3 MONTHS FREEPlan your California trip with offline maps, RV Trip Planner, and the Free Camping Map.Try PRO
Try PRO free for 3 months
The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Get the app

Tent Camping near Imperial, CA

Search destinations
    Add dates

    Tent camping near Imperial, California includes options in the arid desert landscape of Imperial County, with most sites situated on sand or gravel terrain. Popular locations include Glamis Flats at Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area and Bow Willow Primitive Campground in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, both offering designated tent sites about 30-45 miles from Imperial.

    Sites throughout the Imperial Sand Dunes area feature minimal to no amenities, with most tent campsites requiring self-sufficiency. Cement Flats provides free boondocking with no facilities except vault toilets, while Glamis Flats has pit toilets that are regularly cleaned but often have odor issues. Extreme desert temperatures make summer camping challenging, with winter being the primary season for tent camping in this region. Water is unavailable at most primitive tent sites, and campers should bring ample supplies for their stay. A recent review noted, "Take your sand dune buggies and enjoy the day and night. Super fun for the whole family."

    Areas farther from Imperial offer different tent camping experiences. Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area provides extensive primitive tent camping with few amenities but plenty of space to set up away from crowds. "We spent the day adventuring in Borrego and stumbled upon this site. It was completely empty and looked well taken care of," commented one visitor about Bow Willow campground. Tent campers should come prepared for desert conditions, including wide temperature fluctuations between day and night. Most primitive tent sites in Anza-Borrego feature picnic tables with shade structures, essential protection from the intense desert sun. The desert environment offers excellent stargazing opportunities from tent sites throughout the region, with minimal light pollution and clear night skies.

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Imperial (18)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. El Centro NAF Campground

      5.0(1)7mi from ImperialTents

      "This campground is located on a military facility. You must have base access/privileges in order to utilize this campground. "

      Check Availability

      2. Cement Flats

      4.0(1)24mi from ImperialTents

      "Great boondocking site on our drive to San Diego! You can’t beat the price!"

      Check Availability

      3. Gecko Campground

      5.0(1)25mi from ImperialTents
      Check Availability

      4. Imperial Sand Dunes RA - Pad 5 - BLM

      5.0(1)26mi from ImperialTents
      Check Availability

      5. Glamis Flats

      4.8(4)30mi from ImperialTents

      "if you like to drive offroad, this is the place for you! even if you dont,its fun to sled down the dunes."

      "must purchase imperial dunes pass"

      Check Availability

      6. Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

      4.4(16)41mi from ImperialTents

      "This is a great open camping area, you can camp near others or find a secluded spot of your own. There are fire rings, picnic tables, toilets and even showers."

      "Season starts around Halloween and ends in May for Red stickers. They have public restrooms spread through the grounds. It's great for tent camping and RVs/campers, tents."

      Check Availability

      7. Bow Willow Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

      4.3(6)38mi from ImperialTents

      "We set up quickly and enjoyed ourselves a walk around the site. Not too many trailheads around and it was very hot and dry but we enjoyed it."

      "I prefer to camp in the upper loop on weekdays; the noise from big RVs with generators is not my idea of solitude. Fortunately, I’ve never encountered that issue during my visits."

      Check Availability

      8. Cahuilla Ranger Station

      Be the first to review24mi from ImperialTents

      9. Fish Creek Campground

      3.0(1)34mi from ImperialTents

      from $20 / night

      10. Roadrunner Campground

      Be the first to review26mi from ImperialTents
      Check Availability
    View all 18 campgrounds

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review campgrounds, win gear.

    Enter to Win

    Imperial Contest

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time

    Recent Tent Camping Photos near Imperial, CA

    4 Photos of 18 Imperial Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Tent Camping Reviews near Imperial, CA

    204 Reviews of 18 Imperial Campgrounds

    • LThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 14, 2026

      BOULEVARD / CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST KOA HOLIDAY

      A last minute stay that worked out

      We had a last minute need for a stay in this area and found this off the beaten path KOA.

      Frontline staff was very accommodating. The site I initially picked was too sloped for us so we were able to change (it was October and not busy).

      It seemed like there were more long term, unoccupied rigs there than occupied ones so it was very quiet.

      The bathrooms were old but clean. We didn’t use the showers or laundry so can’t comment on those.

      We liked that there wasn’t freeway noise like so many other KOAs and would stay there again but not in the heat of summer.

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 4, 2026

      Black Mountain Road Camp

      Beautiful and Serene

      The 4-wheel drive off road was slow and rocky but definitely worth the drive. Beautiful with all the trees and rock formations. So Serene, especially when the wind blows through the tops of the trees. Privacy because the locations are spread out. We will come back multiple times per year. Great find and experience.

    • C
      Jul. 26, 2026

      KOA Boulevard

      Don't be fooled by the KOA name

      Same ownership, same deep disappointment. Do not be fooled by the rebranding.

      I genuinely hate writing this because this property has so much natural potential, but I cannot believe it currently carries the KOA name. I did my homework before booking and hoped that becoming a KOA meant things had improved. They have not. It is the same management, the same issues, and the same disregard for guests—just under a new label.

      To start with the positives: the frontline staff are kind, helpful, and clearly doing their best. Unfortunately, they are completely undermined by the owner’s behavior, which sets the tone for the entire experience.

      We paid extra for an RV site specifically advertised as having a patio table and chairs. What we got was neither—just a small, wobbly picnic table sitting in direct desert sun.

      The pool itself is nice, but it closes far too early, which is frustrating given the heat. The hot tub was broken during our stay, which was especially disappointing since we were looking forward to relaxing and stargazing at night.

      The laundry facilities should have been avoided (sadly the main reason we paid to stay). The coin-operated washers left our clothes dirtier than when they went in—covered in sandy residue and grime. We now have to spend additional time and money finding somewhere else to rewash everything. Completely unacceptable.

      I also want to call out something I saw in other reviews because it aligns with our experience: people mentioned issues with shower curtains being off or unusable. In our case, there weren’t even any curtains at all. So yes—those reviews are accurate.

      Another surprise: the “meditation labyrinth” and small farm area (ostrich, pigs, goats) are no longer free amenities. The owner also operates the adjacent Harvest Host location and now charges for access to what used to be included perks. Between that and the smell in the desert heat, it’s not exactly the charming add-on it’s presented as.

      And then there’s the owner.

      We had a minor issue and called the after-hours number around 9:30 PM—the number they explicitly provide for guest support. An employee answered and was already handling it professionally when the owner took the phone from her and proceeded to yell at us for “making him get out of bed.” He then aggressively offered to “kick us out with a refund,” even though we never asked for one. It felt like a power play, not a solution. Completely unnecessary, unprofessional, and frankly uncomfortable.

      If you somehow manage to avoid interacting with him entirely, you might get through your stay. But based on our experience—and many others here—that’s a gamble.

      This property could be amazing. But until ownership changes or management practices drastically improve, it remains a poorly run park hiding behind a reputable brand name.

      Avoid.

    • C
      Jul. 26, 2026

      BOULEVARD / CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST KOA HOLIDAY

      Don't be fooled by the KOA name

      Same ownership, same deep disappointment. Do not be fooled by the rebranding. I genuinely hate writing this because this property has so much natural potential, but I cannot believe it currently carries the KOA name. I did my homework before booking and hoped that becoming a KOA meant things had improved. They have not. It is the same management, the same issues, and the same disregard for guests—just under a new label. To start with the positives: the frontline staff are kind and clearly doing their best. Unfortunately, they are completely undermined by the owner’s behavior, which sets the tone for the entire experience. 

      We paid extra for an RV site advertised with a patio table and chairs. We got neither—just a small, wobbly picnic table in direct desert sun. The pool is nice, but closes far too early for the heat. The hot tub was broken, which was especially disappointing since we were looking forward to stargazing at night. The laundry facilities should have been avoided (the main reason we paid to stay). The coin-operated washers left our clothes dirtier than when they went in—covered in sandy residue and grime. Now we have to spend more time and money rewashing everything. I also want to call out something I saw in Google reviews because it aligns with our experience: people mentioned issues with shower curtains being off or unusable. In our case, there were no curtains at all—and the showers are unventilated (add desert heat). So yes, those reviews are accurate. 

      Another surprise: the "meditation labyrinth” and small farm area (ostrich, pigs, goats) are no longer free. The owner also runs the adjacent Harvest Host and now charges for what used to be included perks. Add in the smell in the desert heat, and it’s not exactly appealing. 

      And then there’s the owner. We had a minor issue and called the after-hours number around 9:30 PM. An employee was already handling it when the owner took the phone and yelled at us for“making him get out of bed,” then offered to“kick us out with a refund”(which we never asked for). It felt like a power play, not a solution. Completely unprofessional. If you manage to avoid him, you might get through your stay—but based on our experience and many others on Google, that’s a gamble. This property could be amazing. But until ownership or management changes, it’s a poorly run park hiding behind a reputable name. Avoid.

    • dThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 3, 2026

      Mojos Slab Camp

      Sanctuary

      Very nice people very helpful, considerate pleasant

    • Dick T.
      Jun. 3, 2026

      Bow Willow Primitive Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

      This is a wonderful place to unplug, reconnect, and recharge.

       I've camped here twice, and it’s ideal for solo camping. The quiet allows you to unwind and truly enjoy peace. I prefer to camp in the upper loop on weekdays; the noise from big RVs with generators is not my idea of solitude. Fortunately, I’ve never encountered that issue during my visits. I’ve noticed the handful of campers here are like-minded, also seeking tranquility for reflection. With breathtaking sunrise views and fantastic hiking trails, it’s a truly inspiring location. However, weekends in winter may feel too crowded for my taste, but that’s the beauty of individual preferences.

    • Grumpy O.The Dyrt Pro User
      May. 23, 2026

      Obsidian Butte

      Obsidian everywhere!!!!!

      Great place, the roads a little rough, but it's FREE. Lots of room easy to find a fairly level spot. It's FREE!!!

    • Andrew H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Apr. 7, 2026

      Los Palmas Oasis

      Dos Palmas Parking Area

      This is a medium sized dirt lot before the entrance to Dos Palmas. The view is pretty with the Sultan Sea on one side and the Dos Palmas Reserve on the other. About thirty minutes walk to the large Palm trees. About an hours walk to the springs.

    • Andrew H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Mar. 25, 2026

      Salton City Beach

      Salton City Beach

      Beautiful beach camping on the Salton Sea.

    Guide to Imperial

    Tent camping near Imperial, California presents challenges due to the extreme desert climate, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F. Most sites sit on desert terrain consisting of compacted sand or gravel surfaces. During winter months (October-April), temperatures become more manageable with daytime highs in the 70-80°F range and nighttime lows that can drop into the 40s.

    What to do

    Off-road adventures: The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area offers extensive terrain for off-road enthusiasts. At Glamis Flats, campers bring various vehicles to traverse the dunes. "Great place with awesome vibes! Bring your bikes and have a blast," notes Raymond B.

    Desert hiking: Several areas provide access to desert trails with unique geological features. "Easy to get to, sites are in good shape very quiet at night beautiful views. Nice hike to a palm grove," describes Stephen B. about his experience at Bow Willow Primitive Campground.

    Military base recreation: For those with military credentials, El Centro NAF Campground provides unique amenities not found at other area campgrounds. "The base has a large pool with water slides, gym, bowling alley, exchange/commissary, and movie theater," reports Ashlie F.

    What campers like

    Budget-friendly options: Free and low-cost camping opportunities exist throughout the region. "Great boondocking site on our drive to San Diego! You can't beat the price!" shares Jen H. about Cement Flats.

    Spacious camping areas: The desert landscape provides ample room between sites at many locations. At Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area, Timothy A. notes, "Great place to go get off grid if you don't mind off road vehicles. Plenty of open space to get away from the crowds."

    Desert geology: The unique terrain offers visual appeal and exploration opportunities. "We spent the day adventuring in Borrego and stumbled upon this site. It was completely empty and everything was so pink, it was gorgeous!!" reports Taylor about Bow Willow.

    What you should know

    Water requirements: Desert camping demands careful water planning. "Pack 3 times the amount of water that you think you would need," advises Kris K. about Ocotillo Wells.

    Vehicle considerations: Deep sand makes transportation challenging without appropriate vehicles. "Bring a tent or a trailer and make sure you have 4 wheel drive," recommends Hayden G. regarding Glamis Flats.

    Facility limitations: Most desert sites offer minimal amenities. "No water, $20 per nite with vault toilet and trash. Nice cover picnic tables at each site," reports Sheila S. about Bow Willow Primitive Campground.

    Tips for camping with families

    Safety precautions: The remote desert location requires extra safety planning. "Go with someone familiar with the area, as heading off into the dunes can be dangerous: you can get lost super easy!" warns Jennifer D. about camping at Glamis Flats.

    Peak times: Holiday weekends transform quiet desert spaces. "Midweek is pretty empty. Holiday weekend fill up fast and get very loud," notes Jennifer D. about Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area.

    Activity planning: Entertainment options vary by location. "It can be very HOT, no matter what time of year so make sure you bring your shade. But there are plenty of hidden gems out here whether it is the wind caves, oasis, or canyons to explore," suggests Geoff H.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: RV positioning matters in desert environments. "RVs are parallel parked, several deep. Mostly dunes vs washes," explains Jennifer D. about camping arrangements at Glamis Flats.

    Weather preparedness: Desert climate affects comfort significantly. "It does get very hot bring plenty of water," advises Jill E. about camping at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area.

    Seasonal considerations: Timing affects the camping experience. "Very popular with OHV and is pretty empty in the summer due to the extreme heat," notes Katie O. about the seasonal fluctuations at Glamis Flats.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Imperial, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Imperial, CA is El Centro NAF Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

    What is the best site to find tent camping near Imperial, CA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Imperial, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

    Keep Exploring

    2. View all California cities for camping