First-come, first-served
The current BLM fee is $6 per night, with a 14-day campground stay limit. The official page does not list individual-site reservations.
Afton Canyon Camping & Mojave Road Guide | CIWILD
Western Mojave Road gateway
Afton Canyon, California
the Grand Canyon of the East Mojave
A rare year-round surface stretch of the Mojave River, a 22-site BLM campground, and a practical western staging point for the roughly 150-mile Mojave Road.
Campground fee, access, facilities and camping rules verified against current BLM and NPS pages · July 15, 2026
Surface water is scarce. Much of the Mojave River flows underground, leaving dry washes, exposed terrain and few dependable water sources.
The Mojave River flows above ground year-round here. BLM identifies Afton Canyon as one of only three such places in the Mojave Desert, supporting a distinctive riparian corridor and concentrated wildlife habitat.
Getting there
Thirty-five interstate miles, then three miles of graded dirt
BLM directions send travelers east from Barstow on I-15 for about 35 miles, south from the Afton exit, and another three miles on a graded dirt road to the campground. The agency describes the road as generally passable for passenger cars as far as the campground.
Vehicle boundary: Passenger-car access applies only to the campground under normal conditions. Beyond the campground, BLM says a high-clearance 4x4 is required to continue along the Mojave Road. Storms, flash floods and sand can change access, so confirm conditions with the BLM Barstow Field Office before departure.
Supplies
Bring water even when the campground tap is working
There are no dependable stores or fuel services inside Afton Canyon. BLM identifies Barstow and Baker as the nearby places for food, fuel and most necessities. For an east-to-west crossing, use the Needles eastern gateway guide for fuel, lodging, groceries, and final vehicle checks on the Colorado River side.
Barstow
The main western supply base, with fuel, groceries, vehicle services and the BLM Barstow Field Office at 2601 Barstow Road.
Baker
A secondary service point for travelers approaching from the east or north. Verify individual business hours rather than assuming a remote service will be open.
Campground water is not guaranteed
BLM says piped water is sometimes available, but specifically advises campers to bring their own drinking water and emergency reserve.
Cell service is unreliable
Download maps before leaving pavement, tell someone your itinerary and consider a satellite messenger for a Mojave Road crossing.
Developed camping
The only legal camping inside the Afton Canyon ACEC
To protect sensitive river and riparian resources, BLM allows camping inside Afton Canyon only in the developed campground. Dispersed camping is not permitted elsewhere within the Afton Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
Shade, table and fire equipment
Each primitive site includes a shade structure, parking area, table, fire pit and grill.
Vault toilets, no hookups
Vault toilets are centrally located. Do not expect electrical hookups, a dump station or dependable potable water.
Dispersed camping: It becomes available only after leaving the Afton Canyon ACEC and reaching BLM land where dispersed camping is otherwise allowed. In Mojave Trails National Monument, the standard limit is 14 days at one site before moving at least 25 miles, and camps must remain at least one-quarter mile from wildlife water sources.
Rules + safety
A river canyon is not an open OHV play area
Stay on designated routes
Afton Canyon and surrounding limited-use areas require vehicles to remain on designated routes. Do not create side tracks or drive into riparian habitat.
Campfire permit required
BLM requires a California Campfire Permit, and fire-season restrictions can prohibit fires even in existing facilities. Check current restrictions immediately before the trip.
Use approved campground fire facilities
Current BLM monument guidance allows campfires only in approved fire pits and grills at developed recreation sites such as Afton Canyon. Rock-ring fires are not allowed.
Prepare for flash floods and temperature extremes
BLM identifies flash floods, extreme weather, strong desert winds and venomous snakes as common hazards. Avoid low areas when storms threaten.
Street-legal vehicles for the NPS section
Continuing east into Mojave National Preserve requires California-street-legal vehicles. ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides, sand rails and other non-street-legal vehicles are prohibited there.
Travel with recovery and communication equipment
For the full Mojave Road, NPS recommends a high-clearance 4WD, current maps, extra water and vehicle fluids, recovery tools and more than one vehicle when possible.
Live-condition check: The campground fee and standard rules were verified on July 15, 2026, but flood damage, access conditions and fire restrictions can change quickly. Recheck the official BLM Afton Canyon page and Barstow Field Office notices before travel.
Continue the trip
Connect the western gateway to the full Mojave Road
Afton Canyon handles western-end camping and access planning. Use the main route guide for the complete crossing, then open the Needles guide for eastern-side fuel, lodging, groceries, and final vehicle checks.
Mojave Road 3-Day Route Guide
Review the roughly 150-mile crossing, current NPS 4WD requirements, primitive-camping rules, fuel and water planning, landmark sequence, and emergency references.
Open the full Mojave Road guide →Needles, California
Use Needles for fuel, groceries, lodging, Route 66 context, and final vehicle checks before entering from the Colorado River side.
Open the Needles gateway guide →Free Camping in California
Return to the California guide for other BLM, National Forest, desert, and Eastern Sierra camping options.
Explore California camping →Frequently asked
Common questions about Afton Canyon
Can I reserve a campsite?
The 22 primitive campsites are first-come, first-served. The current published fee is $6 per night.
Can a passenger car reach the campground?
BLM says the access road is generally passable for passenger cars as far as the campground. Road damage, sand and storms can change that. High-clearance 4x4 is required beyond the campground.
Why is Afton Canyon unusual?
BLM identifies it as one of only three Mojave Desert locations where the Mojave River flows above ground year-round, creating a rare riparian corridor.
Is campground water dependable?
No. Piped water is sometimes available, but BLM advises every camper to bring their own water.
Can I dispersed-camp elsewhere in the canyon?
No. The developed campground is the only camping area allowed within the Afton Canyon ACEC. Dispersed camping rules apply only after leaving the protected area.
Where should I plan eastern-end fuel and lodging?
Use the Needles Mojave Road gateway guide for eastern-side fuel, groceries, lodging, Route 66 context, and final vehicle preparation.
How long is the Mojave Road?
NPS describes the complete east-west route as roughly 150 miles and says a full crossing usually takes about three days.
Verification record
Official sources used for this page
- Bureau of Land Management — Afton Canyon recreation site, directions, fees and facilities
- Bureau of Land Management — Mojave Trails National Monument camping and fire rules
- Bureau of Land Management — Barstow Field Office notices and contact information
- National Park Service — Mojave Road route length, vehicle guidance and regulations
- National Park Service — Mojave National Preserve alerts and road conditions
Plan the complete west-to-east trip
Use the route guide for the full crossing and Needles for eastern-end fuel, lodging, groceries, and final vehicle checks.