Best Campgrounds near Blythe, CA

Camping options along the Colorado River near Blythe, California range from established RV resorts with full hookups to free dispersed sites on public lands. The area features several riverfront campgrounds including Mayflower Park and The Cove RV Resort on the California side, while Arizona Oasis RV Resort sits just across the state line in Ehrenberg. Most established campgrounds offer cabin rentals alongside tent and RV sites, with amenities varying from basic to resort-style facilities including swimming pools, boat launches, and recreation areas.

The Colorado River corridor experiences extreme summer heat, with temperatures regularly exceeding 110°F from June through September, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons. Midland LTVA (Long-Term Visitor Area) north of Blythe provides dispersed camping with minimal facilities but requires permits for extended stays. According to one camper, "You can purchase a two week permit for $40 or a season pass (September-April) for $180 that can be used at a variety of other long-term BLM spots in CA and AZ." Most dispersed areas require self-contained camping as they lack potable water and restroom facilities.

Riverfront access represents the primary draw for campers visiting the Blythe area, with several developed campgrounds offering direct Colorado River frontage. The riverfront sites at established campgrounds typically feature grassy areas, beach access, and boat launches, though they tend to fill quickly during peak season. While waterfront camping receives positive reviews, visitors note varying levels of maintenance across facilities. A reviewer at Mayflower Park described it as having "all the amenities for RV and dry camping" with "beautiful sunrise and sunset" views. Many campgrounds serve a mix of overnight travelers and seasonal residents, with several reviewers noting the presence of long-term campers, particularly during winter months when the mild desert climate attracts snowbirds.

Best Camping Sites Near Blythe, California (145)

    1. Arizona Oasis RV Resort

    13 Reviews
    Blythe, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 232-4288

    $63 - $115 / night

    "Right on the California/ AZ border, close to Blythe for groceries and restaurants. Great place for off road vehicles since you can drive to the desert trails in about 2 minutes and ride for hours."

    "The place seems in the middle of nowhere, but is right next to the Colorado River and has a nice beach area. There are a lot of facilities, a pool, hot tub, etc. Would recommend!"

    2. BLM Oxbow Campground

    10 Reviews
    Cibola, AZ
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 317-3200

    $15 / night

    "Plan on bringing water and the nearest dump area is Blythe,  CA.

    Close to Cibola Wildlife refuge.

    Beautiful and quiet, family area.  

    Hosts are excellent and keep very clean bathrooms."

    "(We drove around 5mph towing our trailers so it took forever.)

    There were other campers around us because we were on the river but it wasn't bad. "

    3. Mayflower Park

    5 Reviews
    Blythe, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 922-4665

    "Reserved ahead in campground near next to the river. There are day use picnic spots between the campsites and the river which was unique."

    "Note: Close by (1/4 mile?) Hidden River RV Park has a convenience store. Also note: Hidden River is more of an ATV/motor boat/beer drinking environment. Not my thing."

    4. The Cove RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Blythe, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 922-5350

    $70 - $133 / night

    "The spots are a bit tight but once we found out the parking in the front (15 steps away) was free to park in the whole time we moved our truck and had plenty of room."

    5. Hidden Beaches River Resort, Inc.

    5 Reviews
    Blythe, CA
    12 miles
    +1 (760) 922-7276

    "Closer to the Blythe Intaglio area. Lots of hiking there."

    6. Midland LTVA Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Blythe, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 833-7100

    "Midland LTVA is about 9 mi north of Blythe, paved road all the way. The LTVA is very large and open..little shade."

    "Dump site on location. No water no bathrooms. Self contained only. Perfect if you just need a place to be for a while but not much to do within walking distance."

    7. Rancho Ventana RV Resort

    1 Review
    Blythe, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 921-3600

    8. Hippie Hole Camping Area

    7 Reviews
    Cibola, AZ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (702) 293-8373

    "Hippie Hole is a fantastic boondocking spot with easy access to the Colorado River and plenty of nearby walking trails."

    "If you're looking for a peaceful escape surrounded by nature, Hippie Hole Camping Area is the perfect spot."

    9. Wiley Wells Dispersed - Mule Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Palo Verde, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 467-3201

    "There is a lot of soft sand you cannot get around. Recommend ONLY 4WD and knowledge of how to drive on sand. I had traction mats & compressor to pump tires back up."

    "The nearby Cibola National Wildlife Refuge and Colorado River offer a nice contrast with opportunities for wildlife spotting and cooling off by the water [https://spotiofficial.app/](https://spotiofficial.app"

    10. River Sands RV Resort

    1 Review
    Blythe, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 255-5208

    $39 - $112 / night

    "Close and easy access to Colorado River for swimming, boating, seadoos and off-leash dog walking/playing."

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Recent Reviews near Blythe, CA

376 Reviews of 145 Blythe Campgrounds


  • Drex Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Parker Pit Road Dispersed

    Great turnaround and sites

    Arrived at pit on 10/3/25 to spend the night. Road is good coming in. 2 areas right b4 the 2nd cattle guard were almost washed out during last rain (last week?) but just mostly sand 4 to 6 inches deep. Just accelerate a bit, no problem. Lots of room at turnaround easy room for 20+ larger units, privacy and still maintain the turnaround. Im in F350 crewcab/longbed pulling 28' toy hauler. Nice flat area.

  • Kindall S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Dome Rock Road BLM Dispersed Camping Area

    great spot for quick stay!

    not many campers so there was PLENTY of spots open. Nice and quiet, highway noise wasn’t too bad and didn’t hear the road at all. Felt pretty safe too!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2025

    Redcloud Road Dispersed Camp

    Free, no bugs

    It was kind of funny. The roads very bumpy, but my sedan made it no problem. Just pay attention to the ground because there are some anthills. Stayed out of their way and they’ll stay out of your way. Not really noticing any bugs, light breeze, I went a mile off of the road so I can barely hear the highway. I like that the mountains will block the sun in the morning so I can do some yoga and meditation. Got up to 105 today so I’ll probably be out of here by seven. Up at four or five in the morning. I can’t tell if this is a good place for hiking, but there’s lots of places to camp and it’s all free. You could show up here in the middle of the night and you’d probably find a campsite, although it’s dark and I would not recommend it. If you’re planning to go here, get here when it’s light out so you can have an easy time of set up, etc.. and you don’t wanna get any surprises. I thought I might see a snake or two, but I haven’t seen anything. I’ve had my shirt off and there’s been no bugs so for me, avoiding a hotel and paying a fee to campsite, this was a winner.

  • Michael C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2025

    Lake Tamarisk Desert Resort

    Off season overnight stay

    Kathryn at the desk was awesome. We arrived around 3:30 after driving 375 miles. Didn’t utilized the park amenities. The pool and hot tub looked very inviting. Not much to see around Desert Center but the oasis created here was definitely worth the stop. Will reserve for our return in November

  • Jesse W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2025

    Ramsey Mine Rd BLM / Dispersed Camping

    Great spot

    Really easy spot to get into beautiful and empty. I don’t see anyone or hear anyone at all where I’m at plenty of space for a lot of people.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2025

    Plomosa Road

    Great location

    Huge location. Plenty of room. Nice and quiet

  • Jayne N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2025

    Plamosa BLM Dispersed Camping Area

    Our Very Favorite Spot

    6 months of boondocking and Plomosa Rd is our favorite. Lots of area to camp for any size rig. Everyone is well spaced out. The town of Bouse is at one end Quartzite at the other. We stayed 1/2 way between on this 23 mile road. Endless bike riding trails and very little traffic on Plomosa so riding on it works too. The little quiet town of Bouse has a Produce Stand 2 days a week for excellent fresh produce, small grocery store, and free town refuse area. You’ll have to dump in Quartzsite or 30 minutes away in Parker which has all the big stores as well. Exploring the desert and rockhounding thru old mines is perfect from this road.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2025

    Plomosa Road

    Not as dusty as others

    Late April 2025, nice and quiet.


Guide to Blythe

The Colorado River region near Blythe creates a stark contrast between desert and waterfront camping environments. Summer temperatures in this area range from lows around 75°F to highs exceeding 115°F, while winter highs typically reach 65-75°F with overnight lows sometimes dropping to freezing. Water levels along this stretch of the Colorado River fluctuate seasonally, affecting beach access and water activities throughout the year.

What to do

Kayaking and paddleboarding: Access the Colorado River directly from Hippie Hole Camping Area, where campers can launch from small beaches. "We paddle boarded, watched the night stars, the blue haring in the morning," notes a visitor to Hippie Hole Camping Area.

Wildlife viewing: Visit the adjacent Cibola Wildlife Refuge from Wiley Wells Dispersed camping area to spot migratory birds. According to a camper at Wiley Wells Dispersed, it's a "Gorgeous area and far from noisy freeway" with opportunities for wildlife spotting.

Desert exploration: Navigate the surrounding desert terrain for hiking and off-road adventures. One visitor at BLM Oxbow Campground shared: "We went out into the desert by the Hart Mining area and saw Big Horn Sheep and a Log Cabin from 1910."

What campers like

River access: Many campgrounds offer direct Colorado River frontage with small beaches for water activities. A camper at BLM Oxbow Campground noted, "We were lucky to get a spot right on the river. The dirt roads getting back there were a bit rough especially for my brother whose van and trailer were low to the ground, but it was worth it."

Spacious sites: Dispersed camping areas provide more room between campers than developed campgrounds. At Midland LTVA, a reviewer observed: "The LTVA is very large and open..little shade. There is a host onsite and you can purchase LTVA stickers at the host trailer, cash or check...goes in an iron ranger locked box."

Desert sunsets: The open landscape creates spectacular sunset viewing opportunities. "Gorgeous camp, clean. Clean pit toilets right there. Gorgeous sunset & sunrise," according to a visitor at Oxbow Campground.

What you should know

Permit requirements: Long-term visitors need permits at certain BLM sites. At Midland LTVA Dispersed, "You can purchase a two week permit for $40 or a season pass (september - april) for $180 that can be used at a variety of other long term blm spots in CA and AZ."

Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas require self-contained setups. "No water no bathrooms. Self contained only. Perfect if you just need a place to be for a while but not much to do within walking distance," notes a Midland LTVA camper.

Sandy terrain: Several camping areas have soft sand that can challenge vehicles. A visitor to Wiley Wells warned: "There is a lot of soft sand you cannot get around. Recommend ONLY 4WD and knowledge of how to drive on sand. I had traction mats & compressor to pump tires back up."

Tips for camping with families

Resort amenities: For families wanting more facilities, some RV parks offer recreational options. At Arizona Oasis RV Resort, a reviewer found "Nightly activities, pool, beach, river, play area. If the local towns were a little more interesting it would better, but overall, a good place to stay."

Cabin options: Several riverfront campgrounds offer cabin rentals as alternatives to tents or RVs. One camper at Arizona Oasis noted: "From rv with full hooks ups, cabin rentals which are basic, beds and air with community shared showers and bathrooms. Mini houses to rent which we stayed in and they are perfect for a few couples and small Children."

Swimming areas: Look for protected swimming spots along the river. "The river area became packed from people setting out tents as soon as the sun came up," reported a family at Arizona Oasis, adding that "River was awesome for the kids."

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are essential during summer months. At The Cove RV Resort, a reviewer found "The spots are a bit tight but once we found out the parking in the front (15 steps away) was free to park in the whole time we moved our truck and had plenty of room."

Cell service: Coverage varies throughout the area. At Midland LTVA, a camper reported "Limited cell on TMobile" while noting the area was "not very crowded end of Jan."

Dump stations: Plan where you'll empty tanks, especially when boondocking. At Midland LTVA there is "a RV black tank dump...but NO DUMP RINSE WATER AND NO POTABLE WATER," requiring campers to manage water resources carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

What RV parks are available near Blythe, CA?

Arizona Oasis RV Resort is conveniently located off I-10 near the California/Arizona border. It's large RV-friendly with riverfront spots, cabin and RV rentals, laundry facilities, and clean amenities. The location provides easy access to Blythe for groceries and dining. Hidden Beaches River Resort is another option offering a quiet atmosphere despite its size, with many long-term tenants, excellent WiFi, friendly staff, and clean facilities. For those seeking more affordable options, Mayflower Park provides basic amenities including warm, clean showers.

Where can I find camping spots along the river in Blythe, California?

Blythe offers several excellent riverfront camping options. BLM Oxbow Campground provides dry camping with spots right on the Colorado River, though roads can be a bit rough. It's a fee-based site ($15 per vehicle per night, half price with a federal park pass) near the Cibola Wildlife Refuge with clean bathrooms. Another great option is Hippie Hole Camping Area, a boondocking spot with easy river access and walking trails, also adjacent to the Cibola Wildlife Preserve. Both locations offer beautiful natural settings perfect for enjoying the river environment.

Where are the best fishing spots in Blythe, California?

The Colorado River around Blythe offers prime fishing opportunities. Emerald Cove Resort provides beachfront access to the river, making it a convenient base for fishing excursions. For a more natural setting, consider Midland LTVA Dispersed camping area, located about 9 miles north of Blythe via paved roads. While primarily known as a large open camping area, its proximity to water access points makes it suitable for anglers. The Colorado River in this region is known for bass, catfish, and panfish. Local bait shops in Blythe can provide up-to-date information on current hotspots and effective baits.