Are you planning a trip to Nipton with your horse? We've got you covered. Whether you own a horse or are joining a tour group, equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
At 4,400 feet in elevation, Hole-in-the-Wall Campground is surrounded by sculptured volcanic rock walls and makes a great basecamp for hikers. Thirty-five campsites accommodate RVs and tents; two walk-in sites are also available. Maximum RV or trailer length is 30 Feet.
Red Rock Canyon's standard, RV, and group campsites are located in the stunning Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, an approximate 20 mile drive from "The Las Vegas Strip." Visitors enjoy hiking, rock climbing, bike riding and scenic driving in this unique Mojave Desert environment. Note: If visitors would like to visit the scenic drive, they must have a separate timed entry reservation for each day they plan to enter the scenic drive. Reservations are required October 1 to May 31, 8am -5pm.
The Red Rock Scenic Drive & Visitor Center is located 3 miles from the campground. If visitors would like to visit the scenic drive, they must have a separate timed entry reservation for each day they plan to enter the scenic drive. Reservations are required October 1 to May 31, 8am -5pm. Red Spring/Calico Basin is located 2 miles from the campground and is a no fee area and does not require a reservation. Activities available are miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and road biking. Guided hikes and educational programs available on certain days at the Visitors Center.
Explore the peak tops, rolling sandstone ridges, steep walled canyons which highlight special wildlife, vegetation, and cultural history. The campground is in a quiet bowl near some of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the country, providing privacy with limited shade.
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park (10 minutes) Springs Preserve (20 minutes) Floyd Lamb Park (30 minutes) Desert National Wildlife Refuge (35 minutes) Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve (40 minutes) Mt Charleston/Spring Mountain Visitor Gateway (45 minutes) Hoover Dam (1 hour) Lake Mead National Recreation Area (1 hour) Valley of Fire (1 hour) Grand Canyon West (2.5 hours)
Cancellations*: *cancellation becomes a "late cancellation" at 12:01 am EST on the day before arrival. $10.00 fee if reservation is changed/cancelled earlier than the day before arrival. $10.00 plus first night's camping fee is charged if reservation is cancelled the day before or the day of the arrival, except when the reservation is only for 1 night (in which case only the first night's camping fee is charged). No Shows: customer does not arrive and/or does not cancel reservation by check out time (11 :00am) the day after the scheduled arrival date. $20.00 service fee charged and forfeit the first night's user fee If requested before the late cancellation window: NRRS will handle If requested during the late cancellation window (day before arrival, or day of arrival): Customer will be charged first night's use fee, and refunded rest If requested after arrival, during or after departure from site: recreation.gov processes and field office has to approve
$80 / night
$50 / night
With views of the lake and within walking distance of the marina, swim beach, dining and retail store, campsites at Katherine Landing feature a wide array of amenities including concrete picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grills, modern restrooms, showers, with laundry facilities close by. Wi-fi access through Access Parks is available. Campsites at Katherine Landing offer guests a scenic, affordable basecamp for adventures on and around beautiful Lake Mohave.
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.
Scout
No facillities, but beautiful quiet place to spend the night. No one else there, rings provided for fires.
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
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.
Legend
This campground is open September through June and all sites are dry camping. There is a separate area for RVs, trailers, and vans but many camper vans (including ours) were in the tent section. The camper pads in this area are dirt/gravel and not all of them are level but we made it work. Each site has a fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. Some of the sites (but not all) have a covered picnic table and the table is located on a cement pad.
There are more than sufficient vault toilets sprinkled throughout the campground and all the ones we used were clean. No showers. No dump station.
The hosts were great – they are from Minnesota, and it is their third year at this campground. They made daily rounds and were very friendly.
This campground is located just outside the park and therefore not subject to the park fees. You will need a timed entry for the 13-mile scenic drive from October through May (but if you enter before 8 am, you will not need it). We had only a fleeting one bar of Verizon cell service. Make sure you make reservations as the campground was full on a Monday night in mid-November.
LegendNice little campground in desert-quiet.
Traveler
Stayed here for one night in July. We were afraid that it will be extremely hot, but the night was surprisingly cold. Only a free other campgrounds we have been on our trip could beat the stars at night. Even though the site is in the middle of the desert, everything is perfectly clean and you even have water.
TravelerCampsite with 30 something spots. Potable water and a hose to refill your freshwater (non potable). Graywater disposal available. Dry toilets clean. Amazing views! Visitor centre and walks nearby. Almost empty when we went in early May. Enjoy!!
ScoutGreat camping spots. You feel somewhat close to your neighbors but the are angled where you don't feel on top of eachother. We never saw the host so just bring exactly $12 in cash with you to pay at the stand. Bathrooms are pit toilets but didn't smell and were as clean as the could be. Portable water and the rings loop trail was amazing!!
TravelerGreat location with opportunities for nice hiking. Wonderful surroundings. Our 3 boys had a blast calming and hiking. I would no stay more than two nights if you are looking for something new every day.
GuideWe have camped here twice because it is a convenient location on our way from California to other states. But it is also a pretty area. Even though it is first come, first serve, there were plenty of sites available both times we stayed.  There are relatively clean toilets with toilet paper,a waste basket, and hand sanitizer. We were OK in our trailer, but we had to pull down our awning because the wind was extremely strong overnight. We noticed a few of the tent campers left in the middle of the night. A warning to tent campers to check the weather before camping there.
Scout
Perfect for cars, vans, and trucks if you just need a legal place to park. Need to drive some gravel roads to get there. We were all alone when we went to sleep and the only light or noise was from the nearby highway. There’s scattered woody trash in the surrounding land so do your part and start a campfire with it. I found a pallet on the ground on my way in.
TravelerLoved it. Some big pull through sites and back in sites for 30+ ft trailers. Water stations spread out through the campground and a Dump station. Camp sites are spaced out with some good distance between. Awesome views of the local mountains and hiking trails are close.
LegendI had been in this direction before and knew I wanted to camp here! It’s an easy drive from Los Angeles. We stopped right off the freeway at the super Walmart for supplies and then the campsite was only about 15min from there. Checking in with our incredibly friendly camp host was easy. The campsite was very clean and we had a fire pit. The bathrooms were also very clean! Red Rock State Park is only about 8 min away and I strongly suggest getting a scenic drive reservation. Once you go in you can spend the whole day there! Beautiful spot and pet friendly!
GuidePaved road into campsite (about 20miles). Campground itself is smooth gravel. Well spaced and mostly level sites with beautiful desert vegetation between sites. First come, first serve. Almost empty in late Oct. $12/night. No hookups but access to potable water and a sanidump. Very clean pit toilets. Friendly and informative host. Access to trails right from campground, and information center within sight.
GuideAll good for a desert camp except the light pollution from Vegas city. Don’t expect to see desert night sky
LegendThis is a small desert campground. Drinking water but no water or dump for camper. Lots of cars in and out all night. Not sure why. Toilet but no showers. No electric.
TravelerEasy to book for a last minute climbing trip. Great location right outside of Red Rocks. Clean facilities. No privacy. Can get pretty windy.
Scout
I went fishing there last year It was beautiful, not like it was 30 years ago lol Looking forward to doing some dry camping and fishing for Xmas
RangerStayed: 6/2/2022
Cost: $12 (exact change)
Site: 16
Vehicle: GMC Terrain
Equipment: Tent
AT&T and T-Mobile: Slow but usable
We made the trek out to Hole-in-the-Wall at Mojave National Preserve for one night. It was a much longer dirt road than I had imagined and you go up in elevation. It took almost a half-hour to get to the campground from Cedar Canyon Road.
This is a First Come, First Served NPS campground. We started the loop a little worried because every site was tagged, but by the time we got back over to the first loop, we had our pick of sites. We chose 16 because of the great view and it being directly next to the pit toilet. (The cleanest pit toilet I’ve ever seen)! The campground also has potable water, plenty of dumpsters and a dump station.
We wanted to stay here because we were finishing off our trip the next morning at the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center. It is directly next door, you can even see the lot from the campground.
This was a great place to stay, but maybe it would have been more worth it to stay at least a couple nights. I definitely didn’t realize the trek it was to get here, from the main part of the park. Everything is super spread out at Mojave.
#DareToEverywhere
RangerStayed the weekend, RV spaces are set apart from the tent sites in a semi-circle of 5 spaces in a quiet area. There are aluminum picnic tables, fire pits and BBQ’s but not hookups. Spaces are pretty deep but not very wide. Space 5 is at the end up near a slight hill so it was a bit more private than the others which are pretty close together. It was close to home which was nice. Great view of Red Rock in the distant to see the sun set.
LegendThis is a good spot if you just need to stop for the night. It's a great alternative to a truck stop or a Walmart because a) apparently there's an ordinance and Vegas Walmarts don't allow overnight parking and b) it's so quiet here / no idling trucks all night.
This appears to be a popular spot for dirt bikers to come and play as well. There was a small group that parked here and went off to ride, then zoomed back and zipped around the hills and jumps in this spot before packing up and going home.
One other camper stayed the night here when we stayed here. Plenty of space for people to spread out and there's room for many campers and for large rigs.
This spot is ideal because it's easy access from the freeway and yet it's far away enough and blocked by a little hill, so you don't get the loud freeway noise (you do hear it, but it's not at all bothersome). Access from the freeway is doable for most rigs, just take it slow as there are some ruts and dips. It's .4 miles from the freeway to this spot.
Google maps doesn't seem to recognize the dirt road that will lead you straight from the freeway to this spot and will try and take you along a more roundabout path. Check satellite view and you will see where to get off the freeway.
Good cell service here as well.
ScoutMy trailer is a 31 ft tt somewhat windy but trees break up the wind. 24 a night, 12 with senior access. Decent size sites, clean bathroom showers. Verizon available but minimal Internet. Would come back. People stay up to 30 days.
GuideNice campground with big sites. Some nice shade pavilions at a lot of the sites. Enough pit toilets for all. Water is available but no hookups. Nothing special but you can reserve sites online and the hosts are on top of things. I appreciate that.
If I could have a do over, I think that bikes would be a ton of fun at Red Rock. Also a few more days to explore it all.
GuideSites are not private by any stretch of the imagination, but the hosts were delightful, and there are water spigots outside the bathrooms (pit toilets).
TravelerWe stayed here for two nights both of which were quite windy so stake down your tent extra tight. The views here are definitely what make this place worth it to camp at. The Ring Loop trail is also a blast. Theres potable water available and we payed a total of $24 for two nights here. I would definitely visit again.
GuideIf you get a chance take the scenic drive. The campground is just fine with vault toilets, and water but no showers, sewer dump, electric or other hookups. The location is very scenic. The facilities are well kept and the hosts on site are very nice. Many sites include a hard canopy over a paved patio, with picnic table and fire ring nearby. Each also had a large, level sand pad for pitching a tent.
Horse camping in California offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of well-reviewed spots, equestrian enthusiasts can find the perfect place to set up camp and ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Nipton, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Nipton, CA is Hole in the Wall Campground — Mojave National Preserve with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Nipton, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Nipton, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
