The best camping in Harper Dry Lake, CA

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Discover the allure of Harper Dry Lake's desert oasis and wildlife habitat.  

Camper favorites near Harper Dry Lake

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Harper Dry Lake

Mojave Moonlight Camping

98%
(275)
34mi from Harper Dry Lake · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
Located in the outskirts of Lucene ValleyLearn more about this land: Experience a blanket of stars at night, beautiful sunrise and sunsets. We have limited it to only 4 campsites so there is plenty of space and privacy on this 20 acre campsite.Hike  the  mountain, experience nature and solitude and be just 10 minutes  from a town where a supermarket, hardware store, service station, post office, sheriff's station and a variety of restaurants  are available.This is big sky and wide open California Desert. Remote enough to be away from crowds but close enough for all the essentials.Life is short ...                         Get outside.
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
$25
 / night

Mountain Shadow Hideaway

100%
(22)
38mi from Harper Dry Lake · 7 sites · RVs
Welcome to Mountain Shadow Hideaway. A beautiful vacation getaway for the desert enthusiast, located right off of Historic route 66! This five acre, fully fenced property, sits right at the base of the beautiful Newberry Mountain and boasts all the natural gifts the desert has to offer. You can relax and drink your coffee while enjoying the beautiful sunrise, or sip on your wine while enjoying the most spectacular sunset as the sun dips behind the mountain. Star gazers rejoice while marveling at what the night sky has to offer. Rock hounders can enjoy tons of natural geological wonders, while finding geodes, thundereggs, amethyst, and maybe even be lucky enough to find that elusive gold nugget. There are sixty trees lining the back of the property where you can go sit and read and just disappear from the hustles of life. To learn more about our quiet little town, please continue reading. You won't be disappointed! We hope you choose us for your next awesome Route 66 vacation! Newberry Springs, California is a very small peaceful town located off of Historic Route 66, also known as the "Mother Road". It is most famously known for our groves of pistachios and the famous Baghdad Cafe which was featured in the 1987 film Baghdad Cafe. Our property happens to be 1.5 miles from the famous Baghdad Cafe which makes a quick visit to the Cafe incredibly convenient. To celebrate our Pistachios, come join us the first Saturday of every November for our Pistachio Festival which boasts lots of vendors, food, and fun! Speaking of festivals, if you like large firework shows in the sky, then you'll want to be sure to book a spot here every July 3rd for our big 3rd of July Festival which again, is home to lots of vendors, food, fun and an amazing firework display which we happen to have front row seats to. You won't have to worry about parking if you're already here! Do you love celestial events? If so, you'll want to book a site here between July 17th and August 24th for the 2025 year, to witness the Perseids Meteor Shower. Our night skies are also one of the best views for many Space X launchings as well as just simply stargazing. Some people have even been able to capture beautiful pictures of the Milky Way from our humble little town!
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$30
 / night

The Hilltop Getaway

99%
(126)
45mi from Harper Dry Lake · 1 site · Lodging
Welcome to The Hilltop Getaway! One of the coziest glamping spots near the Alpine Butte, Palmdale with Joshua Tree landscape just an hour from LA. The amazing 360 view from the jumbo rocks mountains on valley with Joshua Trees will make your memories unforgettable.  We also have a great landscape for your spectacular photo shoot. If you’re looking for a place to hike, relax, refresh and recharge yourself, you found the place! While our site is private and secluded, it is close to most stores you might need. Palmdale is a 10-minute drive and has a Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Ross, restaurants, fast foods, banks, and more. Additionally, you can visit a lot of unique places just few minutes from us like Antelope Valley Indian Museum, Four Aces Movie Ranch, Movie Set Diner, Club Ed Movie Set, El Mirage Dry Lake, Kill Bill Church, Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Joe Davies Heritage Airpark, Blackbird Airpark, Dry Town Water Park On our space you'll find 1. Bar/Kitchen area offers a four-burner gas grill with one side burner, kitchen table, sink with foot water pump, bar counter with four chairs on the bar deck; 2. Classic wood picnic table 3. Fire pit with wood chairs and bench for lounging 4. Hammock for relaxing and stargazing 5. Toilet/Shower cabin. Thetford Porta Potti flush toilet, sink with foot water pump, mirror, Eccotemp hot shower We provide towels and soap 6. Cowboy Pool 8ft Open seasonally May - Oct 7. The Geo Dome Tent 23ft (7M) is equipped with everything for a comfortable glamping experience Geo Dome: - Queen bed with memory-foam mattress and bedding - Two Convertable Tri-Fold Sofa Beds - Twin Tufted Back Convertible Sofa - Foldable Camping Cot - Hammock Chair Swing - Dining Set - Nightstands - Kitchen Island with kitchen utensils, pots, tableware - Portable Power Station EcoFlow River Mini for charging and power devices - Propane Portable Heater, indoor-safe (Propane gas is include) - Solar lights - Fresh towel-Fresh linen- Books games for entertainment - fire extinguisher, first aid kit, etc Please note - water in the tank is not drinkable and has a distinct taste Please plan for a “leave no trace” style camping and to take your trash with you upon check out
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$200
 / night

Hot Springs Campground

93%
(67)
46mi from Harper Dry Lake · 33 sites · Tents, RVs
Rural 160 acre homestead property located in the mountains of the Mojave Desert, next to the Deep Creek Hot Springs. This off the grid property is surrounded by 1,000s of acres of undeveloped BLM and US Forestry land, providing endless views of the San Bernardino mountains and high desert scenery, Numerous hiking and OHV offroad trails right off the property. The 6 mile dirt road can be bumpy, but a 4WD isa not necessary. Low profile vehicles and large trailers Park your car, truck/trailer or RV right at one of our developed campsites that has a patch of turf, picnic tables and fire pits (grills available). Flushing toilets, pits toilets, potable water, and showers on site. *Warning! The hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is fairly steep and can be difficult for some people, especially in warm weather, so everyone’s physical fitness needs to be considered when deciding to hike to the hot springs with pets, children, elderly people, or out-of-shape/over-weight people in your group. Even though Deep Creek has never had any known cases of amoeba outbreaks, be advised that the warm waters around hot springs can carry a sometimes fatal amoeba. *Although children are permitted at most sites on the property (children are not permitted at the cabin or spring pool sites), we do not recommend bringing them due to occasional nudity that may be seen in the area and the degree of difficulty for the hike. In order to be prepared with the correct gear to make the hike to the hot springs and know the USFS rules that apply to the area, please educate yourself before coming by visiting the USFS website page for the Deep Creek area. Know before you go! The Deep Creek Hot Springs Campground is part of the historic Bowen Ranch property that was homesteaded in 1924 and has been the camping and parking area for the Deep Creek Hot Springs for nearly a century. The Bowen Ranch property is under new ownership as of 2020. See our webpage deepcreekhotspringscampground.com for more information and detailed driving directions to our property.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$55
 / night

Wild Wash Regenerative Ranch

100%
(2)
20mi from Harper Dry Lake · 1 site · Tent
Escape to a living oasis on our family land lab in the middle of the Great Mojave Desert! Located right off Historic Route 66, Wild Wash Ranch is situated at the top of a hill boasting 360 degree views of the Mojave River to the West, The San Bernardino Mountains to the South, Silver Lakes to the North, and the vast open desert to the East. THIS IS A WORKING REGENERATIVE FARM. We harvest rainwater from our farm structures, produce our own energy, grow and raise fruit trees, fodder trees, native plants, chickens, rabbits, and dogs. Our farm is carefully managed every day in order to ensure a regenerative future of local ecological resilience. We welcome anyone interested in learning about and participating in protecting our desert and working with nature to produce abundance for all! Less than 5 miles away from the farm is the community of Silver Lakes, with grocery stores, restaurants, beaches, and parks. Very close by you’ll find famous Route 66 attractions such as Elmers Bottle Ranch, Cross Eyed Cow Pizza, and Antique Station. Locals in this area also frequent nearby attractions such as Palisades Ranch, Deep Creek Hot Springs, and Silverwood Lake. Immerse yourself in the future of farming at our evolving, experimental ranch, where dryland innovation meets off-grid charm. Unplug, unwind, and witness the beauty of dynamic desert resilience as you explore our rolling landscape. Watch the sunset over the Mojave River, camp under the stars and join us on a journey to redefine sustainable living – a unique adventure awaits on this eco-friendly retreat! Wild Wash Ranch is a working regenerative farm serving as the flagship demonstration site for Seeds Of Succession, a permaculture nonprofit working to empower local communities through land stewardship practices aimed toward reversing desertification, and promoting food sovereignty. Fire pit, firewood, and outdoor seating provided, as well as a rocket stove for quick, fuel efficient outdoor cooking so you won’t have to miss the sunset to prepare dinner!
Campfires
Toilets
Potable water
from 
$25
 / night

The best camping in Harper Dry Lake, CA guide

Overview

About

Harper Lake or "Harper Dry Lake" is an outdoor recreation area located in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County. While the fishing may have dried up decades ago there is still plenty to do. Over the years this park has become famous for it's offroading, rock-crawling, and mudding. While in this region of the Mojave Desert be sure to keep an eye out for the wildlife that is drawn from the desert to this arshy environment.

When to go

The best time to visit Harper Dry Lake is during the cooler months, from late fall to early spring, when the desert climate is more forgiving. Summer visits can be challenging due to extreme heat, making outdoor activities less comfortable.

Know before you go

  • Check fire restrictions before you go, as they may be in place from May to October due to high fire danger.
  • Dispersed camping is allowed; look for areas with clear signs of use and minimal vegetation.
  • Remember that off-highway vehicle travel is limited to designated routes to protect the environment.
  • Be mindful of the desert tortoise habitat and adhere to wildlife viewing guidelines.
  • For any inquiries or additional information, contact the Bureau of Land Management at 760-252-6000.

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