Rock Climb & Camp at Sawtooth Canyon (New Jack City), Barstow, California

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Sawtooth Canyon Campground, also know by it’s nick name “New Jack City,” is located approximately 3 miles west of California Highway 247 and 20 mile south of Barstow, California. In this “Limited” use area there are many different recreation activities present: camping, wildlife viewing, hunting, rock climbing, and picnicking. With more than 350 sport climbs ranging from 5.6 - 5.13 scattered across the high desert, Sawtooth Canyon offers something for climbers of all abilities. The rock is an unusual form of metamorphic rock of volcanic origin, offering often tricky and thought-provoking sequences and moves on huecos, pockets, edges, jugs, underclings, and crimps. The climbing is typically steep and diverse, requiring both strength and technique. Located in the high desert the climbing season runs from October through May. OHV riding is prohibited in Sawtooth, this is not a OHV Recreational riding area. There are not open routes of travel in this campground area. OHV vehicles must be trailered in and trailered out, there is not a staging area for them. However, Sawtooth has 13 campsites: Four campsites are located near Boy Scout Wall, just north of the concrete pad, along with a vault toilet and kiosk. Three campsites are located on the other side of the canyon from Boy Scout Wall, these campsites are walk-in sites since they are 50 feet from the parking area. Sawtooth has a campground host-site just northeast of White Face Wall. There are shade Ramadas, 12 fire pits with grills, 12 barbeque grills, and 12 picnic tables. Sawtooth is a primitive campground area, primarily visited by visitors in tents as well as self contained recreational vehicles RV’s and travel trailers. Campgrounds are on a first come first serve basis. No reservations are needed. The historic name for the canyon is “Traer Agua” which means “bring water’. The popular local name derived from the resemblance between the ridge line and the outline of a saw blade. The canyon is also know as “New Jack City”. This name is the most widely used name and originates for the rock climbing community who use the area.. Sawtooth Canyon is designated multiple and “Limited” vehicle use . Recreation management guidelines for “Limited” use provides lower intensity, carefully controlled activity to ensure minimal damage to soil, vegetation, wildlife, scenic values, and air quality. Heading south from Barstow on Highway 247 (Barstow Road.), turn right on the dirt road at mile marker 63.0. Follow this road for 0.9 miles, where the road forks at the BLM kiosk. Bear left at the kiosk, and follow the road more-or-less straight ahead for 0.6 miles until the road dead ends at the main parking area. The maintained trail from this parking area that crosses the fence leads directly to Raven Rock. Campsites at Sawtooth Canyon are first-come first-served and there is no fee to camp. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring and vault toilets are not too far away. No water is available so come prepared - this is the desert.

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