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. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

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.

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.

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.

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

3.97

16 reviews

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

Top 9% in CAWinter

Stargazing

Featured in:Desert Camping California

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

4,318 ft

Price

Varies

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

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

4,318 ft

Price

Varies

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

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Group Site Fee$50.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(706) 252-6100MOJA_Superintendent@nps.gov

I manage this campground

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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.

Weather at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

Best Time to Camp at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

Best season: winter. Winter offers the most comfortable daytime temperatures and stable skies — expect sunny days in the 50s–60s°F and crisp mornings around 30–40°F — making long rides, group gatherings, and stargazing especially pleasant. Equestrian use and wildlife viewing are at their peak because animals are more active in cooler weather and dust is minimal, while corrals and large group sites are easy to use without the stress of desert heat. Crowd levels are generally low to moderate (holiday weekends excepted Peak months: January, February, December Avoid: July, August

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

About Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground sits in the mid-elevation forest of Mojave National Preserve, operated by the National Park Service near Essex. This small facility caters to equestrian groups and organized camping parties with spacious corrals, vault toilets, and potable water. Visitors come for horseback riding through desert terrain and exceptional stargazing under dark skies.

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 SeasonsBest season: winter. Winter offers the most comfortable daytime temperatures and stable skies — expect sunny days in the 50s–60s°F and crisp mornings around 30–40°F — making long rides, group gatherings, and stargazing especially pleasant. Equestrian use and wildlife viewing are at their peak because animals are more active in cooler weather and dust is minimal, while corrals and large group sites are easy to use without the stress of desert heat. Crowd levels are generally low to moderate (holiday weekends excepted Peak months: January, February, December Avoid: July, August

Elevation4318 ft above sea level

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.

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

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

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

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

I manage this campground

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.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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

Trip Planning Tools

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

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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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

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

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

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