Culp Valley Primitive Campground, near Borrego Springs, California, is a fantastic spot for those who appreciate the beauty of the desert. This campground offers a true primitive experience with spacious sites, metal fire pits, and pit toilets, making it a solid choice for campers looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Visitors rave about the stunning views and the incredible night sky, perfect for stargazing. As one camper noted, “The stars out here are unreal.” The area is also known for its beautiful trails, providing access to great hikes right from your campsite. Just be aware that there’s no drinking water available, so come prepared.

The campground can get busy, especially on weekends, so arriving early is key to snagging a good spot. Some campers have mentioned that the terrain can be a bit tricky, with limited level areas for tents, but the overall experience is worth it. If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat with breathtaking scenery and a chance to connect with nature, Culp Valley is definitely worth checking out.

Located in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, this free primitive campground is in the San Ysidro Mountains west of Borrego Springs. It's 3,375 feet above sea level.

Culp Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

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We went to Culp Valley in April just in time to explore the Anza-Borrego State Park during an especially rainy desert season. There were wildflowers everywhere and despite high heat during the day it was so bad you felt like you were in the desert. It's a beautiful time to explore. There is a small city just outside the park where you can get any need supplies, lunch or do some antique/thrifting.

The campground is just West of the state park and at a higher elevation. The sites are first come first serve, and best of all they are FREE! The ground is sand and rock, and outside of clean vault toilets there are no amenities. We had a decent spot with three tents set up and brought our own fire ring. No fires allowed outside a fire ring/pit you bring along. It's a smaller campground and is well known in SoCal but if you arrive before afternoon you'll usually find a spot.

Because of it's location on hill it is subject to gusty winds. Keep that in mind. You will get dusty and check the weather so you set up camp facing away from the wind or you'll get a full tent of sand. The night we were there most recently they broke wind gust records which was unexpected. It was a long night of whooshing wind coming up and over the desert hills before slamming into our tent at speeds nearing tornado strength. That sucked but that was more our fault than the campgrounds.

It's less of a leisure camping spot and there were no big RVs the times we visited. There is a reservable state park campsite nearby if you need more amenities.

This area is know for it's stargazing and the night sky in the desert is incredible. The lights from the nearest town are blocked by the rock.

The Desert in Spring is beautiful and terrifying.

Pro's: Close to Joshua Tree, Close to Sultan Sea, Plenty of geographical fun. Hiking is lovely. FREE sites, first come first serve.

Con's: Hot most times of year, minimal animates so bring what you need, Fills up fast so be sure you get there early in the day with back up planes.

A Gem In The Desert

Free camping! Located off the S22, border of Anza Borrego,just 3.5 miles past the town of Ranchita. If you keep going down the hill you'll hit Borrego Springs. Keep an eye out for the Culp Valley Camp sign because otherwise there isn't much indication. Barely any service so make sure you prepare well for an extended stay. It does extremely windy here, especially in early fall with the Santa Ana winds. Hot during day, frigid at night. It's primitively camping so No water, picnics tables, fire rings, and charcoal grills, but vault toilets and ground to put a tent on are available. In Culp Valley there is TONS of boulders to climb; varying from beginner v0's to advanced bouldering. Check out mountain project to check out some routes or just go spot out some of your own! This is place is definetly worth a weekend trip, but Shhh try to keep it a secret. ;) 

Campground coordinates: 33.220541, -116.458858 (33° 13′ 13.94″N 116° 27′ 31.88″W)

Free Desert Camping! 

I stayed there the night of March 2nd, 2019. It was very windy and fairly cold. I think the actual temperature would have been fine if not for the windchill and spitting rain from the clouds stuck on the mountain a few miles away. The wind blew the moisture across. 

Free primitive campground with clean and stocked pit toilets (depending on who went before you anyway). The road in is rough but can be navigated with a passenger vehicle (I drove a Prius on them). I’ve hit bottom coming out of California business driveways more often. 

It’s located well up the mountain from Borrego Springs on a scenic highway. Borrego Springs is a Dark Sky community, so there’s good stargazing.

You are supposed to use a metal container for fires, but the site where I camped had a fire ring that had been used. I don’t think I’d have had a fire even if I’d had a metal container. The wind was that strong (and I’m a Kansas boy, I know strong winds). I also saw discarded gas cylinders that I was going to pack out but got distracted. I’ll never be able to wrap my head around people go want to be in nature but have no problem trashing it out or burning it down. That said, it was only my campsite where I saw these issues. 

All in all, a very picturesque stay, but the wind will rock you.

Get above it all....

This really is a primitive campground. You pack it in and you pack it out. There is one restroom facility and that is all. If you are looking to camp in quite the this is it. Nice place and I will be returning here to camp. Great little hiking trails that give you a nice view of Borrego Springs below. 

Isolated and quiet 

We had a big group of 15, if you go all the way to the T take a right and go to the little turn around there is plenty of room for multiple tents and large groups. We were all by ourselves but walked to meet other campers, everyone was very nice. There were rocks to climb on, trails to hike. The bathrooms were very clean, there is no running water. It is very hot during the day and very windy at night. Bring your own water, fire pit and table. We will definitely be back!!!

Loved it!!

This campground sits high atop the heat sweltering in the valley below, where the rest of Anza Borrego State Park. Plenty of climbing around here, as well as hiking trails galore. No fire pits or tables here,  so be sure to bring your own metal sturdy fire pit. Having a fire in the sand with rocks is illegal, and I have met a couple of rangers doing patrols around camp. One time we did not have one, so we drove down a couple of miles to the town in Anza, and picked one up at the local hardware store. Less than $15 for a metal tin to set on the ground and worked like a charm. There is one pit toilet bathroom. 

  

Just a 20 minute drive away are slot canyons, check out the local trails!

Favorite Free Campground in all of Anza

This primitive site is off the charts cool. There’s one bathroom that is fairly clean. The stars are amazing so don’t be afraid to sleep outside! It gets a little windy but nothing too crazy. The best part is that it’s FREE! There’s some awesome boulders and even slot canyons near by. The turn-off comes up quick so keep an eye out. 

A spot to only tell friends about 

Good primitive site that you can drive into and have a bathroom. Somewhat hard to navigate with a can but its doable. Spots to park can be tricky to find at sunset when you're losing daylight. Overall, nice quiet campground with a great view. Hard to find if you dont know what you're looking for. 

Great sunrise

The site was very private and out of the way. The sky at night was absolutely gorgeous. There is currently a fire ban but there are fire pits around for the times that fires are okay. Very nice experience 

Very private!

The campsite itself is very well maintained. Metal fire pits are available and bathrooms. The last place I camped was $30 and had neither. 

The scenery is beautiful but very desert. Cholla cacti are everywhere so watch your pets paws (my poor dog kept getting them in between her paw pads). Also didn’t get very cool in the evening, but had a beautiful night sky. 

There are trails; no dogs allowed.

Did see a tarantula.

Nice camp, Very desert

One of the best sites in Anza, so beautiful!! The stars out here are unreal. 

Amazing

Went before Thanksgiving weekend for a few nights. SUPER busy over the weekend and emptied out by Sunday night. Basically camping anarchy - people setting up all over the place - but you can only start fires in the provided fire ring. Some sites are exposed others super secluded. Sound definitely carries over the little valley, but people kept it low key by 10pmish.

  

Arrive early to get a nice site.

  

Great hikes that start right from the campground.

Lovely primitive sites with access to great hikes

Just a few hundred feet off a twisty mountain highway this campsite doesn't have but maybe two level spots not even for tents. Don't go in with any big rigs very tight. I found a tight spot for my minivan but I wasn't on the level so sleeping was a little bit tricky.

Not level

Lux primitive camping since the drop toilets were great and the spots are roomy with fire rings. Access to great hikes from the campground. Fills up but great if you can get there early!

Amazing location 

I go to this campground often. It is beautiful, and because of its altitude it is consistently several degrees cooler than the others in Anza. There are metal fire pits and pit toilets, no water. Beautiful trails with lots of flora and fauna and gorgeous viewpoints. 

One of my favorites

Very close to the park. Very clean. Restroom available. Beautiful views. Fire pits provided. 

Photos of Culp Valley Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Real photos from real campers