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The high desert landscape surrounding Ridgecrest, California encompasses diverse camping environments ranging from established campgrounds to remote dispersed sites on public lands. Ricardo Campground in Red Rock Canyon State Park, about 25 miles southwest of town, offers developed sites with picnic tables and fire rings nestled against dramatic red rock formations. For those seeking solitude, the Trona Pinnacles area provides dispersed camping among unique tufa spires on Bureau of Land Management property. Several RV parks within Ridgecrest city limits offer full hookups, including Desert Empire Fair RV Park and Bertrand's High Desert Mobile Home & RV Park, while Wagon Wheel Staging Area provides a middle ground with basic facilities in a dispersed setting.
Desert camping conditions require careful preparation, particularly regarding water and weather. Most dispersed sites lack potable water, with campers noting this limitation at Trona Pinnacles: "There is so much room and a huge choice when camping here, there isn't however, potable water or shade unless you bring your own." Wind presents a significant challenge, with several reviewers mentioning strong evening gusts that can affect tents and awnings. Access roads to remote sites often feature washboard surfaces and occasional ruts, though most remain passable without specialized vehicles. Cell service becomes limited outside town, particularly at Trona Pinnacles where "there's no service until you get to about Ridgecrest, so about 10 miles out from the start of the unpaved road."
Stargazing opportunities rank among the most frequently praised aspects of camping in this region. The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing, though campers note some glow from nearby communities. Temperature extremes characterize the area, with cold nights even when days are warm. Ricardo Campground receives consistently positive reviews for its scenery and accessibility: "Most people drive right through this state park, but spend a night here and you'll feel like you are days away from urban life, even though it's just a short 2 hours drive from LA." Off-road recreation areas surround many camping zones, providing additional activities but occasionally creating noise concerns, particularly on weekends when OHV traffic increases.
"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."
"I never knew this was here and grew up camping in California. Filming for the remake of Planet of the Apes happened here."
"Fun place to roam around the pinnacles during sun up and sun down! Will get very hot and windy during afternoon and night. Private camp sites, and saw one large site for bigger rigs."
"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. "
"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
Check Availability"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"Easy to find the location based of Joe's directions. I will definitely be coming back !! Thank you Joe !"
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Had a nice evening right next to the Pinnacles. Easy drive in. Had my F150 and my teardrop trailer. Easy walking along with some stunning views. Worth spending a night."
"We were able to reach our campsite in a 4x4 Sprinter and definitely needed the four-wheel drive in a few sections."
"Along Hwy 178 towards Ridgecrest you'll find this campground that is small but quiet and clean. It is not for big rigs or RVs. "
"Just off the highway, there are two designated vehicle campsites, however, there are several places to park your car and walk a short distance into a tent site."
"A very cool and Very unique spot in Southern California. Places to walk around places to climb around. If you plan on doing any rock climbing then you’re planning on doing this in the morning."
"Just off the highway and easy to get to. The volcano in the distance is beautiful and fossil falls is so unique…lots of room to explore the lava flows."
from $6 / 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!
ScoutWe have been coming to this campground as a large family group for years, and while the location itself is great, this review is specifically about the management experience, which has unfortunately become the defining part of our visits. Over Memorial Day weekend, what should have been a relaxed, family-oriented trip turned into an exhausting and uncomfortable experience due to the way situations were handled by management. From the moment our group began arriving, interactions felt unnecessarily confrontational. One family member, after completing a long drive with young children, was immediately questioned and asked to provide documentation regarding their RV, despite ultimately being within the stated limits. Even after being proven correct, the tone did not shift. At 6 a.m. the following morning, management knocked on their RV and required them to move sites, which could have been handled in a far more respectful and reasonable way. While we understand that rules exist and adjustments sometimes need to be made, the manner in which these situations were approached created an uncomfortable atmosphere from the start. That family ultimately chose to leave early because they no longer felt welcome. Later in the weekend, additional members of our group arrived after hours. While this may have technically violated the posted arrival policy, the complete lack of flexibility or basic courtesy was disappointing.(especially given that this is a long-standing, returning group) Rather than offering a reasonable solution, they were instructed to leave and find somewhere else to stay overnight. A simple, human approach could have resolved the situation without escalating tensions. Throughout the weekend, interactions with management consistently felt hostile and unnecessarily aggressive. Instead of fostering a welcoming environment, there was a pattern of talking down to guests and addressing concerns in a way that felt more about control than customer service. Additionally, the public response from management to reviews is concerning. The tone comes across as defensive, dismissive, and unprofessional. Rather than acknowledging guest experiences or showing any willingness to reflect, the response shifts blame entirely onto customers and characterizes feedback as an attack. For a business in the hospitality industry, this approach is disappointing and does not inspire confidence. To be clear, this review is not about the campground itself, it is about the experience created by management. A place can have great amenities, but if guests feel uncomfortable or unwelcome, it overshadows everything else. Based on this experience, I would not return, and would not recommend it to others looking for a relaxed and positive camping environment.
ScoutThis is something we never thought we’d be writing after coming to Frandy for so many years. Some of us have been coming here for almost 30 years, and others for 10–15 years. This has always been more than just a campground trip for our families, it’s been a tradition, memories with our kids, friends, and years of looking forward to the same weekend together. Sadly, this year felt like watching something we’ve loved for decades completely lose what made it special. The biggest disappointment wasn’t even the campground itself, it was the way people were treated. Long-time loyal customers were spoken to with a level of disrespect that honestly left us shocked. We weren’t treated like returning guests who had supported this place for years; we felt like we were an inconvenience. After decades of coming here and bringing countless families and business over the years, to be treated that way was frustrating and honestly pretty sad. The campground itself has noticeably gone downhill as well. Bathrooms weren’t consistently maintained, the overall experience felt neglected, and the atmosphere that once made Frandy feel fun and family-oriented just wasn’t there. The place that used to feel welcoming now feels more like it’s being run with an“our way or the highway” attitude. What’s most disappointing is that Kernville is still beautiful and our group still had a great time because of each other, not because of Frandy. The only reason this trip was saved was by the people we came with. We left talking less about the fun memories we made and more about how disappointed we were with the campground experience itself. After decades of loyalty, we never thought we’d seriously consider going elsewhere, but after this experience we absolutely will be. There are too many other campgrounds nearby to spend hard-earned money somewhere that makes loyal customers feel unwanted.
Dispersed camping sites near Ridgecrest, California sit at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet in the high desert of eastern California's Indian Wells Valley. The area experiences dramatic daily temperature fluctuations, often dropping 30-40°F between daytime highs and overnight lows. Many camping areas feature volcanic formations, ancient lava flows, and tufa spires that create distinctive desert landscapes unique to this region.
Explore volcanic landscapes: Visit Fossil Falls Campground where ancient lava flows created polished rock formations. "A very unique spot in Southern California. Places to walk around places to climb around. If you plan on doing any rock climbing then you're planning on doing this in the morning. With the face of the sun kissing the rocks expect them to get extremely hot!" The trail to the falls is an easy walk from the campground.
Off-highway vehicle recreation: Access desert trails from Wagon Wheel Staging Area, a dispersed camping zone designated for OHV use. "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. The location has access to off-road trails, but the riders stopped before dark and we had a quiet night."
Wildlife observation: Early morning and evening hours provide opportunities to spot desert wildlife. "Just came 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. Just be sure to wear boots, keep kids or animals close, respect the locals."
Solitude and space: Trona Pinnacles offers widely spaced camping areas. "I never knew this was here and grew up camping in California. There is so much room and a huge choice when camping here. It's easy to social distance when you need binoculars to see most of the fellow campers in the area."
Accessibility to supplies: Ridgecrest provides convenient resupply options just 10-25 miles from most camping areas. "If dispersed camping is what you're looking for you're in luck. We drove in and found camping pretty easily on a Saturday evening. 360 views no matter what spot you choose. Definitely plan on setting up camp before sunset so you can get a good spot to watch from all around. Stock up before arriving though because there are not many resources nearby."
Cost-effective camping options: Several areas offer free or low-cost camping. "Nice place to park the car and enjoy the sunset and sunrise! Beautiful place to explore during the day and see the lava rocks!" At Fossil Falls, sites cost just $6 per night, making it "a great cheap spot" according to reviewers.
Access road conditions: Most dispersed areas require driving on unpaved roads. "Road to pinnacles is about 5 miles of gravely washboard road but gets smoother as you get around pinnacles." For Ricardo Campground, "The road in is smooth, sites are easy to access (with a few pull-through sites) and there are a few paved ADA specific sites as well."
Limited facilities: Pack what you need, especially water. "This is a very out of the way place to plant yourself if you are looking for space. There is one pit toilet at the main parking area and some people to camp there as well."
Temperature management: Desert temperatures fluctuate dramatically. "We arrived in the evening, when it was still 33 celcius (95f), but the whole day it was about 45 celcius (113f). So the place was as hot as it can be. But that won't change my rating too much. Because if the weather was a bit cooler I would have loved this even more."
Choose established sites for amenities: Desert Empire Fair RV Park offers full facilities for families needing showers and toilets. "We are full time RVers and stayed here 1 night after boondocking a week. This is a perfect stop to dump, fill water, do laundry and just do an overall reset of our RV. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. 3 stalls in the women's and the 3 showers for additional no charge."
Wildlife safety education: Teach children about desert wildlife safety before arrival. "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."
Plan morning activities: Schedule hikes and outdoor exploration during cooler morning hours. "If you plan on doing any rock climbing then you're planning on doing this in the morning. With the face of the sun kissing the rocks expect them to get extremely hot! Bring water!"
Level site selection: Many dispersed camping areas have uneven terrain. "Most sights have a little slope... used a few leveling blocks. Quiet... First come... first served... Compacted dirt gravel road in good condition $25 standard... $23 seniors."
Service intervals: Plan regular stops at Bertrand's High Desert Mobile Home & RV Park for full hookups between dispersed camping stays. "For overnighters there is a separate area from the long term residents with level pull through sites and full hook ups (20, 30 and 50amp) for $30/night. There is also a self pay drop box right outside the fenced overnighter area which also has an easily accessed dump station and potable water for $10 fee if you just need to dump and fill."
Site dimensions: Research site sizes before arrival with large rigs. "Enough space for our 29" RV, pavement was really ok for desert, water, toilets in the morning full of insects, but that's desert. You also have Wi-Fi at the Visitors Center which we really loved."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ridgecrest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ridgecrest, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 93 campgrounds and RV parks near Ridgecrest, CA and 27 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ridgecrest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ridgecrest, CA is Wagon Wheel Staging Area with a 4.7-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ridgecrest, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 free dispersed camping spots near Ridgecrest, CA.
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