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Dispersed camping opportunities abound in the high desert surrounding Randsburg, California, with options ranging from established campgrounds to remote boondocking sites. The Wagon Wheel Staging Area offers free dispersed camping with vault toilets and ample space for tents and RVs across its open desert landscape. Ricardo Campground at Red Rock Canyon State Park provides a more developed alternative with picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets, situated among dramatic rock formations approximately 20 miles west of Randsburg. Several BLM-managed dispersed camping areas like Cuddeback Road and Monarch-Rand Mine provide primitive options for self-contained campers seeking solitude.
Desert conditions dominate the camping experience with extreme temperature fluctuations common throughout the year. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F during the day while winter nights can drop below freezing. Most dispersed sites lack amenities such as water, trash collection, or electrical hookups, requiring campers to be fully self-sufficient. High clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing many of the dispersed sites due to sandy or rough terrain. "We were fortunate and had the place to ourselves. The site was level and clean. There were plenty of options that had fire rings. We had a nice dark sky for star gazing," noted one visitor about the Wagon Wheel Staging Area.
Campers consistently highlight the exceptional stargazing opportunities throughout the region due to minimal light pollution. The desert landscape offers dramatic sunrises and sunsets, with sweeping vistas across the Mojave Desert. Most dispersed sites provide significant privacy even during busier periods, though holiday weekends can see increased visitation. Several campgrounds feature nearby OHV trails, making the area popular with off-road enthusiasts. Visitors should be prepared for windy conditions, which are common throughout the area. A review of Red Rock Canyon noted: "Beautiful area with nice shady rock overhangs to stay cool during the day. The desert was alive in April! I got #8 which had a nice view." Wildlife sightings may include desert reptiles, ravens, and occasionally sidewinders, requiring appropriate precautions with footwear and camp setup.
"The red rock canyons surrounding the campground are reminiscent of Arizona or Utah desert. Great for hiking, photography, star gazing, climbing and off roading. Dog friendly."
"We luckily got a site away from the road, so less blowing sand from people driving by. We were right next to the nature trail, which was great to have to get some exercise and nice views. "
"The location has access to off-road trails, but the riders stopped before dark and we had a quiet night."
"Great views, sheltered behind rocks, and even with clean restrooms. Many spots—some only accessible by 4WD due to deep sand and dry waterways. There are plenty of 2WD spots, though."
"There are off road vehicle trails all around."
"I never knew this was here and grew up camping in California. Filming for the remake of Planet of the Apes happened here."
"The winds starts around dinner time/dusk and really doesn't let up u til midnight. So if you are down to clown, this place is absolutely beautiful."
"It is primarily for off road enthusiasts, however, we just came out here to enjoy the desert and go for walks. "
"Lots of trails to ride - for beginners to advanced. We zipped around in a side by side and everyone was responsible and nice."
"Overall it’s a nice desert spot with beautiful hikes nearby and private enough if you can keep away from the main road. I stayed for 4 days during the week."
"We stayed near the entrance on a Sunday night because we were losing service deeper down the road. Plenty of great dispersed camping options, we stayed in our ford transit."
"Sites are close together but still far enough to have all slide outs out and room to walk between. Amenities: Big trash and recycling bins were a bonus."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Great location to lots of fun for outdoor or off-road enthusiasts. Easy drive to Death Valley. The girl in the office is super sweet and helpful. Great rate."
"One of us felt that being secluded away from the main park gave the overnighters area a spooky lonely vibe at night (the other of us didn't feel that way and felt fine)."
from $35 / night
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GuideA bathroom would've given this spot at 5! I had to position my car to block the wind and the bugs are here (hello, summer) but it was peaceful and perfect for the night. Go slow on the dirt road as the divots are deceiving. Please pack out whatever you bring in!
TravelerCame in late so toad was hard to see. But was open only people here had great view n it’s free!!
TravelerWe came in late at night which made it hard to see the sites. We drove around the area for about 30 mins looking for a site that felt comfy. Our site was fine, it was very buggy. We did wake up in the middle of the night with howling coyotes surrounding our tent (we weren’t able to see how close they were to us). I think our dogs bark and my boyfriend’s whistling scared them off and we had no issues. When we drove out in the morning we saw a bunch more spots that we couldn’t see at night. Looked like there was a lot of exploring to be done in the area but we didn’t do any. Would stay again if I was in the area.
GuideEasy access on a washboard road for about a mile. 395 can be seen and heard. Pro- we had the place to ourselves. Very flat and easy. Very little traffic driving past- mostly a couple of work trucks daily. Con- so much trash! To include multiple spots where people had dumped their black tanks! 🙀 Please don’t do that. Toilet paper islands with poop mountains are not conducive to enjoying the land.
We would have stayed more than three nights if not for the heat.
TravelerWe love it hear but we were scared of the water but there is other safe places to swim real close stay out of this river it is dangerous they are here trying to recover someone swept away awhile fishing.....
GuidePulled in late on a Sunday evening and got lucky with a spot. Absolutely gorgeous camp right along Isabella Lake with beautiful mountain views. The stars at night were spectacular. There is one decently clean pit toilet and dumpsters when you pull in. The only complaint I have for this campsite is that there was trash everywhere. I believe one of the dumpster lids got blown open. For the future everyone please make sure you bring your own trash bags and bag up your own trash in case the lids blow open or are left open. Other campers and ourselves did our best to clean up Remember to always leave it better than you found it😊 happy camping!
TravelerSo relaxing, quiet, beautiful night sky’s, owners are super nice! Will be coming back!
GuidePlenty of space between campers. We parked about 10 feet from the water. Somewhat trashy but not the worst I have seen. The wind made the water really choppy and I think that kept any mosquitoes or flies away.
TravelerGreat views of the lake and mountains. Entertaining ground squirrels everywhere. Flushable toilets and an usable shower. No electric, water or sewage at the campsites but numerous water stations and a dump station. The downside is the price. 36 dollars while the two other forest service campgrounds a short distance away that have pit toilets and no shower are only 12 dollars and have the same great view. The private RV parks in the area only charge a dollar more and have full hookups and WiFi but don't have the view. The advantage of the high nightly fee is that the campground is mostly empty. As I write this, there are two other campers here and the other two campgrounds are packed.
Dispersed camping near Randsburg, California offers options across Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands throughout the Mojave Desert. Located at approximately 3,500 feet elevation, this area experiences minimal rainfall with most precipitation occurring between November and March. The region features numerous abandoned mining sites which create distinctive landscapes for campers seeking remote experiences.
Explore ancient rock formations: At Trona Pinnacles, campers can hike among tufa spires formed underwater between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago. "A very out of the way place to plant yourself if you are looking for space. I never knew this was here and grew up camping in California. Filming for the remake of Planet of the Apes happened here," notes one visitor.
Visit ghost towns and mines: The area surrounding Monarch-Rand Mine offers opportunities to explore California's mining history. "Quiet place, we only saw one other set of campers. The warm sun the next morning was beautiful but there is next to no vegetation," reports a camper, highlighting the isolated experience.
Off-road vehicle trails: Dispersed camping areas provide access to extensive OHV trail networks. "Lots of trails to ride - for beginners to advanced. We zipped around in a side by side and everyone was responsible and nice," writes one visitor about Jawbone Canyon OHV Area.
Privacy and solitude: Many sites offer substantial distance between camping spots. "We drove our skoolie in and didn't have any trouble with the small bumps and sand. There were a few RVs and one tent, but it is so spread out that we never heard them," notes a camper at Dove Springs OHV Area.
Desert wildlife viewing: The Mojave ecosystem supports unique animal species. At Wagon Wheel Staging Area, one camper observed: "Nice place to camp a few days very quiet at night, doesn't get too windy, very convenient to road and many spacious spots around near rocks. You can see chuckwalla lizards sun on top of the rocks and we also got a visit from a sidewinder rattlesnake."
Geological features: The unusual rock formations create distinctive camping backdrops. "Nice views backing up to scenic rock cliffs. Clean pit toilets. Most sights have a little slope... used a few leveling blocks," reports a visitor at Ricardo Campground.
Road conditions vary significantly: Many dispersed sites require navigating rough terrain. "The dirt road is worrisome, but it worked out fine with my Tesla model Y. Lots of great sites overlooking an alien planet landscape," notes a camper at Trona Pinnacles about access.
Prepare for extreme seasonal shifts: Summer days reach triple digits while winter nights drop below freezing. At Cuddeback Road Dispersed Camping, visitors find "wide open spaces" but no protection from weather extremes.
Cell service is inconsistent: Coverage varies dramatically between locations. "No AT&T service within a 10 mile radius," reports a Trona Pinnacles visitor, while another camper at Dove Springs OHV Area notes: "T-Mobile signal (Metro PCS) was good enough to watch HD video."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack basic amenities. "No services available, you are boondocking. The views are awesome - great sunrises and sunsets," explains a camper at Wagon Wheel Staging Area.
Choose sites with some infrastructure: For families new to dispersed camping, Ricardo Campground offers minimal facilities. "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."
Plan for wildlife encounters: Educate children about desert safety. "Just be sure to wear boots, keep kids or animals close, respect the locals," advises a camper at Wagon Wheel Staging Area who encountered rattlesnakes.
Coordinate with holiday schedules: Holiday weekends see substantially increased visitation. "Most of the year you can be by yourself out here but at Thanksgiving be prepared to share," warns a visitor about Wagon Wheel Staging Area.
Use designated pull-throughs when available: Some areas accommodate larger vehicles better than others. "We have a 21' travel trailer. Easy access. Wide open spaces," reports a visitor at Cuddeback Road Dispersed Camping.
Consider utility reset stops: Full-hookup options exist between boondocking stays. "We are full time RVers and stayed here 1 night after boondocking a week and heading to our next boondocking destination. This is a perfect stop to dump, fill water, do laundry and just do an overall reset of our RV," notes a visitor at Desert Empire Fair RV Park.
Monitor wind conditions: High winds can impact larger vehicles. "NOTE: Warning though that it was VERY windy, had to park my class C facing the wind to minimize swaying, but at times it felt like I was on a boat," cautions a camper at Dove Springs OHV Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Randsburg, California located?
Randsburg is a historic mining town located in the Mojave Desert of Kern County, Southern California, approximately 2 hours northeast of Los Angeles. It sits in a rugged, desert landscape characterized by unique geological formations and is near several desert camping options. The area is relatively remote, positioned between the towns of Ridgecrest and Barstow. Nearby Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park offers established camping with stunning rock formations reminiscent of Arizona and Utah deserts, while Monarch-Rand Mine provides dispersed camping options closer to the historic mining district.
What are the best times of year to visit Randsburg for camping?
The best times to visit Randsburg for camping are spring (March-May) and fall (October-November) when temperatures are moderate. Summer brings extreme heat, often exceeding 100°F, making camping challenging without proper preparation. Winter nights can be surprisingly cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing. Campers at Fossil Falls Campground recommend visiting in cooler months to comfortably explore the unique rock formations. Dove Springs OHV Area is particularly pleasant during weekdays in spring and fall when you can enjoy beautiful desert hikes with fewer visitors and comfortable temperatures.
What historic attractions can I visit while camping in Randsburg?
While camping near Randsburg, you can explore this living ghost town with its preserved 1890s gold rush architecture. The town features the historic White House Saloon, Randsburg General Store (serving old-fashioned sodas since 1904), and the Rand Desert Museum which displays mining artifacts and local history. Gold panning opportunities exist in the area for those interested in trying their luck. The nearby Trona Pinnacles offers not just camping but also movie history - it served as a filming location for the remake of Planet of the Apes. Borax Bill Substation camping area connects visitors to the region's rich mining heritage.
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