Desert Camping and Critters

[David Roder]

Just wondering if anyone does any camping in any desert areas.  I have reservations made for my first trip already and I have never camped anywhere where they tell you to check your shoes before putting them on.  I have come close to one scorpion and I hate tarantulas (spelling?).  Is this really a concern I should have or am I just a little paranoid?  I do however hope to see a Gila Monster.  From what I've read they tend to come out around April and May to feed then it's back to hibernation.  Anyway, any info would be appreciated.

[Diplomat]

I have spent many, many, nights camping in the desert.  Most nights I spent sleeping on the ground without a tent.  I never really worried about shaking my boots out in the morning but I suppose it's not a bad idea.  Most of the tarantulas and scorpions that I saw were in and around my house, not in my campsites.  The desert is glorious in the fall, winter, and spring, relax and have a great time!

[LCMS pastor]

I have spent many, many, nights camping in the desert.  Most nights I spent sleeping on the ground without a tent.  I never really worried about shaking my boots out in the morning but I suppose it's not a bad idea.  Most of the tarantulas and scorpions that I saw were in and around my house, not in my campsites.  The desert is glorious in the fall, winter, and spring, relax and have a great time!

Diplomat.

If you are referring to the place known lovingly (?) as Camp Wilson, I think you need to realize, nothing except for marines live in that place, and it is not really desert - just Hell manifesting itself as such.

Now, Joshua Tree National Park in about 6 weeks, when the plants are in full bloom - that is the desert!

Godspeed,
Pastor D

[abbear]

Ah yes - JT (Joshua Tree) in the spring.  What a glorious place!  Did a lot of climbing there and taught a lot of map and compass there also.  Got snowed in for a weekend as well:frosty:.

Always slept on the ground.  Have had kangaroo rats run across my bag, but nothing else.  If you are camping in your popup I don't think you have much to worry about.  Just be sure to take time to loook at the stars.  Beautiful!

[maromeo]

I  wouldn't be too concerned. We have camped in the desert many times. I love to hear the coyotes howling at night but they are more afraid of you than you are of them. Just don't leave food or garbage out to attract them. Put it in your TV and you will be fine. To me my camping trip is complete when I hear them howling at night. We have had javalinas at our site but once you turn on a light they bolt. Never have we had scorpions in our shoes and believe me we have them here. Just relax and enjoy the nature around you.
Mary Romeo

[Fishin BC]

Yes Joshua Tree!  Love it there and aways have a great time.  Only one caution, beware of raiding ground squirrels.  They will weasel into your car, pop up, tent, anywhere that is left open.  We watched them open a cooler in someone's van and helped themselves.  

We had one get mad at us for chasing him off, he stood up cussed me out and then ran over a bit a big hole in our 7 gallon water container. Not good when you have to take in your own water.

[oldmoose]

Yes Joshua Tree! Love it there and aways have a great time. Only one caution, beware of raiding ground squirrels. They will weasel into your car, pop up, tent, anywhere that is left open. We watched them open a cooler in someone's van and helped themselves.
 
We had one get mad at us for chasing him off, he stood up cussed me out and then ran over a bit a big hole in our 7 gallon water container. Not good when you have to take in your own water.

We call those mini-bears.
Moose

[Fishin BC]

LOL!  Mini Bears!  That was great Moose!  Say Hi to Moosette for us.

[Diplomat]

Diplomat.

If you are referring to the place known lovingly (?) as Camp Wilson, I think you need to realize, nothing except for marines live in that place, and it is not really desert - just Hell manifesting itself as such.

Now, Joshua Tree National Park in about 6 weeks, when the plants are in full bloom - that is the desert!

Godspeed,
Pastor D

One of the greatest things about being stationed at 29 is that you don't generally have to actually STAY at Camp Wilson!!!!  Nothing beats laying out in desert at night listening to KCBS and watching the trains pass by Baghdad 10 miles away on the other side of the valley, or catching glimpses of headlights on Rt 66 and I 40!

JT will be glorious this year with all the snow and rain I suspect!  Jumbo Rocks was always my favorite.

I really miss being able to camp year-round.

[cb]

How timely!!  We just got back this afternoon from a quick trip to the desert.  It was divine!  Most of our camping is in the Southern Calif. deserts..Joshua Tree, Mojave Desert, Anza Borrego State Park, etc., etc.  We've been doing this for many years, and since purchasing the popup, I REALLY enjoy it.  Sleeping off the ground saves lots of concerns about critters, but you still should be prudent:  1) Take a flashlight on any after-dark adventures.  Rattlesnakes love to slither onto the warm sidewalks, blacktop and rocks when the air gets chilly.  2) We wear flip-flops or sandals around camp, and put them in a milk-crate-type box outside the camper door when we go in.  It's easy to see that there are no critters there.  Our closed toe shoes stay inside the camper when we're not wearing them.  3) Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.  Hats, hats, hats.  4)  Baby powder sprinkled on and rubbed around on sweaty, sandy bodies does away with the sand and feels nice!  Works at the beach, too.  5) The clear, starry skies are incredible..especially if you happen upon a meteor shower.  Study up a little before you go, if you're not any more knowledgeable than I about astronomy!  Lying in lawnchairs is a perfect way to look up.  6) Don't put your hands into holes, under outcroppings..anyplace you can't see what's there.  (I had to think hard about how to phrase this one...)  7) Bees will arrive as if by magic if you leave any food or drink out, or dump any water.  Somebody here posted intructions on how to make a "bee trap" out of soda bottles.  We just open a can of soda (or put a discarded sandwich) 10 or 15 ft. away from the camper and deed that area to the bees.   Never camp in a wash..storms can sneak up real fast.  9) Don't count on cell phones or on radio reception.
Desert camping is the best..solitude, quiet and unbelieveable scenery!  I'm ready to go back tomorrow.

[Diplomat]

We managed to visit the Mojave National Preserve several times but only got to camp there once.  Mid Hills Campground is THE place to go, at about 5000 feet you get away from the oven like heat in the valley and can camp as late as June.  There are tremendous stories about the Mojave Road that passes through the Preserve, take some time and read a little bit about it here.

Sites 28 and 29 are superb!  Great views and solitude.  The CG is about 10 miles up a good dirt road, 4WD is not necessary.  There are signs that discourage RV's and large trailers, based on advise from a Ranger we went anyway.  At the time we were towing with a Grand Voyager and had no problems.