Palo Verde camping offers diverse desert terrain experiences in the Colorado River valley at an elevation of approximately 300 feet. The area's mild winter climate attracts seasonal visitors seeking riverside recreation, while summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F. Glamping in Palo Verde, California typically costs between $35-80 per night depending on amenities and proximity to water.
What to do
Bird watching excursions: Winter visitors to Mayflower Park can observe sandhill cranes during their seasonal migration. "Sandhills cranes fly over in morning. Spectacular!" notes Stuart K., who appreciated the prime viewing opportunities directly from the campground.
Desert hiking exploration: The Corn Springs Campground offers access to canyon trails with archaeological significance. Terry B. explains, "Small section of petroglyphs, unfortunately some have been ruined with graffiti. Overall pretty clean and well maintained for a BLM site."
Riverside swimming access: During summer months, campers cool off in designated swimming areas along the Colorado. "Stayed on the river with great access for swimming and fishing. Very quiet this time of year, also great access to BLM lands for Off road," reports Dale P. from his Walter's Camp experience.
What campers like
Uncrowded weekday stays: Winter and spring midweek visits offer substantially more peace and isolation. "Here on weekdays end of September and very serene. Just what I was looking for," shares Larry B. about his Walter's Camp RV Park experience.
Budget-friendly luxury camping: Several upscale glamping options near Palo Verde provide value compared to similar accommodations elsewhere. "You can get a very low rate here so negotiate because they don't have much business and you can get a good price," suggests Brittney C. about Villa Verde RV & Mobile Park.
Desert stargazing opportunities: The remote location and limited light pollution create optimal night sky viewing conditions. "It's nice to come here and forget about the world. It's $6 per night," notes Taylor about Corn Springs Campground's affordable access to dark skies.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds use river water that requires filtration. Bob D. warns about Walter's Camp: "There are water hose hookups, but I would not introduce this water into your RV. It is brownish and not well treated. It is basically river water from a shallow well that ran through a sediment filter."
Access road conditions: Several glamping sites near Palo Verde require driving unpaved roads. "2WD can make it just fine, but probably good to have a AWD/4WD after a heavy rain," advises Dan X. about reaching Corn Springs.
Seasonal population fluctuations: Winter brings significant increases in camper density. "Heads up, this place gets packed during the warm months!" warns Christopher about Walter's Camp RV Park, indicating summer can be unexpectedly busy despite the heat.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children particularly enjoy the small desert wildlife encounters. "Quiet RV site with tons of cute baby bunnies running all around when the sun starts to go down," describes Brittney C. about her stay at Ameri-Can Trails RV Park.
Safety around water: The Colorado River current can be unpredictable, requiring vigilance with children. One camper at Walter's Camp notes: "5mph speed limit within the campgrounds is necessary due to foot traffic, especially from kids playing."
Off-season educational visits: School-age children benefit from exploring the area's historical sites during cooler months. Richard D. recommends: "Great place to camp if you like the quiet peaceful desert. Old cabins up the wash and other fun things to explore."
Tips from RVers
Shower facilities vary significantly: Quality and availability of showers differs widely between parks. "The community showers are great. Hot water and seemingly the same water at the sites but somehow seems clear," reports Bob D., contrasting with campsite water quality.
Site selection considerations: When glamping near Palo Verde, site location affects comfort. "We chose a site sort of close to the store and showers. Well the store has a noisy compressor that runs pretty much 24 hours a day. Seemingly never cycles on and off. Very annoying," warns one Walter's Camp visitor.
Alternative amenities nearby: Hidden Beaches River Resort provides convenient services for longer stays. "They offer full hookups and beachfront. There are showers and laundry room," reports Bianca B., though she notes the "rates were quite high" at over $40 per night.
