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Best Tent Camping near Rosamond, CA

520 Reviews

Tent camping options near Rosamond in the Antelope Valley region of California range from Joshua Tree-studded desert sites to oak woodland campgrounds, offering varied landscapes for tent setups. Oak Flat Campground and Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles provide tent-friendly sites with basic amenities, though both require different permits for overnight stays. Little Jimmy Trail Campground, located farther south, offers a hike-in experience for backpackers seeking more remote tent sites.

Most tent campsites in the area require campers to be self-sufficient with supplies. Oak Flat Campground provides picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets but no potable water, while Joshua Tree Ranch features more primitive conditions with no facilities. A review mentioned that "you do need to purchase a $5 Adventure Pass in order to stay at Oak Flat, and someone will come around to check in the morning." The majority of tent sites in this region lack drinking water, making it essential to bring adequate supplies. During summer months, daytime temperatures frequently exceed 100°F, requiring additional water reserves and shade structures for comfortable tent camping.

Areas farther from highways offer deeper solitude for tent campers seeking quiet nights. One camper noted that Oak Flat provides "a nice wooded area with camp spots nicely separated," though they mentioned "the distant hiss of the freeway" is still audible. Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles offers more isolation, with a review stating it's "a great spot to get away from the city for a day or two" with "joshua trees everywhere." Most primitive tent sites in the region provide good stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution, especially at higher elevations. Tent campers should be prepared for significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, particularly in desert locations where proper tent staking is crucial during frequent wind events.

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Best Tent Sites Near Rosamond, California (57)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Rosamond, CA

61 Photos of 57 Rosamond Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Rosamond, CA

520 Reviews of 57 Rosamond Campgrounds

  • Tony C.
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Little Jimmy Trail Campground

    Local gem of a campsite

    This campsite is located in California and is one of my favorites. Located above Crystal Lake you’ll find Little Jimmy, it’s a backcountry hike-in only campground nestled just 2 miles off the Angeles Crest Highway. It has around 7 first-come, first-served sites with fire rings, vault toilets (which are currently not in service), and vintage backcountry ovens. After parking at Islip Saddle, cross the highway and begin hiking for 2 miles up the switchbacks until you reach Little Jimmy Campground on your right. Popular with Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, this scenic spot offers a chance to get away from established campgrounds and live amongst the Coulter Pines and Big Doug Firs. Campers turned hikers have easy access to hop on the legendary Pacific Crest Trail which runs through the camp. There is no fee to camp here other than an Adventure pass for your parking. In the summertime, bears can be common visitors so make sure and secure your food in provided bear boxes or bring your own bear canisters. As always, make sure you follow the "Leave No Trace" principles and pack everything in and out!

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2018

    Buckhorn Campground

    Most beautiful campground in the Angeles National Forest!

    We've wanted to camp here for so long, but we've never been able to get a spot. We finally did this weekend, and it fully lived up to our expectations. Because this campground is set within a ravine that has a stream during the rainier months, so the landscape feels very different than the other nearby campgrounds - very green with tall trees. The campsites have plenty of space between neighbors, so we felt we had privacy and weren't disturbed by any noise from other sites. Each site has a picnic table, firepit, and bear box for food storage. There is a water spigot at the campground, but the ranger advised that it's not potable.

    There's day parking at the end of the campground for the trailhead to Cooper Canyon Falls. In the summer the "waterfall" is barely a trickle, but the hike still has a nice stream and is worth doing.

  • j
    Mar. 25, 2021

    Millard Trail Campground

    Great campground for hiking/biking

    Cool drive to get to the campground. You drive up and down these hilly roads up the mountain to get there. Once there, there's a parking lot that fits about 20 cars. There's about 100 yd hike to the campsites. There's a road that leads to the campsite but it's been blocked off. Only the campsite managers use that road so it's not accessible by RV, just tents. A campsite manager stays in a little trailer overnight so if there's any problems there's somebody there you can go to and ask for help. There's about six campsites and their first come first serve, no reservations. I went during the week and was the only one camping. This place is heavily used for day camping and hiking. There's not a lot of privacy because there's always lots of people passing by who are hiking and biking. You can stay overnight which I did and everything was fine but there's not a lot of privacy. The next day as I was leaving there was another guy sitting up his tent. I bet on the weekends they can fill up pretty fast. It's in Bear country so they provide food storage for each campsite also trash containers too. Each side has a picnic bench and a fire pit. The fire ban has been lifted so you can have a fire. Each fire pit had wood left at it so you didn't have to go searching for campfirewood. Bathrooms included male and female toilets but no showers or water. There's a creek that runs through the campground which makes it very pretty. I saw two to three cabins along the outskirts of the campground that I assume were for rentals. There was one family at one of the cabins the night I stayed. About a 20 minute hike and you can end up at a waterfall which is very pretty. But there are several trails to take for hiking and biking and I saw lots of people doing that. Overall a good campsite four stars. Would have been five stars if they had showers and running water. I didn't see any bears although there was an animal outside my tent at one point in the night I could hear him nosing around. So it's important to keep all of your food and anything with any kind of smell in the bear boxes

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2020

    Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park

    Fantastic Beauty

    Nearly all these campsites butt up against the Badlands-esque rock formations with mini slot canyons to explore right at your campsite. My son absolutely loved this place. I loved it. We had a great time!

    It costs $25 per night and has zero amenities but the landscape makes up for it. Joshua trees and amazing rock formations, Jack rabbits and desert squirrels... it’s just great.

    1 bar AT&T if you’re lucky. No water, no electricity, but there’s a dump station near the visitor center. No electric car charging. Lots of tents and small rigs, nothing big. Campground uses narrow one-way dirt road. There are about 50 campsites with a picnic table, fire ring, rocky tent pad and fairly level gravel parking spot. At least 2 spots are ADA with concrete parking spots and nearby restroom.

    Now during COVID time it’s self registration, not sure about other times. We stayed one night and never saw a ranger. The campground was about half full and didn’t fill up while we were there.

  • K
    Jan. 5, 2022

    Oakwilde Trail Campground

    Half Sunk, Overgrown

    The camp site looks like it was buried in mud from a flood a few years ago. There’s been no maintenance to this camp. The cook stoves are covered, half of the one picnic table was underground. But still, it’s a beautiful and remote spot. The river was running when I was there in January and it was just gorgeous. Looks like there’s really only one usable flat spot to set up a tent. But you can’t have a fire or anything. I didn’t camp just hiked in and checked it out. Dunno if I would try camping here.

  • Tony C.
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Henninger Flat - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Great local campsite

    I recently moved to WA from Los Angeles so this review is legit 😁 This was and still continues to be one of my favorite campsite close to Los Angeles, I have plenty of fond memories with close friends at this site. It’s completely exposed all the way to the top, a well worth 3 mile uphill hike to three different camp sites. My favorite is the middle site where you get a clear view of the city, beautiful views at night. They say there’s no water but there is, there’s a spout located by the restroom close to the museum, you’ll have to treat it before using (but don’t take my word for it, they tend to shut it off so take plenty of water for your time there and check it out if you need more) If you continue past the middle campsite to the upper site, you’ll have plenty of space for tents and hammocks just no view due to the trees on the edge. If you continue on that trail for another 3 miles i believe, you’ll get to idlehour campground. It’s a small site right next to a creek, you can continue on to Mt Lowe campground and inspiration point. Back to Henninger, plenty of trees for hammocks and sometimes they have firewood collected. At the museum you can buy soda cans so take some change. Hauling a 24 pack of cold Modelos in my pack was not fun at all, but boy did they taste good at the top hahaha. Bugs can get annoying so carry some bug spray, hang your food and PACK IT OUT!!! Leave no trace behind.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2022

    Camping @ Quail Run Ostrich Ranch

    Great tour and amenities

    General: This is not an official campground but due to its proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail, the owners make it available for tent and RV campers as well as members of Harvest Host. 

    Site Quality: There are no designated sites so you can park where it best suits you on a large and level gravel lot. Since there was a strong wind advisory to last through the night into the next morning, Jessica recommended we park along the trees, and this made for an effective windbreak. There is also an additional gravel lot where the only other RV camper stayed so we had privacy. 

    Bathhouse: I was hoping for a vault toilet so was pleasantly surprised to find flush toilets with a sink, soap, and paper towels. No showers and no hot water.

    Activities/Other Amenities: Take a tour of the ostrich farm – we learned a lot and it is worth the $10pp. At the end of the tour, you can purchase ostrich oil (many benefits), ostrich eggs (sometimes sold out), local brews, local honey, and a few other items. Other amenities include a propane bbq, fire ring, picnic table, and electric outlets (located by each light pole by the stage/dance floor which is also used for weddings and other gatherings). There is also a peaceful garden and a playground. Other activities include ax throwing and archery, neither of which we tried. (A girl scout troop was doing archery when we were there). Quail Run is a family-owned business and everyone we talked with was very welcoming and communication was thorough. 

    Note: the gates are closed between 5 pm and 8 am (7 pm-7 am during the summer). If you need it, cell coverage via Verizon is available.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 8, 2023

    Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park

    Camping heaven!

    General: Smallish (approx. 50-site) campground that does not take reservations. No hookups, one walk-in tent site, and the others are either back-in or pull-through. Some are “double” sites that would be ideal for sharing. 

    Site Quality: Varies. All sites (except four, three of which are designated handicap sites) are a mixture of sand/gravel. Not all are completely level, and some accommodate larger vehicles than others. 

    Bathhouse: Pit toilets only. Some are open air and some are enclosed; the one closest to our site was clean. 

    Activities: hiking, photography. Good night sky area. The nature trail is accessible directly from the campground and the Hagen Canyon trail is ¾ mile from the campground. Red Cliffs is another short trail across the highway; these are the most popular (and short) hikes in the park but there are others. The views are jaw-dropping and well worth exploring. 

    Note that although there is a dump station, there is a $20 charge to use it. 

    We arrived around 1 pm on a Sunday in late March and had our pick of sites, however, the campground filled in to about ¾ full by the end of the day.

  • Craig M.
    Sep. 2, 2020

    Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground

    Seemed closed, camped anyway

    Looks like I arrived at the peak of their off-season. Complete fire ban, including gas stoves. Trash littered the campground and only one bathroom open. Gates are closed, so you have to park on the street and walk in. Only two other tents in this giant, beautiful campground. I wish I knew when season was so I could see what the regular vibe is like. Several trails and lake access nearby.

    Cafe by the campground only has a handful of items, hamburger and hot dog and other basic stuff. Store was well stocked with junk food, but not much I would consider “camping supplies.”

    Overall it looked like a neglected campground and recreation area but during season it’s probably a fun place to be.

Guide to Rosamond

Tent camping near Rosamond offers access to desert landscapes at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet in the western Mojave Desert region. Summer temperatures frequently reach 100°F during day and drop to the 50s at night, creating significant thermal variation for campers. The area experiences strong winds year-round that can challenge tent setups, particularly during spring months.

What to do

Desert photography opportunities: Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles provides unique desert photography settings. "The Joshua Trees, the sunsets, the sunrises! All so peaceful and beautiful. Absolutely nobody around and we weren't bothered by any animals either," notes one camper at Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles.

Waterfall hiking: Millard Trail Campground offers access to seasonal waterfalls. "About a 20 minute hike and you can end up at a waterfall which is very pretty. But there are several trails to take for hiking and biking and I saw lots of people doing that," reports a reviewer at Millard Trail Campground.

PCT section hiking: Several campgrounds connect to the Pacific Crest Trail. "I hiked in while doing the Pacific crest trail from the south. great campground with bear lockers and many sites, also nearby spots along the pct," shares a hiker about their experience on this famous long-distance trail.

What campers like

Wildlife viewing: Campers report diverse animal sightings throughout the region. "Much wild life and plenty of things to see," mentions a reviewer at Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles, highlighting the natural encounters possible while camping.

Morning temperature changes: The quick morning warmup proves welcome after cold desert nights. "Temperatures reached as low as 32 F but with the right equipment we were able to stay warm. Heats up quick in the morning!" explains a camper about winter conditions.

Stream access: Some campgrounds feature seasonal water sources. "There is a stream that runs through the campground which makes it very pretty," notes a camper at Millard Trail Campground, describing the rare water feature in this otherwise arid region.

What you should know

Permit requirements: Most campgrounds require permits or passes for overnight stays. "Ranger woke me up early asking for a permit. He was not agro, as I didn't look like I bum I think that helped. He explained a shell station off the 176 nearby sells $5 day passes and $30 annual," warns a camper at Oak Flat Campground.

Limited facilities: Many sites lack basic amenities and require self-sufficiency. "There's no facilities here. Heck, there's barely a sign. But it's a great spot to get away from the city for a day or two and hang out with family and friends," explains a reviewer about primitive camping conditions.

Road conditions: Access roads to many camping areas are unmarked and difficult to navigate. "It's hard to find. There is no signs until you randomly pick a dirt road and go a few hundred yards, then you see a Joshua Tree Ranch sign laying on the ground," cautions one tent camper about reaching their destination.

Tips for camping with families

Bear safety requirements: Families should prepare for proper food storage. "It's in Bear country so they provide food storage for each campsite also trash containers too. Each side has a picnic bench and a fire pit," mentions a reviewer at Millard Trail Campground.

Seasonal considerations: Winter camping offers unique advantages for families. "I've been here in the winter and the summer. I actually like the winter better! When there's snow on the Tehachapi mountains and the San Gabriel mountains, the view is incredible. And it's Southern California, so it doesn't really get cold," explains a tent camper about year-round options.

Cell service limitations: Limited connectivity affects family communication and emergency planning. "Just enough cell service to feel safe, but not enough bandwidth for your kids to stream YouTube all day," notes a parent describing the partial connectivity that provides security without technology distractions.

Tips from RVers

Fairground alternative: The Antelope Valley Fairgrounds provides full hookups near Rosamond. "Clean showers and bathrooms. Full RV hook-ups. It's absolutely nothing to write home about and really has no personality, trees, or privacy, but if you're in the area and need an anonymous place to stay in your RV that's quiet will full hook-ups, this one does just fine," states a reviewer at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds.

Limited tent options: Some RV parks discourage tent camping despite listing it as an option. "So I tried to stay here last night around 10 pm but I could not figure out how to reserve my spot. When I went online to the website to reserve a spot, it made me choose where I would park my car. It was dark and I couldn't see any markings for places to park. My husband and I are actually staying in our tent but since it was late, we had just decided to sleep in our car. I definitely would not recommend this place for tents!" warns a camper about limitations for tent camping Rosamond visitors seeking RV park alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rosamond, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rosamond, CA is Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles with a 4.2-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rosamond, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 57 tent camping locations near Rosamond, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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