If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Needles, look no further. Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.
Snaggletooth Primitive Camp sits on the southwest corner of the Chemehuevi Mountains and serves as the staging area for backpackers. Due to its location just off of U.S. Highway 95, and in close proximity to the town of Needles, it is a popular spot for seasonal visitors looking for a place to stop for the night. However, due to the surrounding scenic qualities and the openness of the area, many visitors who may have only intended to stop for just one night find themselves staying for a week.
Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources. Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days (12 months in Alaska). Campsite Selection Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked. Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before. Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.
Legend
This spot is best for a quick layover and then move on. Just an old gravel pit,th no water, no toilets, no trash. Only a few miles north of the town and Walmart. There were a couple of broke down burned out vehicles that added to the ambiance. No cell in the lower pit but ok cell on upper level.
Scout
Easy place to find a open spot in the back and quiet until some dumbass pulled in and starts their generator and blares Pink Floyd .
Guide
We spent 4 days here and it was very nice! People seem respectful on the UTVs. Local amenities are super super convenient!
Guide
Solid gravel roads, lots of space, small scrubery, nestled against rock formations.
Traveler
Good Verizon signal clean sites. Easy to get to beautiful area. You do need an Arizona trust camping permit. It cost $20 for the whole year. You can get it online.
Traveler
We loved it here, stayed the one night to break up the journey. The directions are great, and there are two sites here, we stayed in the second. It was nice and level. The views were beautiful, and having all the space and quiet to ourselves was magical. Didn't see any snakes or other critters.
Traveler
We stopped here as a one night stop on our way to New Mexico. It was a decently maintained dirt road, you should know how to crawl around potholes and/or have a higher clearance vehicle. I could see a 2WD getting stuck in the sand/fine rock areas. If you want to sleep in at all, definitely pick the west side of a large rock structure to help block the morning sun. It very quickly got hot, but with no canopy on the tent at night, we slept comfortably.
Guide
We stayed here for a night and the site was beautiful. We stayed in one of the spaces not too far down the road as it was our first time dispersed camping. I would definitely recommend staying further down the road as there were a few things we quickly realized:
ScoutSeems like a beautiful setting but we ran into a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake within feet of the campsite. They are aggressive and fatal. We left to go find somewhere else. Be careful.
Legend
This dispersed camping area which requires a ridiculously inexpensive online permit ($20 per year), was perfect for what we needed. Our closest neighbor was about ¼ mile away, and we had views and sunsets aplenty. There is access to the Lake Havasu, but only by OHV or on foot, we chose the latter.
The roads in from the highway are rough and rocky, but doable if you take it slow. Once again our 67 year old vintage camper did great getting to our spot, though we recommend parking and walking the roads before committing to the drive in.
There’s hiking opportunities right out your front door, and nothing but the highway or the lake to stop your progress. The nearby Cattail Cove State Park offers designated hiking trails through the rugged desert terrain.
Nothing in the way of services, so bring your own...but lots of space to be alone and private. And, with sun, sun, sun, the California/ Arizona skies are great for solar gathering, so bring out all your panels. Starlink internet worked well too.
Lake Havasu city is about 15 minutes up the road, and there you can find everything you might need in terms of services and supplies. Check out the world famous London Bridge while you’re there, too!
TravelerGreat little spot to stop on the way. Far enought from main road. Fantastic sky at night.
Traveler
We have a 37’ class A diesel pusher. The road in wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Go slow. Some tight spots so watch for oncoming vehicles. Beach is first come first serve. 7 day camping limit. Free. Restrooms and dumpsters available. Boat launch area. No wake zone for swimming. Shallow water is great for kids and dogs.
ScoutThe two spots are about 1.5 miles off the highway on a dirt road, you'll see a spot off the right on a narrow trail. BLM property. Free-roaming cows, didn't bother us at all. Beautiful sunset on our nights stay. The second spot is just around the first corner after the first one, less used, but probably flatter. Could hear the highway, but wasn't bothersome.
Scout
We followed the directions and arrived in an area where some mobile homes were installed, apparently permanently. No possibility to stay there
RangerGreat little pull off camp spot. I wouldn’t spend more than one night here. The cows are super cute to wake up to. I didn’t smell them at all. The road is a little washboard and there aren’t a lot of good turn around spots. Overall very happy with the spot. It was quiet and perfect for a road trip camp spot.
ScoutGave only 3 stars due to sketchy cell (AT&T) and no internet. Only 2 spots, but there was a fire ring and free roaming cows. Great for an overnight stay.
Guide
Great spot just before Hole in the Wal About 1/4 mile down a road marked “4x4 high clearance only.” But if you’re just hitting the campsite you can make It in a lot less. There’s a turn around there for people towing trailers. No facilities, just a fire ring, red rock peaks and quiet. Absolutely stunning.
LegendStayed right off highway in big parking lot. Class C towing Jeep. Scouted out sites further up the road with Jeep but they were occupied even at noon. Appears to be a lot of permanent residents. Trash seems to be the Arizona state flower in the BLM dispersed areas.
ScoutI was given the boot at a 14 day spot and i wasnt ready i had to choose between craggy crowded or lone tree loud . I chose H.Heights. internet walks through small neighborhood store at the rv park xrss street. Bullhead oneway lake havasu the other .
GuideWe came in just before dark. We couldn’t find any empty spots as easy access spots were scarce as we are towing a 26 foot trailer. However if you have a small 4x4 - you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a spot.
GuideComing from 95 the right side has long more private pull ins but it’s very hard to turn around, narrow, and very sketchy if you have low clearance vehicles. The left side is flat, easy to get in and out but is very crowded and not private at all. There was probably about 25 rvs, cars, and other rigs to the left. We drove pretty far back on the right side (as far as our car would get us) but ended up turning around and sleeping in the very first spot next to the road.
ScoutSuper clean & well maintained. Not many places to turn around. Also super soft sand and rocks so we snuck in and had to be towed out 😩 I would stay here again but I guess I would need a different car. The location is super nice though.
TravelerThis was our first overnight in our new overcab camper truck rig, family of four with two young girls. Drove back about 2 mi, lots of folks, finally found a quiet area with even a bit of kale overlook, on a short offshoot road Left of the main, and stayed a very peaceful night. Not a place to stay all day, but good for boondocking. All the campers seemed respectful and very friendly. “No bad days,” havasu style;)
ScoutAs a solo female traveler, my main priority is safety and this spot was incredible. I stayed here for a week and already miss it. It’s 5 minutes from McDonald’s/gas for food and/or bathrooms and in that same area is a Walmart. Just 15 minutes down the road is the heart to lake havasu. Can’t wait to go back and stay there. There’s plenty of spots well marked. You’ll head up a dirt road for about a mile and then can go as far as you want. Verizon had 2 bars, so spotty but enough connection. I drive a 2WD sedan and had no problems on the road.
RangerYou need to go 1 mile up the road before you can camp. At the first spot there are lots of rigs and interesting characters. Took me another mile to find a place that was away from people. The spot was beautiful, but fair amount of trash and dog crap. I can see the appeal, but upon closer examination, it’s good for a night or two at most. Verizon service worked.
LegendMultiple choices for spots. Private, views, groups, high or low. Roads very rocky but not too bad.
Scout
Turn was right off the freeway and opened up into a vast expanse. Decent dirt road network some noise from traffic but not bad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Needles, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Needles, CA is Craggy Wash - Dispersed Camping Area with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Needles, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 52 dispersed camping locations near Needles, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
