A seagull flies over the California Coastal National Monument which stretches along the entire coast of California and extends 12 miles into the Pacific Ocean. The Monument includes 20,000 rocks, islands, pinnacles and reefs.
BLM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Ranger on assignment confiscating contraban Geological formation known as a syncline at Rainbow Basin Bighorn sheep poses atop terrain at Afton canyon Aerial view of Dumont Dunes Fire crews and a fire truck working on a local wildfire
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Barstow Field Office

Camping

Established Campgrounds

In the area covered by the Barstow Field Office, there are campgrounds at Rainbow Basin/ Owl Canyon and Afton Canyon. These are first-come first-served campgrounds requiring a $6.00 per night fee. Each have designated sites with picnic tables and fire rings. There is a 14 day limit for camping in each campground.

There is a single tap for potable water that is brought in weekly by truck. It is advised to bring your own drinking water.  Vault toilets are located at both campgrounds, but there are no dump facilities. Holding tanks can be emptied at  facilities in the towns of Baker and Barstow. Please take all trash out with you.

owl canyon campground
Owl Canyon Campground

 

Primitive Camping

Except for "special areas" with specific camping regulations, visitors are welcome to camp anywhere on BLM managed land.  Please follow these common sense rules:

  • If you camp in a vehicle, you can camp off of any posted Open Route, (but no more than 300 feet) as long as your group does not block traffic on the road or trail. Obey vehicle restrictions for the area.
  • This is primitive camping, so do not trench or otherwise modify the ground or remove vegetation to "improve" the camp site. When possible, use an area that has been used for camping before.
     
  • Avoid building new fire rings. If there is one near your site, please use it. From May through October, there are seasonal fire restrictions requiring fires to be kept small in enclosed structures like barbeques or fire rings and have at least a 15 foot clearance around the fire. A fire permit is required during these times and can be obtained at any BLM office or state fire station. Keep in mind that during extremely hot and dry conditions, second stage fire restrictions may come into effect, allowing no open fires.
     
  •  Pack out your trash. As more people come up to enjoy desert camping, it becomes even more important to keep a clean camp and leave your camp site better than you found it!
  • There is a 14 day limit for camping in any one location. Enjoy your camp site, then move on to allow others to enjoy it! This rule is modified at the El Centro Field Office, where there are a number of Long-Term Visitor Areas.

   
Last updated: 02-25-2008