RV canyon country "off beaten track," but close to Palm Springs

It's kind of an odd combination: Solitude and quiet, yet still within a short hop of a major California city. If you're looking for an unusual venue for free camping, check out the Box Canyon of the Mecca Hills Wilderness, not far from the south entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.

Most folks crawling up out of the Coachella Valley, heading east on Interstate 10 would probably never guess there's a rugged and tricky system of slot canyons and natural upthrusts, "just over that hill." Less than 10 miles, as the bird flies, the sound of the trucks is so forgotten, the loudest sounds you'll hear are those that emanate from inside your own skull.

Are you into canyoneering? Bring your equipment. Just looking for a quiet place to park the rig and enjoy some great sunsets? Box Canyon is your place. The product of earthquake upthrusts and the erosion of wind and water, Box Canyon is a place of slot canyons, rugged rocks, sandy roads, and occasional flash floods. For the prepared, it's a great spot for a night's rest, or for days of exploration.

The BLM manages this little known spot, and with conditions "primitive" at best, the agency doesn't charge campers. It's a pack-it-in, pack-it-out area, and you'll need to have other resources as well, namely empty black and gray water tanks, and full fresh water tanks. Summer here can be unbearably hot, but winters are mild. We spent a few January nights and found the overnight lows barely dipped into the low 50s. Do watch out for rain: You'll be parking your rig next to the main road, which although paved, can get washed over with mud if a flash flood hits.

Access to the area is via Box Canyon Road. From the west, make your way east out of the little town of Mecca via 66th Avenue. Just follow the road out of town and you'll soon arrive in the canyon. Or from the east, jump off Interstate 10 at the Joshua Tree National Park exit, but instead of going north into the park, travel south and follow the road as it switches back and forth, taking you west and down into the canyon.