How much does camping cost at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground?

Camping fees at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground range from $15-$50/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. This campground is not reservable; availability is likely walk-up only but details on site availability are missing.

Can I see photos of campsites at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground before I book?

Yes! Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground has 11 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground?

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground is open The campground's peak season dates are not provided.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground?

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground?

Fire policies at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground: Campfires are allowed in designated rings.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground have?

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground has 6 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground?

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground?

Popular activities at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground include Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

3.97

16 reviews

P.O. Box 56, Essex, CA, 92332, USA

Stargazing

Featured in:Desert Camping California

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,318 ft

Price

$15 - $50/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Mojave National Preserve Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,318 ft

Price

$15 - $50/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Mojave National Preserve Official Website

Get Directions

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

$15.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees vary based on campsite type and activity; group facilities incur special fees, and reservation fees via Recreation.gov add charges ($8 for...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$50.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(706) 252-6100MOJA_Superintendent@nps.gov

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What Campers Say

3.97

Mixed Reviews

Based on 16 reviews

16 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspaciouswell-maintained

"Overall, the campground is praised for being clean, well-maintained, and ideal for group and equestrian use. Highlights include the stargazing opportunities, clean restrooms, and spacious corrals. However, some users had minor complaints about the layout of the tenting area and the distance to water from certain parts of the site."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

P.O. Box 56, Essex, CA, 92332, USA

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

P.O. Box 56, Essex, CA, 92332, USA

Nearby places

Essex (approximate distance not stated), other nearby cities not specified.

Nearby supplies

Supplies may be available at the Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center, located nearby. Review mentions water availability approximately 1/4 mile away from the campground.

Driving directionsBlack Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground is located across the road from Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center in Mojave National Preserve.

Road access may be challenging due to damaged roads in the Mojave National Preserve. According to an alert: 'Drive slowly and exercise due caution when driving in Mojave National Preserve. Rough and damaged roads exist on both paved and unpaved roads. Watch for potholes.'

Best Time to Camp at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

Winter brings daytime highs in the 50s and 60s°F with mornings around 30–40°F. Sunshine hits 83% of the time, winds average 6.6 mph, and precipitation stays rare. This is prime season for riding and group use. Summer heat makes equestrian activities grueling, and dust becomes an issue. Winter keeps wildlife more active and visible. Holiday weekends draw moderate crowds, but most winter days stay quiet.

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.0 / 5

Top 9% in CA

Winter days in 50s–60s°F and noted as prime season for riding; cold mornings around 30–40°F.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: The campground's peak season dates are not provided.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: These three campgrounds are open year-round.
Current Alerts: Active alerts include damaged roads requiring caution for drivers, Kelso Depot Visitor Center closure, and Soda Lake crossing closure due to rains.

About Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground accommodates groups of 15 to 50 people in the heart of Mojave National Preserve. The campground has six sites with fees ranging from $15 to $50 per night. Horse owners get six corrals measuring 18x18 feet each, and the group area includes eight covered picnic tables. At 4,318 feet elevation, the site stays cleaner and cooler than lower desert campgrounds.

The Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground offers group camping for 15-50 people with facilities tailored for equestrian users. It is not suitable for individual or small group primitive camping.

Weather and SeasonsWinter brings daytime highs in the 50s and 60s°F with mornings around 30–40°F. Sunshine hits 83% of the time, winds average 6.6 mph, and precipitation stays rare. This is prime season for riding and group use. Summer heat makes equestrian activities grueling, and dust becomes an issue. Winter keeps wildlife more active and visible. Holiday weekends draw moderate crowds, but most winter days stay quiet.

ElevationNestled within the varied topography of the Mojave National Preserve, Black Canyon occupies a sweet spot where desert floor meets rising terrain, creating a natural amphitheater that shelters campers while offering expansive views of the surrounding wilderness.

Natural Features and SceneryBlack Canyon sits where three desert ecosystems intersect: the Mojave, Sonoran, and Great Basin. Canyon walls frame the sites, with volcanic cinder cones visible across the preserve's 1.6 million acres. Joshua trees and hardy desert vegetation scatter across the terrain. Reviewers consistently call out the stargazing. One wrote, "stars are amazing!" The preserve's geography includes ancient river-carved canyons, sand dunes, and mountain ranges, though the campground itself occupies flat ground. Desert silence here breaks only for coyote calls and horse sounds.

Geological RegionBlack Canyon sits at the heart of the Mojave National Preserve, a 1.6-million-acre testament to the power of wind, water, and time. This geological wonderland showcases nature's artistry through dramatic canyons carved by ancient rivers, volcanic cinder cones rising from the desert floor, and vast valleys flanked by rugged mountain ranges. The preserve's unique position at the intersection of the Mojave, Sonoran, and Great Basin deserts creates an extraordinary tapestry of landscapes, from Joshua tree forests to pristine sand dunes, all waiting to be explored from your basecamp at Black Canyon.

Scenic ViewsGuests describe their experiences as being surrounded by expansive desert vistas and incredible stars during a new moon.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging accommodations are available at the Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo information provided regarding cultural or educational programs.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-out

Stay Limit

The campsite does not specify a stay limit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 50 people for group sites.

Groups

Group camping is designed for 15-50 people with dedicated facilities including a covered table area, fire ring, and corrals for horses.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe tent area sits separate from central facilities. Some campers find this isolation annoying, others like the distance. Six corrals anchor the equestrian setup. Water spigots require pulling down a small valve on the underside before raising the handle, which catches new users off guard. Vault toilet handles have tricky mechanisms that reviewers mention.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov online, app, contact center, or on-site.

Walk-in AvailabilityThis campground is not reservable; availability is likely walk-up only but details on site availability are missing.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations for group facilities (overnight) less than 14 days before arrival date incur a $10 fee and forfeit the first night's fees. Late cancellations for one-night reservations forfeit the entire amount paid.

AccessibilityNo explicit information provided regarding accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.

Site SizeGroup size is limited to 15-50 people. Corrals measure 18x18 feet.

PrivacyThe campground design features some separation between tenting areas and central facilities, which can be perceived as either secluded or inconvenient depending on user preferences.

Total Campsites6 campsites

Recommended SitesFor equestrian campers, the six corrals with soft sand footing are a highlight. Families may prefer the covered group table area and clean bathrooms.

Best CampsitesThe covered group table area with eight tables gets mentioned most often in reviews. Corrals have soft sand footing that riders appreciate. No specific site numbers stand out in the feedback, but equestrians note that all six corrals are spacious and well-maintained.

Amenities available

These sites are equipped with vault toilets, trash receptacles, fire rings and picnic tables. Water is available at Hole-in-the-Wall and Black Canyon Group Campgrounds, while water needs to be hauled in at Mid Hills.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at the Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground focus on equestrian use and enjoying the natural surroundings. Stargazing is noted as a highlight, especially during new moons when the night sky is exceptionally clear. The proximity to the Mojave National Preserve also provides opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing.

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include roaming cattle that may startle horses. Alerts about rough roads indicate a need for caution when driving.

Active AlertsActive alerts include damaged roads requiring caution for drivers, Kelso Depot Visitor Center closure, and Soda Lake crossing closure due to rains.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; pit toilets are provided instead. These are described as 'very clean' by users.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed in designated rings.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are /

Emergency ServicesEmergency services details are not provided; visitors should contact (760) 252-6100 for emergencies.

Trash & RecyclingNo specific information provided about trash and recycling facilities.

Water FeaturesWater availability was restored recently, but spigots are noted as challenging to use. Water is approximately 1/4 mile away.

Camp Host/

Cell CoverageNo direct information provided regarding cell phone service availability or quality.

Weather at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.0

16 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, the campground is praised for being clean, well-maintained, and ideal for group and equestrian use. Highlights include the stargazing opportunities, clean restrooms, and spacious corrals. However, some users had minor complaints about the layout of the tenting area and the distance to water from certain parts of the site.

Review Summaries

Based on 16 reviews

What Campers Love

Users frequently comment on the cleanliness of the facilities, the spacious and well-maintained corrals, and the excellent stargazing. 'The campground is clean and flat,' and 'stars are amazing!'

Based on 16 reviews

Common Concerns

Some users found the layout of the tent area inconvenient ('The tent area is off, out of the way from everything else') and noted the need to travel a short distance for water ('Water was across the...

Based on 16 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

For campers with horses, 'the water spigots are a little tricky to use'—remember to 'pull down on the small valve on the underside of the hydrant before raising the handle.' Stargazing during a new...

Based on 16 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No specific seasonal trends mentioned in user reviews.

Based on 16 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'This is a great campground for getting away from it all with your horses.' 2. 'Stars are amazing! Especially on a new moon.' 3. 'Bathrooms are very clean and close by.' 4. 'The fire ring is large...

Based on 16 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Group facilities are highly rated, particularly the covered table area and large fire ring. Specific complaints about the tent area being isolated may influence group planning.

Based on 16 reviews