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Camp Clipper Divisional Camp

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Camp Clipper Divisional Camp

The Camp Clipper Divisional Camp is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) protected site that is located in the Clipper Mountain Wilderness areas. As a federal, environmental protection agency, BLM performs the task of guarding and preserving the country’s natural ecosystems and habitats. Clipper was originally the site of a World War II camp, attracting the attention of General George S. Patton as a prime location for training soldiers. The land fell under BLM’s jurisdiction after the war’s conclusion.

As part of the Clipper Mountain Wilderness, the camp is part of the Mojave Trails National Monument. As such, visitors can enjoy the camp's various hunting, biking, hiking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, and fossil discovery opportunities.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Amboy Crater Trail

This out-and-back trail is quite popular for hiking, nature walks, and trips for sightseeing. Due to its popularity, there is quite a bit of traffic on the trail. Dogs are also welcome on the trail but require a leash.

Length: 4.1 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Mohave Milltown East Non-motorized Trailhead

This trail runs parallel with the Mohave East Motorized Trailhead along a historic railroad route. Wildflowers are plentiful on this trail, providing great opportunities for photography.

Length: 7.5 miles

Intensity: Easy

Rockhounding/Fossil Excavation

Due to the great amount of seismic history in the area, the nearby grounds are a great place to explore the geological nature of the landscape. Local geology guides are available to help conduct rockhounding tours where you are allowed to collect various stones and ancient invertebrate fossils. It’s important that you follow BLM collection guidelines, being careful to avoid gross manipulation of your surroundings.

Wildlife Viewing

Camp Clipper's wilderness areas host various animal species. Along with being an essential habitat for the endangered desert tortoise, the wilderness houses rattlesnakes, roadrunners, desert lizards, and a variety of rodent species. Big-game animals such as the bighorn sheep and mule deer also roam the wilderness as well as predator populations of coyote and bobcat.

Picnicking

The various unofficial hiking trails on the grounds are popular spots to lay down a blanket and host a picnic with your family and friends. If you’d rather have a more established area for your picnic, sites at the Mid Hills and Afton Canyon Campgrounds offer picnic tables and grills at your disposal.

Horseback Riding

Camp Clipper and the surrounding BLM grounds are extremely popular destinations for enjoying horseback riding. The Mohave Milltown East Motorized Trailhead is exclusively for horseback and OHV riding, and many people consider equestrian a superior option for landscape commuting. You should make sure to pack food and water for both you and your horse during long journeys through the environment.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

If you’re looking for campsites that offer amenities such as electricity and running water, scheduling a reservation at the Needles KOA Journey is a great RV camping option. Even the largest RVs can fit into this location’s campsites, with some sites measuring in at 90 feet long. Along with full and partial hookup options, the KOA also has an on-site dump station for those without a sewer connection. You’ll also enjoy the privilege of a pool and dog run facility that are located at the park.

Afton Canyon Campground provides 22 RV-accommodating sites for those who are really looking to get in touch with primitive outdoor camping. While there is no running water or electricity on these grounds, there are picnic tables, fire rings, bathrooms, and garbage disposal units in the area.

Free Camping

Camp Clipper and the surrounding areas in the Mohave Trails National Monument allow dispersed camping year-round. Campers are allowed a maximum of 14 days to settle in any one area, but you can choose to relocate to another spot that is at least 25 miles away. Fire safety is also a big must as the landscape is susceptible to brush fires. Campers can only use fire rings to generate fires, and fuel must be well-secured and packed up.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Camp Clipper Divisional Camp BLM trip

When you are looking to explore the expanse of Camp Clipper, be aware that it is a relatively dry landscape. A trip two hours north can lead you to the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness where you can find some fishing and water activities to include in your outdoor itinerary. Hunting is also allowed, but you must have the proper permits and licenses to hunt in the state of California.

If you plan on enjoying some equestrian activities, you’ll want to be heavily stocked with feed and water for your horse. The area is also very dog-friendly, and you can expect to bring your canine companions with you on the majority of adventures in the surrounding areas. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

In order to maintain and preserve Camp Clipper’s natural environment, visitors must diligently practice cleanliness and non-interference. To start, campers are completely responsible for properly disposing of their garbage and waste materials. Food wastes and non-organic trash must be sealed in plastic garbage bags that visitors take with them when they leave a site. Human and canine waste must also be properly buried or packed away by adventurists. BLM regulations dictate that visitors bury their excrement at least 200 feet from any nearby bodies of water. However, all of Camp Clipper’s nearby campsites are located at least a quarter mile from any natural water sources. Visitors are also required to leave the surrounding environment as they found it. Though rockhounding and fossil discovery are encouraged, explorers must alter the land as little as possible. As a high-risk area for wildfires, free-standing campfires are also prohibited.

Camp Clipper Divisional Camp Location

You’ll want to start your travels to Camp Clipper from Needles, CA. Start on I-40 west for 45 miles until you hit the Essex Road exit. You’ll exit south and drive over the overpass until you enter I-40 east. Continue on for 6 miles and exit at the rest area where you will see the Patton Camp plaque on the grounds.

Address: Needles Field Office, Needles, CA 92363

Ready to visit Camp Clipper Divisional Camp? 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 RVshare.

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