Boondocking near Red Rock Canyon State Park in CA

[Knuff]

We are planning our first longer trip with our 20ft Flying Cloud and a Ford Truck towing vehicle (Thank you Bayarea Airstream Adventures!). The Cayenne is on order , but not on the ship from Europe before February
Good news is that our thin film solar will be ready so we are not necessarily required to check into a hookup every night.

The plan is to stay in Anza Borrego State Park for a few days between Christmas and New Years, but we are thinking of stopping in Red Rock Canyon SP on the way down from the Bay area to Anza Borrego. Ricardo Campground in the State Park is first come first serve and I believe that we probably will not have an issue finding a site on the way South just around Christmas. But I fear that on our way back, we might be losing out because Red Rock might be full around New Year's day (just a guess - Anza Borrego is usually booked completely during this week). So I was looking into BLM land and there are two OHV areas managed by the BLM in close vicinity to Red Rock Canyon SP that allow camping on public land.

Does anyone know the area and the BLM areas particularly? I'd like to come prepared in case Red Rock is full - if there is a nice open area site there. Or, if the open area sites are nice, we might consider just heading for open land right away.

[ErikFrolich]

We were there in October, the campgrounds were full, The nice lady at the gate suggested we go to a Mesa on the right on the way to Overton. It was wonderful and we met two other "streamers" , one who told us it was called "snowbird flats" because you can stay there from October to April for an unlimited time.

[Knuff]

Thank you Erik!
I will have a look on Google maps/satellite on the weekend to find the place.
How far of a drive from Red Rock was it?

[ErikFrolich]

I'm sorry I got my Red Rock and Fire Rock state parks mixed up, we were in Fire Rock near Lake Mead, a absolute must see.
Cheers

[Knuff]

Still good to know.
Any Eastern Sierra specialists who know the area?

[Phoenix]

Red Rock Canyon State Park (Kern, CA) -- Picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms; some sites shaded by hoodoo-type rock formations. This is a scenic location; however, at $25/night, this campground seemed overpriced for sites with no hookups or a dump station. Also, this is a California State Park, so the National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass discount does not apply.

Dispersed camping on BLM land outside of the park is FREE; and you may be able to get more information on this at the Ranger Station/Visitor Center near the campground entrance. However, this was closed when we were there.

GPS Location: 35° 22.397'N 117° 59.462'W

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Suggested alternate campground (approximately 30 miles southwest of Red Rock Canyon SP Campground):

Brite Lake Campground (Tehachapi, CA)

Very nice County Park 6 miles from downtown Tehachapi and a little off the main highway, which makes this a hidden gem. Well-maintained dirt roads inside park. Most sites are pull-through and relatively level. Flush toilets and showers are functional, but old and not very clean. Very quiet and almost empty in off-season. Appears to be mostly day use by locals. Limited TV, strong cell and good 4G mobile broadband service.

Fees: Day use and fishing passes $5, tent camping/RV sites (dry camping sites with no hookups) $15, water and electric $20, full hookups $30. Dump station ($5 fee for non-campers).

Cute animal and fish wood carvings on signs throughout park. Dump station has full-size bear peaking out from behind outhouse door. Small reservoir has trout and catfish (limit 5 fish total per day). Easy, scenic walks around lake on top of dam and on interior park roads.

Brite Lake - Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District

GPS Location: 35° 6.169'N 118° 32.395'W

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Notes:

1. Camping fees were accurate as of November 2012.

2. When we camped at Brite Lake in 2012, the park was almost empty. This location is almost unknown to campers, other than locals.

3. If you go through Tehachapi, make sure to stop at the Apple Shed Restaurant & Gift Shop. On Saturday night, during dinner, they had a live blue-grass band. Members were locals, but lots of fun! Also, lots of interesting local arts & crafts items, tourist souvenirs, and fudge.

[Knuff]

Thank you Phoenix.
We will check out Brite Lake during our trip.
On the other hand, we might opt for boondocking on BLM land if we find a nice spot.
Seems that the area has a few hidden gems.