Airstreams near Ridgecrest with fishing
This Southern California town is the gateway to exploring the desert and Death Valley National Park.
- Ridgecrest
Popular camping styles for Ridgecrest
Airstreams near Ridgecrest with fishing guide
Overview
In the Indian Wells Valley of the Mojave Desert, the town of Ridgecrest is known mainly for its proximity to the China Lake Naval Base. Its location also makes it a great base for exploring nearby desert attractions like the Trona Pinnacles, Fossil Falls, Petroglyph Canyons, Red Rock Canyon State Park, and Death Valley National Park. Nearby Sequoia National Forest offers non-desert options for outdoor recreation, including numerous lakes and rivers for fishing, boating, and water sports. Desert camping options are the most plentiful, though Forest Service campsites are also available, for both tent and RV campers looking for Ridgecrest camping.
Where to go
Near Ridgecrest
Head to Red Rock Canyon State Park to explore dramatic rock formations, canyons, cliffs, and trails for hiking, horseback riding, and OTV, then spend the night in a tent or RV at the Ricardo Campground. Near Barstow, camp on BLM land at Owl Canyon, which offers tent camping and RV camping, with no restrictions on RV length. Find tent sites, RV sites, and cabins at the Calico Ghost Town Regional Park. For more amenities, including wifi and full hookups, try a private RV park.
Death Valley National Park
Ridgecrest is also a gateway to Death Valley National Park, the lowest, hottest, and driest point in the continental US, with a dramatic landscape of rolling sand dunes, massive salt flats, winding canyons, and snow-capped mountains. Choose from nine established campgrounds—each is situated at various elevations, so they are open at different times of the year. The year-round Furnace Creek Campground is centrally located to park highlights.
Sequoia National Forest
Head west to the Sequoia National Forest to explore groves of towering sequoias, canyons and peaks with plentiful trails, rivers, and lakes. Enjoy boating, fishing, and water sports at Lake Isabella, which offers more than 10 campgrounds around its shores for campers to choose from, with options for tent and RV camping. Several campgrounds can also be found along the Kern River, ideal for fishing and whitewater rafting.
When to go
With its desert location, spring and fall are the best times for outdoor activities around Ridgecrest, and for camping at Death Valley National Park, Red Rock Canyon National Park, and other desert parks. Guided tours of the Coso Rock Art National Historic Landmark are offered in spring and fall. Summer is the most popular time for camping at Sequoia National Forest. Visit in spring and summer for whitewater rafting, or in winter for trout fishing.
Nearby attractions
Embark on a unique camping adventure amidst the otherworldly landscape of Trona Pinnacles. Set up camp near the towering Tufa formations, explore the ancient fossil beds, and stargaze under clear night skies.
