful planning and knowledge of camping guidelines and regulations will help ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for you, future visitors, and the fragile desert environment.
Camping in undeveloped campsites is allowed in previously used or disturbed sites outside of the "day-use-only" areas. In most cases these sites include a rock or metal fire ring; not all sites contain a fire ring. All fires must be in a fire ring or fire pan; new fire rings cannot be constructed. Camping tramples vegetation and disturbs soils. By reusing existing sites, you help protect the desert from further damage. Practice Leave No Trace principles, including burrying human waste at least six inches deep.
Careful planning and knowledge of camping guidelines and regulations will help ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for you, future visitors, and the fragile desert environment.
Guide
This is a great spot for an overnight stay about 11 miles down Kelbaker Road from Highway 15. There are two larger sites near the road, but if you drive a little way past those, you will find one small site before the little hill. We also found two more sites after the little hill and one of them was about 30 feet deep, which was good for us. We tried to go farther, but we didn’t see anything for quite a way so we turned around again. A word of caution, it is not easy to turn around because it’s very sandy.
The campsite we chose past the little hill was not visible from the other campsites and it had a great view of the valley and the mountains. You could barely see the highway, and you could not hear it.
Unfortunately, we did see some toilet paper around our site which we picked up. It is simple enough to just buy a toilet bucket at Sportsman‘s Warehouse and add a bag of pine pellets that you can throw away in the dump when you leave.
It’s a nice private spot and we will definitely stay there again.
Traveler
A great place to climb rocks and watch sunrises and sunsets. Lots of birds to listen to and spy with binoculars. In the spring the desert flowers are blooming and beautiful to seek out different species. The road leading to the research station is tight, you will likely get the sides of your vehicle scratched. Lots of dirt roads to explore and even found some petroglyphs nearby. The dispersed sites are about and 1/8 of mile apart and separated by boulders so privacy is great.
It was pleasing to see almost no litter or bottles and cans.
Bring your own water, bring your own privy.
Drive slow and watch for desert tortoises and other wild life while exploring the miles and miles of dirt roads.
Only complaint was the guy who drove his dirt back around the rocks like it was his own personal dirt track. He did that for half an hour the disappears.
Guide
Great isolated spot, probably great for stargazing when the moon isn’t in your face.
Scout
Verizon had excellent reception, enough room between campers to run a generator without bothering anyone. Lots of litter everywhere. It would be nice if people would haul out more trash than what they bring in. After all it is free camping.
TravelerIt was an aight spot. did the job. the spots are like behind a sketchy gas station, so i drove down a little bit so i wasn’t near it. tons of garbage. other than that, decent morning view ! stayed safe the whole night. can’t complain.
Traveler
Really nice area. Only one other person on a Thursday night. Room for 5-6 different campsites, plus overflow onto the road. Next to the dunes. Highly recommend hiking up them.
Scout
Amazing view and secluded period Take the road all the way down until it ends comma about two miles comma and there's a cul-de-sac that would be great for a small group. Please respect the land: keep it down and pack it out!
Traveler
Traveling across country, Jeep camping. Spot was perfect and beautiful. Could have been off the road a bit more considering the amount of traffic for such a remote spot. Make sure to wear shoes as there are thorns. Also be ready to wake up to critters (mice? Chipmunks?) running across your exhaust, chewing on their dinner.
Traveler
After climbing the giant hills out of Baker, my 1984 Vanagon was ready for a rest. We pulled off at Bailey Road and it was quickly dirt road, but certainly manageable for any SUV or Truck. After about 10 minutes (3.1 miles) there were campsites. Plenty of spaces and spread out. HOT in the late spring but overnight temperatures were excellent at about 65F.
Traveler
We couldn’t believe we were the only ones here, incredibly beautiful, clean, peaceful with beautiful sun sets and sun rises. We stayed there for 4 days and didn’t see anyone. Our dogs enjoyed it tremendously too.
GuideJust 10 miles down a great, stereotypical, paved desert road off of I-15 you’ll find an unmarked turnoff as the road curves. The turnoff quickly becomes a dirt road that runs straight for miles. On the right side is the Mojave National Wilderness and on the left is the Mojave National Preserve where camping is allowed in designated areas only. These are marked pretty well and can easily accommodate groups (see “camping” below). The road is easy (see “Approach” below) and I’d feel comfortable taking a 2wd sedan to at least the first campsite which is only about 200m from the road. Fires are allowed in fire pits only which both sites I saw have.
Camping There are two designated dispersed campsites that I saw. I didn’t drive much past the second site though the road wasn’t difficult. The sites are well established and well marked. Some places look like they could be campsites but they are marked as “No Camping.” Look for the established areas with a fire pit that have the designated camping signs. They are located next to rock formations that help block the wind and give you a place to get on top of to look around. Watch out for snakes! The first one is maybe 200m down the road on the left. It has a driveway leading to a circular area so it would be good for a pull through camper or two. It’s large enough for a few campers, I’d say, or several vehicles. Pretty ideal if you had a horse trailer (there is not water source) as across the site is a good equestrian/hiking trail. I chose this one because it was actually smaller and I didn’t want to take up the larger second site. The second site is visible from the first but not close enough to interact much. The rock formation is larger, it’s more hidden from the main road, and has more space for vehicles. Better for a group - even a large one. Check the sign on the way into the preserve to make sure fires are allowed that day. Firewood can be purchased at the market in Baker.
The Approach and Ace Test The exit off of I-15 is convenient - stop in Baker immediately on the right for supplies then right across the interstate is Kellbaker Rd - the paved road that goes through the Mojave. After the mile 10 marker, the road turns right and in the middle of the turn is an unmarked paved driveway. Turn onto that driveway and it becomes a sandy dirt road that runs straight. There are some signs that say “No Motor Vehicles” and “No Camping” but these signs are talking about not leavening the road. You’re fine if you stay on the road. There are some pull offs that look like campsites but they will have rocks across the path and have signs saying no camping. Look for the designated camping signs and pull offs with a fire pit. This road does pass the Ace test for me (Ace was my 216 VW Jetta that I took on roads like this often); however, there are a couple spots toward the second campsite and beyond that I, personally, would do with Ace but if you’re less comfortable, the first campsite is maybe 200m in and any car could make that easily.
Activities The trails are well marked and one can explore the Lava Tubes which is just across the dirt road and easy access. It’s hot even in spring so bring a lot of water - more than you think you need. WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES. I had a fire and it was great to sit, relax, and stargaze. There isn’t a lot of light pollution so on a clear night, it’s awesome. Further down the paved road, there are other things like more Lava Tubes, some mines, and a trail you can drive along to check out water tanks. I like this camp area because it’s isolated and out of town but close enough to get supplies while allowing access further into the preserve. You can also go check out the World’s Largest Thermometer in Baker as well as an Alien kitsch shop and a few restaurants.
Weather I was there towards the end of April and it was in the 90’s and sunny during the day, a hot breeze coming from the west. At night, it was clear and starry and a low around 65.
Cell Service and Other Services I had 3 bars of Verizon LTE and was able to text and send videos and do some of my remote work. There are no amenities; however, Baker is just 10 miles away and has a few gas stations and a market that have pretty much everything from laundry detergent to firewood.
Guide
23ft rv
Beginning of april
The camping area is small. There was one can there when we arrived on Friday , early in the day. By 5 pm there were several vehicles. Another rv parked about 30 ft away and a van pulled in at night and was about 15 ft behind us. The area is very pretty. Great mountains etc.
bit if garbage around which always bums. Me out. Spent shell casings.
It’s ok in a pinch for sure and I could see it being good mid week when maybe nobody is around.
Travelerbeautiful surroundings - large open space with fire pits and great views - fantastic night sky
Guide
Great spot just before Hole in the Wal About 1/4 mile down a road marked “4x4 high clearance only.” But if you’re just hitting the campsite you can make It in a lot less. There’s a turn around there for people towing trailers. No facilities, just a fire ring, red rock peaks and quiet. Absolutely stunning.
Traveler
Great place to stop off the 15 on the way to where ever you're going! One other car other than us at this spot. Few other campers closer to the main road.
TravelerLarge flat open space with several fire pits. Some highway noise, but nothing terrible
GuideSeveral firepits, leveled big area. You can continue on this dirt road to get farther from the freeway to get a quieter sleep. I dropped in very late, so I didn't want to go further exploring in the dark, but I saw campers drive further out.
ScoutWent at the start of December on a Saturday and was the only one there. The road is manageable with a 2wd sedan as I got through fine with my Corolla, but I had my underbody scrapped the whole way there by the plants growing in between the tire tracks. The road is probably only 7 feet wide with only one small pull out a mile in. There's a couple of different camp spots at the end so even if there are other people there you can still get some privacy.
ScoutThe site is about a mile off I-40 and I had no problem pulling my 58ft rig into camp. My only major complaint is that a town of any legitimate size is about 80 miles away.
Pros: -good cell service -incredible view of the stars at night -beautiful landscape
Cons: -SO MUCH trash everywhere -very isolated
TravelerNice place right past the trailhead as you pull in. Pit toilets in area are honestly okay, a little smelly mostly due to the heat. No cell service for AT&T but I got one bar at the top of the dunes and on the road as I pulled in. It was only enough service to send a text, no internet or calls. Sites have a fire pit.
TravelerAbsolutely beautiful sunset at this place with black lava rocks, cute tufts of yellow grass looking like little fires in the sunset. Gourds and other fun plants. 4wd recommended.
TravelerGetting in early paid off I had first pick and got the first big site by the rock formation, which seems to be the best site. Further down the road the sand gets deeper and the spots are less defined. Two other campers pulled within shouting distance, but still plenty of privacy and no one bothered us. T-Mobile is excellent here. Rock formation is excellent for blocking the sound of a generator if you stick it behind the rocks. Hot days, cool nights in June.
TravelerAwesome rugged camping in the middle of the Mojave. Cool little hikes into the washes. Nice and quiet, far and tucked away from the road. Loved it
TravelerNice remote area back from the main road, very quiet and beautiful views. There are at least room for two or three groups. Road in was very easy, we were in an Outback pulling a teardrop trailer and there were no problems getting back there. Easy turnaround spots at the junction of the roads near the camp spots. If the spots at the end of the road are full there are a couple of options in washes closer to the paved road but they are not as scenic.
TravelerMy family spent 1 night a a full day here. My 3 boys loved climbing the dunes. A little harder for mom and dad to keep up. Wonderful experience amazing view from the top of the dunes. Road to the camp ground is a very poor conditions. Few plastics came off the trailer on the way to/from the camping ground due to the vibrations. No mobile signal which was uncomfortable and nice at the same time!
GuideThis was a really easy spot to find and get setup. We came in late after driving all day and night. The spots that were in the rocks already had people in them. So we just setup by the road. The sites in the rocks looked really nice and spaced perfectly to be private.
GuideNot too tough to get to in our 30’ class c RV, just a bit bumpy. About 25 minutes from I-15. Beautiful spot, dead quiet. The first little cove spot we noticed against the rocks was perfect size for our rv and moderately easy to turn around in. There were other campers about 2 spots down that we could see but they were pretty far away. Lovely sunset!
EDIT: upon leaving this morning, we noticed that our spot was the first big one past the rock painted “3” that another reviewer had mentioned
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Mojave National Preserve in California, where stunning landscapes and serene environments await outdoor enthusiasts. This area offers a variety of unique spots for those looking to escape into nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Mojave National Preserve is Mojave Cross Dispersed — Mojave National Preserve with a 4.8-star rating from 21 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 28 dispersed camping locations near Mojave National Preserve, with real photos and reviews from campers.
