Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Mojave, CA

Mojave, California sits at the edge of the Mojave Desert at approximately 2,762 feet elevation, where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically from daytime highs to nighttime lows. The area features distinctive Joshua tree forests and high desert terrain with minimal shade cover. Camping options range from primitive sites with no facilities to established campgrounds with full hookups, with several locations situated near small airports or glider facilities.

What to do

Stargazing at designated spots: Ricardo Campground at Red Rock Canyon State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "The Milky Way was out at night. The trails are stunning," notes Margaret P., who appreciated the quiet and seclusion of the campground.

Explore Joshua tree landscapes: Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles provides access to classic high desert terrain. "You can get right up in the joshua trees, and a lot of the time you have the place all to yourself. Awesome place to bring your dog and friends and just goof off," writes Levi P., who recommends winter visits for the best views when "there's snow on the Tehachapi mountains and the San Gabriel mountains."

Watch glider flights: At Mountain Valley RV Park, the adjacent glider airport offers unique entertainment. "We stayed in the exact spot both times on the end of the back row with a great view of the airport... If you have time and they have a pilot and time it is a fantastic flight," explains Tom D., who enjoys watching the aircraft operations.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At Tehachapi Mountain Park, the terrain creates natural separation. "I normally don't like campgrounds because of the way they are set up with neighbors to each side. But this place is incredible, with plenty of private spots due to the whole place being on the side of a mountain," writes Leo L.

Clean facilities at affordable rates: Budget-conscious campers appreciate Spaceport RV Park's reasonable fees. "Cheap, no-frills full hook-up RV park near the mojave airfield and space port. You are literally parking in a parking lot with hook-ups. It's bare bones," notes Brian C., while Michael C. adds that the park "makes up for it" with helpful staff and services like "$5.00 [dump] and fill your freshwater tank for $2.00 even if you don't stay here."

Desert solitude: For those seeking true isolation, East Mojave Camp offers primitive camping without crowds. "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," reports Sawyer P.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Summer heat in the desert requires preparation. At Ricardo Campground, visitors should note "the desert was alive in April," according to Michelle W., making spring an ideal time to visit before summer temperatures spike.

Road conditions to dispersed sites: Access to East Mojave Camp requires appropriate vehicles. Sawyer P. warns the road is "unmarked and very unmaintained" and recommends "high clearance vehicle if you want to be further away then 100 feet from the highway" due to numerous washouts.

Limited facilities: Many campgrounds have basic amenities only. At Brite Lake Aquatic Recreation Area, Ala B. reports being "disappointed that they charge $35, but the restrooms were partially well-kept" and notes "there is not much to do, as you cannot bath in the lake and it's bit windy."

Reservation systems vary: Some parks require planning ahead while others operate on first-come basis. Katt J. explains that Tehachapi Mountain Park has "lots of open spots, FCFS [first come, first served]. Vault toilets and trash cans scattered throughout. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring... Cost was $18 paid in envelopes at the entrance."

Tips for camping with families

Alternative water activities: When lake swimming isn't permitted at pet-friendly sites, create options. Charlotte R. shares her experience at Brite Lake: "Our family stayed here for 2 nights. We enjoyed our time but the kids were disappointed they couldn't touch the water at the lake. I brought a small plastic pool for them to get wet in at our site because it was hot."

Plan for shade needs: Desert sun exposure can be challenging with children. Charlotte notes that at Brite Lake "there is more shade in tent areas" while "not a whole lot of shade in the RV sites," making tent camping potentially more comfortable for families during warm months.

Educational opportunities: The location near aerospace facilities provides learning experiences. At Willow Springs International Raceway, Judy mentions there are "actually 5 tracks and a fantastic restaurant on site," creating opportunities for families to observe racing activities while camping.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions matter: Larger rigs face challenges at mountain campgrounds. Mark at Tehachapi Mountain Park cautions: "When they say mountain, they mean mountain! The road to the campground is a narrow, twisty, two lane road... The grades in some parts of the campground were double digit percent grades and the hairpin turns were very sharp. We were towing a 13' travel trailer and did OK, but I wouldn't want anything bigger than that."

Levelness of sites: Many desert campgrounds have uneven terrain. Leonard H. notes that at Ricardo Campground, "Most sights have a little slope... used a few leveling blocks" to accommodate the natural contours of the desert landscape.

Overnight vs. extended stays: Some locations better suit brief stopovers. Edy K. found Sierra Trails RV Park "convenient with our towed" because "sites there are all pull through" making it "a great option for passing through on our way to red rock canyon."