Dispersed camping areas near Yuma provide affordable options within 10-15 miles of city amenities. Temperatures in this region average 107°F during summer months and can drop into the 40s during winter nights. The surrounding desert terrain features accessible camping on hard-packed surfaces with minimal elevation changes, making it suitable for most vehicle types.
What to do
Bird watching at wildlife areas: Mittry Lake Wildlife Area offers exceptional bird watching opportunities throughout its dispersed camping areas. According to Kevin C., "We spent 10 nights here and really enjoyed the experience. There are campsites over several miles, along the road and places in the floodplain of the lake... We loved the solitude!"
Water recreation options: Mittry Lake Wildlife Area provides lake access for paddling and fishing. Katie O. shares, "We brought our paddle boards to use on the lake and it was peaceful. Not too many people were camping but during the day it was loud with people driving by with their boats."
Casino entertainment: Cocopah Casino offers convenient overnight camping with entertainment access. Mark H. notes the pricing structure: "The prices have changed it is $10 a night or three nights for $25 or 7 nights for $50," making it an affordable option for overnight stays with access to casino facilities.
Recreational activities for adults: Organized activities abound at many RV resorts. According to a reviewer at Del Pueblo RV Park & Tennis Resort, "This resort has lots of amenities, is very clean, has large sites, easy to get in and out. 2 pools, to shower and restroom, 2 laundromats, 2 dog runs, a Cafe, dances with live music, Saturday night dinners and so much more."
What campers like
Convenient access to services: Many RV parks feature exceptional accessibility to shopping. One reviewer at Encore Suni Sands notes, "We loved that it is located next to Walmart and they have a dedicated security gate right into the Walmart parking lot! You can push your shopping cart right to your site and the come around and collect them and return them to Walmart."
Year-round heated pools: Desert RV parks often maintain comfortable pool temperatures despite seasonal changes. Riki G. states, "This is a nice RV resort. It has heated pool during the winter and hot tub is always hot, and also open 24 hrs."
Affordability for extended stays: Budget options exist for longer-term visitors. One camper at Mittry Lake noted, "I camped here for a few weeks in January. It is beautiful and quiet even though I had quite a few neighbors. I found being by the lake brought more mosquitos so I camped on the raised portion just south of the lake."
Proximity to international border: Yuma's location offers unique cross-border opportunities. Bud K. at Sans End RV Park mentions, "We have stayed here a number of times. Nice level pads, pool, rec room. Only 7 minutes to Los Algadonas, Mexico where we get dental work."
What you should know
Summer heat challenges: Yuma experiences extreme summer temperatures requiring preparation. At Cocopah Casino, Dee W. advises, "This is dry camping with no hookups. $10 a night and you'll definitely need to run your generator because there is no shade and it's 104 degrees during the day and low 80s overnight."
Water quality considerations: Local water sources may require treatment or alternative sources. At Encore Cactus Gardens, "Some people say the water in Yuma taste funny so they have filtered water for sale for a dollar for 5 gallons or 25 cents for 1 gallon."
Mosquito preparation essential: Several lakeside camping areas have seasonal insect populations. A camper at Mittry Lake warns, "At night... the mosquitos came out and ate us alive. Being from southern California, we haven't experienced mosquitos in a very long time. So make sure to be prepared."
Cell service variability: Connectivity can be unpredictable throughout the region. Sandy S. notes about Cactus Gardens RV Resort, "This campground was not too far from main towns or stores (like Walmart) but the general area has very poor cellular reception (at least in regards to T-mobile). The resort offers WiFi, but it is only in the library area."
Tips for camping with families
Consider age restrictions: Some parks have age limitations. At Suni Sands RV Resort, a reviewer notes, "It is an age qualified (55+) resort," while another family found an alternative: "Lost Traveler MHP RV Park is a great spot away from town and kid friendly. (The only place we were able to find in Yuma to allow kids for more than 1 week.)"
Kid-friendly amenities: Some parks offer extensive family activities. Crystal M. shares, "There are so many fun things to do without leaving the park. Such as; nice and maintained heated pool, bocce ball, pickle ball court, playground, clubhouse with a pool table, card table, air hockey, gym equipment."
Dust considerations: Desert conditions can create cleaning challenges. Jessica M. shares about camping at Mittry Lake, "We enjoyed our 3 day stay here, but had a big dusty mess to clean up afterwards. Fishing revealed catfish and bass at the waters edge."
Site spacing awareness: Space between campsites varies significantly by location. Doreen G. cautions about tight conditions at Suni Sands, "Very very close to next spot. This is not a good place if you like to sit outside of your rig you could not, as the next rig is only 3 feet away."
Tips from RVers
Extended stay options: Many parks offer substantial discounts for longer commitments. Russ L. at Villa Alameda RV Resort shares, "We started with a one week stay and stayed for five weeks. They had everything we needed and at a reasonable price."
Overnight access strategy: For passing through travelers, strategic stopping points exist. David W. recommends, "Easy to get to, very clean and friendly people. A great overnight stay when passing through Yuma."
Pet-friendly camping consideration: For RVers with pets, specialized facilities make stays more comfortable. One camper noted at Desert Holiday RV Resort, "There are tons of community events, social gatherings, games & sports. Sites are level and wide and affordable."
Off-season advantages: Summer travelers face fewer crowds but greater heat challenges. Mike M. shares about Mittry Lake, "I didn't choose to park right next to the lake but was on the other side of the dirt road. Real nice place to relax, camp out, ride my bike, all for free. Felt very safe and had no issues during the stay."
