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    Owl Canyon Campground

    4.4 (24 reviews)

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    A pile of dead bees?
    Katie S.

    My family has been coming to this place once a year for over 30 years! We are driving home right now and this is the first time this has happened to us. BEES! So. Many. Bees. In every campsite and they followed us and were swarming! We had to abandon two ice chests. It was absolutely terrifying. They got into our tent, out car...I don't understand why or what is going on but omg

    Garrett B.

    Awesome spot right in the heart of the rainbow basin! No hookups, but there are clean restrooms, water bibs and large camp sites that each have an overhead shelter, table, fire ring and BBQ. Close to OHV areas and tons of beautiful hiking spots. During the day, you'll see/hear jets doing some sky work. On a clear night, you'll see stars for miles. Definitely coming back!

    Sunset views
    Ryane O.

    Okay, for me, camping in a place that isnt next to the ocean, river, or lake is new territory. But that being said, this campground isn't terrible. I've come up here twice for astronomy stuff. Some friends of mine have fancy telescopes, and this is a great area because it gets really DARK and the sky is just all filled with galaxy! The Milky Way seems so close and bright (you definitely dont get that in OC). The campground has no reservation system and its first come first serve. You find an open spot and then you go up to the entrance and you pay and you take a slip of paper for marking your spot. Payment is on the honor system, but guys, it's only $6! C'mon, just pay it! You write your space number and the dates on the paper which gets pinned to your site. Each site has a covered shelter canopy thing with a picnic table underneath. There is also an additional picnic table at each site, as well as a fire pit and a barbeque grill. There are garbage cans throughout the campground for your trash (rocks on top of the lids to keep critters out!). As for restrooms there are a few pit toilets. The only way I can describe it is "better than a porta-potty but that's it." I mean, its in an actual building (there are a few throughout the campground), and there's toilet paper. But the mechanics of it are more on the porta-potty side of things. Basically, there's no flush lol. There are plenty of places to explore. The slot canyons are way cool, and everything is moderate in terms of climbling and hiking. The 2 times I've been out here have both been non-holiday weekends. One weekend back in October it was pretty empty. The most recent was in March and it was pretty full. But its worth a shot, as the stars and the hills are insane.

    We saw 3 of these beautiful foxes.
    Lorraine A.

    I live in Barstow and enjoy this campground. When I want a close getaway and need to unwind, my honey, kids, and I camp for the weekend. The restrooms are always clean and stocked with tp. There are water spigots. If you come in the summer when it's hotter than hell (seriously...it gets up to 120 degrees here), bring a lot of water! Each site has a covered patio with a picnic bench (concrete), fire ring w/grill, and an extra large charcoal grill. There are also trash cans near every site. There is wildlife out and about. We've heard coyotes howling (not close to camp), desert fox, and even seen a few tortoises. Desert nights are amazing. Since the campground is away from the city, the sky is super clear and the stars are visible. Hiking is a must. There are all sorts of rock formations and washes that you can explore. There are also small bike trails (paved) that you can ride along. There are a variety of campers who visit. That's what makes it interesting. I like how its a mutual agreement not to bother other campers. I always feel safe here. We've camped here for days and have always left out our supplies, bikes, etc and have never had anything go missing. The camping fee is $6 a night. This must be paid for if you stay past 6pm. There are always envelopes in the box. Just be sure to clip your receipt to the clip provided on your camp patio. There have been a few times that certain campsites have been trashed by jerks, but my family and I take it upon ourselves to pick up the mess. After all, it is our desert and our wildlife. If you're ever in the area and love desert camping, visit Owl Canyon Campground. The price is very affordable and you'll take home some fond memories.

    Genny U.

    I'm actually giving a review on the trail; haven't camped here YET! (But definitely will to take full advantage of this and surrounding trails) This is a great place to come for hiking if you are in the area! This particular trail has caves which made it quite memorable!

    Bees
    Tessa S.

    The road to the campground was washboard for about 5 miles. There's a fork in the road by the Rainbow Basin sign, make sure you take it to the right because the sign stating no trailers or RV's permitted on the lest road is not too visible because of the high brush. The campsites appear nice however, we were ambushed by bees!!! We were in campsites 15 & 16., many of the sites were empty. The land is BLM so there is a small charge to pay at the kiosk. I will say this though, the sky at night was absolutely Beautiful!! So many stars!!! Sites were clean, I didn't look in the bathrooms but there were plenty. There was also a small playground for kids and each site had a canopy shelter, picnic table, fire pit and grill as well as trash cans throughout the campground. Had it not been for those dang bees, we would have stayed...

    Entrance to the cave
    Charles H.

    This review is mostly based on a trail my family and I hiked on that is located at the end of Own Canyon Campground. We hiked Owl Canyon after a week of primitive camping near Black Mountain and my family absolutely loved it. The canyon was not too steep and the kids had fun walking up and down looking for precious rocks. I told them to be on the lookout for gold to keep them interested until we reached our destination which is located about 1.5 miles from the trail head. There is a slot canyon cave located on the right side of the trail. My kids had no idea that we were going to explore a cave. I have them their headlamps at the entrance of the cave and told them to go explore. They were very hesitant at first but didn't want to leave after the realized how cool it was. The cave isn't very long but definitely carry flashlights. Owl Canyon Campground is a first come first served campground. There are no flushing toilets available but they have vault toilets. Each campground is spacious and has a very nice table and fire pit. Some have canopy for shade. There is running water available but I suggest brining your own water as I was told that sometimes the water is turned off. We visited this campground during the peak of the Covid-19 shutdown so the campground was closed for campers. So I don't know how busy this area can get. Based on the cleanliness of the area, amenities, local trails, and seclusion, I would definitely take the family camping here in the future.

    Campsite view and my poor attempt at pitching a tent
    Jenny K.

    I had a fantastic camping experience at Owl Canyon Campground! Bathrooms: There are several bathroom buildings around the campground with pit toilets, no running water. They did not smell and were incredibly clean. I brought some just in case, but there was plenty of toilet paper. Campsites: Each campsite has a covered patio with concrete picnic table, fire pit, and grill. The campground has a few swing sets and things to climb on for the kids. Pretty much every campsite has an amazing view. Trash: There were a few trashcans around the campground, but we mostly just kept our trash in the car to not attract wildlife. Stargazing: incredible. Milky Way is clearly visible, and I got some great photos with my tripod. There is some light pollution from Barstow, but it's still very, very dark. Wildlife: I only saw tiny lizards, and maybe saw one bat at night. Weather: I came here in the middle of August so it was about as hot as it gets. We arrived around 5 PM, and left the next day mid-morning. Honestly... it's hot, but it is very dry, so it wasn't as bad as I thought. It cooled down at night and was a perfect 72 degrees. Hiking: There is one 2-mile flat hike through the Rainbow basin that starts at one end of the campground and loops back to the other end of the campground. Very little shade, but otherwise it's an easy hike. Really beautiful landscapes and things to photograph. Water: We brought all our water in with us. I did see spigots, but depending on the time of year the tanks are not always filled, according to BLM. So I would just plan on bringing your own. Other advice... Bring Chapstick and Tylenol - the heat, elevation, and dry air can often lead to chapped lips and headaches if you're not accustomed to it. Lots of water, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses of course. Keep your chocolate for s'mores in the cooler otherwise it will melt :) The most dangerous thing about the dry heat is dehydration, so keep drinking water even if you don't feel thirsty. As for my specific experience, I just loved every minute of my night at Owl Canyon/Rainbow Basin. We stayed in campsite 21, which was very large and a previous camper had built a large firepit ring with rocks. Our campsite had an extra picnic table so it would be good for larger groups or families. We spent a lot of time exploring the geology of the area, fascinated by the different types of rocks and colored strata in the hillside. I loved the Joshua trees (or Dr. Seuss trees as I kept calling them). I chose this campground because I was visiting the Goldstone Deep Space Station at Fort Irwin the next day, so honestly it was one of very few camping options close by. Oh, and did I mention we had the campground entirely to ourselves for most of our stay? One other campground was occupied after dark, but we couldn't even see/hear them from where we were. But it was incredible and I'm really glad to have spent the night there!

    Roberto C.

    This is a hidden gem of a campground. Great scenic views of the desert landscape. Clean restrooms. No hook-ups but there is water faucets/ spickets throughout the campground. A 4 mile dirt road to get to the park, but it is grated good enough for a 2wd vehicle to enter. $6 a night, have exact amount in cash. There is a fire ring, charcoal grill, picnic table, and patio in every site. Two playgrounds for the kids, and lots of hiking. There is also a jeep/atv trail. I spent 3 days here and will definitely be back. My kids loved it as well.

    The play structure

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    Ask the Community - Owl Canyon Campground

    Review Highlights - Owl Canyon Campground

    Hiking is fantastic, the night skies are amazing and the sunset is a must see.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Rainbow Basin Natural Area - Towering formation

    Rainbow Basin Natural Area

    4.6(10 reviews)
    11.2 mi

    Extremely beautiful area!! Similar to the painted hills in Oregon, this rural wonder is a must if…read moreyou're near Barstow. The road is a little ways off but there's helpful signage once you've typed in the location. The winding and rolling road has many spots to stop and get out of the car to look at the gorgeous rock formations. Peak sunset spot and view is right by the destroyed green piano and then the loop takes you back out to the main road. We came in December and we were all alone !! While it may not be as grand as the Grand Canyon the multi colored rocks and stacks are similarly beautiful here and the opportunity to get closer is even better. Practice leave no trace and be aware of your surroundings as the rocks can look quite precarious.

    A trip to Rainbow Basin will make you feel like you're on a different planet. It's a unique drive…read moreon a one-way unpaved road through some of the most striking geological formations I've ever seen. As other Yelpers have said, the photos don't do justice to the subtle variations in color that you'll see. Visiting in spring, lots of wildflowers and the Joshua trees were in bloom as well. Tips: Make sure your car is in good condition and take water. I made the drive in just a regular car with no 4-wheel drive and I was fine but check road conditions first. It's free! Don't forget to charge your phone and take your real camera.

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    Rainbow Basin Natural Area - Sunlit entrance

    Sunlit entrance

    Rainbow Basin Natural Area - Rocks at sunset

    Rocks at sunset

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    Calico Ghost Town

    Calico Ghost Town

    3.9(555 reviews)
    10.3 mi

    Calico Ghost Town is a historic ghost town and former silver mining community located in the Calico…read moreMountains of California's Mojave Desert. Founded in 1881 during the silver mining boom, the town prospered for over a decade before declining when silver prices collapsed. By 1907, most residents had left, and Calico was eventually restored and transformed into the county-operated attraction known today as Calico Ghost Town.   Situated just off Interstate 15, about 3 miles from both Barstow and Yermo, Calico has become a popular stop for travelers exploring Southern California or driving between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. We visited in February 2026 during our trip to Las Vegas and were impressed by the dramatic desert scenery, unique rock formations, and panoramic views from the surrounding hills.   Today, visitors from around the world come to experience the atmosphere of an authentic Old West mining town. The park offers a variety of amenities, including RV and group camping, cabins and bunkhouses, mountain biking trails, off-road vehicle areas, shops, and restaurants. Throughout the year, Calico hosts several special events such as Civil War reenactments, the Spring Festival with Americana music, Calico Days celebrations featuring burro races and mining-themed activities, and the popular Halloween Ghost Haunt in October.   Only minutes from Interstate 15 and a short drive north of Barstow, Calico Ghost Town makes an enjoyable roadside stop for food, shopping, sightseeing, and a glimpse into California's mining history. However, I would recommend visiting Calico Ghost Town during the spring or winter months rather than in the summer, when desert temperatures can become extremely hot and less comfortable for exploring the outdoor attractions and surrounding hills.

    Whats happened to this place ? I am sad to say that Calico…read morehas seen better days. Ive been going here since the 1980s. I miss what it felt like, even 15ish years ago. Yes its an OLD run down ghost town but it truely feels OLD and run down now. Trash everywhere. Spiderwebs and dust everywhere. Its not the Calico look, its literally no one cleaning around here. It looks so unclean everywhere we went. Also...I dont feel many workers are in Character anymore. I miss that. If they are even dressed up they are just sitting around on their phones or talking to each ither. Zero interaction. Zero immersion... just so disappointed. We keep coming back but its just getting worse.

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    Calico Ghost Town
    Calico Ghost Town
    Calico Ghost Town - Restaurant

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    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho

    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho

    4.4(14 reviews)
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    BEST WEDDING VENUE EVER!…read more My husband and I dreamed of a wedding where everyone could stay together onsite, immersed in nature, with no worries about driving after a night of fun, and Camp Osito Rancho made that dream a reality. Our families stayed in the health center, lodge, and electrified cabins, while our friends embraced the adventure of summer cabins and tents. The venue offers so many stunning spaces, from the spacious dining hall for meals to the stage/amphitheater with fire pits--perfect for s'mores and late-night stories. We exchanged vows at the top of a hill near the outdoor pavilion, with a gorgeous backdrop of pine trees and a view of Big Bear Lake in the distance. We were able to offer our guests camp activities like archery and a pool day, as well as had room to setup other activities like craft tables and lawn games. The biggest perk was the complete freedom to choose our own vendors, allowing us to create a truly personalized experience (huge shoutout to Scratch Kitchen for catering--our guests still rave about the food). We spent a year making signs, collecting décor, buying solar lights, and crafting to transform this Girl Scout camp into a full-blown wedding festival. If you're up for planning the details, this venue is the ultimate blank canvas. Last but not least, the Camp Osito Rancho team is absolutely amazing. A huge thanks to Angel for her help throughout the year, Ryan for his help throughout the weekend, and to Gerardo for the tour that sold us from the start. For a wedding that feels like an unforgettable getaway, this place is pure magic

    Amazing camp!! Came with sweet elite Girl Scouts 2020. My daughter canoed, rode horses, zip lined,…read morelearned archery. So many activities. Well worth the work. Beautiful campsite.

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    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho
    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho
    Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles - Camp Osito Rancho

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    Owl Canyon Campground - campgrounds - Updated May 2026

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