roadtripper3003722

I was looking to camp at Navy Beach, but Rangers were a deterrent, so I headed east on Hwy 120 for 3 miles to the 7000 ft elevation sign, where there is plenty of open land (BLM maybe). Lots of quiet spaces, where tenting is free - dispersed camping. I road out the July 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake here.

There are no facilities here, but the Navy Beach "potty" is 3 miles away.

I stayed here in Jan 2019 while viewing the Whooping Cranes.
It was great to see that most of the big trees survived Hurricane Harvey. I had a lovely private tent site in a wooded loop away from the big rigs, and used it as a base camp while visiting nearby Lamar & Aransas.
Park has power, water and showers, and anything else is a bonus.
Staff were very helpful with suggestions for the area.

This is a fantastic place but you need to plan when to go & leave. High tides can make both very dodgy, as large portions of the beach can be swamped with tidal surge. Rangers will advise best & worst time. Also, it can be a gong show on holidays & weekends. Only 1000 permits are issued for each day, and while that sounds like a lot, the cutoff always causes a lot of disappointment. I had to wait till after New Years Day to get in.
Be sure to camp well above the tide line to avoid high surges. I picked a spot within a short walk of one of the potties.Wind can be an problem, so most veterans bring boards to block the wind.. I used my car as a block.
When the weather is clear & calm, this is one of the best places anywhere to camp. Beach walks, bird watching, and especially star gazing are some of the best I have ever seen. I got an amazing photo of Venus with a long lens, and plan to go back for more.
If you like FRESH seafood, go to the market on Avila Beach Pier, about 10 miles north of Grover Beach. I bought a live crab for about $20, and cooked it up at the camp site. I had planned ahead, and brought my crab pot, crackers, garlic butter and a lovely Pinot Grigio, to wash it down. In the morning, the Seagull cleanup crew had removed all evidence that a crab had ever been there!!

I stayed here twice in Jan 2018 & 2019. It was an amazing experience to be on a wild beach where the only noises are the birds and surf. I found an alcove where I could pitch my tent away from the wind, but that was not a problem.
There is fresh water & cell service at V.C, and potties at end of pavement before you hit the beach, but you need to be self supporting out here. Bring a good book or 2, a fishing pole and some sun screen and enjoy!! Driftwood on beach is good for campfires.
The park rangers patrol the beach regularly to give a sense of security, but there were no problems.
The night skies were fantastic. I did some night photography, and thoroughly enjoyed the tranquility here. Try getting up for the sunrise - it was like having a front row seat in a theater.
Winter nights can be chilly, but with proper gear, you will be fine.
Beach sand is mostly hard packed, with little chance of getting stuck, but after 5-10 miles south, be careful as sand is larger grained and looser, so big rigs should avoid after 5 miles or so. Don't be the most southerly rig.
I was down here to see the Whooping Cranes at Lamar & Aransas, but found this place, and found it hard to leave.

This is a very underused site. In the summer it is very hot and can be infested by huge horse flies, but in winter it is a treat - cooler and no flies. The remnants of the Mojave River flow past and collect in small pools, where the iconic Bighorn Sheep come down from the hills to drink.
An unexpected light show was put on by the passing westbound freight trains that light up the mountains ahead with a spectacular photo op under a starry sky.. Just set up your tripod & camera facing the same direction as the train, and ENJOY!!
Facilities are basic pit toilets and water which can be limited so bring your own to be safe.
There is a group site nearby that is popular with off road buggies and dirt bikers, but they usually stay to their own space.
No idea about cell phone service - I did not come here for that!

Lovely quiet RV/Campground off the main drag. Staff were very helpful & friendly. Hot showers & laundry.
I was tent camping and had a shady grassed area next to shower house. Even a spot to plug in my cooler to keep the beer cold.

Great jump-off point to Death Valley. Good shopping & cheap gas a mile away in town.

This is a very basic spot for the Dune Buggy crowd. The area is glorious desert, but if you want a quiet zone - this is not for you. This is an even bigger issue during holiday periods.
There are washrooms, but not much else.

This is very basic camping - designed for the dune buggy crowd - It can get very noisy, especially on weekends or holidays. Not much in the way of amenities except toilets. The setting is beautiful, but if you are looking for a nice quiet family outing in the desert, this is not for you.

This place is predominantly geared to long term snowbirds who stay several months. It has a large social hall, showers, laundry and all that you would want except a store. I have used it several times, pitching the tent in a more remote section, where it is quiet and clean. Manager is always very helpful and accommodating