Services in Baker, California, include gas stations, restaurants, tire repair, lodging, dump stations, mini markets and other services vital for the traveling public. However, if you check your campground directory or do an online search for campgrounds or RV parks in Baker, you are unlikely to find any listings.
I am happy to report that there is one huge campground just south of town. It covers 1.6 million acres and is known as the Mojave National Preserve. Camping is plentiful and it is free! The preserve’s website and brochures state the following, “Roadside vehicle camping is permitted in areas that have been traditionally used for this purpose. Camping tramples vegetation and disturbs soils. By reusing existing sites, you help protect the desert from further damage. Sites with existing rock fire rings should be considered disturbed sites suitable for roadside camping.”
To save you the trouble of finding the “traditionally used” places, I will fill you in: Head southeast out of Baker crossing over I-15 into the preserve on Kelbaker Road. In a little under a mile when the Kelbaker Road turns due east, exit on the dirt road to the right. From there, travel south/southwest toward the low hills just over a mile distant. You can camp along the first low hill you come to or continue to the next bend in the road (left). When you get to the next bend, take a right turn on the intersecting dirt road, which will deliver you to an assortment of camp spaces. Park your rig next to a fire ring and enjoy your Mojave National Preserve campsite. Those of you with onboard navigation can just enter N35 14.381 W116 04.0035 and be directed to the site.
If you camp in this area on a busy weekend, you will be astonished by the volume of traffic traveling on I-15 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The string of never-ending headlights is almost more interesting than the spectacular stargazing available in the preserve. Complete camping guidelines are available at nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/camping-regs.htm
A 1.6 million acre campground equals one big adventure in RVing!
Leave a Reply