About Harper Dry Lake
Overview Harper Lake Subregion covers nearly 115,000 acres of mixed public and private lands. Located northwest of Barstow in the Harper Basin, large mountain ranges surround the basin, with protruding hills of basement rocks exposed throughout the region. Its desert marsh and wetlands attract many types of wildlife. No less amazing are the beautiful views and varied scenery that make Harper Lake a favorite recreation destination. The modern history of Harper Dry Lake dates back to 1942, when amateur archaeologists discovered what they believed to be primitive stone tools in this area. Fragments were embedded in the sediments of the shoreline of an ancient Pleistocene Era lake, called Lake Manix Camping Dispersed camping and parking are allowed in areas that show obvious signs of prior use and lack of vegetation cover, that are within 50 feet of a designated open route, and that are at least 200 yards from wildlife watering areas. Camping in any one location is limited to 14 days. Please obtain permission before entering private land. Fire permits are required and may be restricted in the fire season (generally May-October). Fire danger is extreme during most of the year. You can obtain a California campfire permit online at www.preventwildfireca.org. Off-Highway Vehicle Use Visitors to Harper Lake enjoy excellent recreation opportunities, including camping, hiking, rockhounding, and hunting. Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) touring is also appropriate in this area, keeping in mind that the vehicle travel is restricted to a designated route system. Routes not marked as open with a brown marker are CLOSED to motorized vehicles. Cross-country or off-route OHV activities are not allowed in Harper Lake; please use the nearby Rasor, El Mirage, Johnson Valley, or Stoddard Valley OHV areas for cross-county travel. Visitors can access the subregion from the south via Interstate 15, Route 58, and Irwin Rd. Hunting and Fishing Harper Lake Subregion is open to hunting and shooting wi
