Primitive camping near Victorville, California offers dispersed sites across Bureau of Land Management land with varying terrain from desert landscapes to mountainous forests. The high desert location experiences temperature swings of up to 30°F between day and night during summer months. Most sites require campers to be fully self-sufficient with water, waste disposal, and camping supplies.
What to do
Off-road recreation: Stoddard Valley OHV area provides designated trails for off-road vehicles with vault toilets available. "If you are into ORV riding then this is your place. Tucked right off the freeway it is easy to find and not to much noise from the main highway. It is HUGE. Tons of room to spread out," notes one Stoddard Valley OHV visitor.
Rock climbing: New Jack City rock climbing area sits across from Ord Mountain Dispersed camping. "We checked this place out but didn't stay. We liked the beautiful wide open surroundings, the good cell reception, and the easy access from the main road," shares one camper who explored the area.
Gold panning: Try your luck at Holcomb Creek near historical mining sites. "If you're into panning for gold you just might find some along Holcomb Creek. There are active claims in the area so be respectful," advises a camper at Holcomb Valley.
What campers like
Quick access from highways: Many sites offer convenient overnight spots for travelers. A camper at Rim of the World Byway notes, "We stayed here for two nights, and it was a pretty pleasant experience! There were some cars parked near the entrance, but if you go a bit further down alongside the road you can find some nice spots."
Privacy between sites: Despite being free camping areas, many spots offer separation. At Bell Mountain Road, visitors appreciate the isolation: "We didn't follow the directions all the way to the pin, there was plenty of parking on the way. There is some garbage, target shooting in the distance and the occasional maniac driving through too fast and kicking up lots of dust. Generally it was quiet."
Mountain forest camping: For those wanting to escape desert heat, East Flats offers pine forest camping. "We are here RN! It is so peaceful and the air is so fresh! Pines, and clear blue skies! What more can you ask for a few hours away from LA proper," shares an enthusiastic camper.
What you should know
Fire regulations: Restrictions vary seasonally and by location. Many areas prohibit open fires during summer and fall. At East Flats, campers should check current regulations before visiting.
Road conditions: Many sites require high clearance vehicles. At Stockton Flats, a visitor warns: "The turn is not marked well, in fact the coordinates are a little bit off. If you miss the turn like we did you have to go 5 miles or more to get a turnabout big enough to turn around."
Map discrepancies: GPS coordinates can be inaccurate for some sites. One Ord Mountain camper clarifies: "This site is located at 34.684300,-116.960600, across the 247 road from Sawtooth Canyon Campground / New Jack City rock climbing area."
Noise factors: Some areas experience highway noise, shooting ranges, or off-road vehicles. A Stoddard Valley visitor cautions: "If you don't like dust think twice before coming. The ORV stir up a lot and are very noisy even into the late evening."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing: East Flats provides opportunities to see deer and other wildlife. "Saw multiple deer walking by our site," reports one family who visited the area.
Explore nearby attractions: Mill Creek Dispersed Camping offers access to natural features. "There's a private campground near the Bluff Lake entrance which made noises i can hear from my site which was before Bluffs lake fork," notes a camper describing the area.
Consider dust levels: Desert camping means dust challenges for children. A camper at East Flats noted: "Easy to drag in dust and very annoying," while another at Holcomb Valley observed "our kids loved being able to explore, but they were covered in sand/dirt by the end of the trip."
Tips from RVers
Cell service: Many sites maintain good connectivity for remote work. At Holcomb Valley Climbers Camp, campers report reliable cell service, while an Ord Mountain camper specifically mentioned "good cell reception and easy access from the main road."
Big rig access: Some areas accommodate larger RVs despite being primitive sites. At Mill Creek, a reviewer confirms: "Great spot right off of Jenks Lake Road East that allows dispersed camping. There are a lot of spaces and larger rigs will do just fine within the first 1/4 mile, roads are a bit rough with rock and drainage ditches but our 40' trailer had zero issues."
Limited turnaround areas: Check road conditions before attempting access with larger rigs. A Mill Creek visitor cautions: "The road up to the actual spot is gravel, with lots of potholes and washboard areas, which would make it difficult for an RV. But the biggest issue for RVs is an area of the road that is very steep and immediately turns into a hairpin turn."
