Ricardo Campground

4.55

79 reviews

377 Abbott Dr, Cantil, CA 93519

Stargazing

Featured in:Southern California#2 Primitive Camping Spring Camping California +1 more

Quick Facts

2,621 ft

Price

$23 - $25/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens California State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

2,621 ft

Price

$23 - $25/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens California State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Ricardo Campground

$23.00 - $25.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping costs $25 per night per site, or $23 per night for seniors (ages 62+). Each additional vehicle costs $6. Payment is self-registration via...

Standard Site Fee$25.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Reserve California

Provider

(661) 946-6092

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What Campers Say

4.55

Top-Rated

Based on 79 reviews

55 Google reviews

Most mentioned

waterstaffwell-maintained

"User reviews of Ricardo Campground highlight its stunning scenery, clean facilities, and opportunities for stargazing. However, strong winds and desert conditions occasionally pose challenges."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

377 Abbott Dr, Cantil, CA 93519

Ricardo Campground

377 Abbott Dr, Cantil, CA 93519

Driving directionsFrom Los Angeles: Take I-5 North, merge onto CA-14 N toward Palmdale Lancaster, continue for 25 miles northeast of Mojave. Turn left onto Abbott Drive and go west 1/4 mile to the Visitor Center and Ricardo Campground. From Sacramento: Take CA-99 South, merge onto CA-58 E, and follow signs for CA-14 toward Mojave/Bishop. Turn left onto CA-14 N, and proceed as described.

Highway 14 provides paved access directly to the park, making it accessible year-round. Abbott Drive is paved and offers easy access. Seasonal weather conditions like rain may affect travel on dirt roads within the park.

Nearby places

Mojave: 25 miles (30 min)

Los Angeles: 120 miles (2 hours)

Nearby supplies

Groceries, fuel, and camping supplies are available in Mojave, 25 miles from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Ricardo Campground

Spring transforms Ricardo into a desert paradise, with wildflowers painting the landscape in unexpected bursts of color and temperatures perfect for hiking and stargazing. Autumn brings its own magic, with crisp nights ideal for campfire conversations and comfortable days for exploring. Summer visitors should come prepared for the desert's intensity—temperatures can soar, making early morning and evening activities the best choice. Winter unveils the desert's dramatic side, with sudden storms rolling through the valley and creating spectacular cloud formations against the cliffs. Year-round, the wind whispers ancient stories through the canyons, sometimes building to powerful gusts that remind visitors of nature's untamed spirit.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

2.0 / 5

Summers can be excessively hot; seasonal notes advise caution for summer camping.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Autumn is a peak season with moderate temperatures and good hiking conditions.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 7% in CA

Spring is peak: wildflowers, moderate temps and excellent hiking and stargazing reported.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round; winter storms can be dramatic but may limit comfort and access at times.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Spring and autumn.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round. Spring and autumn are peak seasons.
Current Alerts: None specific to Ricardo Campground, but severe weather and closures affect other areas of Red Rock Canyon State Park.

About Ricardo Campground

Beneath towering desert cliffs that glow crimson at sunset, Ricardo Campground offers an authentic wilderness escape where the raw beauty of the Mojave Desert takes center stage. This primitive campsite provides the essentials for a memorable outdoor adventure—potable water, pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables—while maintaining the rugged charm that draws adventurers seeking solitude under vast desert skies. Though you won't find RV hookups or showers here, what Ricardo lacks in modern amenities it more than makes up for in spectacular natural surroundings and unobstructed views of ancient geological wonders.

Ricardo Campground provides a mix of camping options including primitive, tent, and RV camping sites (no hookups).

Historical SignificanceFor millennia, the Kawaiisu people called this land home, navigating ancient trade routes that connected distant communities across the desert expanse. Their presence still echoes through the canyons and across the weathered rocks. Later, fortune-seeking gold prospectors carved their own stories into the landscape, leaving behind whispers of boom-and-bust dreams in abandoned mine shafts and weathered cabins. Hollywood discovered these dramatic vistas too, transforming the rugged terrain into backdrops for countless westerns and adventure films, adding another layer to the area's rich tapestry of human history.

Weather and SeasonsSpring transforms Ricardo into a desert paradise, with wildflowers painting the landscape in unexpected bursts of color and temperatures perfect for hiking and stargazing. Autumn brings its own magic, with crisp nights ideal for campfire conversations and comfortable days for exploring. Summer visitors should come prepared for the desert's intensity—temperatures can soar, making early morning and evening activities the best choice. Winter unveils the desert's dramatic side, with sudden storms rolling through the valley and creating spectacular cloud formations against the cliffs. Year-round, the wind whispers ancient stories through the canyons, sometimes building to powerful gusts that remind visitors of nature's untamed spirit.

ElevationPerched at classic Mojave Desert elevation, Ricardo Campground offers the perfect vantage point for experiencing the desert's unique ecosystem, where hardy plants and resilient wildlife have adapted to thrive in this challenging environment.

Natural Features and SceneryMassive sandstone sentinels stand guard over Ricardo Campground, their faces carved by millions of years of wind and water into fantastic shapes that shift color with the changing light. These ancient formations tell the story of volcanic upheavals and patient erosion that sculpted this dramatic landscape. Scattered among the rocks, iconic Joshua trees stretch their twisted arms skyward, while aromatic creosote bushes release their distinctive desert perfume after rare rainstorms. Keep your eyes peeled for the desert's secretive residents—coyotes padding silently through the dawn, red-tailed hawks circling on thermals high above, and colorful lizards basking on sun-warmed rocks.

Geological RegionRicardo Campground sits at the fascinating convergence of the Sierra Nevada and El Paso Range, where the forces of the earth have created a geological wonderland in the heart of the Mojave Desert. Here, dramatic cliffs rise like ancient castles, weathered buttes punctuate the horizon, and fantastical rock formations showcase nature's artistic prowess. Volcanic activity and relentless erosion have collaborated over eons to create this outdoor gallery, where every sunrise reveals new details in the ever-changing canvas of stone.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Self-registration available 24 hours.

Check-out

Self-registration available 24 hours.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 30 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum occupancy is 8 individuals per campsite.

Groups

Group camping sites are not available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutPrimitive setup with sites arranged against cliffs and open desert areas; no designated loops or sections noted.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations—camping is first-come, first-served.

Walk-in AvailabilityCamping is exclusively first-come, first-served. Arriving on Thursday evening or Friday morning is recommended during peak seasons.

Cancellation PolicyNo reservation system is in place; camping is first-come, first-served.

AccessibilityFour accessible campsites (#1, #2, #6, and #45) are available, with shade structures over picnic tables in sites #1 and #2. Routes to accessible restrooms may require navigation on campground roads, which may pose challenges during adverse weather conditions.

Site SizeSites accommodate varying sizes from tents-only to big rig RVs, with a maximum RV length of 30 feet and tent pads measuring up to 30 feet in length.

PrivacySites vary in privacy, ranging from secluded options to sites clustered together, often influenced by proximity to canyon walls.

Total Campsites50 campsites

Recommended SitesCampsites closer to the canyon walls provide wind shelter and scenic views. Bring supplies for extreme wind conditions.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Ricardo Campground and its surroundings offer a plethora of outdoor activities, including hiking on scenic trails, wildlife viewing, stargazing, photography, and OHV routes nearby.

HikingMiles of trails traverse the dramatic desert landscape of Red Rock Canyon State Park. User reviews recommend preparing adequately for desert conditions, including carrying ample water and wearing sturdy shoes.

BikingBicycling is allowed exclusively on improved and primitive roads within the park. Off-trail biking is prohibited.

Wildlife viewingWildlife such as roadrunners, hawks, lizards, and coyotes are commonly observed. Migratory birds enhance wildlife viewing during spring and autumn.

Cultural and Educational ProgramsGuided nature hikes, campfire programs, and interpretive exhibits are offered during fall and spring. Programs cover cultural, geological, and ecological themes.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsFrequent high wind gusts pose challenges for tent campers. Wildlife such as rattlesnakes may be encountered. Temperatures fluctuate dramatically.

Active AlertsNone specific to Ricardo Campground, but severe weather and closures affect other areas of Red Rock Canyon State Park.

Fire PolicyFires are restricted to metal fire rings provided at campsites. Importing fire rings is prohibited.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10 PM to 6 AM; generators off from 8 PM to 10 AM.

Emergency ServicesMojave provides the nearest hospital services and emergency support approximately 25 miles away. For police assistance, contact the sector office at (661) 946-6092.

Trash & RecyclingTrash dumpsters are available on-site. Recycling facilities are not explicitly mentioned.

Water FeaturesNo significant water features nearby; water is mainly provided via spigots.

Camp HostNo specific information is available about campground hosts.

Weather at Ricardo Campground

Reviews

4.6

79 reviews

Top-Rated

Ricardo Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews of Ricardo Campground highlight its stunning scenery, clean facilities, and opportunities for stargazing. However, strong winds and desert conditions occasionally pose challenges.

Review Summaries

Based on 79 reviews

What Campers Love

Users universally praise the beautiful geological formations and scenic desert backdrop. Other positives include well-maintained toilets, availability of potable water, and helpful staff.

Based on 79 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include strong winds, occasional odor from vault toilets, lack of shade at some sites, and proximity to Highway 14 leading to noise in certain areas.

Based on 79 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend arriving early for the best campsites near canyon walls to mitigate wind exposure. Bring warm clothing for chilly nights and check weather conditions beforehand.

Based on 79 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall are popular seasons due to moderate temperatures and vibrant wildlife activity. Summer may be excessively hot, and winter storms can provide dramatic scenery.

Based on 79 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Extremely windy, very powerful wind gusts...The best way to enjoy this campground is to sit and do nothing but observe how beautiful this place is." - Jenna S. "I loved the trip and staying there, I...

Based on 79 reviews