Best Tent Camping near Imperial, CA
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.