I was driving back home on the 247 from a few weekends ago when I passed Sawtooth Canyon Campground – situated about halfway between Barstow and Lucerne Valley. I was doing my favorite type of traveling – the kind with no itinerary or timeline that I had to stick to. That’s also when I can find my new favorite camping spots. I’m always trying to clock new places to camp and explore, especially if they have those three magic letters I love to see on campground sign: BLM.
Sawtooth Canyon Campground is indeed BLM land – and being only 70 miles away from Joshua Tree I decided to head back out there for Monday’s full moon. The campground is also known as New Jack City – a popular place for climbers and a movie I need to rewatch.
The campground is little over a mile off 247 and it feels fairly isolated – especially being located in a canyon. The campsite is named after one of the ridges which is said to resemble a saw blade. For being an afternoon on a Monday, I was a bit surprised that about 5 of the 13 campsites were filled – but there is plenty of space and most of the sites are private and tucked into some rocks. I found a great spot that coincidentally gave me a great view of the full moon as it rose over the ridge. But that was later in the night – it was still sunny and warm so I explored the campground.
There were a few climbers out scaling some of the rocks inside the campground. I’m not a climber, but I’m definitely a scrambler and there were lots of scalable rocks and boulders for leaping up as you ascend the shallow canyon inclines.
The views were spectacular from the west ridge looking east toward the 247 – a relatively easy hike following something resembling a roughly traveled trail. Wildflowers dotted the hills as well – smaller more delicate blooms than the ones I’ve been seeing out on local spots like Goat Mountain.
The campground was quiet and beautiful – and being BLM land – free to camp on. It struck me that some locals may not know about such a great spot located a relatively short drive away… or perhaps I’m way off base and everyone knows about this great camping spot. I’m used to being late to the party. Either way I’ll be returning on a Saturday or Sunday to see if it fills up. As I left right before the sunrise, quite a few more cars had made their way into the campground – but plenty of spots were still empty, especially in the larger group sites.
The moon was directly overhead like a spotlight and I drove out with just my amber lights on – appreciating how lucky I am to get to experience so many different landscapes out here in the Mojave desert.
Related:
