Glamping close to Coolidge Springs, California puts visitors within reach of both mountain and desert environments, with elevations ranging from 500 to over 6,000 feet across nearby camping destinations. The region experiences dramatic temperature swings, with daytime highs often exceeding 100°F in summer months while winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations. Water access varies significantly between established campgrounds and dispersed sites, requiring careful planning for hydration needs.
What to do
Hiking local trails: Yaqui Well Primitive Campground offers direct access to the Bill Kenyon Overlook trail from the campground. "There's a wonderful path called Bill Kenyon Overlook trail that's trailhead is on the side of the campground," notes one visitor who appreciated the convenient access despite the primitive nature of the facilities.
Night sky observation: The dark skies above the desert make for exceptional stargazing conditions, particularly during new moon phases. "Photographer friend was also able to capture amazing astrophotography here," mentions a visitor who spontaneously camped at Yaqui Well Primitive Campground, highlighting the area's appeal for night photography enthusiasts.
Mineral springs soaking: Catalina Spa and RV Resort offers mineral spring-fed pools that maintain natural hot temperatures. "Upper mineral pool is more adult friendly," explains a visitor who notes the pools are "fed by natural hot springs and warmer than most hot tubs," providing a therapeutic experience after desert exploration.
Wildlife watching: Mountain areas near William Heise County Park offer opportunities to observe native wildlife in their natural habitat. One camper reports, "We love this campground. Deer and flocks of wild turkey," highlighting the wildlife viewing potential that exists in the cooler mountain sections of the region.
What campers like
Natural hot springs: Thermal mineral waters provide relaxation after desert activities. A camper at Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort shares, "Too many activities to list," referring to the numerous amenities centered around the natural hot springs that give the resort its name.
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, many sites maintain well-kept facilities. At Agua Caliente County Park Campground, a visitor noted, "Flush toilets and coin operated showers. This place is well maintained and the cleanest campground I have ever stayed at," emphasizing the importance of these amenities when glamping in desert environments.
Family programming: Organized activities enhance the camping experience for families with children. According to a camper at Agua Caliente, "There are 3 pools heated by the geothermal natural hot springs, one is adults only so you're not stuck hanging with the littles! Great hikes, shorter in length but plenty challenging and gorgeous views."
Diverse terrain: The region offers varied landscapes from desert flats to pine forests. "We just hit the end of the season before it got too hot. It is often windy. We had hookups and used our AC every day. The palm canyon hike is really nice," noted a camper about their experience at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Some desert campgrounds have challenging water situations. At Oasis Palms RV Resort, a camper warns, "The water is NOT SAFE to drink or cook with due to excessive arsenic and fluoride. There are however 3 locations in the park with reverse osmosis filters to fill water jugs."
Seasonal temperature extremes: Plan for appropriate gear based on time of year and elevation. "Day is really hot and night is cold but Anza-borrego is a beautiful place," mentions a visitor to Yaqui Well Primitive Campground, highlighting the need to prepare for significant temperature swings between day and night.
Wind conditions: Desert areas experience frequent strong winds that affect camping comfort. A camper at El Prado Campground notes, "Beautiful in a desert way. Can get super duper windy. Great off road hikes and scenery," emphasizing how wind can impact the overall camping experience.
Limited services: Many sites offer minimal amenities, particularly in remote areas. "This campground is a primitive one. It's basically an open lot," explains a visitor to Yaqui Well, reminding campers to bring necessary supplies as services may be limited or non-existent.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Seek campgrounds with swimming facilities during warmer months. A visitor to Lake Hemet Campground shares, "We had the best time here! The lake with all the blow up toys was a blast! The section we were in only had a volt potty but there were showers there in another section."
Spacing considerations: Select sites with adequate room for children to play safely. At William Heise County Park, a camper notes, "All spots outside of the R.V. loop are spread out and pretty secluded. Very friendly and helpful rangers," pointing out the importance of having space for family activities.
Educational opportunities: Use camping trips to teach children about desert ecology and conservation. A camper at El Prado Campground states, "The camp ground was very spacious and clean. The only downside was the vault toilets. They were extremely smelly and old. Other than that I will be going back," showing how families can find value despite minor inconveniences.
Accessibility to town: Choose sites with reasonable proximity to supplies if camping with children. "Julian, CA. Wooded beautiful county campgrounds a couple miles from sweet town of Julian. Hiking and biking trails. Spacious campsites. Great facilities," reports a visitor about William Heise County Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Several desert campgrounds offer full hookups for extended stays. A visitor to Catalina Spa and RV Resort explains, "We've been here for about 4 weeks and are going to store our rig and car here for a month before returning for another 3 weeks in Jan-Feb. The sites are spaced moderately with easy access to hookups and shrubbery between each site."
Wind protection: Position RVs to minimize exposure to prevailing winds when possible. "Upper section is exposed to the frequent high winds. Lower section is blocked by trees and bushes which block you from your neighbors," advises an RVer who stayed at Catalina Spa and RV Resort.
Long-term options: Some resorts offer extended stay rates for seasonal visitors. "We stayed for 2 and a half months and enjoyed the amenities daily. There is plenty of space for kids to play, with lawns and a little playground," mentions a long-term visitor to Catalina Spa and RV Resort.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds have sanitary dump facilities on-site. "Nice hot showers and a great dump station to empty my tanks," notes a satisfied RVer who stayed at William Heise County Park, highlighting the importance of this amenity for self-contained vehicles.
