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BLM Camping

Juniper Flats

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

Juniper Flats is an area that covers about 101,272 acres of partially public-managed land and private land. The Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the public area allow BLM RV camping. Juniper Flats lies between the San Bernardino National Forest and the Mojave Desert and is home to a mixture of plants from both environments. The area has more to offer with its unique landscapes, where higher grounds offer beautiful surrounding views.

Anyone visiting this area will enjoy horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, photography, and hunting. Off-highway vehicles are restricted to specific routes, and any routes that are not marked as open don’t allow any motorized vehicles. OHV drivers are advised to use alternative routes in the Johnson Valley, Stoddard Valley OHV areas, and El Mirage.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Deep Creek Hot Springs Trail

The trail is open all year round, and dogs are welcome. An out-and-back route near Hesperia offers a chance to view wildflowers and hot springs. There is no shade along the trail, and a fee might be required to get access. The trail is best for hiking and backpacking.

Length: 3.6 miles

Intensity: Hard

Arrowhead Pinnacles Trail

It is also an out-and-back trail near Lake Arrowhead and is a popular spot for hiking and horseback riding. Visitors can bring dogs on a leash, but some areas don't need leashes. It remains open throughout the year, and visitors can observe wildlife and wildflowers or visit a nearby cave.

Length: 4.6 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Deep Creek Hot Springs to PCT

The out-and-back trail allows hikers and backpackers to explore a broader part of the area. It's a great place if you desire solitude, and it gives you the chance to visit hot springs.

Length: 11.9 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Metate Trail

The trail is rocky but manageable for hikers, trail runners, and anyone looking to go for a short walk. It is also child friendly. There are few people on this trail, but it has excellent spots for wildlife viewing.

Length: 1.9 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

There are nearby creeks that campers at Juniper Flats can visit if they plan to fish. Deep Creek is to the south of San Bernardino National Forest. It is known to be home to wild trout. Another place to try your luck is Willow Creek. There is plenty of rainbow trout, salmon, and steelhead. A California fishing license is required before fishing any waters. If you want a boating adventure, consider visiting Lake Arrowhead, where you will find motorboats, sailboats, canoes, and kayaks.

Wildlife Viewing

The best time to view wildlife in this area is during the early morning and evening hours. Many birds gather in thick vegetation, so bring a pair of binoculars for better viewing. Common species are the black-chinned hummingbird, gray vireo, juniper titmouse, western bluebird, and ash-throated Flycatcher. Animals inhabiting the area include coyotes, kit foxes, mountain lions, white-tailed antelope, squirrel, and the black-tailed jackrabbit. Bring a camera to capture shots of these animals in their natural habitat.

Hunting

A hunting permit is required and can be purchased online from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Juniper Flats provides game for you to hunt, but if you want a better experience, consider San Bernardino National Forest. It has most of the big game in this area, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, and mountain lions.

Off-highway Vehicle Activities

If you want fun activities in your OHV, try some trails in San Bernardino National Forest like the 10.6-mile point-to-point Juniper Flats OHV Route. It is an excellent route for off-roading and scenic driving. Another recommended trail is the out-and-back Willow Creek OHV Trail, which stretches for about 6.2 miles. It is moderately challenging, leading you to higher ground where you can view the surroundings.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Consider driving south to the South Fork campground if you need developed RV camping services. It offers 24 campsites and charges $23 per night with a maximum recommended RV length of 30 feet. There is no reservation as the campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Tap water, vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables are among the on-site amenities. Near South Fork campground is the Barton Flats campground, which has 51 campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, bear-resistant lockers, tap water, and flush restrooms. All these come at a $33 per night charge with an extra $10 dump station fee. Also, consider the Serrano campground, where amenities include fire rings, electric hookups, picnic tables, flush restrooms, and tap water. There is a $10 dump station fee, and the overall charge for its 109 campsites is $37 per night per site. Each campsite allows a maximum RV length of 55 feet.

Free Camping

Juniper Flats allows Bureau of Land Management free camping in areas 300 feet from designated open routes. Also, the areas must show evidence of prior use, like having cleared vegetation. If you can’t find places with cleared vegetation, find an area with hard ground to camp with your RV. This area has no amenities, but wildlife watering places are around 200 yards from designated routes. You may also find other free campsites by searching online for “BLM camping near me.” San Bernardino National Forest may appear as it allows BLM RV camping in some of its primitive areas.

RV Rentals Near Juniper Flats Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Juniper Flats BLM trip

Some areas in Juniper Flats must be avoided, like old mines, vertical shafts, and tunnels, since some have decaying support timber. Also, if you plan to visit during the rainy season, be careful around canyons and washes as they are notorious for flooding during thunderstorms.

Another safety consideration is to bring hiking boots to possibly protect you from poisonous snakes, a typical desert hazard. In the case of an emergency, there is a hospital nearby in Apple Valley on Bear Valley Road. If you need more camping supplies, you can also find them in Apple Valley, Victorville, Lucerne Valley, or Hesperia.

If you plan longer hikes, pack light, but bring a ground cloth for meals and some water purification tablets. Before leaving for your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

The BLM promotes responsible camping by encouraging you to protect the environment. Public lands don’t have personnel that will clean after you, so be sure to pick up after yourself. If a campsite doesn't provide trash bins, collect your trash in plastic bags and dispose of them in the proper place on your way home. Minimize using natural water sources and refrain from disposing of wastes or gray water in these water sources. Also, there are designated trails in every campground, so avoid creating shortcut trails to protect the soil and low vegetation.

Juniper Flats Location

To get to Juniper Flats via Apple Valley, follow State Route 18 for 0.7 miles and take the second cross street onto the central road. Continue in the same direction for 5.1 miles and turn left onto Ocotillo Way. Then, proceed for two miles before turning right towards Japatul Road. After 0.9 miles, turn right onto Valley View Road and drive for another 2.8 miles. Exit right into your destination.

Address: Bureau of Land Management Barstow Field Office Barstow, CA 92311

Ready to visit Juniper Flats? 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 of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, enjoying 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.