Kelbaker Boulders
Mojave National Preserve
Write a Review Kelbaker Road Kelso, CA 92351 760-252-6100 Official WebsiteGPS: 34.7457, -115.652
Overview of Kelbaker Boulders
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by robsuey on 3/10/2024
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by DebbieM on 1/19/2022
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 3,510 ft / 1,069 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Kelbaker Boulders
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 760-252-6100
Michael asked on 5/28/2022
I have a small vw hatchback and I plan on tent camping from it around the country this summer. Would my car be adequa...
Reviews of Kelbaker Boulders 28 people have reviewed this location.
“The Road Was A Little Washed Out From The Rains. But Still A Nice Stop.”
Reviewed 3/29/2024
Days stayed: | 1 |
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RV Length: | 24' (Class C) |
I didn’t get pictures of the road but some were definitely impassable.
Dkadventure would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Dry camping/Boondocking ”
Reviewed 3/10/2024
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
RV Length: | 15' (Teardrop Trailer) |
This is a jewel of a boondocking spot just a few miles off I-40... We checked it out last year ( without trailer) to see if it would be a good fit for our 15 ft teardrop trailer, or not. And it was a good fit, but I wouldn't pull anything bigger past the first campsite. It gets real sandy farther down the road. Beautiful, open skies wi... more
This is a jewel of a boondocking spot just a few miles off I-40... We checked it out last year ( without trailer) to see if it would be a good fit for our 15 ft teardrop trailer, or not. And it was a good fit, but I wouldn't pull anything bigger past the first campsite. It gets real sandy farther down the road. Beautiful, open skies with primo sunsets and sunrises.
There is a cell tower off in the distance so plenty of Verizon data. Plan on another visitor, or two, around dark. We had a Spinter type van pull in late and leave early, pretty close by. They were quiet, no problem.
robsuey would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice Spot For An Overnight ”
Reviewed 4/12/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 0 |
Beautiful area. I was able to find a spot near the beginning. Not very level but manageable. Only 3 other campers within sight from my camp and at enough distance to have plenty of privacy. I could hear cars on the road through the night but it wasn’t annoying.
llauer would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great find! A Little Joshua Tree-esque”
Reviewed 4/6/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
We had been looking for sun in an unusually cold and windy April. Happened upon Kelbaker after a number of lackluster campgrounds in kinda armpit areas of AZ and CA. Like some other reviewers said, it’s not totally out in the wilderness, but very convenient off 40, and couldn’t hear the freeway at all, only the local traffic on Kelbake... more
We had been looking for sun in an unusually cold and windy April. Happened upon Kelbaker after a number of lackluster campgrounds in kinda armpit areas of AZ and CA. Like some other reviewers said, it’s not totally out in the wilderness, but very convenient off 40, and couldn’t hear the freeway at all, only the local traffic on Kelbaker which was only occasional. Secluded desert camping with stunning views. Had no problem getting into the sites in an SUV with roof tent. Desert wildflowers in bloom made it even more special. Not quite a destination, but a great spot if you’re in need of a nice place to stop. Was the highlight of our trip so far.
camper-801083 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Gorgeous But Some Downsides”
Reviewed 3/18/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
RV Length: | 23' (Travel Trailer) |
Absolutely gorgeous small dispersed dry camping area, especially if you manage to snag the main spot by the big boulder. There are roughly four, maybe five sites total. We stayed our first three nights a little further down on the left between two smaller boulder outcroppings - and got our truck stuck. Took a few hours to get out, ... more
Absolutely gorgeous small dispersed dry camping area, especially if you manage to snag the main spot by the big boulder. There are roughly four, maybe five sites total.
We stayed our first three nights a little further down on the left between two smaller boulder outcroppings - and got our truck stuck. Took a few hours to get out, thankfully we were able to carefully back our trailer out after and move to the bigger site which had since vacated.
The first site, with the big boulder seen in most of the pics, is the only one I'd recommend for any trailers based on our experience and observation of the (degrading/washed out) condition of the road past that. I wouldn't try to get a fifth wheel in there, or anything much past 20 feet. The other sites should be good for vans and trucks/truck campers, just proceed cautiously and stop if you feel like the sand is getting soft. The road past the main site gets a bit bumpy because of washouts, and actually got worse while we were there because it rained. Some big sharp stones!
You're not totally out in the wilderness here - the site itself is not very far off the road, and you can see the highway in the distance. There's some road noise, but with few enough cars that it was more a novelty than any real problem or distraction. Makes it convenient for a short stay though, for the most part you can see before you turn down into the campground itself which spots are taken. But otherwise you are "out there" and the sky at night is beautiful.
Overall, I recommend for a few nights tops, excellent if you're passing through, and a nice spot in the Mojave!
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Love it !”
Reviewed 3/8/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Empty, except for us, March 8, 2023. About 3 years ago we got seriously stuck on the “Baker” end of Kelbaker. Delighted that the short access into Kelbaker Boulders is firm and trouble free (Travato 2WD). I’d sure return here. Great scenery, 2 bar Verizon, $0.00 cost…what’s not to like?
Ricke49 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful spot, right off I40”
Reviewed 6/13/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Stayed: 6/1/2022 Cost: FREE Site: Behind Boulders Vehicle: GMC Terrain Equipment: Tent AT&T and T-Mobile: Pretty solid Not far from the Kelbaker Road entrance of Mojave National Preserve, you will come across some boulders on the right-hand side. Extremely close off of I40, but you don’t hear a thing. This was one of our favori... more
Stayed: 6/1/2022
Cost: FREE
Site: Behind Boulders
Vehicle: GMC Terrain
Equipment: Tent
AT&T and T-Mobile: Pretty solid
Not far from the Kelbaker Road entrance of Mojave National Preserve, you will come across some boulders on the right-hand side. Extremely close off of I40, but you don’t hear a thing. This was one of our favorite sites throughout our trip. There was a couple already parked near the “entrance”, so we drove around to the back. We had a sort of private little site, surrounded by the boulders and with a perfect view of the sunset. 10/10 would stay here again!
#DareToEverywhere
Dare To Everywhere would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Almost got stuck ”
Reviewed 4/12/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Like others have said it’s not good for trailers and big rigs and anything without 4x4. Yeah maybe the main spot is easy to get to but it’s small and if that is occupied and you take any other avenue you will very likely get stuck as it is. Narrow and sandy. Wish I had listened to the reviews more and avoided the unnecessary stress. Gr... more
Like others have said it’s not good for trailers and big rigs and anything without 4x4. Yeah maybe the main spot is easy to get to but it’s small and if that is occupied and you take any other avenue you will very likely get stuck as it is. Narrow and sandy. Wish I had listened to the reviews more and avoided the unnecessary stress. Great for 4x4 tent campers.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Watched vans get stuck, perfect otherwise ”
Reviewed 3/14/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
I plan to stay longer but I wanted to leave this review ASAP. Be careful on the sand! Today the third person in a van drove up and got stuck. The sand is far deeper than it looks and the area you can actually camp and drive to is very small. When you come in you’ll see the giant boulders on the right and there’s one spot there big eno... more
I plan to stay longer but I wanted to leave this review ASAP. Be careful on the sand! Today the third person in a van drove up and got stuck. The sand is far deeper than it looks and the area you can actually camp and drive to is very small. When you come in you’ll see the giant boulders on the right and there’s one spot there big enough for a large RV. Someone there right now has a 30 footer. Then there is a little road that whines behind the rocks with one more space in the right for a van, then a fairly big spot around back but there’s someone who apparently “camps permanently” so nobody can use that area ATM. The person leaves for work every day and asks everyone who comes not to park in the road so she can get out. I am in a truck and 13 foot travel trailer and I turned left instead and went up to the top of a small hill and found a spot that’s probably meant for car camping but worked in my 4wd and tiny trailer. Other than that the views are beautiful absolutely magnificent and it is so quiet. The T-Mobile and Verizon is extremely fast and great for working or teaching online. Make sure you bring enough supplies because there’s no store nearby for an hour. It’s only been a little windy. You can walk down into the old wash and see amazing plants and stone formations. I love this place
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Peaceful by the Boulders”
Reviewed 1/19/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
RV Length: | 40' (Fifth Wheel) |
Easy in with our 40’ 5er. Road is hard packed. Really just enough room for 2 bigger rigs or 3 small rigs in the front. As others said do NOT go behind the boulders with a trailer. Very soft sand and and big pit. Loved the peace and quiet and views. Nice place to walk around and explore. Hwy noise not bad at all. Good unboosted Verizon.
DebbieM would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Pets
- pets
Nearby
Heart of the Mojave West
Heart of the Mojave West BLM: Epic Views, but Beware the Hidden Dunes!
- CampieMcCamperton
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