About six miles of dirt road leads into Corn Springs Campground, a BLM site in the desert mountains east of the Coachella Valley. The road involves minor washboarding but stays manageable for 2WD vehicles in dry conditions; after heavy rain, AWD or 4WD is a safer bet. The campground has roughly 8 to 10 sites, most with level ground suited to tents or vehicles, and sits within the camping areas near BLM Land — Palm Springs/S. Coast Field Office managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
The draw here is the surrounding desert terrain. A short hike leads out from camp, and up the wash there are old cabins and a section of petroglyphs, though some of the rock art has been damaged by graffiti. Reviewers consistently note the site fills partially but draws low-key visitors, keeping noise levels down. Summer heat can be extreme, even overnight, so most campers find the cooler months from fall through early spring more workable. Coyotes are active in the area and have been spotted close to camp at night.
Facilities are minimal. Pit toilets are on-site, and while drinking water is listed as available, at least one reviewer found the well dry and recommends carrying your own supply. AT&T users report limited cell coverage. The fee runs $6 per night. As Terry B. notes, the site is "overall pretty clean and well maintained for a BLM site." Corn Springs works best for self-sufficient campers comfortable with remote desert conditions and minimal infrastructure.
Description
The Corn Springs Campground is located deep in a canyon of the Chuckwalla Mountains and has a $6.00 per night camping fee. Situated adjacent to a stand of California fan palms. This oasis supports abundant wildlife and is an important stopping place for migratory birds. Wheelchair accessible. Corn Springs was a major occupation site of prehistoric Native American Indian groups. The petroglyphs at Corn Springs are one of the finest examples of rock art in the Colorado Desert. They display a wide variety of elements and cover a long time span, with the earliest petroglyphs dating as far back as 10,000 years. In addition to being a route for Native American Indians moving east and west, Corn Springs was used by the Chemehuevi Indians who moved into California about 1,100 A.D. These Native American Indians lived in harmony with the desert ecosystem, utilizing many of the native plants.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCorn Springs Campground is located in California near Niland
Public CampgroundDirections
The campground is located about 10 miles from Interstate 10. Two-wheel-drive passenger vehicles can reach the campground. From Interstate 10, take Exit # 201 onto Chuckwalla Valley Road. Take Chuckwalla Valley Road south to Corn Springs Road. Turn right onto Corn Springs Road and drive 6.8 miles. You will see the sign for Corn Springs Campground in front of the oasis. Turn right into the campground.
Address
Bureau of Land Management
Palm Springs South Coast Field Office
1201 Bird Center Drive
Palm springs, CA 92262
Coordinates
33.6262 N
115.3265 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage
AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Yurts
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 39 min from El Centro, CA
- 2 hrs 42 min from Yuma, AZ
- 2 hrs 48 min from Lake Havasu City, AZ
- 3 hrs 43 min from San Diego, CA
