Desert & Redrock camping · California
Trona Pinnacles
Camp among 500 alien tufa spires
SettingDesert & Redrock
StateCalifornia
Best seasonFall through spring
ReserveFree dispersed (no reservation; BLM)
A cluster of more than 500 weird tufa towers rising from a dry lakebed near Death Valley — so otherworldly it’s stood in for alien planets in dozens of films. Free dispersed camping right among the spires, with the darkest of skies overhead.
Don’t missTufa spires under the stars
RVs & rigsRV & van friendly (dirt road, impassable when wet); no services
What’s here
- 500+ tufa towers
- Astrophotography
- Death Valley nearby
- Sci-fi film locations
Reservation windows, fees, and seasonal/road closures change — confirm with the managing agency (Recreation.gov, the state park system, or the forest/BLM office) before you go, and check fire restrictions and pack-it-out rules, especially for free dispersed sites.
Build a trip around a camp like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: