Parks 1,761 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)

Camp Ibis was constructed in the winter of 1942-43 and stretched more than two miles north to south. The camp consisted of several armored divisions, each numbering more than 20,000 men. It contained 23 ranges, including ones for moving targets, pistols, rifles, and .50-caliber machine guns. It also had many combat ranges, vehicle combat ranges, and transition courses contained inside. Since it is one of the better-preserved divisional camps, there are many artifacts that still exist in the area including Unexploded Ordinance (UXO).

Near Fort Mohave, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino

The right gear makes all the difference — here's a packing list tailored to this area.

Every item on this list exists because of specific conditions at Camp Ibis-patton — Desert terrain, Arid, and local wildlife.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.

Climate Gear

Extra water (1L/hr) — Heat exhaustion progresses to heat stroke rapidly once fluid reserves drop; consistent intake keeps your cooling system functional.
Electrolytes — Drinking large amounts of plain water without electrolytes can actually dilute blood sodium to dangerous levels during intense exertion.
Cooling towel — Evaporative cooling towels stay cold for hours when wet and can lower perceived temperature by several degrees.
Layering system (wide temp swings) — A base layer, insulating mid-layer, and wind shell cover the full range of temperatures you might encounter in a single day.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — At high elevation where UV is 10-12% stronger per 1,000 feet of gain, a hat provides constant passive protection.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Sunburn isn't just discomfort — severe burns cause fluid loss, fatigue, and impaired thermoregulation that compound in remote settings.
Extra water (desert) — In arid heat, your body loses 1-2 liters per hour during exertion; running out of water in the desert is life-threatening.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Outdoor recreation at Camp Ibis-patton centers on camping, with the May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep months offering the best conditions.

With a photography score of 55/100, Camp Ibis-patton offers Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

camping — Camping offers campfires, starry nights, and mornings filled with birdsong.
hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
rv_camping — RV camping blends outdoor living with modern amenities.
walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Cacti, shrubs, and drought-tolerant plants dominate arid landscapes.

Wildlife Safety at Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino

Most wildlife encounters are positive, but a few potential hazards are worth knowing about.

A danger score of 25/10 means Camp Ibis-patton requires moderate preparation compared to the average trail.

Danger rating: 25/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (85mi)

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (35N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 55/100

Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

Watch your step — are present in the Desert habitat around Camp Ibis-patton.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

The plant life here ranges from Smoketree in the canopy to Mojave Woodyaster along the trail edges.

Trees (1)

Smoketree — Smoketree is a desert tree with small rounded leaves.

Wildflowers (1)

Mojave Woodyaster — Woody base with narrow gray-green leaves.

Shrubs (3)

Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain.
Eastern Joshua tree — Eastern Joshua tree is a branching yucca with rigid sword-like leaves.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Engelmann's hedgehog cactus is a low, clumping barrel cactus with cylindrical stems covered in dense radial spines. Flowers are large and showy, typically magenta to pink, blooming in late spring.

Other Plants (5)

Mojave Yucca
Cottontop Cactus
Buckhorn Cholla
Branched Pencil Cholla
California Barrel Cactus

Mammals (2)

Bighorn Sheep — Rams carry massive curled horns.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — White underside and underside of tail.

Birds (6)

Great-tailed Grackle — Brown female
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Black half-collar on nape
American Kestrel — Blue-gray wings in male
Common Raven — Broad wings with fingered primaries
European Starling — Spotted winter plumage with pale speckles

Reptiles (10)

Mojave Desert Tortoise — Front limbs are heavily scaled for digging.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side.
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard — Color ranges from tan to brown with a pale underside.
Western Patch-nosed Snake — Tan with darker blotches or stripes.
Common Chuckwalla — Tail thick and body robust.

Insects (7)

White-lined Sphinx
Black Swallowtail
Sagebrush Checkerspot
Armored Stink Beetle
Creosote Cone Gall Midge

Fungi (1)

Desert Shaggymane

Other Wildlife (2)

Desert Tarantula
Desert Hairy Scorpion

Nature Bingo at Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Red-tailed Hawk (bird)
Bighorn Sheep (mammal)
Mojave Desert Tortoise (reptile)
Creosote Bush (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino Climate & Sun

Month-by-month climate and daylight information for Camp Ibis-patton.

With 6.1 inches of annual precipitation and an average of 70.1°F, Camp Ibis-patton has Arid conditions.

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 70.1°F

Annual precipitation: 6.1 in

With an average annual temperature of 70.1°F and 6.1 inches of precipitation, Camp Ibis-patton has hot, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 92°F, while winter lows drop to 51°F.

Best months to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec. Consider avoiding: Jul, Aug.

Winter 51°

1.0"

Spring 67°

0.2"

Summer 92°

0.4"

Fall 71°

0.5"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	51°F	1.0 in
Feb	54°F	1.2 in
Mar	60°F	0.8 in
Apr	67°F	0.2 in
May	76°F	0.1 in
Jun	86°F	0.0 in
Jul	92°F	0.4 in
Aug	91°F	0.5 in
Sep	84°F	0.4 in
Oct	71°F	0.5 in
Nov	59°F	0.4 in
Dec	50°F	0.6 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.7 hours.

Summer: 4:24 AM – 6:54 PM

Winter: 6:39 AM – 4:29 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:39 AM, Sunset 4:29 PM Golden hour from 3:50 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:24 AM, Sunset 6:54 PM Golden hour from 6:16 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:51 AM, Sunset 5:46 PM Golden hour from 5:12 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:21 AM, Sunset 5:48 PM Golden hour from 5:14 PM

Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino Trip Planning & Access

Ready to visit? Here's what to know about getting here and what it'll cost.

Trip planning for Camp Ibis-patton starts with the 85-mile route from Las Vegas.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (85 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $21.18 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 68.5 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino

If you're in the area, these nearby destinations are worth considering too.

From campgrounds to trails to scenic attractions, 11 destinations surround Camp Ibis-patton.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino

If you're staying past sunset, the stargazing conditions here are worth planning around.

For anyone who stays past sunset, the Bortle 3 conditions here reward patience with constellations and bright planets.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.

Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north.
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.

Meteor Showers

For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino

Each season brings something different to this area.

From wildflower blooms in spring to fall foliage in autumn, Camp Ibis-patton rewards visitors in every season.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: October 15 – November 5

Best trees for color: Maple, Oak, Aspen

Higher elevations peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: March - April

Fall peak: October - November

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino

Long before trails were marked and campgrounds built, this land was home to Indigenous peoples.

This area's history extends far beyond recreation — it is the traditional territory of Nüwüwü (Chemehuevi), Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Pipa Aha Macav (Mojave).

Territories

Languages

1 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Nüwü Ampagap (Chemehuevi).

Nüwü Ampagap (Chemehuevi)

Data from Native Land Digital

Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Camp Ibis-patton sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Tertiary nonmarine rocks, undivided
Formation: Avawatz Formation; Bealville Fanglomerate; Caliente Formation; Goler Formation; Old Woman Sandstone; Titus Canyon Formation; Violin Breccia; Walker Formation; Witnet Formation
Lithology: Major:{sandstone,conglomerate}, Incidental:{sedimentary breccia, volcanic, mudstone, limestone, siltstone}
Age: Phanerozoic

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 141
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Gold, Copper, Silver, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Iron, Manganese, Magnesite

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 6148
ESA Endangered: 169
ESA Threatened: 77
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 125°F (2017-06-20)
Record Low: 20°F (1990-12-23)

Wildfire History

This area has a moderate wildfire risk. Be aware of fire restrictions during dry months and practice safe fire practices.

Recorded Fires: 3
Largest Fire: WALKER (1,847.7 acres)
Most Recent: 2021
Fire Risk: Moderate

Watershed

Watershed: Crestview Wash
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 4 (NUFORC)
Eeriness Score: 8/100

Camp Ibis-patton, San Bernardino Safety & Conditions

Conditions change fast outdoors — bookmark these official sources for your visit.

The data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening at Camp Ibis-patton right now.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: LAUGHLIN 1.2 SSW, NV US (16.02 mi)