Afton Canyon BLM Campground, nestled within the picturesque Mojave Desert of California, offers a serene and rustic camping experience for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Campers can relish in the tranquility of the desert, stargazing beneath the pristine night sky, hiking along the rugged trails, or simply enjoying the peaceful ambiance of this remote desert oasis.
Location: Afton Canyon BLM Campground – Ludlow, California (37 miles northeast of Barstow, on I-15)
GPS: 35.03784, -116.38446
Overview: The campground is 3.5 miles off of I-15. Afton Canyon Road (sand/dirt/gravel) leads directly to the camping area. The nightly rate is $6 – half price with certain National Park Passes. No hook-ups. However, there is a vault toilet.
Pro Tip: Surviving a Vault Toilet When Camping
Our Stay Date/Temperature: November 7-9, 75 high, 40 low
Noise: This is a tranquil campground except for a rumbling train that passes a few times a day
Amenities: Each spot offers a covered picnic table area and fire pit. There are vault toilets, trash receptacles, and potable water available to all campers. The BLM land also offers a designated group camping area.
Wifi/Cell: Our AT&T signal was spotty at the end of the campground. Towards the front of the campground, reception is more reliable. At the top of the hill, the signal is strong with LTE 4G.
Grocery/Errands: There is a small market at the Afton Canyon Road exit. We read beforehand that the limited products were expensive, so we didn’t stop there during our trip. Barstow is 35 miles away, and Baker is about 20 miles away.
Entertainment: Hiking trails and off-road exploring are popular on the land. We walked along the train tracks and watched the cars roll by.
Our Overall Experience: We spent two nights here to get ahead of our monthly budget. We did a lot of relaxing, some walking, podcasting, and blog writing. It is a great campground to stay for a few nights in between destinations or just for some secluded relaxing.
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Hi, how was the road in with a trailer? I’ve been there in the past, but in a car. Amazing place and great photos!
The road was ok… but right before entering the camping area there is a steep and sandy decline. Getting down was easy, but I was nervous about towing up. We made it up just fine in 4×4 low.