Description

While in the Ricardo campground, surrounded by the melted-layer-cake walls of the sandstone, it feels like you aren’t even on the same planet. Tucked up against the base of these dramatic cliffs, Ricardo campground boasts 50 sites with most of the average amenities of a campsite (water, toilets, fire rings, tables). The space is first-come first-serve and definitely fills up on weekends in the spring/fall seasons, so we recommend arriving on a Thursday evening. It is the only overnight spot in the park and is particularly amazing due to its proximity to the towering cliffs. While you’re there, though, try to not speculate about what could be lurking within the folds of the surrounding rocks, as the desert holds its own mystical secrets...
Campsite area
Tent sites
50 sites
Up to 8 guests per site
Other
No wheelchair access
Essentials
No campfires
No toilet
No pets
Amenities
No potable water
No showers
No picnic table

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking

Strap on your helmet and hit the desert roads out in Red Rock Canyon, as mountain biking is totally allowed on the roads and tr...Read more

Hiking

Hiking in the desert may have its drawbacks (that little thing we call the sun), but utilizing the trails in Red Rock Canyon St...Read more

Horseback riding

Stick to the Western landscape stereotype and hop on a horse for some awesome canyon exploration around the area. Equestrian us...Read more

Off-roading (OHV)

What?!? You can use an OHV on a lot of the trails in Red Rock Canyon State Park?!? Hell ya, and it is one of the coolest ways t...Read more

Climbing

Red Rock Canyon State Park is a rock climber’s paradise, with barely any regulation on what you can’t climb and enough cliffs t...Read more

Wildlife watching

You would think looking at the mini-Badlands and even hallucinogenic scenery is enough to catch the eye, but no! Well, it defin...Read more

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Ricardo Campground.

Cave
Desert
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9 Reviews

750
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Drop some Ricardo Campground knowledge on us.
Hipcamper forrest
Forrest M.
didn't provide a recommendation.
September 4th, 2019

An easy to get to (no 4wd needed) and very clean campground.
The trais are as beautiful as the drive in, and really close to the camp sites.
I've camped here twice, both times on week days. The first trip there were only a handful of people staying at the campground. The next time I went I had the whole place to myself.
It can get quite windy, so be sure to bring extra stakes and set up your tent as close to a rock wall as you can.
This is a great place for stargazers, for those with an interest in geology, and anyone who wants to submerge themselves in silence.

Hipcamper John
John S.
didn't provide a recommendation.
July 2nd, 2019

Rolled in about 1:30 a.m. on June 29th. A sign on the gate said the campground was closed, and only open September through mid-June. We had to scramble to find an (illegal) place to crash for the night! BE FORWARNED THAT THE CAMP SEEMS TO NOT BE OPEN IN THE SUMMER MONTHS! :-(

Hipcamper Cassidy
Cassidy B.
recommends this listing.
May 14th, 2019

It gets very windy at times as this campground is located out in the desert.

Hipcamper Chris
Chris H.
recommends this listing.
April 13th, 2019

Obvious, but wear sunscreen.

Hipcamper Audrey
Audrey T.
didn't provide a recommendation.
December 14th, 2017

I camped at Ricardo Campground just recently during the winter. I went on a Sunday and stayed there for 3 days. No one was really there except for 2 other groups. The campground wasn’t difficult to find and there are a lot of campsites to choose from. It’s very peaceful and the hikes weren’t that long. The best part of the campground is that it’s really close to a lot of the trails and you can go off trail if you want to.

The weather was nice when I went but temperatures dropped to about 15F at night. So it’s best to bring comfy gear when you go camping. Also, it’s really dusty due to it being in the desert so make sure you bring a lot of wipes or thing to keep you clean if you don’t like the dust.

Hipcamper Ann Marie
Ann Marie S.
didn't provide a recommendation.
June 4th, 2017

This campground was amazing and will hold lasting memories for us. The way the sites back up to their own private rock formations make the spots seem intimate. Hiking though the area is nice and offers a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Hipcamper tim
Tim F.
didn't provide a recommendation.
March 5th, 2017

Found this place on Hipcamp when driving from Yosemite toward Death Valley. Perfect one-night stopover spot. Camp Sstes are nice (tho kinda close together), toilet was the cleanest I've ever used in a state park, and scenery is amazing. 👍👍

Hipcamper Kelsey
Kelsey T.
didn't provide a recommendation.
January 29th, 2016

This is one of my favorite sites 2 hrs outside of LA!
Close enough so it's easy to convince friends to join for the weekend :)
It's so great for exploring. Lots of caves to wander into, and such crazy formations.

Hipcamper Rob
Rob G.
didn't provide a recommendation.
July 21st, 2015

Used often as a one-night layover, this park is actually worth exploring. It's a great hiking area, with some slot-like canyons, fossils, and great spring flowers. And the setting for hundreds of old movies.

Park
Red Rock Canyon State Park
State
California
Country
United States
Phone Number
(661) 946-6092
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
35.371° N, 117.995° W
$25/night
Tent Only - Hike In: 50 Sites
(Up to 8 people per site)