04 reviews
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$20 - $35/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
4 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$20 - $35/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
4 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Learn more about alerts →Taylor Lake Boat-In Campground
Taylor Lake Boat-in Campground, Picacho State Recreation Area, Winterhaven, CA 92283
Kayakers and small-boat anglers chasing bass will find real solitude here. Fall light on the volcanic canyon walls is striking, wildlife is active, and with only four sites the place stays genuinely quiet. Bring every drop of water you'll need.
No boat means no camp. Dense reeds block most shore access, so paddlers get far more out of it than anyone hoping to fish or swim from the bank. Summer temperatures hit 120°F and the seasonal score reflects that.
Context for the broader area surrounding Taylor Lake Boat-In Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
<h2>Afton Canyon</h2> <p>Known locally as the Grand Canyon of the East Mojave for its dramatic geological formations, the Afton Canyon Natural Area/Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is part of the Mojave Trails National Monument. The ACEC encompasses approximately 41,500 acres, of which about 23,600 acres are public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Barstow Field Office.</p> <p>Afton Canyon is one of only three places where the Mojave River flows above ground year-round in the Mojave Desert. Its water has provided food and habitat for humans and wildlife since prehistoric times. The area is popular for birdwatching, hiking, hunting, vehicle touring, rockhounding, horseback riding, stargazing, photography, natural history study and camping.</p> <p><a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2022-10/Public_Room_CA_Afton%20Canyon.pdf" rel="nofollow">Download the Afton Canyon Information Guide</a></p> <dl> <dt>Know Before You Go</dt> <dd> <ul> <li>Weather extremes, flash floods, and poisonous snakes are common hazards.</li> <li>Out of State OHV users must comply with all California rules and regulations, which are available at <a href="https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/" rel="nofollow">California OHV Page.</a></li> <li>Desert winds are frequent and strong.</li> <li>Plan ahead and be prepared. Have adequate food, water, supplies, emergency medical provisions and a satellite phone to call for help if needed.</li> <li>Food, fuel and most necessities are available in Baker and Barstow.</li> <li>Cellular phone service is not reliable in all locations.</li> <li>Practice Leave No Trace: pack it in—pack it out.</li> <li>Don’t disturb the diverse wildlife that call Afton Canyon home.</li> </ul> </dd> <dt>Camping and Fees</dt> <dd> <p>The campground has 22 primitive campsites. Each site is equipped with a shade structure, parking area, table, fire pit, and grill. Camp sites are available on a first-come basis for a fee of $6 per night, with a 14-day stay limit. Piped water is sometimes available, but campers are advised to bring their own water. Vault toilets are centrally located. Discharge of firearms within the campground is not permitted.</p> </dd> <dt>Campfire Permits</dt> <dd> <p>Campfire permits are required and may be restricted in fire season. Fire danger is extreme during most of the year. Campfire permits can be obtained online at <a href="https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/" rel="nofollow">Campfire Permit - Ready for Wildfire.</a> </p> </dd> <dt>Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Use</dt> <dd> <p>This area provides access for staging OHV and 4x4 vehicle touring into the adjacent area of the Mojave Trails National Monument. This and other surrounding<br/> limited use areas require vehicles to travel on designated routes. There is also street legal vehicle access into the Mojave National Preserve along the Mojave Road. Learn more about OHV use at <a href="https://www.blm.gov/barstow" rel="nofollow">https://www.blm.gov/barstow</a>.</p> </dd> </dl> <p> </p>
<p>From Barstow, take Interstate 15 east for 35 miles. Take the Afton exit south. Drive south three miles on graded dirt road to parking area for the fully-developed Afton Campground. Visitor information is available at the campground and at all entrances into the area.</p>
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Fall brings the most comfortable conditions. October and November see daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-80s, with nights dropping to the 40s and 50s. This window offers good boating, fishing, and hiking weather without summer's extreme heat. Winter nights can drop to 20°F, while summer temperatures hit 120°F. Mid-October through April generally provides the best balance of accessible river conditions and tolerable temperatures. Late fall light enhances the desert colors, and waterfowl remain active.
Winter is mild and favored for camping in this area; open year-round.
Taylor Lake Boat-in Campground is part of Picacho State Recreation Area and offers a remote camping experience. This campground is notable for its boat-in accessibility and includes four family campsites. Facilities include fire rings and picnic tables, but potable water is not available on-site.
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