Featured Campgrounds Deep Dive
Detailed reviews, locations, and insider tips for each of Hungry Valley's 9 open campgrounds—helping you choose the perfect base camp for your OHV adventure
With 9 campgrounds currently open across Hungry Valley's western sections, each offering unique advantages and proximity to different riding areas, choosing the right base camp can significantly enhance your experience. This chapter provides detailed reviews of every open campground, including locations, facilities, nearby attractions, pros and cons, and insider tips to help you select the perfect spot for your group's needs and riding style.
Campground Overview & Quick Comparison
All 9 campgrounds share the same basic amenities (shade ramada, picnic table, fire ring, trash bins) and pricing ($10/night, first-come first-served). However, each has distinct characteristics that make them better suited for different types of visitors.
Quick Reference Chart
| Campground | Special Features | Facilities | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Forks | Flush toilets & sinks Mini MX track nearby | Premium | Families, comfort seekers |
| Aliklik | 10-acre 4WD practice area 8 man-made obstacles | Standard vault | 4x4 enthusiasts |
| Edison | Central location Easy trail access | Standard vault | Central base, all riders |
| Sterling | Closest to Honey Valley Group (0.18 mi) Central area | Standard vault | Groups, central location |
| Cottonwood | Clustered with Edison/Sterling Central hub area | Standard vault | Central convenience |
| Circle | Central cluster Near main campground hub | Standard vault | Convenient location |
| Upper Scrub | Oak tree shade More natural setting | Standard vault | Shade seekers, summer camping |
| Lower Scrub | Oak tree shade Serene setting | Standard vault | Shade seekers, peaceful camping |
| ATV | ATV/motorcycle focused Riding area access | Standard vault | ATV & motorcycle riders |
Current Restriction
Capacity Limit
Remember: As of September 2024, camping is limited to the first 50 campsites per day across all 9 campgrounds (post-fire restriction). Arrive early on weekends to secure your spot, or visit on weekdays for better availability.
Smith Forks Campground - The Premium Option
Most Popular Campground
Smith Forks is Hungry Valley's premium camping option and fills up fastest on busy weekends.
What Makes Smith Forks Special
Smith Forks is the ONLY campground at Hungry Valley with flush toilets and sinks—a massive upgrade from the vault toilets at all other campgrounds. This single feature makes it the top choice for families, first-timers, and anyone who values comfort and cleanliness.
Premium Facilities
- Flush toilets
- Running water sinks
- Cleaner restroom environment
- Better hygiene
Mini MX Track
- 1-acre fenced practice track
- For 90cc or smaller bikes/ATVs
- Perfect for kids learning
- Safe, controlled environment
Location & Access
- Road Access: Located along Hungry Valley Road
- Distance from Entrance: Approximately 2-3 miles from north entrance kiosk
- Nearby Campgrounds: Aliklik (0.55 mi), Lower Scrub Oaks (1.09 mi)
- Trail Access: Good access to central trail network
Standard Amenities (Like All Campgrounds)
- Individual campsites with shade ramada
- Picnic table at each site
- Fire ring for contained fires
- Trash bins
- Parking for RVs, trailers, trucks
- $10 per night (first-come, first-served)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Only campground with flush toilets
- Running water in restrooms
- Cleaner, more comfortable facilities
- Mini MX track for kids nearby
- Great for families and first-timers
- Central trail network access
Cons
- Fills up first on weekends
- Can be more crowded
- Popular = less privacy
- Further from 4WD practice area
Insider Tip
If you want Smith Forks on a weekend, arrive by Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning. This campground fills fastest due to the flush toilets. Weekday visitors rarely have trouble getting a spot here.
Best For
- Families with young children
- First-time Hungry Valley campers
- Anyone who prefers flush toilets over vault toilets
- Parents teaching kids to ride (mini track access)
- Groups who value comfort and cleanliness
Aliklik Campground - The 4x4 Headquarters
Perfect for 4x4 Enthusiasts
Aliklik is located directly adjacent to Hungry Valley's 10-acre 4WD Practice Area.
What Makes Aliklik Special
Aliklik Campground sits right next to the 10-acre 4WD practice area, making it the obvious choice for anyone bringing a 4x4 vehicle, Jeep, truck, or UTV. You can literally walk from your campsite to the obstacles.
4WD Practice Area Features:
- Size: 10-acre dedicated 4x4 training area
- Obstacles: 8 man-made features replicating California backcountry terrain
- Purpose: Test your driving skills and vehicle capabilities
- Difficulty: Range from beginner to advanced challenges
- Access: Entrance off Hungry Valley Road, right next to Aliklik
Location & Access
- Road Access: Located on Hungry Valley Road
- Distance from Entrance: Approximately 2-2.5 miles from north entrance
- 4WD Practice Area: Immediately adjacent to campground
- Nearby Campgrounds: Smith Forks (0.55 mi), Lane Ranch (nearby)
- Trail Access: Good access to central and southern trail sections
Facilities
Aliklik has standard campground amenities:
- Shade ramadas at each site
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- Vault toilets (standard pit toilets, not flush)
- Trash bins
- RV/trailer parking
- $10 per night (first-come, first-served)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Directly next to 4WD practice area
- Walk to obstacles from campsite
- Perfect for 4x4 skill development
- Ideal for Jeep/truck/UTV groups
- Good trail network access
- Well-equipped and convenient
Cons
- Vault toilets (not flush)
- Can be noisy (4x4 activity nearby)
- Further from mini MX track
- Less ideal if not interested in 4x4ing
Insider Tip
Aliklik is perfect for multi-day trips where you want to spend significant time in the 4WD practice area perfecting your skills. The convenience of camping right there means you can practice throughout the day without having to drive back and forth. For detailed information about the 4WD obstacles, see Chapter 7: 4WD Practice Area Deep Dive.
Best For
- 4x4 enthusiasts and Jeep groups
- Anyone wanting to practice 4WD skills
- Truck and UTV campers
- Groups focused on obstacle courses
- Those who want immediate access to practice area
Edison Campground - Central Location
Edison Campground is located in the heart of the camping cluster near Sterling, Cottonwood, Circle, and Honey Valley Group Camp. This central positioning makes it a solid all-around choice for riders who want easy access to multiple areas of the park.
Location & Access
- Road Access: Gold Hill Road
- Distance from Entrance: Approximately 1.5-2 miles from north entrance
- Nearby Campgrounds: Sterling (0.44 mi), Honey Valley Group (0.60 mi), Cottonwood (0.88 mi), Circle (0.90 mi)
- Location Type: Part of central campground cluster
- Trail Access: Excellent central position for trail network
Facilities
Edison provides standard Hungry Valley amenities:
- Shade ramadas
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- Vault restrooms
- Trash disposal
- $10 per night camping fee
Notable Features
- Mostly flat and level terrain - Easier for RV setup and camping
- Generally accessible sites - Better for accessibility needs
- Central hub location - Convenient staging point for daily rides
- Close to other campgrounds - Easy to meet up with friends camping elsewhere
Best For
- Riders wanting a central base camp
- Groups who plan to ride different areas each day
- RV campers (flat, level sites)
- Anyone seeking convenient location without special needs
- First-time visitors (good central starting point)
Sterling Campground - Closest to Group Camp
Sterling Campground (also called Sterling Canyon) has the distinction of being the closest individual campground to Honey Valley Group Camp—just 0.18 miles away. This makes it ideal for groups who want to camp individually but stay close to group gathering areas.
Location & Access
- Road Access: Gold Hill Road
- Distance from Entrance: Approximately 1.5 miles from north entrance
- Honey Valley Group Camp: Only 0.18 miles away (closest of all campgrounds)
- Other Nearby: Edison (0.44 mi), Cottonwood (0.45 mi), Circle (0.60 mi)
- Position: Heart of central campground cluster
Facilities
Sterling offers standard camping amenities:
- Shade ramadas
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- Vault restrooms
- Trash bins
- $10 per night
Why Choose Sterling?
- Closest to Honey Valley Group Camp facilities
- Great for large groups split between individual and group camping
- Can use group camp amphitheater/ramadas if part of event
- Central location for trail access
- Near other campgrounds if group fills multiple areas
Best For
- Large groups with some members at Honey Valley Group Camp
- Club gatherings split between group and individual sites
- Anyone wanting proximity to group facilities
- Central location convenience
Cottonwood Campground - Central Hub
Cottonwood Campground is another excellent central option, clustered tightly with Honey Valley Group Camp, Sterling, Edison, and Circle campgrounds. Being in the middle of the action makes it convenient for social camping and trail access.
Location & Access
- Road Access: Gold Hill Road
- Distance from Entrance: Approximately 1.5-2 miles
- Nearby Campgrounds: Honey Valley Group (0.37 mi), Sterling (0.45 mi), Circle (0.69 mi), Edison (0.88 mi)
- Position: Central camping hub
Facilities
Standard Hungry Valley campground amenities:
- Shade ramadas
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- Vault restrooms
- Trash disposal
- $10 per night
Best For
- Central location convenience
- Groups camping across multiple campgrounds
- Social campers who want neighbors nearby
- Easy trail staging
Circle Campground - Another Central Choice
Circle Campground (also called Circle Canyon) rounds out the central cluster of campgrounds, offering similar benefits to Edison, Sterling, and Cottonwood.
Location & Access
- Road Access: Gold Hill Road
- Nearby Campgrounds: Honey Valley Group (0.45 mi), Sterling (0.60 mi), Cottonwood (0.69 mi), Upper Scrub (0.89 mi), Edison (0.90 mi)
- Position: Part of central hub, slightly toward Upper Scrub
Facilities
Standard amenities include:
- Shade ramadas
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- Vault restrooms
- Trash bins
- $10 per night
Best For
- Central camping convenience
- Overflow option when other central campgrounds fill
- Groups who want to be near the action
Upper Scrub & Lower Scrub - The Shaded Retreats
Upper Scrub and Lower Scrub campgrounds (also called Upper Scrub Oaks and Lower Scrub Oaks) are notable for having actual oak trees providing natural shade—a significant advantage during Hungry Valley's hot summer months when temperatures can exceed 90°F.
What Makes the Scrub Campgrounds Special
Natural Oak Tree Shade
While all Hungry Valley campgrounds have shade ramadas (man-made structures), the Scrub campgrounds feature oak woodlands that provide additional natural shade. This creates a cooler, more pleasant camping environment—especially important in summer when the ramadas alone may not be sufficient to escape the heat.
Upper Scrub Campground
Location & Access
- Road Access: Gold Hill Road
- Nearby Campgrounds: Cottonwood (0.64 mi), Circle (0.89 mi), Honey Valley Group (0.89 mi)
- Setting: Oak woodland setting with natural shade
Features
- Shaded camping under oak trees
- Serene, more natural environment
- Cooler microclimate in summer
- Standard amenities (ramadas, tables, fire rings, vault toilets)
- $10 per night
Lower Scrub Campground
Location & Access
- Road Access: Gold Hill Road
- Nearby Campgrounds: Smith Forks (1.09 mi), Cottonwood (1.10 mi), Circle (1.19 mi), Honey Valley Group (1.31 mi)
- Setting: Oak woodland with natural tree cover
Features
- Natural oak tree shade
- Peaceful, secluded feel
- Better summer camping conditions
- Standard amenities (ramadas, tables, fire rings, vault toilets)
- $10 per night
Summer Camping Advantage
If you're camping in summer (June-September) when daytime temperatures regularly reach 85-95°F, the natural oak shade at Upper and Lower Scrub campgrounds can make a significant difference in comfort. The ramadas alone provide minimal relief from intense desert sun, but the tree canopy creates a genuinely cooler camping environment.
Best For
- Summer campers seeking extra shade
- Anyone who values a more natural, wooded setting
- Groups who want cooler camping conditions
- Campers who prefer peaceful, serene environments
- Those who want to escape the stark desert landscape
ATV Campground - For Moto & Quad Riders
ATV Campground is specifically oriented toward ATV and motorcycle recreation, with convenient access to riding areas and trails suitable for these vehicle types.
Location & Access
- Road Access: Along main campground road network
- Focus: ATV and motorcycle oriented
- Trail Access: Good access to riding areas
Facilities
Standard Hungry Valley campground amenities:
- Shade ramadas
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- Vault restrooms
- Trash disposal
- $10 per night
Best For
- ATV riders
- Motorcycle enthusiasts
- Quad groups
- Anyone focused on two-wheeled or quad recreation
How to Choose Your Campground
With 9 campgrounds to choose from, here's a decision framework to help you select the best option for your group:
Decision Tree
What's Most Important to You?
If you value COMFORT & FACILITIES above all:
→ Smith Forks (flush toilets, running water)
If you're bringing a 4x4/Jeep/truck/UTV:
→ Aliklik (next to 4WD practice area)
If you're camping in SUMMER heat:
→ Upper Scrub or Lower Scrub (natural oak shade)
If you want CENTRAL LOCATION convenience:
→ Edison, Sterling, Cottonwood, or Circle (all clustered together)
If you're part of a LARGE GROUP:
→ Sterling (closest to Honey Valley Group Camp)
If you're with kids learning to ride:
→ Smith Forks (mini MX track + comfort)
If you're focused on ATVs/motorcycles:
→ ATV Campground (moto-oriented)
General Camping Strategy
Smart Planning Tips:
- Weekends: Arrive by Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning (50-site daily limit fills fast)
- Weekdays: More flexibility, rarely reach capacity
- Smith Forks Priority: If you want Smith Forks on a weekend, make it your first choice and arrive early
- Backup Plans: Have 2-3 campground options in mind since you can't reserve
- Group Coordination: Arrive together if you want adjacent sites
- Explore First: Drive through campgrounds before claiming a site to see what's available
All Campgrounds Share These Benefits
No matter which campground you choose, you'll get:
- $10/night affordable camping
- Shade ramada at your site
- Picnic table and fire ring
- Access to 70+ miles of currently open trails
- Same 3,000-6,000 ft elevation experience
- Desert riding environment
- First-come, first-served availability
The "best" campground is ultimately the one that matches your priorities—whether that's comfort (Smith Forks), 4x4 access (Aliklik), natural shade (Scrub campgrounds), or simply any available site when you arrive!
Key Takeaways
Essential Information
- Smith Forks = Comfort King: Only campground with flush toilets and sinks. Also has mini MX track nearby for kids. Fills first on weekends. Premium choice for families.
- Aliklik = 4x4 Heaven: Located directly next to 10-acre 4WD practice area with 8 obstacles. Perfect for Jeep/truck/UTV groups focused on off-road skills.
- Scrub Campgrounds = Summer Saviors: Upper and Lower Scrub feature natural oak tree shade that makes summer camping significantly cooler and more pleasant than other campgrounds.
- Central Cluster Convenience: Edison, Sterling, Cottonwood, and Circle campgrounds are all grouped together near Honey Valley Group Camp, offering easy access to everything.
- Sterling = Group Camp Neighbor: Closest individual campground to Honey Valley Group Camp (0.18 mi), ideal for large gatherings split between group and individual camping.
- Weekend Strategy: With only 50 campsites available daily (post-fire), arrive by Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning. Smith Forks fills fastest. Weekdays have better availability.
- All Share Same Basics: Every campground costs $10/night, has shade ramadas, picnic tables, fire rings, trash bins, and vault toilets (except Smith Forks has flush).
- Location Maps: For detailed GPS coordinates and visual maps of each campground's exact location, see the official Hungry Valley trail map or ask at the entrance kiosk.
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