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Joshua trees 50 miles closer to LA than the Joshua Tree National Park! This is 2.5 acres of protected Joshua Tree lands in the Antelope Valley north of LA, between the snowy Tehachapi Mountains, and the rolling green foothills of the also-snowy San Gabriel Mountains. My first time out there I saw BOTH ENDS of a rainbow in front of the snowy Tehachapis!! Super dark skies, and a million stars at night. It feels like the wild west out here. Think long dirt roads, tumbleweeds, bones, and maybe some old bullet shells (there's no shooting allowed on the property anymore). The property itself is along a dirt "road" called Avenue C, but I'd be shocked if you encountered anyone driving along there. Except possibly another group of campers. This land used to be the domain of the Ketanemuk tribe, which I think means People From The East. In the summer they would go up and hunt and get pine nuts in the Tehachapi Mountains, and acorns from the oak trees in the San Gabriels. It's about a 20 minute drive from the town of Neenach (pronounced Nee-nack), where there's a general store and a cafe. They make a great breakfast burrito. A few minutes from the State Poppy Reserve, which blooms in the spring with miles of California poppies. If you have a larger group or event in mind, get in touch! We can figure out how to accommodate you.
$25 / night
Enter through Gate 5.
2800-foot elevation. 27 campsites. No water. Vault toilets. Campsites are first come - first served. RV's to 18'.
Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required, but the camping is free if you have one.
$5 / night
Hobo Campground is tucked on the banks of the Lower Kern River, north of the popular Miracle Hot Springs. It sits at 2290 feet elevation on the Sequoia National Forest in the Lower Kern Canyon. The close proximity to the Lower Kern River and the shade provided by the riparian forest make it an ideal summer escape from the heat. It has 23 individual tent only sites and an additional 10 sites across the campground.__
__White water boating is popular on the Lower Kern and requires a free Kern River Use permit from the Kernville Ranger Station. A trail also exists at the northern end of Hobo Campground that connects visitors to Sandy Flat Campground. The remains of an old resort can be found in the campground and Miracle Hot Springs area.
__White water boating is popular on the Lower Kern and requires a free Kern River Use permit from the Kernville Ranger Station. A trail also exists at the northern end of Hobo Campground that connects visitors to Sandy Flat Campground. The remains of an old resort can be found in the campground and Miracle Hot Springs area.
The campsites are mostly all shaded by majestic sycamores, willows, cottonwoods, alders with views of the Lower Kern River close by.The trees show off a dramatic display of yellow, gold, and orange in the fall. The Kern River flows higher in the late spring and early summer months as water is released from Lake Isabella. The river can appear calm but can be deceiving with it's fast currents under the surface. The Forest Service does not encourage swimming in the river.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (760) 376-3781.
Remington Hot Springs is a free Hot Spring on Forest Service Land located approximately one mile West of Hobo Camppground off Old Kern Canyon Road. White water rafting is a very popular activity on the Kern River, local Rafting Outfitters provide half-day to multi day trips along the Kern River.
$26 - $30 / night
5,200-foot elevation. 7 campsites. No toilets. Campsites are first come - first served. Adventure Pass required for vehicles parked at this campground. Trash pick up is not available, so please help by taking your trash out with you. Treat stream water before using, if it is available. Please call the Acton Work Center at (661) 269-2808 for current road information.
Currently NO toilet facilities at this site.
Just above Crystal Lake lies Little Jimmy trail camp...a backcountry campground nestled just 2 miles off the Angeles Crest Highway.
It features seven first-come, first-served sites with picnic tables, fire rings, vault/composting toilets, and vintage backcountry ovens.
Hike-in only (2.5 miles one-way). After parking your vehicle at Islip Saddle, cross the highway and begin hiking for 2.5 miles up the switchbacks until you reach Little Jimmy Campground on your right.
Popular with Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, this scenic spot offers a chance to get away from established campgrounds and live amongst the Coulter Pines and Bigcone Douglas Firs.
Campers turned hikers have easy access to hop on the legendary Pacific Crest Trail which runs through the camp.
There is no fee to camp here other than an Adventure Pass for your parking. In the summertime, bears can be common visitors, so it please secure your food and scented items in bear-proof boxes provided or bring your own bear canisters. As always, make sure you follow the "Leave No Trace" principles and pack everything in and out!
Closed Campground.
3 acres of beautiful flat land, nestled between sprawling green mountains. Right off the main highway 58 on the way to Las Vegas. This quiet sanctuary provides than needed serenity in a land of four seasons. The campsite is located before and parallel to Tehachapi, Veterinarian Hospital, Pet Lodge and Outfitters.
$40 - $50 / night
Guide
Ranger woke me up early asking for a permit. He was not agro, as I didn't look like I bum I think that helped. He explained a shell station off the 176 nearby sells $5 day passes and $30 annual.
ScoutFYI- camping is limited to 14 days at a time 28 days a year, must access via publicly open roads, stay on designated trails, and take all your trash with you there are no trash cans no trash removal.
Ranger
The views from this campground are absolute stellar. The sites and pit toilets are clean and plenty of spaces were available. It was all first come, first served and self-pay when we arrived. Drive the loop and find your spot, then return the payment in the envelope provided to the pay station. I’m sure it’s a busy place on the weekends. It’s in an OHV area, so off road vehicle noise is to be expected, but it was minimal. The road in is smooth, sites are easy to access (with a few pull-through sites) and there are a few paved ADA specific sites as well. The sites up by the cliffs are offer the best views but many may be difficult to get level in if you have a motorhome or travel trailer.
Guide
35.08627305276245,-117.54092669125416 Great space. Easy to find. Away from highway enough. Very windy. Great sunset and sunrise.
TravelerI drove past a couple of camp grounds directly at the lake and was very disappointed what I found. Yes, you can camp right at the lake but only if you appreciate the charme of a Walmart parking lot. There is basically next to no trees or any nature for that matter.
So I looked a little further and was very happy to have found this site. Beautifully located right at a river, surrounded by trees, big boulders and the stunning mountain scenerey.
However, be aware that this is not serviced at all. There is no electricity, water, dump stations or anything else than the actual spot. And BEWARE: there is quite a steep and narrow entry road into the site. I drove in with a 30 feet class A camper and I am little worried if I will get out tomorrow. Also I smacked some leaves off of a tree on my way in with my 13“ clearance.
Scout
The post fire which burned the area of 10,000 acres on June 15, 2024 has caused this area to be closed until further notice. We went to camp but were turned away. Be aware. Otherwise would have been a great place to stay as I have been there before
Traveler
Very beautiful sight of the lake and mountains. Easy access from the road. Had a ton of wind and thunder so hard to move further up and away from the lake so we wherent up against the wind. Close to the road so a little noise from it, but thats what made it easy accessible as well. All in all a very nice campsite.
Guide
Grounds seem well kept, the gravel was raked at our site when we pulled in. Restrooms are ok, the issue was that the lock them up at 10:00pm and don’t open until 7:30am. It would be so simple to put a code lock on the doors. You have to pay for WiFi, and the laundry machines are paid for by using a credit card for pay cards and the machine was out of cards. The only way to use it was to create an account with some vendor online! In the morning there were planes taking off, towing gliders, which was interesting to watch
ScoutStayed for two months without any issues
Guide
There are 21 campsites and not all have tree’s but its walking distance from the creek. Its nestled between mountains and the night sky is gorgeous. We saw wild ducks too and some other desert critters. Has it not been for the nasty animals called inconsiderate humans blasting their music and fighting amongst themselves bringing their family drama until 6am, the camp site would have been marvelous. No ranger to domesticate those animals and remind them of quiet hours. Another group even brought a dj and karaoke. Seriously, no consideration for the rest of the campers. They want to get away from the hustle and bustle and be with nature but they can’f live without the modern day amenities and bring that noise we are all trying to escape to a place of nature. They even had BB guns and shooting them within the campsite. Idiots. The day the ranger did come by he was giving tickets to vehicles with no pass. Wish he came at night when he was most needed. Bathrooms are poorly maintained too. Never coming back for an overnight stay, a day trip will suffice.
Traveler
Just stayed 8/15-18/24, although hot during the day, it was the getaway we needed. The Burkhart trail to the waterfall was beautiful. Clean campsites. Some neighboring camps were louder than you'd hope but it is what it is. Our second trip here and will return for sure.
Legend
I haven't stayed in this campground, but I added it to the Dyrt so people can find it as an option if they are searching for large group camping. You MUST call in advance to get permission and reserve for group camping.
Things to do:
visit the Placerita Canyon Nature Center, including live animal exhibits
Ranger-led educational programs
hike to waterfalls: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/placerita-canyon-and-waterfall-trail
Traveler
We stayed in Loop A on a Thursday night in July. For us, it was a convenient overnight stop. It was a lot less crazy/ crowded than we expected for an LA County campground in the middle of summer! This site is on the lagoon, not the main lake, but had nice views and a good breeze in the heat. Very minimal space, not much shade. But the real issue was that the bathroom stalls in our loop (A) had no doors. I also doubt they are cleaned daily, though it wasn't terrible. Being close to the city, there were a ton of people meandering around, but they all seemed to be doing their own thing (e.g fishing or just walking), few suspicious characters. Lots of families and kids made it feel fairly safe for an urban campground. Not our favorite, but we would stop over here again in a pinch.
Traveler
Campsite was established, picnic table, fireplace, and electricity. Floor is gravel in some areas so bring a rake or broom for tent area. Our site was pretty close to bathrooms that had showers. 1.50 for 8 minutes, uses quarters. Has hot water. Rangers drive by selling wood and ice.
Traveler
This campground has some shade and some open areas.Area was clean and the host is personable. Cost of camping fee is $34 per night. Has potable water and running water in bathroom. No showers or amenities.
Traveler
It usually stay empty and easy to get a site even in the peak season summer and spring but there is limited shades in most campsites and can get very hot during the days. There are not many trees around, Site 42 has really good shade but be aware of pocky leaves from those trees. My air mattress pop both times we camp there. There is not much around to do except pyramid lake close by which is nice and convenient to get to the water and go fishing or tubing. Also close by six flag.
Guide
Having to find a spot kind of late at night after other spots were full pretty level spot overlooking a meadow and review of the sunset roads a little rough getting back in there used four-wheel drive pulling a teardrop
Traveler
Very convenient and super clean. The lady who answers the phone is super friendly and helpful. I think it's better for RVs and don't think there are any tent sites.
Traveler
The campground was great - the spot was not so great. I recommend staying here just don’t stay on camp spot 9. You have to “scale” down a medium incline just to get from your car to the camp flat for your tent. And your downwind from the bathrooms and can smell… everything. Again the campground was great and we were pretty close to the river which was awesome. But stay away from site 9. We’ll definitely be back but will be at one of the others. Be sure to bring river/water shoes and some decent bug repellent.
Guide
5+ years Full time RVer, worst ever campground we have ever stayed at, stayed in many states, long-term short-term, stayed at this one for two months, although had a reservation for three. Sites are too tight, everything‘s grayish/dusty and dirty, you’re near a rail track, that blows its horn for minutes 24/7, that includes 2 AM, that includes 4 AM. Many of the neighbors you’ll see look like they’re on (mental) disability and don’t look healthy. Hot tub is smelly and yellow water too often although they state they clean it almost weekly. I god major depression staying here.
GuideFree with the purchase of the adventure pass. I was here during the week and it was quiet and uneventful. Plenty of shade and simple. A bit of traffic noise but not too bad.
I stayed here as part of my 2 month camping journey through SoCal. Really easy site to find.
Toilets were clean. Bring your own water.
Scout
Been going up there since 1969 had many many Fantastic trips fishing is always good sightseeing is good just all around good place.
Scout
Nice sized spot. We stayed on site 15, with a great view. Fire pit came in handy with a cooking grate and parking spaces are large enough for a small RV.
Traveler
The only thing more desolate than this campground is the landscape, but perhaps that's your thing. I'm the only one here on a Sunday night in May. A couple pulled in before me, but after a once-around, they left. Each campsite is well sheltered from the sun and wind -- 8' tall plywood windbreak wall plus lattice ceiling with room under it for two picnic tables and your tent. Too much noise from the nearby highway. By the way, if Google maps leads you to the closed picnic area, don't worry, there's a separate campground entrance south of it on the connecting street.
Scout
Its a really nice place. Not so crowded and near a small town. Just 12$ per night.
RangerBeautiful area with nice shady rock overhangs to stay cool during the day. No AT&T signal. No tesla signal. There was poor WiFi at the visitor center but at least you could send an email or message. The desert was alive in April! I got #8 which had a nice view. Not too crowded at 1 pm on a Saturday where I got to choose from a dozen open sites. So much better than the Alabama Hills area which was completely packed.
ScoutMy family and I enjoyed the peaceful trails and the beautiful landscape
Mojave, California, offers a unique experience for tent campers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. With stunning landscapes and a variety of campgrounds, it's an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mojave, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mojave, CA is Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles with a 4.2-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mojave, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 41 tent camping locations near Mojave, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
