The Mojave Desert around Yermo, California sits at approximately 2,000 feet elevation with annual rainfall under 5 inches. Temperature extremes range from winter lows in the 30s to summer highs exceeding 110°F. Desert camping in this region requires particular attention to weather conditions, with sudden wind storms common throughout the year and flash floods possible during rare rain events.
What to do
Explore historic mining areas: Calico Ghost Town sits adjacent to the campground, with access included in camping fees. "We took pictures of the bottle house, mercantile, and many other buildings. There was a shooting show going on that was really cool and the boys enjoyed ice cream on a hot day," reports Christy C. about Calico Ghost Town Regional Park.
Hike desert canyons: The colorful rock formations near Owl Canyon provide excellent hiking opportunities. "The hikes through the colored rocks are so pretty. It can get pretty windy and trash just gets blown all over so part of our daily activities when we stay here is walking around with our trash pickers and picking up trash that's blown into the washes," notes Laura M. about Owl Canyon Campground.
Visit the "Grand Canyon of the Mojave": The unique geologic formations at Afton Canyon offer striking desert vistas. "This is in a pretty spot. Much better than other camps right off highway," writes Peter H. about the area, while Amanda D. adds that Afton Canyon provides "access to amazing outdoor opportunities and sits by a true desert oasis. Despite being in the middle of the Mojave Desert, Afton Canyon is the only place where the Mojave River flows aboveground year-round!"
What campers like
Desert night skies: The Mojave Desert offers exceptional stargazing away from city lights. "I saw a shooting star when I laid down in my tent. I really could not have asked for a better nights rest," shares Kyle K. about Stoddard Valley OHV, noting that despite proximity to highways, "the noise is pretty minimal."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The riparian areas attract desert wildlife. Amanda D. describes the area around Afton Canyon Campground as having "a lot of cool things to see from lizards, kangaroo rats, snakes and more often than not big horn sheep!" This makes it an excellent destination for wildlife enthusiasts camping with pets.
Diverse camping environments: Sites range from developed to primitive with varying levels of amenities. Mark W. explains that BLM dispersed camping areas near Barstow "can hold 5-7 RVs. Each of the sites has a primitive fire ring, but there is no wood in the area, so bring your own. There are no toilets or water either." This provides options for pet friendly camping near Yermo when developed campgrounds are full.
What you should know
Extreme temperatures: Summer heat requires proper preparation. Christina H. mentions at Barstow-Calico KOA: "We were only here one night but we had a nice stay. We left the windows open since it was great evening weather." But temperatures can drop dramatically at night, especially in winter.
Rocky terrain challenges: Setting up tents can be difficult on the desert surface. Michael M. observed that Calico Ghost Town Regional Park is "very rock to tent camp on. A ton of RV's, so the noise was a premium. Great hiking into the mountain and mines."
Insect awareness: Despite the arid environment, certain areas have mosquito issues. Amanda D. warns: "Because of the water from the Mojave River the mosquitoes when I was there (April 18) were REALLY bad. I'm a mosquito-attractor and easily got 40+ bites without even realizing they were out."
Tips for camping with families
Consider cabins for comfort: Several campgrounds offer cabin alternatives to tent camping. "If you don't want to camp they do have cabins that are without bathrooms but shelter if you prefer," notes Brittney C. about Calico Ghost Town Regional Park, adding that the area has "cool little mining caves and a cool train for kids to ride on."
Look for recreational amenities: Some campgrounds have dedicated facilities for children. Jennifer H. explains that at Barstow-Calico KOA, "the kids loved the pool and other kids to play with. Great game room with pool, foosball, air hockey etc. big playground and easy campground to bike around. BIG area out back to ride around in and play baseball."
Be aware of proximity to highways: Safety considerations vary by campground. One reviewer noted safety concerns with playground placement at a facility, mentioning "the playground is 100ft from the Interstate 15."
Tips from RVers
Hook-up variations: Full service options exist but vary by location. SmallRVLifestyle V. explains: "There are 253 different sites. There are primitive sites, only electric sites as well as full hook up sites. Section A came with the full hookup, I saw mainly large class A RVs parking there, probably came for a longer time."
Limited dump facilities: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. Some campgrounds restrict dump station access, as Laura M. discovered: "We stopped here to use their dump and fill our water tanks, and were directed to the Flying J south of town. The staff person told me that all the RV parks in this area operate this way, so just a heads up!"
