Horse camping in the high desert region around Tecopa presents unique challenges and opportunities. This area ranges between 1,300-2,500 feet in elevation with temperatures reaching 115°F in summer months and dropping to near freezing in winter. Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region, with spotty coverage at most dispersed camping areas.
What to do
Stargazing sessions: North Lava Tube Camp offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "I had a fire and it was great to sit, relax, and stargaze. There isn't a lot of light pollution so on a clear night, it's awesome," notes a camper at North Lava Tube Camp.
Desert wildlife observation: Watch for native wildlife including wild burros at Kokoweef Dispersed Camping. "There were two burros in the area which were fun to witness," reports a visitor to Kokoweef Dispersed Camping.
Rock climbing: Red Rock Canyon offers numerous climbing routes suitable for different skill levels. "Great camp sites with shade, fire pits, tables, water and bathrooms near by. Very popular spot in April and May, show up early so you don't end up with a walk up site," advises a camper at Red Rock Canyon.
What campers like
Temperature relief: Campsites at higher elevations provide cooler conditions during hot months. "Clean bathrooms, 10-15 degrees cooler than Vegas. Some trash left around campsites, but nothing disqualifying," notes a visitor to Blue Tree Group Camp.
Affordability: Most dispersed camping areas near Tecopa are free with 14-day stay limits. "This place is the best price and close to all the action in Amargosa Valley," reports a camper at Guadalupe's State Line Nevada/California Camp Ground.
Privacy between sites: Many areas offer sufficient distance between campsites for solitude. "The campsite we chose past the little hill was not visible from the other campsites and it had a great view of the valley and the mountains. You could barely see the highway, and you could not hear it," notes a visitor to North Lava Tube Camp.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to equestrian camping areas vary significantly in quality. "The road getting up here is steep, uneven, rocky and only wide enough for one vehicle for the first 2 miles. My 2 wheel drive ford transit barely made it. I wouldn't return without a 4wd truck," cautions a visitor to Kokoweef Dispersed Camping.
Limited facilities: No dedicated horse facilities exist at most sites, requiring self-sufficiency. "There are no amenities; however, Baker is just 10 miles away and has a few gas stations and a market that have pretty much everything from laundry detergent to firewood," notes a camper at North Lava Tube Camp.
Waste management: Pack-out all waste including horse manure. "Unfortunately, we did see some toilet paper around our site which we picked up. It is simple enough to just buy a toilet bucket at Sportsman's Warehouse and add a bag of pine pellets that you can throw away in the dump when you leave," advises a North Lava Tube Camp visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Weather preparation: Desert temperature swings require appropriate gear. "I was there towards the end of April and it was in the 90's and sunny during the day, a hot breeze coming from the west. At night, it was clear and starry and a low around 65," reports a North Lava Tube Camp visitor.
Trail safety: Maintain vigilance for wildlife when riding horses with children. "The trails are well marked and one can explore the Lava Tubes which is just across the dirt road and easy access. It's hot even in spring so bring a lot of water - more than you think you need. WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES," cautions a North Lava Tube Camp visitor.
Supply planning: Nearest supplies for horse camping may be 10+ miles away. "Stop in Baker immediately on the right for supplies then right across the interstate is Kelbaker Rd - the paved road that goes through the Mojave," advises a North Lava Tube Camp visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: First campsite at North Lava Tube Camp works best for equestrian rigs. "The first one is maybe 200m down the road on the left. It has a driveway leading to a circular area so it would be good for a pull through camper or two. Pretty ideal if you had a horse trailer (there is no water source) as across the site is a good equestrian/hiking trail," notes a visitor.
Access limitations: Large horse trailers may struggle on narrower roads. "After about 10 minutes (3.1 miles) there were campsites. Plenty of spaces and spread out. HOT in the late spring but overnight temperatures were excellent at about 65F," reports a Kokoweef Dispersed Camping visitor describing the access route.
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for horse trailers on uneven terrain. "Once you get to the campsite it is a nice place to spend a few days. I only saw 2 campsites, but might have missed some," notes a Kokoweef Dispersed Camping visitor.
