Forum Discussion

profdant139's avatar
profdant139
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2014

Where to go in the Far West for a week in early May?

We have the second week of May free, and we want to do some boondocking in a really remote area. (You know what I mean -- nobody around for miles, silent, empty.) Of course, my first thought was Utah, but there is a full moon that would ruin the stars, so I want to save Utah for darker skies. (The stars in Utah are world-class -- dry air, high elevation, very little light pollution.) And the Sierra will still be snowy, so that's probably out (since we will be getting quite a bit of snow over the next several days.) I'm kind of stumped -- I need some fresh thinking.

So I am open to suggestions -- something within (say) 500 miles of LA? As always, your wisdom is appreciated!
Boondocking
Dry Camping
Public Lands

40 Replies

Show More
  • RWDIII's avatar
    RWDIII
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    Go to the Poloma camp between Bouse and Quartzsite,out to be empty by then
  • zman-az's avatar
    zman-az
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    johnna wrote:
    BLM land around Why AZ


    As long as you don't mind 100* temps.

    I would look at areas with a elevation of at least 5,000 ft that time of year. 6-7,000 would probably be ideal.
  • Desertboy's avatar
    Desertboy
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    Well its pretty remote if he wants Faarrrrr! west, And last time I was there I was Boondocking and I couldn't see anybody. Of course I was parked in the area where the people with horses are supposed to be lol.
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    There are some BLM sites around Barstow, CA. that allow you to get away from folks. Also at or near the border of California and AZ.

    One that I've wanted to try is the Carrizo Plains Natl Monument west of Bakersfield and east of San Luis Obispo. There are a couple of first come first served camping areas that are little used.
    Here's the website http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/carrizo.html
  • mustangglp's avatar
    mustangglp
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    Desertboy wrote:
    Montaña De Oro

    That as about as far west as you can get but I don't think it meets the rest of the requirements ;)
  • BoonHauler's avatar
    BoonHauler
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    Desertboy wrote:
    Montaña De Oro


    He said he wanted to boondock way away from people!
  • LenSatic's avatar
    LenSatic
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    Your are pretty close to the Kofa NWR north of Yuma. We were there recently and were all alone until the last full day when some idiot decided to park right next to us. We were on BLM land, outsied of the NWR, which is still close to the highway. You can go into the NWR and really get away but the roads are pretty rough. Might be getting a little warm then, though.

    LS

About Campground 101

Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,730 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 03, 2025