Dispersed camping near Red Mountain, California presents extensive options across desert terrain ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 feet in elevation. The region experiences extreme temperature fluctuations with summer highs regularly exceeding 110°F and winter nights dropping below freezing. These Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands require self-sufficient camping preparation with limited to no developed facilities throughout the area.
What to do
Desert exploration: Take a walk through the unique rock formations at Trona Pinnacles. These unusual tufa spires create distinctive hiking and photography opportunities. "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 camper.
Off-road adventures: Access miles of trails at Jawbone Canyon OHV Area. This eastern section of Kern County offers terrain for all skill levels. "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 who found ample riding opportunities.
Wildlife viewing: Bring binoculars to spot desert species around Wagon Wheel Staging Area. Early mornings offer the best wildlife spotting conditions. "You can see chuckwalla lizards sun on top of the rocks and we also got a visit from a sidewinder rattlesnake. Just be sure to wear boots, keep kids or animals close, respect the locals," advises a camper who encountered various desert wildlife.
What campers like
Isolation and privacy: Many sites around Red Mountain provide significant space between campers. At Wagon Wheel Staging Area, campers appreciate the open layout. "It's literally a big open desert flat and you park wherever so there's plenty of room for privacy. As far as facilities, there are 2 privies and that's it, so you'll be dry camping," reports one visitor.
Astronomical viewing: The dark skies create excellent stargazing conditions. The minimal light pollution makes rustic camping near Red Mountain particularly appealing to astronomy enthusiasts. "Star gazing was on point! Sunrises and sunsets were also pretty dope," notes a camper at Wagon Wheel.
Geological features: The unique rock formations provide a distinctive camping backdrop. At BLM Desert Site, visitors appreciate the dramatic landscape. "Great space. Easy to find. Away from highway enough. Very windy. Great sunset and sunrise," comments one camper about the geological setting.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access requires careful navigation and vehicle selection. Many routes to dispersed sites feature challenging terrain. At Monarch-Rand Mine, "The road in is kind of weird as it runs parallel to another road similar, we drove along one and would alternate to try and avoid bad potholes. Some are inevitable and I would imagine high clearance is needed to access."
Weather extremes: Prepare for significant temperature fluctuations. Summer heat creates dangerous conditions without proper preparation. At Wagon Wheel Staging Area, one camper warns: "Gorgeous but DON'T GO IN THE SUMMER... We arrived in the evening, when it was still 33 celsius (95f), but the whole day it was about 45 celsius (113f)."
Wind exposure: Strong winds affect many camping areas regularly. The open desert provides little natural protection from gusts. "Windy but not too bad," notes a visitor to Jawbone Canyon, while others report more significant wind impacts requiring additional tent stakes and shelter reinforcement.
Limited services: No potable water exists at any dispersed sites. The nearest reliable water sources require advance planning. "Hey, it's free. Weekends are busy but weekdays are exceptionally peaceful. Be advised the Jawbone canyon store charges RV's $40.00 for potable water. Fill up before you come out here," cautions one visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Safety preparations: Pack extra water and first aid supplies. Desert camping with children requires additional safety measures. "Just be sure to wear boots, keep kids or animals close, respect the locals," advises a Wagon Wheel visitor who encountered wildlife including rattlesnakes.
Timing considerations: Schedule family trips during moderate seasons. Spring and fall offer more manageable temperatures for children. "It's good off summer due to heat, plenty places to camp," notes a Jawbone Canyon visitor, highlighting the importance of seasonal planning for family safety.
Entertainment options: Bring activities for children that don't require electricity. The lack of facilities means family entertainment requires advance planning. At Trona Pinnacles Camp, "Easy walking along with some stunning views. Worth spending a night. Found a really neat spot right in a little bowl surrounded by pinnacles. A little kitfox even wandered into my camp," describes one visitor who enjoyed the natural setting.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Scout for level terrain before positioning larger vehicles. The desert surface varies significantly across camping areas. At Jawbone Canyon OHV Area, "We showed up on a Friday with plenty of sites still available. Everything is so spread out that we had a lot of privacy to ourselves," notes a camper who found suitable parking for their rig.
Power management: Plan for no hookup access throughout the region. All rustic camping near Red Mountain requires self-contained power solutions. "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," reports a visitor to Wagon Wheel.
Road navigation: Some sites accommodate larger vehicles better than others. At Cuddeback Road Dispersed Camping, "We have a 21' travel trailer. Easy access. Wide open spaces," notes a camper who found the location accessible for their trailer setup.
