Best Glamping near Needles, CA

This was a small, 24-site campground near the Colorado River. The sites are not reservable so first come first served. The grounds and bathroom were clean. There are coin showers so make sure to bring quarters if you’re planning to use them. Otherwise, the river was really cool and refreshing. There were ants on our tent pad so we didn’t use the regular tent. We were one of the few tent campers, everyone else was in RV’s/trailers.

It is somewhat near the highway so you can hear cars that drive over the rumble strips from time to time (so bring ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper).

The sites also have hookups, a grill, a fire pit and shade ramadas. There are a few bushes separating you from other campsites and they were spaced pretty decently where we didn’t hear the RV noises.

The beach area to the river was within walking distance. There are shade ramadas too and some have picnic tables. The water was very cold but refreshing.

I would camp here again in the cooler months or if I had an air conditioned rig during the warmer months. It got up to the high 90s during the day but was nice and cool late at night.

if it wasn’t for the river I’d give this campground about 3 stars because of the ants and highway noise.

(sorry for the lack of photos for the whole site)

This is my first time staying at a KOA campground. I'm impressed with how many amenities are provided: pool, laundry room, clubhouse, well-appointed bathroom, and a camp store with reasonable prices. My campsite is tidy and of a generous size. There are only a few shrubs for privacy, but the campground is practically empty so this isn't an issue today.

What is an issue today is the heat. As I write this at 10:11 at night, it is 100° F. When I arrived in Needles this afternoon, it was 114° F. The water that comes out of the spigots here is like bathwater. I started my day in L.A., where it was about 70° F. I knew it would be hotter inland, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. I'll be breaking camp at dawn tomorrow and hurrying back into the air conditioned sanctuary of my car. This campground is probably much more pleasant in the winter.

Camped here  April 28 and stayed for 2 nights. Was very close to home but wanted to test out the new trailer. It's $30 a night for non beach sites and $40 for beach front. The sites are well separated and there are fire rings, cabana and picnic tables at each site. There is also water and electric at all sites, 30 and 50 amp.  Its was very warm the days we stayed and had the A/C on the whole time. There are flush toilets and showers available. Nice hiking trails around the park. The campground staff are all pleasant and they keep the sites and bathrooms very clean. Its even close enough to town that you can walk to many nice restaurants. The beach's are sandy and you have a nice view of the sunset over the water in the evening. There is a dump station for those with holding tanks. All sites are reservable and there are also air conditioned cabins for rent.

Buckskin is another favorite if you don’t mind the heat but want to be within walking distance to the water. The river is extremely busy during the summer months. You can swim close to shore but can’t swim across the river as you’ll get ran over. Great beach areas to beach boats and play in the water for the kids. We stayed in 57 which was close to the dump station but wasn’t busy until Sunday at check out time. There is a dog park on site. Cell phone service is terrible. (Verizon). The resturant and store recently closed. As well as the gas station. We heard that on the California side there was a newer site opening and an arcade but never checked it out.

We regularly stay at this KOA when visiting family in the area. We love the Deluxe Patio sites, but they are not in our budget when on a fixed income. If you can afford it, the deluxe patio sites offer the most room, plus a concrete patio, fire pit, and grill.

This time, we stayed in the longer pull throughs on the other side of the campground - but these pull throughs are narrow if you have slideouts on both sides. Forget using an awning, we barely have room for the slides or walking between slide and hedge. See photos.

These sites are closest to the road, and there is road noise. Especially when the trash pickup truck comes at 6am.

The mini golf area has been refreshed and it looks really nice.

I ended up staying 3 nights here. The first in the regular paid campground--$50 a night--yikes for water/electric. 

Then I discovered the overflow parking lot. $25 for dry camping. Much better views and you still have access to the park's amenities--showers, potable water, hiking trails, etc. Plus the vibe is more communal. 

For the overflow sites you need to check in at the gate and you're assigned a site. Some of them are flatter than others. Mine was pretty level. 

A big storm rolled in while I was here and it was fun to watch the lighting across the lake. Lots of bunnies and birds. But you are super close to town. Can hear the road noise and sirens at night. Biking distance from the London Bridge and other Havasu attractions.