Ballinger Campground sits in high desert badlands country, built for OHV riders who want to camp next to 68 miles of marked trails. The 13 sites handle big toy haulers without barriers or boulders blocking access, and you can stage gear right at camp before hitting everything from beginner hardpack to expert single track.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 13
- 💵Fee per Night
- $30
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 📍GPS
- 34.88392, -119.44519
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- winter
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- 805-434-1996
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The campground spreads across open high desert surrounded by junipers and scrub brush, with Sierra Madre and Caliente Mountain ranges framing the horizon. Each of the 13 sites comes with a picnic table and fire ring, positioned without barriers so toy haulers and large trailers fit easily. Two vault toilets serve the campground, and there's a dedicated staging area by the fee board for unloading gear.
Come prepared to be self-sufficient — no potable water onsite, no dump station. The setting puts you in Ballinger Canyon country, inland from California's Central Coast, where lupine and tall brush define the landscape between the trails.
What to Know
Reservations are required for the $30 nightly fee. The campground operates year-round, making it a winter destination when higher elevations close down. The staging setup and barrier-free sites show this place was designed with OHV users in mind — specifically people hauling quads, dirt bikes, and ATVs who need room to maneuver.
The Trails
Ballinger's draw is immediate access to 68 miles of marked and rated trails spanning three vehicle types: 11 four-wheel drive roads, 12 ATV trails, and 14 motorcycle routes. The terrain covers loose dirt, hardpack, sand washes, steep climbs, plus jumps and berms for riders who want them. Trail ratings run from novice-friendly hardpack to black diamond technical routes, with open play areas and twisty sand washes mixed throughout.
The variety means groups with different skill levels can ride together, splitting up for the day and meeting back at camp. Beyond OHV trails, hiking, biking, and fishing are within 30 minutes, and winter day trips to higher mountains for snow activities are possible from this base elevation.