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THE GREAT BAR-B's RANCH

California City, Kern, California
80 acres hosted by Ave/Bp R.
40 RV/tent sites
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Primitive camping
Best for self-contained campers. There are no toilets, showers, or potable water at this Hipcamp.
For years we've raced the Mojave Desert, and the areas within the California City, City limits. We loved the area for racing and for camping out. This is where the sun shines about 330 days of the year and where the absolutely stunning, clear, starry skies, pop up every night. We just had to find a place for us desert-lovers. After looking all over the desert, our friend, who owned ten acres just 3.2 miles from the City limits, in East Kern County, invited us to look at his property. They called their ranch, Hi-Vista Ranch. We visited his property and after looking at many pieces of land to buy in the high desert, we knew we had found it. What sold us was that it was the only plot of land for miles, that offered a 360-degree view of fabulous desert escapes and including the wonderful city of California City. It was gorgeous. Anywhere you looked the views were extraordinary! We were sold and bought the ten acres. Subsequently we bought additional acres adjacent and contiguous to ours, including a beautiful hillside where we often parked and enjoy the magnificent visual experience that is the Alta Vista Ranch (we re-named it; meaning “high vistas” in Spanish). In recent years, we have once again re-named the ranch as the Racing Ranch, to better describe its function. It now serves as headquarters for a series of competition events, including mountain bike racing, off-road events, Pony Express rides, drone racing, running marathons; and the very popular “desert tours.” All start and end at the ranch. Moreover, the Racing Ranch serves as the main stage for two yearly music “concerts on the hills.” Also known as the “RAW FESTIVAL.” All major events are blocked off on the calendar. But when possible, we allow a portion of the campers to rent on the same days of any event. However, there are plenty of weekend and weekdays to enjoy the solitude of the ranch for Dry RV Camping. Remember, the high desert is not only magnificent, but year-round you can enjoy crisp weather in the Fall and Winter and warm temperatures in the Spring and Summer months. We often get plenty of out of the Country tourists to visit the ranch in the middle of Summer, where temperatures can reach 110 degrees. But as they say, “It’s a dry heat!”   Learn more about this land: Semi-flat and graded 10 acres available for Dry Camping, plus exclusive spots where parking is allowed also with great view. However, you must have 4WD to access these special spots. The view of the Northern desert and mountain range is truly spectacular. On clear days, from our high spot, the crown and tip of Mount Whitney can be seen. Truly a beautiful spot to just sit back and enjoy the Majesty of the Mojave Desert, or venture from there to incredible sites and locations in the desert. We also have available GPS files to use with your GPS unit to explore the desert. From ten mile loops to over 70-mile loops and longer. Ask for them. Also guided tours are available for individuals or for a group. These need to be booked in the advance. Please note this booking includes one vehicle, extra vehicles are $29 each per night and you'll need to pay with cash upon arrival. 
Activities
Biking
Hiking
Horseback riding
Off-roading (OHV)
Natural features
Desert
Mountainous
Field
Ranch
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Location
California City, Kern, California, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Kawaiisu First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Ave/Bp R.Joined in March 2020
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