Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon Campground in California . With 22 campsites (RV-friendly up to 30 feet feet) , restrooms, potable water, great hiking, it's a favorite for rural adventurers.
Reservations are required year-round , and the best times to visit are Mar-jun, Sep-Oct when the weather is most comfortable .
🌈 PurpleTents helps LGBTQ+ campers discover welcoming outdoor experiences here and across America.
🏕️ At a Glance
💳 Booking & Fees
Cancellations made 3+ days before arrival typically receive a refund minus service fees. Check Recreation.gov for specific policies and deadlines.
💧 Water Access & Features
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
Plan your trip during the optimal season for this campground.
🦅 Peak birding: Apr, May, Sep
🦌 Recent Wildlife Sightings
Recent wildlife observations near this campground from the iNaturalist community.
Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon Campground located in California, offering 22 camping sites.
Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon Campground
A Rural campground in California
Overview
A Variety of Desert Adapted Wildlife Are Found Here, Including the Desert Tortoise.
Wildlife Viewing Is Best During Early Morning and Evening Hours. Vegetation Is Critical for Wildlife Water, Food, and Shelter. Many Visitors Come to See Exciting Multi-Colored Rock Formations and Walk the Scenic Canyons. Rainbow Basin Natural Area Is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern with Outstanding Views and Geological and Paleontological Features..
Owl Canyon Campground Is a First-Come First-Served Campground with 22 Campsites (No Hookups). Campsites Include a Picnic Table and a Fire Ring. Fee Is $6.00 Per Night.
There Is a Single Tap Centrally Located for Potable Water That Is Brought in Weekly by Truck. It Is Advised to Bring Your Own Drinking Water. There Are Vault Toilets, But No Dump Facilities. Holding Tanks Can Be Emptied at Facilities in the Towns of Baker and Barstow. Please Take All Trash Out with You.
Permits Are Needed to Remove Fossils. If Any Are Found, Please Leave Them in Place and Notify the Blm Barstow Field Office at (760) 252-6000. Activities Include Hiking, Camping, Photography, Sightseeing, and Horseback Riding.
Tell Someone Where You Are Going and When You Expect to Return. Bring Sufficient Water, Food, Clothing, Equipment, and First Aid Supplies for Your Activity. Rainbow Basin Is a Mix of Public and Private Lands, Including Those Held by the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Respect Private Landownersґ Rights. Land Ownership Status Can Be Found on the “Cuddeback Lake” Desert Access Guide. These Blm Maps Can Be Purchased From Any of the California Desert District Blm Offices.
Rainbow Basin Has a Diverse Landscape of Hills, Canyons and Washes. Multicolored Rock Walls and Mesas Are Accented by Changing Light Conditions, Making for Many Photographic Opportunities. the Washes Are Good Hiking Trails for Experiencing the Area’S Natural Beauty. in Fossil, Coon, and Owl Canyons, Birds Tend to Gather in Thick Vegetation. So, Washes in Rainbow Basin Have Been Closed to Vehicle Travel to Protect These Areas.
Within This Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Routes Are Posted with “Open” Route Markers. Use of Passenger Vehicles and Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles Is Permitted Only on Designated and Signed “Open” Routes. All Routes Not Signed As “Open” Are Closed to Vehicles. Staging of Off-Highway Vehicles (E. G. Atvs) Is Not Allowed in the Rainbow Basin Area or at Owl Canyon Campground.
the Fossil Canyon Loop Road Is an Interesting Route for Vehicle Touring. This One-Way Narrow Dirt Road Is Best Driven with a High Clearance or Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles.
Weather Extremes and Poisonous Snakes Are Desert Hazards Common to This Area. Rainbow Basin Has a Flash Flood Risk As Well. Avoid Low-Lying Areas During Storms and Remember That Rain Upstream Can Cause Flooding Even Though It Is Not Raining in the Immediate Area.Managed by: Bureau of Land Management
Site Details
Campsite Information
- Total Sites: 22
- Hookup Types: Electric, No Hookups
- Max RV Length: 30 feet
Amenities
- 🚻 Restrooms: Available
- 🚿 Showers: No
- 🗑️ Dump Station: No
- 💧 Potable Water: Available
- 🛝 Playground: No
- 🧺 Laundry: False
- 📶 WiFi: False
- 🏊 Swimming: No
- 🎣 Fishing: No
- 🛥️ Boating: No
- 🥾 Hiking: Available
Map & Location
Address & Coordinates
Address:
City: , California
Coordinates: 35.01236944, -117.0385861
Area Type: Rural
Phone: (760) 252-6000
Activities & Attractions
Popular Activities: Hiking|picnic|hookups|water|fire-ring|lake|trail|rv|shelter
Available Activities:
- 🎣 Fishing: No
- 🛥️ Boating: No
- 🥾 Hiking: Available
- 🏊 Swimming: No
Regulations & Permits
🔥 Stay Limits & Fees
Maximum Stay: 14 days
Nightly Fee: $6.00
Federal Pass: Yes (50% discount)
🌤️ Weather & Climate
Summer High
Winter Low
Annual Precip
Hottest Month
Coldest Month
Best Visit Time
📱 Connectivity
Verizon
Fair Signal
LTE
AT&T
Fair Signal
LTE
T-Mobile
Poor Signal
4G
📺 Television Reception
Major Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, CW, ION, UnivisION
Signal Quality: Good
Total Stations: 20 stations
Nearest Market: LOS Angeles/SAN Francisco
Notes: Signals FROM LOS Angeles/SAN Francisco MARKET
📻 Radio Reception
Total Stations: 50 stations (15 AM, 35 FM)
AM Quality: Good | FM Quality: Good
Major Formats: POP, Spanish, Classic ROCK, NEWS/TALK, Country
Local News: KNX 1070 Am
Market: La/Sf/SAN DIEGO
Notes: 15 AM, 35 FM Stations from La/Sf/San Diego
🔌 EV Charging
⚡ Rodeway Inn – Barstow
Distance: 8.1 miles away
Address: 1261 East Main Street, Barstow, CA
Network: blink-network
Charging Type: Standard-charging-available • J1772
Plan Your Visit
Essential Information
- Facility ID: 15172
- Managing Agency: Bureau of Land Management
- Agency Email: blm_wo_webmaster@blm.gov
- Agency Website: https://www.blm.gov/
- Parent Park:
- Park Website:
Park System Information
Park Classification & Structure
- Park Type:
- Parks Post Name:
- Parent Park Name:
- Correct Park Type Mapping:
System Statistics
- Total Campgrounds in System:
- States Covered:
- Managing Agencies:
System IDs & References
- Parent Organization ID: 126.0
- Parent Recreation Area ID: 70901
- Parks Parent Org IDs:
- Parks Parent Rec Area IDs:
URL Slugs & Navigation
- State Slug: california
- Agency Slug: bureau-of-land-management
- Park Type Slug:
- Parent Park Slug:
Additional Park Information
Data Reference Notes
Managing Agency Slug: bureau-of-land-management
Explore More Camping Options
View all campgrounds in California | Browse our California camping guide