Dispersed camping near Blythe, California consists primarily of desert terrain at elevations between 300-1,000 feet. The region experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, with summer highs regularly exceeding 110°F and winter nights occasionally dropping below freezing. Cell service varies widely across the camping areas, with Verizon typically providing the most reliable coverage while T-Mobile users report significant dead zones.
What to Do
Paddleboarding and water activities: The Colorado River offers recreation opportunities at several camping locations. At Hippie Hole Camping Area, visitors enjoy river access and water sports. "We paddle boarded, watched the night stars, the blue haring in the morning," noted one camper who appreciated the riverside location.
Wildlife viewing: The desert areas near Blythe contain diverse animal populations. The proximity to Cibola National Wildlife Refuge makes Wiley Wells Dispersed - Mule Mountain particularly good for wildlife enthusiasts. A visitor mentioned, "Such a wonderful experience" at Wiley Wells, noting its location near "Cibola National Wildlife Refuge and Colorado River offer a nice contrast with opportunities for wildlife spotting."
Hiking desert trails: Many dispersed camping sites have informal walking paths. At Hippie Hole, a visitor described "plenty of nearby walking trails" and noted the campground is "right next to the Cibola Wildlife Preserve, making it perfect for anyone who loves nature and wildlife."
What Campers Like
River access spots: Waterfront locations are highly valued in this arid region. Visitors to Hippie Hole appreciate the shoreline areas, with one camper reporting they "picked one right on the river with a fire pit. Spot has its own little bit of beach."
Open desert with mountain views: The expansive landscapes provide unobstructed views. At La Posa South BLM Long Term Visitor Area, campers enjoy the panoramic scenery. One visitor noted, "This place has everything! Open desert boondocking mixed with the basic amenities needed like water, trash and sewer."
Dark skies for stargazing: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. Multiple campers mentioned stargazing as a highlight, with one Hippie Hole visitor noting they "watched the night stars" and another describing the "Desert sky at night is awesome" at La Posa.
What You Should Know
Extreme seasonal differences: Winter attracts large numbers of visitors while summer sees very few campers. A camper at Dome Rock Road BLM Dispersed Camping Area observed, "Dome Rock Rd. is close to Quartzsite and the Tyson Wells shopping tents that set up in January. Gets crowded in peak season, so finding a more secluded spot may pose a challenge."
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require careful navigation. At Wiley Wells, a camper 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."
Limited facilities require preparation: Most sites have minimal or no amenities. At Ehrenberg Dispersed Camping, visitors noted the need to "dump and fill at the chevron in Ehrenberg" since no services are provided on-site. The roads are described as "pretty washboard for a couple miles" requiring travelers to "take it slow" in larger rigs.
Tips for Camping with Families
Choose riverside locations for activities: Children benefit from water access in the hot desert environment. At Cibola National Wildlife Refuge - East, families appreciate the river amenities. A visitor described, "They have covered tables with parking beside them, they have spots to park along side the banks, they have a small swimming beach like area."
Bring protection from elements: The open desert provides little natural shade. Multiple reviews mention the exposed conditions. A camper at Midland LTVA described it as "very large and open..little shade" with "limited cell on TMobile."
Check campsite spacing: Some areas become crowded, particularly in winter. A reviewer at Ehrenberg Dispersed Camping noted it was "a great dispersed camping spot as it's pretty far from the freeway so you can barely hear the big trucks going by on Hwy 10" making it better for families seeking quiet.
Tips from RVers
Consider permit costs: For extended stays, permits provide value. At La Posa South, "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. Camp host on site can help you with permits."
Watch for soft sand areas: RV drivers must evaluate road conditions carefully. A visitor to Dome Rock Road advised, "The further south in the camping area you get from the frontage road the more privacy offered, however, there are little trails and ATV roads all over so nothing is truly private."
Select sites for temperature management: With extreme desert heat, site selection matters. A camper at Ehrenberg Dispersed Camping recommended taking "Ehrenberg-Cibola road south east into the desert. You don't have to go far, then just pull off. Note that the road is pretty washboard for a couple miles but we were fine in our nearly-40 foot rig if you take it slow."
