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Best Campgrounds near Randsburg, CA

274 Reviews

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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Randsburg, California (67)

    1. Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park

    38 Reviews
    Cantil, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 946-6092

    "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.  "

    2. Wagon Wheel Staging Area

    13 Reviews
    Ridgecrest, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 384-5400

    "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."

    3. Trona Pinnacles

    17 Reviews
    Trona, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 384-5400

    "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."

    4. Cuddeback Road Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Red Mountain, CA
    9 miles

    5. Borax Bill Substation

    3 Reviews
    California City, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 349-0102

    "It is primarily for off road enthusiasts, however, we just came out here to enjoy the desert and go for walks. "

    6. Monarch-Rand Mine

    2 Reviews
    Red Mountain, CA
    16 miles

    7. Jawbone Canyon OHV Area — Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area

    8 Reviews
    Cantil, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 384-5400

    "Lots of trails to ride - for beginners to advanced. We zipped around in a side by side and everyone was responsible and nice."

    8. Dove Springs OHV Area

    4 Reviews
    Cantil, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 384-5400

    "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."

    9. Desert Empire Fair RV Park

    1 Review
    Ridgecrest, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 375-8000

    $35 / night

    "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."

    10. Bertrand's High Desert Mobile Home & RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Inyokern, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 377-4000

    $35 / night

    "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)."

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Recent Camping Photos near Randsburg, CA

44 Photos of 67 Randsburg Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Randsburg, CA

274 Reviews of 67 Randsburg Campgrounds

  • John L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Fossil Falls Campground

    Very rocky terrain

    Nice for a night or two lots of spots but close together some are more level than others, saw all types of campers from vans to trailers and my lifted Motorhome

  • Marie D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Bertrand's High Desert Mobile Home & RV Park

    Great location

    Pull through sites easy in and out. Full hook ups. No laundry, restrooms, or showers here. 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. We found so much to explore in the area we stayed 2 weeks. Ghost towns, abandoned mines, Schmidt Tunnel, movie road, robbers Roost, Red Rock Canyon State Park, trona Pinnacles. Great weather in early October too.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Wagon Wheel Staging Area

    Super spot - great lookout

    A fantastic spot. 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. Apparently popular with motocross riders on weekends. Everything was completely quiet for us. We were completely alone in the entire area. A wonderful place. We only had internet with T-Mobile across the road on the mountain.

  • K
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Owl Canyon Campground

    Great overnight stop

    Bit of rattle and shake on the road leading in. The sites are well laid out with picnic tables and fire pits plenty of space.

  • french M.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Stine Cove Recreation Site

    Stine Cove

    I'm looking for a campsite near water and a nice mountain view, will definitely add Stine Cove to my next trip list.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Spaceport RV Park

    Only used the dump & water

    Handy stop for water & dump! $2 bucks for water & $5 bucks for the dump

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2025

    Owl Canyon Campground

    Hard road in

    This is such a beautiful campground— we love coming here. It’s a 14-day limit, $6/night, self-pay, no host but the rangers come through pretty regularly. The road in is bad….. but it really is doable. It seems to get less awful each time we do it. 

    The hikes through the colored rocks are so pretty. It can get pretty windy and trash just gets blown all over so part of our daily activities when we stay here is walking around with our trash pickers and picking up trash that’s blown into the washes. There are trash bins here, no recycling, and there are pit toilets too. There’s something of a playground here, but it’s more cute than anything.  There are accessible non-gendered pit toilets here as well.

    The vibe here is always peaceful, friendly, mellow, though I will say we had a family group of horrid and extremely loud partiers for a few days (over the weekend) the last time we were there.

    Good cell service.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Auxiliary Dam Recreation Site

    So beautiful

    It’s really a beautiful place but man you are packed in like sardines. Your feet away from everyone. Water is beautiful and such a bonus so made the crowds less of a hassle. The bathrooms are a ok and glad they are there because it’s just a dry lot lakeside.

Guide to Randsburg

Camping near Randsburg, California, offers a unique blend of desert landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a place to explore, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park. One camper mentioned, "The nature trail is accessible directly from the campground and the views are jaw-dropping."
  • Photography: Capture stunning desert vistas at Trona Pinnacles. A visitor shared, "This place is absolutely beautiful. Clear enough to see the stars."
  • Off-roading: For those with off-road vehicles, the Jawbone Canyon OHV Area is a great spot. One reviewer noted, "Lots of trails to ride - for beginners to advanced."

What campers like

  • Peaceful surroundings: Campers appreciate the tranquility at Wagon Wheel Staging Area. A visitor said, "We stayed here 1 night and had the place to ourselves. It is a very large area and quite beautiful."
  • Stargazing: Many enjoy the clear night skies. One camper at Fossil Falls Campground remarked, "The stars were amazing and the sunrise was on point too."
  • Desert beauty: The unique landscapes are a hit. A reviewer at Trona Pinnacles mentioned, "This area is pretty trippy going from volcanic rock and flows to various brush."

What you should know

  • Limited amenities: Many campgrounds, like Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park, do not have drinking water or showers. One camper noted, "No drinking water, no electric hookups, but fires allowed."
  • Road conditions: Accessing some campgrounds can be tricky. A visitor to Owl Canyon Campground warned, "Nearly 5 miles of either hard washboard dirt road or loose sand that you can get stuck in."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for insects and other wildlife. A camper at Fossil Falls Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms were cleaner than expected, but it was very windy."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with plenty of room, like Wagon Wheel Staging Area. A family shared, "There were a few RVs and one tent, but it is so spread out that we never heard them."
  • Plan for weather: Be ready for temperature changes. One camper at Jawbone Canyon OHV Area advised, "Be prepared for freezing temps overnight in colder months."
  • Bring entertainment: With limited activities, pack games or outdoor toys. A visitor at Fossil Falls Campground suggested, "Perfect for bike or dirt scooter riding or just running around on the lake bed."

Tips from RVers

  • Check road conditions: Before heading to Owl Canyon Campground, be aware of the road conditions. A camper mentioned needing a tow truck due to getting stuck in sand.
  • Look for hookups: If you need amenities, consider Spaceport RV Park for full hookups. One visitor said, "It’s a basic, friendly and cheap place to park your RV for a night."
  • Stay connected: Some areas have good cell service. A camper at Trona Pinnacles noted, "The spot we are currently in has 3-4 bars 5G Verizon."

Camping near Randsburg, California, provides a mix of adventure and relaxation. With various campgrounds to choose from, there's something for everyone.

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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