Bureau of Land Management · California
Afton Canyon Natural Area CG
Bureau of Land Management · California, United States · in Mojave Trails National Monument
- Sites
- 22
- Cost
- $6 per night
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,407 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 760-252-6000
- Activities
- Camping, Picnicking, Wildlife Viewing
About
BLM campground. Known locally as the Grand Canyon of the East Mojave for its dramatic geological formations, the Afton Canyon Natural Area/Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is part of the Mojave Trails National Monument. The ACEC encompasses approximately 41,500 acres, of which about 23,600 acres are public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Barstow Field Office.
Afton Canyon is one of only three places where the Mojave River flows above ground year-round in the Mojave Desert. Its water has provided food and habitat for humans and wildlife since prehistoric times. The area is popular for birdwatching, hiking, hunting, vehicle touring, rockhounding, horseback riding, stargazing, photography, natural history study and camping.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63° | 42° | 30° | 75° | 2 of 11 |
| February | 66° | 44° | 32° | 82° | 1 of 11 |
| March | 72° | 48° | 39° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| April | 80° | 54° | 42° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 90° | 64° | 50° | 103° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 102° | 74° | 56° | 114° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 107° | 82° | 72° | 117° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 104° | 79° | 66° | 113° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 96° | 70° | 56° | 107° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 84° | 59° | 41° | 95° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 72° | 48° | 36° | 81° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 62° | 40° | 29° | 74° | 2 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Calico Ghost Town Regional Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 28 mi
- Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 37 mi
- Sawtooth Canyon Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 43 mi
- Providence Mountains State Recreation Area · California State Parks · 50 mi
- Big Pine Flat CG · USDA Forest Service · 54 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-28. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.