Best Tent Camping near Mojave River Dam
Several tent-only campgrounds in the mountains and high desert dot the landscape surrounding Mojave River Dam, California. Nearby options include Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground with walk-in tent sites, and the more primitive Yellow Post sites at Keller Peak, both offering distinctly different tent camping experiences within San Bernardino National Forest. These established tent campgrounds provide alternatives to dispersed backcountry camping for those seeking more structured tent sites while still maintaining a wilderness feel.
Sites may be set on dirt, gravel, or forest duff with minimal grading across most tent campgrounds in the area. Deep Creek provides basic amenities including showers and toilets for a $10 nightly fee, while Yellow Post sites like those at Keller Peak offer more primitive tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables but no water or facilities. Most tent campgrounds in this region have seasonal fire restrictions that vary based on conditions. Access to some sites requires high-clearance vehicles, particularly at dispersed camping areas like Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp and Mill Creek, where no facilities exist but tent camping is free.
Areas farther from the main roads offer deeper seclusion and reduced noise for backcountry tent campers. The Yellow Post campsites at Keller Peak provide good separation between sites, with one visitor noting they are "well spaced out" and offer "spectacular views and true solitude." Many tent campers use these areas as bases for exploring nearby hiking trails, including paths to Deep Creek Hot Springs. The tent campsites at higher elevations like Big Pine Flat provide cooler temperatures during summer months but may experience early snow in fall and late melt-off in spring. For dedicated tent campers seeking more challenging access, Fisherman's Group Campground offers walk-in only sites that one camper described as "only accessible via hiking" with "plenty of room for a dozen or more and easy stream access."
