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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
