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Camper submitted image from Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area - 3

People

Camper submitted image from Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area - 4

Roads

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Camping

Established Camping

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

16 Reviews

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About

State Park

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Location

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area is located in California

Directions

Eastern San Diego and in Western Imperial Counties. Access is via Highway 78, about 35 miles east of Julian or about 20 miles west of Highway 86

Address

5172 Highway 78
Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Coordinates

33.15138764 N
116.16730582 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Available
Verizon
Available
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Market
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Jenna S.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2021

Family & Friends camping trip

I love camping here, restrooms are close driving distance from are campsite. View of BlowSand, desert, mail road.

Site1

Month of VisitNovember

Julia P.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2021

Great Area to take your OHVs. Season starts around Halloween and ends in May for Red stickers. They have public restrooms spread through the grounds. It's great for tent camping and RVs/campers, tents. Town is about 25 minutes away, however they have a few stores/restaurants nearby.

Sitesites not listed. We normally go out with a group of people and create a circle with our trailers and off road toys.

Month of VisitMay

Nina F.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 28, 2021

Amazing camp spot (as long as you come prepared)

What an amazing place. Just be sure to pack what you need as there is very few bathrooms and it gets realllll cold at night. But the sunsets and the off roading made it worth it!

Month of VisitFebruary

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Jeremiah

Scout

Reviewed Dec. 5, 2020

One of the best places

I’ve always loved going to Ocotillo because of the views and the people great for kids and big enough to be by yourself.

Taylor

Ranger

Reviewed Nov. 24, 2020

So much fun

We had a blast here!! We only drove through this spot but we stayed here for a good couple hours playing in the sand!

Timothy A.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 17, 2020

Boondocking

Great place to go get off grid if you don’t mind off road vehicles. Plenty of open space to get away from the crowds.

Etienne H.

Traveler

Reviewed Dec. 15, 2019

A desert dream come true

I stumbled upon this area by chance, after weathering the craziness of San Diego. Make sure you don't pull over too often in the dark, trying to fin the place or the Border Patrol might ask funny questions :D.
You can pull over any place you want and find your dream spot.

Stars, Desert foxes, quiet.

Toilets provided and if you want to go for a 8 mile trip make sure it hasn't rained the days before and you have a 4 wheel drive. The dirt road can be quite tricky, but the views are well worth it.

Month of VisitJanuary

(4) View All

Jill E.

Guide

Reviewed May. 15, 2019

Very fun for toys

We have been here a few times, going out on your toys is a lot of fun. We always go with a big group as do most people. It does get very crowded and loud but with all the off road vehicles you have to expect that. There are no showers or water. It does get very hot bring plenty of water.

(7) View All

Jennifer D.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 6, 2019

Beautiful space, very clean.

We stayed here for 4 nights and it was a lot of fun! We were a large group so we made a circle of us so the young kids could play inside the group. We had an awesome time riding the hills! If you are unfamiliar with Ocotillo Wells it is total boon-docking.

(7) View All

Elsye W.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 16, 2018

Desert Delight

This is a great open camping area, you can camp near others or find a secluded spot of your own. There are fire rings, picnic tables, toilets and even showers. The days can get pretty warm but the evenings are beautiful and star filled! If you are not into 4 wheeling there are nice hiking trails in the area. Bring plenty of water and food (there is a store but things are pricey).

Month of VisitNovember

Nicole H.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 7, 2018

Good for OHV camping not desirable

Sand, sand, sand and more sand. It’s the desert so you expect the sand but that’s reLly all there is. If you like off-roading it’s huge but you have to make sure you have a flag so others can see you coming over the dunes.

Month of VisitDecember

Jennifer D.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2018

ohv camping

Sandrails, dirt bikes, quads, jeeps- Oh My! I’ve mostly rv camped here during the annual Jeep event in March/ April. we get there early to get a prime uncrowded spot for our caravan. obv no rv hookups and no shade as it’s the desert. Fwd isn’t required, I made it with my 4cyl Toyota RAV4. midweek is pretty empty. holiday weekend fill up fast and get get very loud. beautiful sunrises and sunsets 🌅 lots of canyons and washes to enjoy ohv

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Becca H.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 24, 2018

Ahh, Showers.

I stayed here for a few days on my way to San Diego. I was SO relieved to finally use a real shower while on the road. They are available for a few quarters. Its beautiful and has lots of geological sites! It gets very crowded and NOISEY on weekends. They hand out trash bags and maps but somehow trash still ends up around all the campsites. The rangers are super kind and helpful! The roads are deep sand so it helps to have a vehicle that can handle it. I think it was pretty perfect during the week. Weekends are for drunk people on 4 wheelers.

(4) View All

Kris K.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 14, 2017

Home away from home

I've been camping here for 35 years.

Great place to camp and offroad. Maps are easy to get and trails are well posted. Avoid big weekends and pack 3 times the amount of water that you think you would need.

SiteAll of them

Erin M.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2016

Great riding!

Some really great riding! Huge jumps, long sand washes, technical single track. Desert camping at it's finest. I believe there are bike restrictions so check with BLM to make sure it's red sticker season. Can get very crowded on holiday weekends but overall great place to ride and or see some people go big!

Geoff H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 18, 2016

Camping in the DIRT

it can be very HOT, no matter what time of year so make sure you bring your shade. But there are plenty of hidden gems out here whether it is the wind caves, oasis, of canyons to explore. Do your research before you head out there so you know what you want to see. Great area though to bring anyone and everyone to enjoy the night sky and see some desert beauty.

We spent two nights there and just had good ol'e fashion camping fun. Games, camp fire, etc.