Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

Star3.75
11 reviews
Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

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Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Mojave National Preserve (National Park Service) site

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Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
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$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

3.75

Mixed Reviews

Based on 11 reviews

15 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulcleanrestrooms

"Reviewers describe Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground as a clean, quiet, and remote spot that’s great for groups and horse campers. They appreciate the friendly rangers, simple but well‑kept facilities, and dark skies, while noting some layout quirks and minor water/access inconveniences."

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About Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

Escape to true desert solitude at Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground, where two spacious sites welcome larger parties and horse enthusiasts deep within Mojave National Preserve. Miles from the nearest neighbor, you'll find everything essential for a comfortable basecamp—picnic tables, fresh water, vault toilets, fire rings, and generous parking—while the vast desert wilderness stretches endlessly beyond.
Black Canyon is an equestrian and group campground consisting of two isolated group sites suitable for larger parties and horse use.
Historical SignificanceThe desert surrounding your campsite holds 10,000 years of human stories etched into its landscape. Follow in the footsteps of ancient travelers along the historic Mojave Road, or venture to nearby Zzyzx to discover how generations of people have adapted to and thrived in this seemingly harsh environment. The preserve serves as a living classroom where the resilience and ingenuity of desert cultures comes alive, offering modern visitors a profound connection to those who walked these trails millennia before.
Natural Features and SceneryYour camp sits at the remarkable convergence of three distinct desert ecosystems—the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran—creating an unexpectedly rich tapestry of life. Hidden seeps and springs nurture diverse plant communities that burst with adapted species, while magnificent stands of Joshua trees form dense forests that feel almost otherworldly. The landscape shifts dramatically from one vista to the next: towering mesas give way to sculpted sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones rise against the horizon, and ancient lava flows tell stories of the earth's fiery past.
Geological RegionCamp among some of Earth's most ancient secrets, where rocks dating back 2.5 billion years emerge from the Clark Mountains like pages from a planetary diary. The Mojave Desert reveals its geological drama at every turn—the smooth granite expanse of Cima Dome rises majestically above forests of Joshua trees, while windswept sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, and frozen lava flows create a landscape that feels almost extraterrestrial. Dry riverbeds snake between mountain ranges, hinting at the powerful forces of water that once—and occasionally still do—shape this timeless desert realm.
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Campsite details

Sites SizeSites are large and provide plenty of space for groups.
Sites PrivacySites sit isolated from other campgrounds, offering privacy.
Total Campsites2 campsites
Recommended CampsitesSites are isolated and provide ample space for groups; both sites include picnic tables, water spigots, vault toilets, fire rings, and ample parking. High-clearance or 4WD recommended for exploring more remote park areas.

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Reserving a campsite

Groups
  • Two isolated group sites ideal for larger groups and equestrian use
  • sites provide picnic tables, water spigots, vault toilets, fire ring, and ample parking.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutTwo isolated group/equestrian sites with ample parking and space; each site includes picnic tables, water spigots, vault toilets and a fire ring.

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The preserve offers extensive recreational opportunities with a focus on hiking and exploring remote desert landscapes. Visitors can explore paved and unpaved roads, 4WD routes, historic Mojave Road, and numerous trails and natural attractions.
Hiking
Mojave offers many hikes and trail highlights; popular nearby hikes include Kelso Dunes, Rings Loop (1.5 miles), Barber Peak, Lava Tube (high clearance recommended), and Teutonia Peak (area burned in August 2020).
Wildlife viewing
The preserve supports diverse plant and animal life across varied habitats; Zzyzx pond is noted as a great birding location. Visitors are encouraged to look for wildflowers and the dense Joshua tree forest.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsRemote location with unreliable cell phone service. Many remote areas require high-clearance, 4WD vehicles. Visitors should not enter mines. Portions of the landscape (e.g., area near Teutonia Peak) have experienced wildfire (burned in August 2020).

Weather at Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground

60
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 25%
Wind: 9.2 mph
Clear sky

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Campground Map

Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground
Driving directionsFrom Los Angeles, Barstow, and Joshua Tree via Interstate 40: Exit Essex Road and drive north for 10 miles and turn right at the junction to Black Canyon Road. Continue for 10 miles to Hole-in-the-Wall. The roads are paved until the turn-off into the campground. Cell phone service is unreliable. From Death Valley and Las Vegas via Interstate 15: From the Kelbaker Road, Cima Road, or Nipton Road entrances, make your way to Kelso-Cima Road and turn east onto Cedar Canyon Road. Continue onto Cedar Canyon Road for 6 miles and turn right onto Black Canyon Road for 9 miles.
Accessible from Interstate 40 (Exit Essex Road, then Black Canyon Road) and from Interstate 15 via Kelbaker/Cima/Nipton roads to Kelso-Cima Road and Cedar Canyon Road; roads are paved until the campground turn-off but remote areas may require high-clearance 4WD.

Reviews from booking and map sources

3.8
11 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Black Canyon Group And Equestrian Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers describe Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground as a clean, quiet, and remote spot that’s great for groups and horse campers. They appreciate the friendly rangers, simple but well‑kept facilities, and dark skies, while noting some layout quirks and minor water/access inconveniences.
Review Summaries
Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers consistently praise the cleanliness of the campground, restrooms, and pit toilets, along with the generally flat camping surfaces and reliable water when available. The group area’s large...
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Based on 11 reviews

Common Concerns

The most frequent negatives involve layout and convenience: the tent area in the group camp feels awkwardly separated from the main activity area, and water can be inconveniently located (about 1/4...
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Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reviewers suggest bringing your own shade for horses and checking ahead to confirm whether water is turned on at the equestrian campground. Group users should be prepared to haul water from the...
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Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This is a great campground for getting away from it all with your horses. Six corrals are available. They are all a nice size (18 x 18) and have nice soft sand footing inside." "Decent camp ground...
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Based on 11 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The group campground is noted for having a large covered table area with about eight picnic tables and a large fire ring with plenty of room around it; however, the tent area is set off from the main...
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Based on 11 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Horse campers provide detailed feedback: there are six 3‑rail steel pipe corrals of good size with soft sand footing, but shade is minimal so bringing your own shade for horses is recommended. A herd...
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Based on 11 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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