Best Dispersed Camping near Newberry Springs, CA

Several dispersed camping options exist near Newberry Springs, California on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands. The region features multiple designated dispersed camping areas including Ord Mountain Dispersed, BLM Barstow Dispersed Camp Area, and Arrowhead Trail Dispersed. These primitive sites are primarily located on desert terrain with minimal development and no facilities. Most sites permit camping in both tents and recreational vehicles, with several areas specifically accommodating RVs and big rigs on the flat desert landscape.

Access roads to many dispersed sites around Newberry Springs require careful navigation, with several areas demanding high-clearance vehicles or four-wheel drive capabilities. Sites like Ord Mountain can be reached via dirt roads with some bumps and dips that may challenge larger vehicles when driving slowly. Most areas lack basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Campers must pack out all waste and bring sufficient water supplies. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with most areas permitting campfires only with proper permits obtained online from land management agencies. According to one visitor, "We made it down the dirt road fine in our 26 ft class c. Proceed at your own comfort level, but it seems like a road that would be ok for any rig if you go slow and watch for dips and bumps."

The dispersed camping experience near Newberry Springs provides opportunities for solitude and open desert views. Cell phone reception is generally available across most sites, which serves as a practical advantage for remote camping. Many locations offer adequate space between camping spots, allowing for generator use without disturbing neighbors. Several areas attract off-road vehicle enthusiasts, with sites often serving as base camps for ATV and dirt bike recreation. Some sites have established fire rings from previous visitors. A review noted that while the area is "a good place for a big group where you can be loud and not disturb anyone," campers should be prepared for occasional shooting activities in nearby designated areas.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Newberry Springs, California (22)

    1. Ord Mountain Dispersed

    1 Review
    Daggett, CA
    18 miles

    "I did the best I could with finding the exact location on the map using The Dyrt's current capabilities to add a new location.  "

    2. BLM Barstow - Dispersed Camp Area

    4 Reviews
    Joshua Tree National Park, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 252-6000

    "There are several sites at this location that each can hold 5-7 RVs. Each of the sites has a primitive fire ring, but there is no wood in the area, so bring your own."

    3. Stoddard Valley OHV

    2 Reviews
    Barstow, CA
    22 miles

    "There is a vault toilet and some rock fire pits scattered around the area. I was there on a Wednesday, didn't see another soul except for the couple that pulled off the highway for a quicky, LOL!"

    4. Arrowhead Trail Dispersed

    1 Review
    Joshua Tree National Park, CA
    23 miles

    5. Cougar Buttes in Johnson Valley

    1 Review
    Lucerne Valley, CA
    24 miles

    "There are other cover areas around the buttes to camp in for more privacy as the main area can get crazy with big numbers of "neighbor" (if you like that)."

    6. South Soggy Dry Lake on Bessemer Mine Road

    1 Review
    Johnson Valley, CA
    26 miles

    "From there you can reach all that Johnson Valley has to offer, can get busy but not nearly like Cougar Buttes, Anderson, or Means Lakebed."

    7. Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp

    7 Reviews
    Big Bear Lake, CA
    38 miles
    Website

    "Once you leave the pavement the going gets slower along the trails. You definitely need a high clearance vehicle. There are campgrounds in the area and also yellow post campsites."

    "Because the National forest allows dispersed camping, as long as your off the roads and trails, the camping spots are unlimited."

    8. Razor Road Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Baker, CA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 833-7100

    "After all it is free camping."

    "You can continue on this dirt road to get farther from the freeway to get a quieter sleep."

    9. East Flats

    11 Reviews
    San Bernardino National Forest, CA
    47 miles
    Website

    "Camping at East Flats was great in mid-June. There are a number of campers, but remote locations are easily found. If you bring pets, be aware they may upset Rattlesnakes."

    "As a matter of fact, we got engaged at nearby Jenks Lake and celebrated here after. No facilities, but if you have your supplies, it’s great. There are a couple loops and lots of spots. Enjoy."

    10. Bell Mountain Road

    2 Reviews
    Apple Valley, CA
    33 miles

    "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."

    "many Trucks at night. don't drive to the campground just search a space after road ends"

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Newberry Springs, CA

47 Reviews of 22 Newberry Springs Campgrounds


  • Alisa B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 29, 2021

    Silurian Dry Lake Bed

    Life on Mars

    Absolutely amazing free dispersed camping at Silurian dry lake bed.

    Visited in late December, and there were zero other campers out on the lake bed. Lots of entrances to the site from the highway, just be sure to follow an already made path. The farthest you can camp is about a mile off of the road. Very level, great place for boondocking.

    This is BLM managed land, make sure to go online for a free fire permit if you plan to have a campfire.

  • Dickie Simmons  S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2024

    Mill Creek Dispersed Camping

    Convenient free camping just outside of town

    Great free camping when campgrounds are booked. Easy to navigate with GPS. Many large and small sites along the road. Some spots more secluded than others.  Smaller rigs, medium clearance and lite off-road capabilities recommended. Good cellular reception in my particular location.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Ord Mountain Dispersed

    Actual location 34.684300, -116.960600

    I did the best I could with finding the exact location on the map using The Dyrt's current capabilities to add a new location.  This site is located at 34.684300,-116.960600, across the 247 road from Sawtooth Canyon Campground / New Jack City rock climbing area. Hopefully someone can go in at some point and fix the location to be more precise.

    We checked this place out but didn’t stay. We liked the beautiful wide open surroundings, the good cell reception, and the easy access from the main road, but it seemed like this is a place better suited for bigger groups, especially those who will be riding ATVs or dirt bikes around. So, if you’re looking for a big open space to hang out with a big group where you can be loud and not disturb anyone, this would be a good place for it. We also heard gun shots nearby so further down the road is probably a good shooting area. 

    Obviously no amenities so please pack in/ pack out. It was surprisingly not too trashed so that was nice. We made it down the dirt road fine in our 26 ft class c. Proceed at your own comfort level, but it seems like a road that would be ok for any rig (maybe not a class A?) if you go slow and watch for dips and bumps.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2023

    Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp

    Site of gold discovery in the 1800s.

    If you’re into panning for gold you just might find some along Holcomb Creek. There are active claims in the area so be respectful. Once you leave the pavement the going gets slower along the trails. You definitely need a high clearance vehicle. There are campgrounds in the area and also yellow post campsites. There wasn’t many other vehicles around the times I’ve been out there. Nice scenery and peaceful.

  • Sarah N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2023

    Silurian Dry Lake Bed

    Weird spot

    Bit of an awkward spot to camp in my opinion. It’s pretty much an open sandy area in the town of Baker. You can hear the highway and noise from the town. If you prefer more remote areas, choose a different place. It was difficult to find in the dark as well because the coordinates provided aren’t technically in the camping area. I had to zoom in on the map to make sure I was on BLM land.

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2018

    Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp

    unlimited backcountry camping

    Because the National forest allows dispersed camping, as long as your off the roads and trails, the camping spots are unlimited. We like coming here if we want to be guaranteed a spot, no early arrivals or reservations needed. Dogs are allowed, and the trails in the area are dog-friendly.

  • Cyndy & Selena R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 19, 2023

    East Flats

    East Flats-very nice

    Camping at East Flats was great in mid-June. There are a number of campers, but remote locations are easily found. If you bring pets, be aware they may upset Rattlesnakes.

  • J
    Jun. 9, 2021

    East Flats

    Terrific Dispersed Spot

    My wife and our friends love this spot. As a matter of fact, we got engaged at nearby Jenks Lake and celebrated here after. No facilities, but if you have your supplies, it’s great. There are a couple loops and lots of spots. Enjoy.

  • Francisco F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2024

    Mill Creek Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful Spot For 4x4, But NOT For RVs

    My husband and I were looking for good boondocking spots yesterday and we decided to check out this spot, after finding it on The Dyrt and a few other sites. It's definitely a beautiful place, and most of the road to the site is paved, but the road up to the actual spot is gravel, with lots of potholes and washboard areas, which would make it difficult for an RV. But the biggest issue for RVs is an area of the road that is very steep and immediately turns into a hairpin turn that we didn't even want to try in our 4x4, since the road is very thin and our SUV (a 2009 Nissan Pathfinder) is kind of thick. I'm sure it's probably nothing for people who are used to using their 4x4 for more than regular driving in the snow, etc., but it was too dodgy for us. There is no way that even a Class C rig would be able to take that steep incline and immediately do that sharp turn. And since there's nowhere to turn around in that spot, you'd have to back your rig down the incline and then quite a ways down the pitted, gravel road to get out of it. 

    It's full of trees and seems fairly remote, but we had 5 cars pass us as we were backing away from the incline, so it's obviously a busy spot - you wouldn't be there alone, and this was on a Thursday.


Guide to Newberry Springs

Primitive camping near Newberry Springs, California offers access to open desert terrain on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands. The region sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F while winter nights can drop below freezing. Cell phone service remains surprisingly reliable throughout most dispersed camping areas, with Verizon typically providing the strongest signal across these remote desert locations.

What to do

Off-road adventures: Multiple dispersed camping areas serve as excellent basebases for ATV and dirt bike recreation. At BLM Barstow - Dispersed Camp Area, one camper noted it's "Dirt Biking heaven! Our friends brought their toy-haulers and we played in the desert for a few nights."

Rock climbing: Camp near established climbing areas for convenient access. The region near Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp attracts outdoor enthusiasts specifically for this activity. According to a visitor, "This area is used almost exclusively by rock climbers, but anyone is welcomed. As long as you follow the guidelines for the area, you can set up your tent anywhere you see a spot."

Gold panning: Try your luck at historical gold sites. A reviewer at Holcomb Valley mentioned, "If you're into panning for gold you just might find some along Holcomb Creek. There are active claims in the area so be respectful." The region has historical significance as "the site of gold discovery in the 1800s."

What campers like

Spacious sites: The open desert landscape provides ample space between camping spots. At East Flats, a camper reported, "There are a lot of spaces and larger rigs will do just fine within the first 1/4 mile." Another mentioned, "Closest camper is about 30 yards away. Could barely hear their generator running."

Stargazing opportunities: Clear desert skies create excellent conditions for night sky viewing. A visitor to East Flats simply noted the appeal of "Pines, and clear blue skies! What more can you ask for a few hours away from LA proper."

Wildlife sightings: Despite the harsh desert environment, wildlife viewing remains possible. One camper at East Flats shared, "Saw multiple deer walking by our site," highlighting unexpected nature encounters in this arid region.

What you should know

Fire regulations: Requirements change seasonally and vary by location. Most areas require permits for campfires. At Cougar Buttes in Johnson Valley, a reviewer cautioned, "It seems like fires aren't allowed during certain periods. Just be aware, we brought our own off the ground stove. And it was perfectly fine."

Road conditions: Many access routes require appropriate vehicles. According to a review at South Soggy Dry Lake, "Soggy has a long and very rocky road getting into the lakebed area." Similar conditions exist throughout the region.

Weather preparedness: Desert temperatures fluctuate dramatically. One camper at BLM Barstow noted, "We stayed 3 nights, we might've stayed longer but the wind was terrible." Another mentioned, "It is the desert, so it gets warm/hot during the summer, but during the fall and winter, it is comfortable and can get cold at night."

Tips for camping with families

Pack plenty of water: No potable water exists at any dispersed sites. For rustic camping near Newberry Springs, bring minimum one gallon per person per day plus extra for emergencies.

Choose timing carefully: Spring and fall offer milder temperatures. A family at BLM Barstow observed, "This is a popular camping site for OHV riders during the winter. There are several sites at this location that each can hold 5-7 RVs."

Prepare for limited amenities: Families need self-contained setups. One camper at Stoddard Valley OHV noted the basic facilities: "There is a vault toilet and some rock fire pits scattered around the area."

Consider dust management: Open desert conditions create persistent dust issues. A reviewer at East Flats mentioned it was "super dusty" and "Easy to drag in dust and very annoying," something particularly challenging with children.

Tips from RVers

Rig size considerations: Many areas accommodate large vehicles but require careful navigation. At Razor Road Dispersed Camping, one RVer mentioned, "You can continue on this dirt road to get farther from the freeway to get a quieter sleep." Another noted the area has a "Flat open space with several fire pits."

Generator etiquette: Open spaces allow for generator use without disturbing neighbors. A camper at Razor Road commented, "Enough room between campers to run a generator without bothering anyone."

Level parking spots: Many areas feature relatively flat terrain. At East Flats, a reviewer with a large vehicle confirmed "multiple spots for a class a 34 foot motorhome" and that they are "level."

Internet connectivity: Working remotely remains possible at some sites. A camper at East Flats reported, "Starlink internet here was great and we stayed 2 days to work here," while another confirmed "Very quiet and I even have internet (Telekom)!"

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Newberry Springs, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Newberry Springs, CA is Ord Mountain Dispersed with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Newberry Springs, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 22 dispersed camping locations near Newberry Springs, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.