The Coachella Valley region surrounding Coolidge Springs sits at an elevation of approximately 200 feet below sea level, creating a unique desert environment with winter daytime temperatures averaging 70-75°F from November through March. Summer temperatures consistently exceed 100°F, making seasonal camping considerations essential for RV travelers. Water conservation requirements apply at most campsites due to the arid conditions.
What to do
OHV riding opportunities: Near Leapin' Lizard RV Ranch, many visitors enjoy off-highway vehicle activities on surrounding desert terrain. "Beautiful area, tons of shooting and off-roading nearby," notes one camper, highlighting the accessibility to recreational riding areas within a short drive.
Desert stargazing sessions: The dark skies around Borrego Springs provide exceptional astronomy opportunities. "As a Designated Dark Sky Community, this is a great place to do some stargazing as well," reports a visitor to The Springs at Borrego RV Resort. Winter months offer the clearest viewing conditions.
Desert sculpture viewing: Metal art installations scattered throughout the landscape create unique photo opportunities. "You can drive to the sculptures, Salton Sea, downtown Borrego and Julian," notes a reviewer, describing day trip possibilities accessible from their campsite.
What campers like
Hot mineral pools: Several resorts feature natural mineral water amenities. "The pool area with all the activities available was a nice option. One night they had live music in that center," shares a camper at The Springs at Borrego. These geothermal features remain usable year-round, even during cooler desert nights.
Concrete pads with spacious layouts: Site design receives positive feedback at Coachella Lakes RV Resort, where a visitor notes, "Amazing staff. Amazing HUGE sites. Clean. Lots of planned activities. Great for families. Excellent for big rigs of any size." The oversized pads accommodate slide-outs and outdoor living spaces.
Winter season activities: Social programming enhances the camping experience for seasonal visitors. "They also have activities on weekends so you get a real community feel if you stay here for a long time," comments a camper about the organized events at Coachella Lakes RV Resort.
What you should know
Summer closure periods: Most facilities operate on seasonal schedules. "Palm Springs Oasis is very small but it was a great place to stay with just a 5-10 minute drive to downtown!" explains a visitor to Encore Palm Springs Oasis, which like many area parks adjusts operations during extreme heat periods.
Advance reservations essential: Winter season availability becomes limited as temperatures moderate. "We had scheduled a different park and found out they expected snow. We didn't want to go from 80+ degrees to snow and was able to book through the park there on our way back," shares an Encore Palm Springs Oasis guest describing their reservation flexibility.
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some locations. "The only downside is the noise from the freeway, train and airport. And the WiFi is an extra charge and doesn't work well at all," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Palm Springs, highlighting environmental factors beyond campground control.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access procedures: During peak periods, swimming facilities may require scheduling. "Nice pool limited to 14 people at a time and you have to book your pool time at the office in the morning between 8-10," explains a Thousand Trails Palm Springs guest, describing the reservation system for recreational amenities.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for parks with appropriate facilities for younger campers. "Clean laundry area, dog bark and a clubhouse with activities for the kids. Location is close to food and activities," shares a visitor about family-oriented features at Thousand Trails Palm Springs.
Weather adaptation strategies: Desert temperature fluctuations require planning. "It raining all day the following day and we were getting emergency alerts on the phone for dangerous flooding. The RV park has no drainage problem at all," notes a The Springs at Borrego RV Resort visitor, emphasizing the resort's ability to handle unusual weather events.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose locations based on your specific needs. "The concrete pads are really long. I will leave a picture. This allowed us to have both the trailer and the truck on the pad. Not the perpendicular park job we are all used to," describes a Springs at Borrego visitor regarding the practical layout advantages.
Water quality awareness: Some locations require additional filtration equipment. "Their laundry room uses an app payment system only, which is nice in that you don't need quarters, but you need to download the app and then load money on to your account in set amounts," explains a Coachella Lakes RV Resort visitor regarding modern facility systems.
Power management options: Electrical service variations exist between parks. "Spots on the east side have 50 and 30 amp and most are quite large," notes a Thousand Trails Palm Springs guest, providing specific location information about higher capacity electrical service areas.
