158 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping in the Mojave, California area encompasses a range of environments from desert landscapes to mountain settings. Ricardo Campground at Red Rock Canyon State Park offers developed sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while East Mojave Camp provides dispersed camping opportunities with minimal amenities. The region includes both established campgrounds with full hookups for RVs and primitive sites for tent camping, with several locations situated within an hour's drive of Mojave proper.
Road conditions and seasonal temperatures significantly impact camping experiences in this high desert region. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for most campers. Winter nights can drop below freezing, particularly at higher elevations in the Tehachapi Mountains. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though services may be limited during extreme weather periods. Dispersed camping areas like East Mojave Camp require high-clearance vehicles to access, as roads are often unmarked and unmaintained. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near highways and developed areas. A review noted that "very remote absolutely nothing out there. Definitely somewhere you need to be aware of your surroundings. You can get far enough away from the highway that you don't need to worry about people driving by."
Campers consistently mention the dramatic desert landscapes and rock formations as highlights of the Mojave camping experience. Red Rock Canyon State Park receives particularly positive reviews for its distinctive geology and hiking opportunities. Several visitors appreciate the stargazing conditions, with minimal light pollution in more remote areas. RV parks near Mojave provide basic amenities at reasonable prices, serving primarily as convenient overnight stops rather than destination campgrounds. Wind can be a significant factor in the camping experience, with several reviews mentioning strong gusts, particularly in open desert areas. A camper described Ricardo Campground as "beautiful campground! We arrived on Wednesday afternoon, and it was about half full, but looked mostly full by the time we left on Saturday. It is first come first served."
"Mojave is in the middle of no where. But if you find yourself out this way, Spaceport RV Park makes up for it. Full hookup for $20.00/ night and VERY helpful park staff!!!"
from $40 / night
Check Availability"Campsites are around 6,000’, pit toilets, grills, steel fire pits, picnic tables and potable water taps."
"My dog and I had a good weekend away (even though we live close by.)"
"Although this RV park isn’t that far from the state park where you could drive and do some day hikes.)"
"I will say there isn’t much to do or see within walking distance, but the town in just a few miles away."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"When we pulled up the dirt road into the site and all around the site was lit up with cute garden lights on the perimeter. Some of the trees also were lit up with colour changing solar lights."
"It was dark out but the whole site and drive into it was lit by solar garden lights. It was really cool to stay in the wind farm it had a really soothing and interesting noise at night."
from $25 - $30 / night
"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. "
from $15 - $19 / night
Check Availability"Very beautiful location overlooking a lake. Far from the highway so no traffic noise that I’ve noticed."
"The lake isn't that great. But they are improving their facility. Running water and restrooms are available. Spots available near the water"
"Have a damp station near by. This was a great option for passing through on our way to red rock canyon."
ScoutWell we booked last minute player phone tag coming through the canyon and not having signal she was super patient with us got here and was pleasantly surprised beautiful sunset weather good wind not to bad but bathrooms could use some work but they work
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!
RangerWe camped in our pop up camper at one of the water/electric sites from a Wednesday-Sunday. It was pretty quiet the entire time and we had a decent view of the lake once the other camper left at the site across the way. We just have one tree on our site, so I wish there were more, but it was fine. The bathrooms are meh, and it didn't seem like the shower was working in the women's restroom, but it's camping, so I don't usually expect a lot. At least they flushed and there are sinks with soap. There is a dump station and a playground on-site. You can't swim in the water, but it was still nice to take our chairs down and sit by the lake and watch the birds & ducks.
TravelerSo relaxing, quiet, beautiful night sky’s, owners are super nice! Will be coming back!
ScoutHard to find. Didn’t take after hour check ins.
GuidePlenty of space between campers. We parked about 10 feet from the water. Somewhat trashy but not the worst I have seen. The wind made the water really choppy and I think that kept any mosquitoes or flies away.
Mojave, California offers dry desert camping environments with high elevation changes ranging from 2,600 to 6,000 feet across camping areas. The region experiences significant temperature swings between day and night, with 30-40°F differences common even in moderate seasons. Wind is a dominant feature at most camping spots near Mojave, California, particularly in open desert areas.
Glider watching at Mountain Valley RV Park: Located adjacent to a glider airport, visitors can observe flights throughout the day. "In the morning we walked over to the Raven's Nest for breakfast and watched the gliders take off starting around 9am," notes one camper who enjoyed the unique aviation experience.
Hiking at Tehachapi Mountain Park: The park offers multiple scenic trails with mountain views. "Beautiful hikes with tons of scenic outlooks. Kid and pet friendly, never crowded it seems so you can also have some privacy," shares a regular visitor who considers it their go-to camping spot.
Star-gazing at Wind Walker Ranch: This primitive site provides exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "We saw a stunning sun rise and we both hope to be able to come back for another stay on our next trip," mentions a camper who appreciated the isolation.
Joshua Tree landscapes at Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles: The property offers a unique Joshua Tree environment without traveling to the national park. "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," explains one visitor.
Red rock formations at Ricardo Campground: The campground's position against colorful rock walls creates a dramatic setting. "Gorgeous and Clean. The views from this campground are absolute stellar," notes a camper who found plenty of available spaces during their visit.
Wildlife viewing at Brite Lake: The lakeside setting attracts various wildlife. "We enjoyed watching the bunnies and squirrels from our camper window and ducks and birds on the lake," shares a visitor who appreciated the natural surroundings despite drought conditions.
Limited facilities at East Mojave Camp: This dispersed camping area requires self-sufficiency. "You can get far enough away from the highway that you don't need to worry about people driving by. There is nothing out here. The road to it is unmarked and very unmaintained," warns a camper emphasizing the need for preparedness.
Varied bathroom access: Many campgrounds have restricted bathroom hours or primitive facilities. At Mountain Valley RV Park, "bathrooms are locked between 10 pm and 7:30 am (not good for those of us with early mornings)," notes one review highlighting timing constraints.
Vehicle requirements: Access to many sites requires appropriate vehicles. For dispersed sites like East Mojave Camp, reviewers recommend "high clearance vehicle if you want to be further away then 100 feet from the highway. Lots of wash outs."
Tehachapi Mountain Park accessibility: The park offers family-friendly camping with nearby nature trails. "Great getaway without going far! Beautiful hikes with tons of scenic outlooks. Kid and pet friendly, never crowded it seems," comments a frequent visitor who appreciates the convenience.
Brite Lake Aquatic Recreation Area restrictions: Despite the lake setting, swimming is not permitted. "Our family stayed here for 2 nights. We enjoyed our time but the kids were disappointed they couldn't touch the water at the lake. I brought a small plastic pool for them to get wet in at our site because it was hot," advises a parent who found creative solutions.
Space considerations: Many campgrounds offer generous site spacing. At Tehachapi Mountain Park, "sites are around 6,000', pit toilets, grills, steel fire pits, picnic tables and potable water taps," making it comfortable for family camping with necessary amenities.
Economic options at Spaceport RV Park: This basic park offers practical amenities at low cost. "Full hookup for $20.00/night and VERY helpful park staff!!! It's my understanding they let you dump for $5.00 and fill your freshwater tank for $2.00 even if you don't stay here," notes an appreciative RVer.
Size limitations at Tehachapi Mountain Park: Larger rigs face challenges navigating the roads. "The road to the campground is a narrow, twisty, two lane road. Then we got to the campground and it got narrower and steeper. The grades in some parts of the campground were double digit percent grades and the hairpin turns were very sharp," warns a camper who managed with a small 13' trailer but cautions against larger vehicles.
Leveling needs at Ricardo Campground: The terrain requires preparation. "Most sights have a little slope... used a few leveling blocks," advises an RVer who found the sites manageable with proper equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mojave, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mojave, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 158 campgrounds and RV parks near Mojave, CA and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mojave, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mojave, CA is Spaceport RV Park with a 3.2-star rating from 6 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mojave, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Mojave, CA.
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