Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark provides a one-of-a-kind chance to climb a volcano. Situated within the Mojave Desert, this dormant cinder cone volcano is surrounded by scenic basalt fields and beautiful desert wildlife. It doesn't require any reservations, allows overnight stays, and is a fairly easy hike. While the crater itself isn't suitable for camping, the surrounding Mojave Trails National Monument land is also held by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and allows free dispersed camping. Thanks to its location right off historic Route 66, you can take all sizes of vehicles to this landmark, and it's conveniently close to many other exciting sightseeing opportunities.
Quick Facts about RVing in Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark
• RV Friendly: Yes • Max RV Length: All lengths • Camping Type: Dispersed camping • Reservations: No • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None onsite • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Leashed animals allowed • Roads: Paved • Best Season: Spring, fall, and winter
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Right off of historic Route 66 • Dispersed camping with flat, hard-packed ground to camp on • Incredible views of the Mojave • A straightforward and enjoyable hike • A six-minute drive from fuel and food • Plenty of privacy
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Kelso Dunes Trail
Located near the Amboy Crater, the Kelso Dunes Trail wanders through the Mojave Desert toward a 600-foot-tall dune. Hikers experience the austerity of the desert while walking along a well-marked trail. The path is flat until hikers reach their destination—the dune—the result of thousands of years of winds gathering sand from the dry Mojave River and depositing them here. Visitors are welcome to climb the dune and slide down on designated routes.
Length: 2.9 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Silver Peak Trail
The Silver Peak Trail is an in-and-out path that leads to fantastic views of the surrounding desert from above the plain. Privately owned, this trail is open by courtesy of the owner in cooperation with the BLM. The trail leads through a desert valley before climbing to Silver Peak—a 2,188-foot elevation gain.
Length: 7.9 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Climbing
About 50 miles northeast of the Amboy Crater, a spine of limestone mountains hosts some of the best climbs in North America. Among the most famous are Chris Sharma's "Jumbo Love" on Clark Mountain, the challenging pucker-points found in the Virgin River Gorge, and the remarkable "Golden For A Moment" variable climbs often used for training in The Cathedral.
Wildlife Viewing
One of the fantastic things about the area around the Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark is that it is the habitat of many wildlife species, some of which are unique to the region. The desert is home to giant hairy scorpions, burrowing owls, Gila monsters, and the greater roadrunner. Other animals that migrated to the area are the bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and jackrabbits. Diamondback rattlesnakes and prairie dogs are recent additions to the population, coming to the desert to find a home after the reduction of their natural habitat through human expansion.
Picnicking
Hikers through this area often bring meals that include watery fruits to augment their fluid intake. Everyone must carry their trash out with them. A few trailheads within a 50-mile radius of Amboy Crater feature a picnic table but not many. Parks inside Barstow, Needles, and Amboy, CA, provide picnic areas for groups and families.
Stargazing
For those who obtain permits to spend the night in the Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark, stargazing is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Amboy, a community with a post office, a historic restaurant and motel, and a tourist shop, has a population of four people. Barstow and Needles are the next nearest communities over 60 miles away, meaning that light pollution is minimal. The desert ripples the air as it emits its gathered heat, creating a kaleidoscopic vision of the night sky.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
The BLM supports zero developed RV camping sites near the Amboy Crater. Instead, the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are limited to dispersed camping in regulated locations. There are a few private RV parks, such as Van Life and Nomad Campground in Twentynine Palms or Twentynine Palms Resort, within 50 miles of the Amboy Crater, where those looking for a comfortable night in the desert can stay.
Developed Campgrounds
If you're interested in camping at a developed campground nearby, visit the Mojave National Preserve, which is one hour away. The Mid Hills, Hole-in-the-Wall, and Black Canyon campgrounds are ideal. They accommodate RVs of up to 30 feet and offer toilets, trash receptacles, fire rings, potable water, and picnic tables. There are no electrical or water hookups, but there is a dump station for RVs on site.
Dispersed Campground
While you can't drive vehicles into Amboy Crater, you can camp in the parking lot, at the trailhead, and in the surrounding areas. This dispersed camping area, called the Mojave Trails National Monument BLM area, is free and has spots on a first-come, first-served basis. The area has some paved roads and flat areas where RVs of all sizes can drive. Keep in mind that the BLM recommends four-wheel drive if you plan on going on the unpaved roads in the area. Campers can stay at any site for up to 14 days, and then they must drive to a new site that is at least 25 miles away. This area is fairly isolated. You'll have great views and plenty of privacy, but plan ahead because cell phone service is spotty and the nearest grocery stores are about a 30-minute drive away.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Camper vans do great at most paved areas around Amboy Crater. Make sure you have four-wheel drive if you plan on going off-road. • Travel Trailers: You can easily drive a travel trailer up to the Amboy Crater trailhead. Some of the developed campgrounds will not allow trailers longer than 30 feet. • Fifth Wheels: As long as you stay on the paved areas like the Amboy Crater parking lot, you can take a fifth wheel into this area. The roads are very straight, so there aren't any tricky turns. • Class A Motorhomes: Class A motorhomes can easily drive to the Amboy Crater parking lot since all the roads are paved and straight. Avoid taking them off-road, though, because they may get stuck in the soft sand. • Class B Motorhomes: You can drive your Class B motorhome to the Amboy Crater area, and they're short enough to qualify for developed campgrounds nearby. Only take them off-road if they have four-wheel drive. • Class C Motorhomes: Class C motorhomes can go most places in the Amboy Crater area as long as they have four-wheel drive. Just make sure to check road conditions because water or dry sand can cause some issues.
Free Camping 
Bureau of Land Management free camping is available in many designated places near the Amboy Crater. An example of these campsites is the nearby Heart of the Mojave West Campground located in the Mojave Trails National Monument just outside the Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark. This BLM RV camping site, offering no amenities, is next to Historic Route 66. RV campers may pull off the highway in this area to spend the night boondocking. There are a few established sites free of brush that visitors are encouraged to use first.
RV Rentals Near Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark Plan your next adventure
Planning your Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark BLM trip
Use Amboy, CA, as your center while researching the Internet for "BLM camping near me" to find several campgrounds in the vicinity. These BLM camping sites are primitive, but many visitors post favorable reviews. Look the reviews over and make a list of possible campsites that you and your family may enjoy.
While dispersed camping is challenging, it contributes to the quality of the camping experience. For an enjoyable dispersed camping experience near Amboy Crater, pack extra sleeping bags. The view of the stars in this region is unique, and sleeping beneath them is an experience every camper remembers for a lifetime. Before heading out on a trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
The main thing you need to do before arriving is stock up on supplies. The area has a lot of ghost towns and a single gas station six minutes away, but the closest town with actual groceries and camping gear is going to be Ludlow, which is about 30 minutes away. Both cell service and water supply can be spotty in some parts of the Mojave Trails National Monument area, and the nearest reliable dump station is one hour away at Mojave National Preserve. You can technically visit Amboy Crater all year, but in the summer, it can get so hot that it's hard to keep your RV cool. If you have a larger and heavier RV, you may also want to avoid going during the wet season because this can make it hard to camp outside of the paved areas.
Leave No Trace 
The "leave no trace" regulation is a BLM requirement while visiting vulnerable environments like the Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark. Visitors must stay on established trails and camp in designated areas to minimize their impact on the site—hikers roaming through the desert break down the tiny formations that are essentially microenvironments.
Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark Location
To reach Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark from Las Vegas, NV, take United States Highway 95 South (US-95 S) for 100.5 miles into Needles, CA. Merge onto Interstate 40 West (I-40 W) and drive for 54.3 miles to exit 78. At exit 78, turn left onto Kelbaker Road and go for 11.5 miles. Turn right to get onto Historic Route 66 and drive for 5.8 miles into Amboy. Follow the signs to reach Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark just two miles down the road.
Ready to visit Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RV Share.
Plan Your Day at Amboy Crater National Natural Monument
• Morning: Check your hiking gear, make sure you're stocked up on groceries, water, and other supplies, and then drive your RV along historic Route 66 to Amboy Crater. • Afternoon: Hike up through the lava field, along the rim of the crater, and into the middle of Amboy Crater. Head back to your RV. Find your desired campsite and set up your RV for the evening. • Evening: Enjoy dinner at your campsite. If you're staying close to Amboy Crater, consider going back in the evening to watch the stars and moon over the scenic view.
Nearby Attractions
• Joshua Tree National Park: Drive one hour away from Amboy Crater to visit the iconic park filled with beautiful desert wildlife. • Amboy: Other than a single gas station, Amboy is a ghost town, so it's a great place to go if you love exploring abandoned places. It's just a six-minute drive from Amboy Crater. • Palm Springs: Relax at the spa, get a tasty brunch, and enjoy this desert oasis that's two hours away from Amboy Crater. • Route 66 Mother Road Museum: Situated a one-hour drive away from Amboy Crater, this museum is filled with memorabilia from Route 66's heyday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you hike Amboy Crater with kids? Amboy Crater is a relatively simple hike from your RV in the parking lot to the top of the crater rim. As long as you have enough water and appropriate clothing, it's a great hike to do with kids. Where's the closest spot to get a picture of a Route 66 road sign? If you're looking to get a picture with the iconic Route 66 painted road shield, head east from Amboy Crater. Roughly 15 minutes down the road is a great photo spot with a recently refreshed road sign and a great backdrop of desert mountains. How hard is it to take an RV off-road near Amboy Crater? If you're thinking about going off the paved roads around Amboy Crater, make sure to check weather conditions. The soil is usually a hard-packed blend of sand, dirt, and rock chips that is easy to drive on. However, rain or shifting soil can lead to some spots that are tricky to drive over without four-wheel drive. For best results, you'll usually want to stay on the plains instead of trying to go up into the mountains. Where should you fuel up your RV near Amboy Crater? Roy's Motel & Cafe is the sole gas station in nearby Amboy, and it's great if you need some fuel in a hurry. However, motorists mention that the fuel is fairly expensive, so if you want to save, you might want to fuel up in Ludlow or Barstow when you pass through them. Can you run a generator? If you're camping in one of the developed campgrounds, they might have quiet hours where you cannot run generators. However, if you're doing dispersed camping on BLM land, you can use your generator whenever you like.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
To make sure your Amboy Crater adventure goes as smoothly as possible, pick the right RV for your destination. If you plan on stopping by before heading to a developed campground, any RV can result in a fun trip. If you plan to try primitive camping in an isolated desert setting, a camper van or Class B motorhome with four-wheel drive might be best. Whatever your plans, browse RVshare to find the perfect RV rental near Amboy Crater.
Nearby BLM Locations
- Mojave Trails National Monument - Bureau of Land Management
- Chambless Rock Collecting Area - Bureau of Land Management
- Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness Area - Bureau of Land Management
- Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness - Bureau of Land Management
- Marble Mountain Rock Collecting Area (Trilobite) - Bureau of Land Management