Camp In Some Of California's Most Unique Landscapes At This Secluded Desert Beauty

California's Mojave Desert is teeming with unique ways to experience nature. You can camp by an ancient volcanic crater, hike cacti-lined trails, or encounter the unforgettable frontier of undulating sand and stillness that awaits at the Kelso Dunes.

Rising nearly 600 feet above the desert floor, these dunes beckon adventurous souls willing to wander through surreal vistas that stretch to the horizon. Every footstep in this shimmering summit is rewarded with a breathtaking view — sand that seems to go on forever.

This remote desert jewel is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, yet solitude remains the rule, not the exception. Booming dunes —  rare in North America — add to the mystique, offering a bone-rattling rumble when groups shuffle the crest in unison. Summer hikes reach punishing heights, with temperatures soaring to a blistering 120 degrees, and no water or shade. But arrive in the cooler months and you'll trade oppressive heat for the hush of the desert, amplified only by your breath and the wind caressing the sands.

Camping near the Kelso Dunes means embracing simplicity and rough-hewn beauty through undeveloped, dispersed campsites — a rocky or sandy patch, perhaps marked by a fire ring, all set against vast, open skies. These primitive spots are first-come, first-served, and located just off Kelso Dunes Road — about a quarter mile past the trailhead, with more spread beyond a half mile.

Amenities are minimal — pit toilets, no drinking water, no cell service, and no trash disposal — but fires are permitted within existing fire rings. But if you're willing to rough it a bit, you'll be rewarded with nights under a sea of stars and the serenity of true solitude. 

That true solitude comes at a price — the roads are rough and often bumpy, best tackled with a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle, though many have made it in a standard two-wheel drive. Make sure you arrive well-prepared: with water, gear, and "Leave No Trace" respect. Do that, and the desert's quiet grandeur is yours.

Once you've set up camp, you can answer the call of the dunes. The climb involves roughly three miles round-trip and about 600 feet of loose-sand elevation gain — an intense undertaking that typically demands two to three hours. Yet the payoff is worth every grain: sweeping views over the dune sea that evolve with the angles of wind, light, and time. Beyond the visuals, the Kelso Dunes offer rare phenomena: booming sand, shifting dune crests, and wildlife that's adapted to the unforgiving landscape. You may spot the Mojave fringe-toed lizard, whose comblike toes allow it to glide across the sand, or unique insects found nowhere else on Earth. They're part of this fragile world that demands deep respect.

As night falls, the desert's emptiness becomes its greatest gift: an unpolluted sky, glistening with stars, stretching without interruption. Visitors have raved about the incredible starry nights, a cosmic show you can enjoy from the glow of your campfire. In the silence, with only the dunes, your thoughts, and the galaxy above, Kelso becomes more than a destination — it becomes a desert dream you will carry with you long after the journey ends.

California is overflowing with gorgeous state parks offering hot springs, alpine vistas, and more. So do yourself a favor, and start exploring! Pro tip: for a spectacularly unique camping experience on the opposite coast, head to Florida's Everglades, where you can camp in a chickee hut right over the water.