Lake Camping Near Rosamond, California, US: 20 Best Lake Campsites 2026

Camping by the lake in Rosamond means waking up to wide-open skies, glassy water, and the calls of desert birds. With over 870 lake-focused campsites in the area, you’ll find spots where you can cast a line, watch wildlife, or just soak in the quiet. Expect practical facilities—think toilets, showers, and pet-friendly rules—at many campsites, plus easy access to hiking trails and fishing holes. You can snag a site for as little as $20 a night, but most hover around $39. Locals rave about ArtFarm Movie Ranch & Nomad NeXuS (99 reviews) for its quirky art installations, Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat (55 reviews) for night skies you won’t forget, and Hacienda del Alto Desierto (1 review) for peace and open desert views. Bring your rod, your binoculars, and a good pair of boots—Rosamond’s lakeside camping is about simple pleasures and wide horizons.

89% (59) • 59 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Rosamond

Camping by the lake in Rosamond means waking up to wide-open skies, glassy water, and the calls of desert birds. With over 870 lake-focused campsites in the area, you’ll find spots where you can cast a line, watch wildlife, or just soak in the quiet. Expect practical facilities—think toilets, showers, and pet-friendly rules—at many campsites, plus easy access to hiking trails and fishing holes. You can snag a site for as little as $20 a night, but most hover around $39. Locals rave about ArtFarm Movie Ranch & Nomad NeXuS (99 reviews) for its quirky art installations, Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat (55 reviews) for night skies you won’t forget, and Hacienda del Alto Desierto (1 review) for peace and open desert views. Bring your rod, your binoculars, and a good pair of boots—Rosamond’s lakeside camping is about simple pleasures and wide horizons.

89% (59) • 59 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Rosamond

1. Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat

88%

(76)

12mi from Rosamond · 14 sites · Tents, RVs

Discover Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat, a premier camping, overlanding, and RV destination nestled in the heart of the Mojave Desert, just 90 minutes from Los Angeles. Our quaint and peaceful campsite offers a tranquil escape under the expansive celestial canopy, perfect for stargazing enthusiasts, nature lovers, and RV travelers. Nearby Attractions: Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (4 mi): Stunning wildflowers and trails. Lake Hughes (10 mi): Fishing, hiking, scenic views. Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park (12 mi): Iconic Joshua Trees. Campsite Features: Our five spacious campsites each include a solar lamp, space for tents or RVs (Campervans, Trucks, Class B RVs), and access to a shared outhouse. Discover Local Flora and Fauna: During daylight, soak in the beauty of the Mojave Desert's natural landscape. Watch out for the local wildlife like quail, roadrunners, and jackrabbits. As night cloaks the desert, you're presented with a mesmerizing spectacle of a starlit sky, making it a dream location for stargazers. During the spring you will be immersed in a sea of wildflowers.Unique Photo Opportunity: Capture memories at our whimsical 'Portal to Nowhere'—a freestanding doorframe set against the desert backdrop. Amenities & Tips: Please note, our amenities are basic to preserve the authentic charm of the surroundings. There no fire pits on site, and we encourage campers to bring along any additional necessities, including extra lighting, for their comfort. We do have a shared outhouse. Stargazing Highlight: Magic Portal sits within a designated dark sky zone, one of the closest to Los Angeles. Experience unmatched celestial views nightly. Reserve your adventure at Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat today!

2. Angeles National Forest

92%

(228)

791 sites · La Crescenta Montrose, California

Experience the beauty of nature without having to stray far from Los Angeles.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

3. Castaic Lake State Recreation Area

86%

(11)

50 sites · Castaic, California

Take advantage of lakefront camping a short jaunt from the heart of Los Angeles.

Campfires

Toilets

Picnic table

4. Los Padres National Forest

95%

(452)

762 sites · Mission Canyon, California

From beach to mountain, California's second largest forest offers recreation in diverse ecosystems.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Jared

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat

A beautiful spot with excellent views, and a pleasant surprise visit from some cattle on our way up to the location. I strongly suggest bringing something that can off-road a bit, it wasn't a rough drive, but I know my sedan would have gotten stuck or struggled toward the end. The provided outhouse is a welcome addition. It's a nice, quiet spot for a good getaway with a killer view of the stars all around.

j

juan

April 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat

Easy to find flat spot if you are camping on trailers or roof tents. Amazing views and great if you want to take your bikes. Would definitely camp here again.

G

April 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat

Great stay for various forms of camping! Spent the night while car camping after other plans fell through - booked a bit late into the evening around 7-8pm and owner was still happy to have us. Site was beautiful at the top of a small hill; far out enough from the city that the sky was clear and the stars were bright. Wind is a bit strong during the windy seasons, as since it's at the top of the hill there is no protection; other spots were protected by the hill for those looking to go during a windy day. Sites are clearky marked and accurate. Woke up in the morning to some nearby sheep which was a welcoming suprise. Would definitely reccomend for anybody in the area or those just passing through. The area receives great data connection (t-mobile).

J

Jonathan

March 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat

The camp site had amazing views of the surrounding area, and the stars at night. The directions to the site were very good, although I do recommend using Google maps vs Apple as Google seems more precise. It was mid-March when we stayed so the weather wasn’t the best, and the wind was blowing! I would stay here again in the future.

J

James-Patrick

March 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat

So easy! Such a great time! Such a cool ride in too!

I

Ivan

March 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat

Thanks so much for hosting us! We actually ran out of power in our 12 volt battery in the car and a gentleman on a Motocross helped us jump start the car. We'll have to come during a new moon so we can see better stars! It was still so bright.

M

Marcel

February 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat

Spent the night with my wife here. Easily accessible via our Mazda CX-5 following the directions provided. Possibly a difficult path if after a hard rain. My only complaint is that the out-house was occupied by a creature when my wife went use it. Out of respect, we gave it its privacy for the rest of our stay. We had the entire campground to ourselves, minus the out-house. Did not do as much stargazing as I would have liked due to exhaustion from an impromptu hike at the nearby poppy reserve. The night sky was awesome except for the light pollution to the south from LA. There are ranches nearby so you do hear the occasional rooster and working dogs. You do hear the faint sound of vehicles off in the distance, but it’s mostly quiet and peaceful. A bonus were the open range sheep and goats in the area. They added a certain charm to our sunset/evening. Overall, it was a nice getaway from typical suburban and city surroundings.

K

Kimberly

February 2025

19 ft campervan

1 night at Magic Portal Stargazer's Retreat

The Magic Portal is a truly unique and special spot in the Mojave Desert. The freestanding door frame, fittingly named the ‘Portal to Nowhere,’ adds a fun and creative touch to the landscape. My dog, however, wasn’t so sure about it and refused to walk through! I was lucky to catch a stunning sunset, and the peacefulness of the area made for a perfect stay. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind desert experience!