How much does camping cost at Sawtooth Canyon Campground?

Camping fees at Sawtooth Canyon Campground range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

What is the best time to visit Sawtooth Canyon Campground?

Sawtooth Canyon Campground is open Open year-round.. 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 Sawtooth Canyon Campground?

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

Is there cell service at Sawtooth Canyon Campground?

Cell phone service at Sawtooth Canyon Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Sawtooth Canyon Campground have?

Sawtooth Canyon Campground has 13 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Sawtooth Canyon Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Sawtooth Canyon 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 Sawtooth Canyon Campground?

Sawtooth Canyon Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Sawtooth Canyon Campground?

Popular activities at Sawtooth Canyon Campground include Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Viewing, Climbing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Sawtooth Canyon Campground

Q: Is Sawtooth Canyon Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Sawtooth Canyon Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. All campsites are first-come, first-serve. Reviews note that weekends, especially Saturdays, fill up quickly, requiring early arrival.

Q: Can I have a campfire at Sawtooth Canyon Campground?

Fire policies at Sawtooth Canyon Campground: Campfires are allowed with permits, but restrictions may apply during fire seasons due to extreme fire danger.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.46

187 reviews

2601 Barstow Rd, Barstow, CA 92311, USA

Scenic Views

Featured in:Winter Camping California Desert Camping California

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

3,606 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on BLM Barstow Field Office Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

3,606 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on BLM Barstow Field Office Official Website

Get Directions

Sawtooth Canyon Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Sawtooth Canyon Campground is free and does not require any fees for camping.

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

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Provider

760-252-6000

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What Campers Say

4.46

Recommended

Based on 187 reviews

202 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietshadewell-maintained

"User reviews highlight the campground's natural beauty, rock climbing opportunities, and free access. However, they also mention issues such as overcrowding during weekends, etiquette concerns among rock climbers, and the condition of vault toilets."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

2601 Barstow Rd, Barstow, CA 92311, USA

Sawtooth Canyon Campground

2601 Barstow Rd, Barstow, CA 92311, USA

Nearby places

Barstow - 20 miles

Nearby supplies

Groceries, fuel, and camping supplies are available in Barstow, 20 miles away

however, cellular service near the campground is described as unreliable in some locations.

Driving directionsSawtooth Canyon Campground, also known by its nickname 'New Jack City,' is located approximately 3 miles west of California Highway 247 and 20 miles south of Barstow, California.

The road leading to the campground is described in reviews as easy to access, an 'easy one-mile drive off the main road.' However, some reviews mention a couple of miles of washboard as an access challenge from Highway 247 to the campground, but it's 'worth it.'

Best Time to Camp at Sawtooth Canyon Campground

Winter offers the most comfortable conditions, with daytime temperatures between 50 and 65°F and cool rock that's ideal for technical climbing. Nights drop to 20–35°F, so warm layers are essential. Summer days reach 100–120°F, turning rocks into ovens. Crowds thin out in winter despite occasional rain or rare snow. The bone-dry air year-round means extra water is mandatory. Wind sweeps through with persistence, sometimes gentle, sometimes fierce.

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.5 / 5

Top 2% in CA

Busiest in winter when temps are cooler; reviews call it ideal for climbing/hiking.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round.

About Sawtooth Canyon Campground

Sawtooth Canyon Campground sits at 3,606 feet in the Mojave Desert, where dark volcanic rock formations draw climbers and desert enthusiasts to 13 primitive sites. The campground is free, with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Weekends bring crowds and parking challenges. Cell service is unreliable.

Sawtooth Canyon Campground is primarily a primitive camping area frequented by tent campers and self-contained RVs or travel trailers. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis and includes walk-in sites.

Historical Significance

Spanish-speaking travelers called this place Traer Agua. Bring water. The directive, passed down through generations, reflects the canyon's harsh character and the respect it demanded. Climbers later nicknamed it New Jack City when the dark volcanic formations became a bouldering destination.

Weather and SeasonsWinter offers the most comfortable conditions, with daytime temperatures between 50 and 65°F and cool rock that's ideal for technical climbing. Nights drop to 20–35°F, so warm layers are essential. Summer days reach 100–120°F, turning rocks into ovens. Crowds thin out in winter despite occasional rain or rare snow. The bone-dry air year-round means extra water is mandatory. Wind sweeps through with persistence, sometimes gentle, sometimes fierce.

ElevationPerched in the high desert terrain surrounding Barstow, Sawtooth Canyon sits at an elevation where the air grows thin and the views stretch endlessly across the Mojave. This elevated position creates a unique microclimate where desert extremes are amplified—hotter in summer, colder in winter, and always more dramatic than the lowlands below. The altitude contributes to those famously clear night skies, where the Milky Way appears close enough to touch and shooting stars are regular evening entertainment.

Natural Features and SceneryThe canyon's dark volcanic spires rise from the desert floor in formations that climbers call excellent. These rocks absorbed more iron and minerals during formation than the pale granite at Joshua Tree, creating distinctive textures and varied holds. Hardy desert vegetation dots the surrounding floor, making the rock formations appear more dramatic against the sparse landscape. The composition creates natural amphitheaters and alcoves. As light shifts through the day, the rocks change from deep browns to warm amber.

Geological RegionSawtooth Canyon emerges from the Mojave Desert floor like the spine of some prehistoric beast, its distinctive silhouette earning its descriptive name. These dark volcanic formations, weathered by eons of wind and rare but powerful flash floods, create a geological wonderland that feels more like another planet than Southern California. Unlike the pale granite of Joshua Tree, Sawtooth's rocks wear darker robes—ancient volcanic material that absorbed more iron and minerals during their fiery birth. This unique composition not only gives the canyon its distinctive appearance but also creates the varied textures and holds that make it a rock climber's paradise. The surrounding desert floor, dotted with hardy vegetation adapted to extreme conditions, provides a stark canvas that makes the rocky formations appear even more dramatic.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Groups

Group camping specifics are not detailed.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe 13 sites include walk-in options and spaces near climbing walls. Shade ramadas cover some sites. Spacing varies, and reviewers mention other visitors cutting through campsites during busy weekends. Fire pits and picnic tables are at each site.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations necessary; first-come, first-serve basis.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll campsites are first-come, first-serve. Reviews note that weekends, especially Saturdays, fill up quickly, requiring early arrival.

Cancellation PolicyCampground does not require reservations, so cancellation policies do not apply.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features for campers with disabilities are mentioned.

Site SizeCampsites vary from standard to walk-in sites located 50 feet from the parking area.

PrivacyThe privacy level varies. Some reviews mention issues with other visitors cutting through campsites and overcrowding during peak times.

Total Campsites13 campsites

Recommended SitesArrive early on weekends for better chances of securing a site. Sites near Boy Scout Wall are recommended for climbers, while walk-in sites offer more seclusion.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Sawtooth Canyon Campground offers a range of activities, including rock climbing, hiking, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and stargazing. It is also popular for its scenic views and natural beauty.

Hiking

Climbing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsDesert hazards include extreme weather, poisonous snakes, and flash flooding in low-lying areas during storms. User reviews also mention tarantula hawks and challenges with hard ground for tent stakes.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed with permits, but restrictions may apply during fire seasons due to extreme fire danger.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Quiet most nights but potentially noisy on Saturday nights, as noted in user reviews.

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are in Barstow, 20 miles away, which include hospitals, police, and other essential services.

Trash & RecyclingThis is a pack-in, pack-out area with no dedicated trash or recycling facilities.

Water FeaturesNo water bodies within or near the campground; visitors must bring sufficient water.

Camp HostThere is a designated campground host site northeast of White Face Wall, but reviews suggest the host has not been present for a long time.

Weather at Sawtooth Canyon 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

4.5

187 reviews

Recommended

Sawtooth Canyon Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's natural beauty, rock climbing opportunities, and free access. However, they also mention issues such as overcrowding during weekends, etiquette concerns among rock climbers, and the condition of vault toilets.

Review Summaries

Based on 187 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors praise the natural beauty, availability of rock climbing, and free camping. Many reviews mention the well-maintained fire pits, picnic tables, and shade structures. Stargazing and the quiet...

Based on 187 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include overcrowding on weekends, poor campsite etiquette among some rock climbers, and the condition of vault toilets. The lack of water, electricity, and trash facilities is...

Based on 187 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend arriving early, especially on weekends, to secure a campsite. Bringing sufficient water, toilet paper, and other essentials is advised due to the lack of facilities. Campers are...

Based on 187 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busiest during winter months when temperatures are cooler, making it ideal for outdoor activities like rock climbing and hiking. Summer temperatures, exceeding 100°F, deter...

Based on 187 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Amazing place, the views are breathtaking. From viewing wildlife and the stars at night, plus bike riding, hiking, also world-class rock climbing.' - Larry Reno 2. 'Great natural beauty. Great...

Based on 187 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Positive reviews mention sites near Boy Scout Wall and White Face Wall. Overcrowding and unauthorized camping in undesignated spots are noted as issues.

Based on 187 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not explicitly discussed in user reviews.

Based on 187 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and the campground is often described as pet-friendly. There are no dedicated pet facilities, but visitors note that pets need to be managed due to the presence of other campers and...

Based on 187 reviews

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Last updated April 4, 2026

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