Copyright: Bureau of Land Management Barstow Field Office Sawtooth

Afton Canyon is designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern to protect plant and wildlife habitat, and to preserve scenic values of the riparian area in the canyon. Early western explorers passed through the area, which included Jedidiah Smith, Kit Carson and John Charles Fremont. A 4-wheel drive route along this road, known as the Mojave Road, is a rugged, scenic tour running from Fort Mojave on the Colorado River (near Needles) to Camp Cady (near Harvard Road) just east of Barstow.

Afton Canyon is one of the few places where the Mojave River flows above the surface. This feature makes Afton an ideal location for bird and wildlife viewing. The area is also used for hiking, hunting, camping, natural history study, rock hounding, horseback riding, and vehicle touring. Be sure to check local weather forecasts before visiting the area. Thunderstorms can result in flash floods in canyons and washes.

Notify a friend or someone as to where you are going and when to expect your return. Bring sufficient drinking water, food, clothing, and first aid supplies for your activity.

The Afton Canyon area is a mix of public and private lands including those held by the Southern Pacific Railroad. Please respect the rights of private land owners. Land status can be found on Desert Access Guide maps covering this area. These guides may be purchased at California Desert BLM offices.

Bring your camera and binoculars! Afton Canyon is a diverse landscape of hills, canyons and washes. Multicolored rock walls and changing light conditions make for many photographic opportunities. Washes and stream channels are good hiking trails for experiencing natural conditions.

Wildlife viewing is best during early morning and evening hours. In the canyon, birds tend to gather in thick vegetation. Along washes and streams, vegetation is critical for wildlife food and shelter. Many routes in Afton Canyon have been closed to vehicle travel to protect these wildlife areas.

You can hunt dove, quail and chuckar but season and bag limits vary. Call the California Department of Fish and Game for current hunting information. Hunting in the immediate vicinity of wildlife waters, guzzlers included, is limited to 30 minutes (California Fish and Game Commission, title 14). Hunting is permitted with shotguns only (shot shells, no rifled slugs) in the area. Recreational shooting of all guns is not permitted within the boundaries of the Afton Canyon Natural Area or shooting of any kind is not allowed within a mile of the designated campground.

Get permission before using firearms on private land. On public lands, all county, state and federal regulations are in effect. Please note that firearms use within 150 yards of livestock or buildings is not allowed (San Bernardino County Ordinance 22.011).

Within this Area of Critical Environmental Concern, OHV routes are posted with "open" route markers. Routes have been selected to allow access to the area and to the Mojave Road while preserving riparian (stream-side) environments. Use of all vehicles is permitted only on designated open routes.

BROWN markers with route numbers indicate an OPEN ROUTE for use by motorized vehicles. RED markers indicate routes that have been CLOSED to all vehicle travel. No marker indicates a CLOSED route. Within the Afton Canyon area, travel is restricted to designated open routes.

Camping is permitted only in the Afton Canyon Campground. This campground is a first-come first-served fee area. There are tables and fire grates at each campsite. Group campsites and an equestrian (horse) camp are available by permit only. Backpacking is welcome, however campfires are not permitted outside the designated campground.

Weather extremes and poisonous snakes are desert hazards common to this area. Afton Canyon has a flash flood risk as well. Avoid low-lying areas during storms and remember that storms upstream can result in flooding, even though it is not raining in your immediate area.

Directions from Barstow, CA: Afton Canyon Natural Area is located 37 miles northeast of Barstow along Interstate 15 between the Afton Road and Basin Road exits.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Open: Year-round .