The Mojave Desert surrounds Palmdale with elevations ranging from 2,400 to 3,000 feet, creating wide temperature variations between seasons. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F while winter nights can drop below freezing, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping periods. Cell service varies throughout the region with T-Mobile users reporting the most connectivity challenges.
What to do
Glider watching at Mountain Valley RV Park: Located in Tehachapi about an hour from Palmdale, this campground sits adjacent to a glider airfield. "In the morning we walked over to the Raven's Nest for breakfast and watched the gliders take off starting around 9am," notes one visitor to Mountain Valley RV Park.
Waterfall hiking near Lytle Creek: Just over an hour west of Palmdale, trails lead to scenic waterfalls. "The creek running behind the camp is great to explore, and a waterfall is a short hike away. We also lucked out finding berries in August," reports a camper at Bonita Ranch Campground.
Swimming and picnicking at Bonelli Bluffs: This campground offers water recreation about 90 minutes from Palmdale. "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking, Park for kids and plenty more," according to a review.
What campers like
Desert night skies and natural sounds: The remote desert locations provide excellent stargazing and unique nighttime experiences. "Plan to return in the future and listen to the coyotes at night again," mentions one camper about their Mountain Valley RV Park stay.
Accessibility for Los Angeles day trips: Several campgrounds serve as convenient baselines for exploring the greater LA area. "This is a good location to explore LA and greater LA area, 45 min to Hollywood sign," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon.
Diverse wildlife viewing: The desert ecosystems support various animal species. "From my favorite the Jet black Ravens, rabbits, coyotes, and interesting botany there are plenty of creatures to aww and be thankful for," shares a visitor about Soledad Canyon.
What you should know
Seasonal weather considerations: Summer camping requires preparation for extreme heat while winter brings cold nights. "We stayed for 21 days and had a pretty good experience. My main complaint is loud music and barking dogs late at night and early in the morning. No WIFI and reception for Verizon was hit or miss," reports a Soledad Canyon camper.
Train noise at several campgrounds: Railroad proximity affects sleep at certain locations. "It's very very close to railroad tracks and at night the loud train kept waking us up," notes a visitor about Soledad Canyon.
Limited facilities at some locations: Certain rv campgrounds near Palmdale, California offer minimal amenities. "Sites are level. Clean bathrooms. The rate is double. Nothing here but a parking lot," observes a camper at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds.
Flash flood potential: Some areas experience seasonal water flow changes. "The area appears to be a flash flood area with heavy rains," warns a visitor about Soledad Canyon.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access during peak heat: Swimming facilities provide relief from summer temperatures. "We had a great time. Although it was really hot the pool was nice and refreshing and clean. Our space was clean and perfect," mentions a camper at Castaic Lake RV Park.
Check accessibility features: Some facilities offer handicap-accessible amenities. "This is one of the best handicap accessible shower and restroom areas we've seen. The larger pool had a roll in area but I do not know if they had a wheelchair that would allow you to actually use it or if you needed your own," shares a Soledad Canyon visitor.
Consider proximity to food options: Several campgrounds offer nearby restaurants. "We also recommend Red House BBQ a few miles up the road if you are looking for lunch or dinner," suggests a Mountain Valley RV Park camper.
Plan for variable bathroom availability: Some facilities limit overnight access. "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," notes a Mountain Valley RV Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Size considerations for urban rv parks: Many RV campgrounds near Palmdale have tight spacing. "Judging by the shape of the office, this place was a 60's or 70's KOA back in the day. The trees and bushes are fantastic. However just as our population has gotten larger over the years, so have the RVs. For a 43 footer this place is TIGHT," advises a camper at Castaic Lake RV Park.
Dump station availability: Some locations provide dump services without requiring overnight stays. "Handy stop for water & dump! $2 bucks for water & $5 bucks for the dump," notes a visitor to Spaceport RV Park.
Laundry facility limitations: Operational hours and payment methods vary. "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!" warns a Mountain Valley RV Park visitor.
Concrete pads at select locations: Some sites provide solid parking surfaces. "Small spots, but level, clean, cement, and full hook up. Bathrooms have great showers, extremely clean, pool and hot tub," reports a camper about Californian RV Resort.
