EISPIRATEN

My wife and I are thinking about car camping Friday night. I'd prefer the campsite being near a place I can hike early Saturday morning and possibly get some nice sunrise shots. After breakfast, we'd hopefully be able to go on a nice family hike.

Any suggestions regarding where we should camp? I'm hoping to find something within 60-90 minutes of the Riverside area. Does anyone know if the road to the fire tower on Black Mountain is open? What about the road to Aspen Grove TH (We'd stay at Heartbar)?

This will be my son's 2nd camping trip. He are some pics from his first trip:

Hiking with Kids: Car Camping and Hiking in Joshua Tree, May 24 2014

How about Guffy at the end of Blue Ridge Road? The Big Pines Ranger Station just posted that Blue Ridge Road is now open. North Backbone Trail right out the proverbial back door. PCT hiking with the family.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Pine ... e_internal

Good question! Seemed like such a simple request at first but actually we have surprisingly few car camping spots with direct access to decent hiking. these are all I could think of. have fun!

A few near Idywilld but I think they are all closed??? not sure.
Manker Flat (San Antonio Falls and ski hut trail)
Hanna Flat (no trails per se but fun exploring nearby)
South Fork (hike lost creek or fish creek)
BlackRock near Joshua Tree (easy hike up to top of small hill with great sunrise!!)

2hr drives give more options
Horse Flats
Chilao
Buckthorn
etc
Anza Borrego ? (wildflowers!!)