The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark is one of the most remarkable natural volcanic craters in the world. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is authorized to sustain such sites for the "use and enjoyment of present and future generations." To keep the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds safe and secure, regulations require visitors to Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark to observe and enforce the "leave no trace behind" rule to minimize human impact.
Designated as a Natural National Landmark in 1973, the Amboy Crater area is located in the Mojave Desert near Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. Situated just 173 miles southeast of Las Vegas, the landmark draws visitors from large urban areas who find comfort hiking within its 29 square miles of lava flows. The 680-acre area is isolated with a crater with 250-foot-tall sides and a solidified lava lake inside.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
