Jawbone Canyon OHV Dispersed Camping
Jawbone Canyon OHV Dispersed Camping — Free BLM Camping in California's Mojave Desert
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About Jawbone Canyon OHV Dispersed Camping
Jawbone Canyon OHV Dispersed Camping is a vast free camping area in California's Mojave Desert, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and located approximately 20 miles north of Mojave off State Highway 14. The area spans over 7,000 acres of rugged desert terrain — rocky hills, open canyon floors, and sandy flats that accommodate everything from rooftop tents to full-size RVs with trailers.
Unlike most free camping areas, Jawbone Canyon has a paved main access road directly off Hwy 14, making it unusually accessible for dispersed camping. Campers can choose from countless flat pullouts along Jawbone Canyon Road or venture deeper into the canyon for more privacy. The area is best known among overlanders for exceptional dark skies, OHV trail access from camp, and a true Mojave Desert experience without crowds — particularly on weekdays.
💡 Overlander tip: Weekdays are dramatically quieter than weekends — OHV riders typically arrive Thursday evening. If you want solitude and silence under the Milky Way, target Monday–Wednesday arrivals. The flat pullouts closest to the paved road are easiest to access; drive further up the canyon for more privacy.
Campsite Details
Terrain & setup
The camping terrain is primarily rocky desert with sandy sections — flat enough for comfortable rooftop tent setup on most pullouts. Ground tent campers should bring a ground cloth as the desert floor is hard-packed and rocky in places. Most sites accommodate two to four vehicles side by side, and the larger staging areas can fit RVs up to 28+ feet with trailers as confirmed by camper reports.
Road access
Access is via State Highway 14 — take the turn onto Jawbone Canyon Road. The main road is paved for the first section, transitioning to maintained dirt. Most sites within the OHV area are accessible by 2-wheel-drive vehicles including RVs and trailers. High clearance is recommended for exploring deeper canyon routes but is not required for the primary camping pullouts.
⚠️ Summer warning: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C) in the Mojave Desert. This site is not recommended for camping June through September. Bring a minimum of 3 gallons of water per person per day for desert camping — the nearest water refill is at a Flying J in Bakersfield or Red Rock Canyon State Park (~$10 fee).
Nearby activities
- OHV riding — Extensive designated trail network accessible directly from camp.
- Red Rock Canyon State Park — 30 miles south; dramatic red and white rock formations, short hiking trails.
- Trona Pinnacles — 45 miles east; surreal tufa spires in a dry lake bed, popular photography location.
- Stargazing — Jawbone Canyon sits well outside any major city light dome. Milky Way visible with the naked eye fall through spring.
Rules & Regulations
- Maximum stay: 14 consecutive days. After 14 days, relocate at least 25 miles before returning.
- Pack out all waste — no trash cans on site.
- Campfires are allowed in fire rings where present. Check current fire restrictions with BLM Ridgecrest Field Office before your trip.
- Dispersed camping outside of designated areas within the ACEC is prohibited.
- Cross-country OHV travel is prohibited. Use designated marked trail routes only.
- All OHV vehicles that are not street-legal require valid registration.
- Leave No Trace: do not camp within 200 feet of natural wildlife water sources.
ℹ️ Land manager: BLM Ridgecrest Field Office · 300 S. Richmond Rd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 · (760) 384-5400 · blm.gov/office/ridgecrest-field-office
Seasonal Access Guide
How to Get There
From Los Angeles (2.5 hours): Take I-14 North approximately 90 miles past Lancaster and Palmdale. Continue on Hwy 14 North through Mojave for 20 miles. Turn left onto Jawbone Canyon Road.
From Bakersfield (1 hour): Take Hwy 58 East to Mojave, then Hwy 14 North approximately 20 miles. Turn right onto Jawbone Canyon Road.
Last gas & supplies: Mojave, CA — approximately 20–30 miles south.
Offline maps: Download the Jawbone Canyon area in Gaia GPS, Maps.me, or OnX Offroad before leaving Mojave.
Frequently Asked Questions
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