Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Winterhaven? We've got you covered. Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Winterhaven's most popular destinations.
The Mittry Lake Wildlife Area includes about 600 acres of surface water and 2400 acres of marsh or upland. A wide variety of vegetative and wildlife species can be found here, with a scenic backdrop of three mountain ranges. Numerous serpentine waterways connect to the main lake body and make exploring by boat a unique experience. This area is jointly managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Overview The Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area (LTVA) was created in 1983 to fulfill the needs of winter visitors and to protect the local desert ecosystem from overuse. The campground is approximately 3,500 acres in size, flat landscape, sparsely vegetated with plants such as creosote bushes, palo verde trees, ironwood trees, mesquite trees and various species of cacti. Imperial Dam LTVA offers solitude in a unique desert landscape and a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, swimming, boating, and fishing. Facilities Two restroom facilities with outdoor showers, trash services, grey water dump sites, black water dump site with water, dance floor and ramadas.
$1 - $15 / night
The area in and around Pilot Knob is rich in both human and natural history. At one time, Patton's troops trained here in preparation for desert fighting in World War II. A State of California Historic Marker lies on the site of Patton's camp. The marker is located just north of Interstate 8 on Sidewinder Road. The Fort Yuma Indian Reservation borders public lands near Pilot Knob. Every year, thousands of visitors come and enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities offered at BLM's Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs), where visitors can camp for as long as seven months.
$75 - $180 / night
This location is outside Tribal Land - but please look for any signs that may indicate "no overnight parking".
Guide
We loved this spot. FREE Dispersed camping is located just past power lines behind the actual hot springs. To stay at the LTVA you must have self contained trailer, van, rv…we didn’t know this. It worked out better-FREE camping and just a lil over an ¼ mile to the springs. It is well maintained by camp host Bill. Vault toilets, with TP & bonus there is great food at The Holtville Taco Shop 7 miles from springs. The Del Sol market has great marinated chicken for the BBQ and the tortillas are best outside of Mexico I have found. We will be back as the sunsets are too good not to experience over and over again…cold at night this time of year…
Guide
Lots of trains going by! Right by a main highway but we enjoyed meeting the other folks and were relieved to have a place to stay after having made an attempt on a rough dirt road where we had to turn around in BLM land nearby. Of course, after getting to the area we discover that we should’ve gone out to the lake Metairie area and that there is actually a hard road access to that beautiful BLM free camping.
Legend
We drove pretty far out Mittry Lake Road to the “free camping” spot labeled on Google maps. There are lots of other dispersed spots on the way in (but we’re full) and a big dispersed camping lot with parking spots as well. This is a busy area with lots of folks around. Everyone was respectful when we were here but don’t expect too much solitude or privacy. Road in is in great shape, packed gravel. Lots of the camp spots are dirt. Beautiful sunsets and lots of birds chirping. A very lovely spot to be…but with lots of company.
GuideIt is a flat/semi-flat area that is north of the VFW building on BLM land. Drive around the west side of the VFW. VFW has nothing to do with the BLM land. There is a 14 day limit stay with a "camp host" (which was not there). Yuma is about 12 miles away.
Legend
Drive in road fairly smooth, slightly nartow in some areas. I only went in about 6 miles to marker 60. I saw 4 Sherriff's vehicles coming out on my way in. Makes the area feel safer. Camp areas were spaced far apart and some were fairly large. The first two miles in from the main road is BLM land. Many large camp areas there that could even handle group gatherings.
Legend
This gravel graded road crosses about 3 miles of BLM before you get to the KOFA NWR boundary. This BLM area is flat and has more room to spread out on the desert pavement fingers, plus a closeby cell tower gives 5 bars signal. Pure free boondocking, no water, no trash cans, no toilets. But the strong cell signal is the main draw here for boondockers. If you go too far into the NWR and get behind a low ridgeline, you will lose the cell tower signal.
GuideBLM free camping on the waterway at Mittry lake. There's a boat launch area, trash service, and cell service (4g T-Mobile).
You are next to the road so it's not a lot of privacy but there were few people camping.
Drive down a half mile further to the oasis ... Palm 🌴 trees line walk out areas that just into the lake. Perfect spot for a picnic and afternoon sunning and reading.
GuideReally great place. Primitive boondocking. Trash cans at boat ramp/day use area. Pretty crowded but not hard to find a secluded spot. No water or dump. Had to use the WeBoost for decent cell service.
TravelerStayed north on Milltry Lake ( free camping area on Google ). Great. Zero amenities and small and quiet. Just a ( kind of ) boat dock. Plenty of amenities at the main lake area, that's not for me.
TravelerThis an excellent place for a stopover especially if you are heading south through the algodones border crossing. Although you can hear traffic it’s not intrusive. 5 minutes east of the 95 just north of the border patrol check point. It’s dispersed camping, flat, no shade. It has nice views of the surrounding mountains. The one thing to be on the lookout for is the tiny red cactus that is abundant.
Guide
I stopped here for one night after driving from California. this is a cool place to Boondock. I was right on the pond and had no problems with anybody else. the bugs were not too bad. the sunrise was amazing. there are no facilities here. make sure you use the restroom before you come and bring what you need. it is also likely that you will not be able to have a fire.
Legend
This is a popular LTVA due to water, RV dump and proximity to a couple lakes to fish or paddle in. The LTVA is large and seems to be mapped into a bunch of user named "neighborhoods". Cell signal depends on your location. No designated sites, no tables, no steel fire rings...just spread out boondocking with 1000 other campers. Lots of solar setups out here.
GuideThis campground is part of the long-term visitor area by imperial dam outside of the Yuma proving ground.
You turn off 95 into the east Imperial Dam road. You'll feel like you were turning onto an army base because you go betweentwo large pieces of military hardware and I decided the road. Then on your left you will see the human proving ground visitor center with examples of military hardware dating from world War II on. And interesting stop. See pictures and video.
The road has recently been reasshphalted and is actually smooth. Last year it was not. You will turn left at the sign for the Christian center. That spot has fresh highly filtered water for sale, propane, help with solar panels, a postal box you can use all season for your mail, and a little thrift store. You can also store your RV or ATV or boat there for $30 a month. Year-round.
The camping spot is back out the road on a ridge overlooking the lake. It does get windy in January, hence the name hurricane ridge.
Across from the campsite at the senator wash area is a dump station, huge trash bins with weekly pickup, portable water for your water tanks, toilets with running water and the check-in station to get your 7-month pass. They also set up a free table where people drop things they no longer need and also a library that is pretty well stocked with books and puzzles. Pay showers are available at the Squaw Lake campground just past the senator wash boat ramp.
TravelerReally nice camping spot. Easy access to Lake for fishing. Dumpster in area. Shopping 20 mins away. Very good fishing for Trout and Cat.
Ranger
Hippie Hole is a fantastic boondocking spot with easy access to the Colorado River and plenty of nearby walking trails. The campground is right next to the Cibola Wildlife Preserve, making it perfect for anyone who loves nature and wildlife.
Getting There: If you’re using Google Maps, I recommend skipping the first suggested right turn into the campground and instead pulling in the other entrance across from Baseline Road. This route is much wider and less steep, making it a safer option—especially for larger rigs.
Planning Ahead: The closest town is Blythe, about 30 minutes north, so stock up before arriving. That said, there’s a little store just down Baseline Road with last-minute essentials. The staff there are incredibly kind; they even gave us some free, fresh lemons during our visit!
The Campground: Technically, there’s a 14-day stay limit, but it’s clear that many campers spend most of the winter here. Vault toilets are available, though they come with their fair share of spider friends. There’s supposed to be weekly trash pickup, but it’s inconsistent, so we packed out as much as we could. If you plan to stay a while, be prepared to manage your own trash.
The Vibe: The relaxed, friendly atmosphere makes this spot stand out. You’ll find a mix of travelers and snowbirds enjoying the simple life here. The easy river access and proximity to wildlife make it ideal for kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching.
Overall, Hippie Hole is a laid-back spot for those seeking a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. Just plan ahead and pack out your trash to keep this gem clean and enjoyable for everyone!
ScoutThere were only a few sites available on Dec 9th which was a Saturday. Location is a little north of VFW. Drive into the VFW driveway, around the back of the VFW building going north. This will take you to the BLM site. Just drive around the flat area until you find a campsite. Dusty. Hwy 95 and railroad are next to camp area.
LegendLooked like an awesome camp spot but by late afternoon on a Wednesday in November it was completely jammed! We could have squeezed in and most folks were parked pretty close to one another along the shore, but we were looking for a little more solitude! I didn’t take any photos but it’s a 3.5mile drive in in a bumpy gravel road (but very passable) and then the camping area is mostly sand.
GuideNot a bad free campground, love the jet and helicopters that buzz the area. Some campsite at the river are not level and most campers stay longer then 2 weeks. But trash service and outhouse for your convenience. Couple of stores with in 10 minutes. Sandy so be careful where you drive.
GuideFREE & SPACIOUSNESS! Lots of places to park without being on top of the neighbors. Closest camper is over 400 yards away. Great views in all directions and only 3.5 miles to Palm Canyon. PC is the ONLY place in AZ where Palm trees are native. Apparently they have been growing in this secluded spot since this whole area was under water. Think of the song "Beach Front Property in Arizona".... Anyway, something cool to see. It's less than 4 miles off AZ-95 on a dirt road followed by a 1/2 mile VERY EASY hike from the parking area.
LegendWhen we passed through this area we were really excited to have actually found a place for camping in a tent, a lot of the area is surrounded by places which are designed for RV travelers, which makes it a little hard to enjoy the Yuma area.
Our excitement of the site however was a little short lived in some aspects. The port-a-potty provided was a bit deceiving, it wasn't really something you would ever want to use and look like it had been abused and possibly even dumped on its side at some point (GROSS). For that reason I had to mark this dispersed site down considerably. I would have probably rated it higher had it not even had one rather than a false ideal of having something and it being in poor shape.
We settled into the dispersed site and had amazing views and enjoyed some dry camping here following a fun day of historic sites in Yuma. Great place to get some sky photography for those which enjoy that as a hobby!
Tips:
Check out the Yuma tours in town, you can get a map of the historic sites at the Territorial Prison and find out where the other places of interest are. It is the Wild West in a commercial way, but you can do the self tour without paying a guide.
Bring all your supplies to this campsite because the closest store is a ways away. You can have campfires if you choose but there are no proper rings if you choose to do so and limited firewood.
GuideThere are different sections to the area...LTVA and special BLM. Know where you are... look at maps and talk to the rangers/volunteers....although they weren't super helpful. Different passes for different areas.
Cell service is strong during the day, perfect for remote work, but at 3-4pm good luck!
Views from the bluff are spectacular! But with the elevation comes Very stong winds. 60 mph sustained winds pummeled us for +24 hours...damaged the slide covers... so beware!
LegendPulled in on a Monday afternoon and there were several other campers but had no issue finding a spot. I drove past the boat ramp for more secluded sites. There’s 2 vault toilets and trash services by the boat ramp. Very quiet at night and felt safe. Had great cell service and no issues with working remotely. Traffic during the day but expected with a lake. Only stayed for a night but would definitely stay again. Be prepared for mosquitos though. It wasn’t unbearable but definitely a lot lingering around.
RangerWe spent 10 nights here and really enjoyed the experience. There are campsites over several miles, along the road and places in the floodplain of the lake.
We camped near the gate valve station 2. Very quiet at night and almost no visitors. We loved the solitude!
Bathroom is located East of our camp site in a densely packed camping area with little to no privacy. We found the bathrooms only convenient when we drove there.
This is supposed to be a wildlife refuge but we awoke several mornings to gunshots which we presumed were quail hunters. That was confusing.
There were a lot of off road vehicles stiring up dust on the weekends. I got the impression that they were joy-riding. Simple pleasures...
ScoutStayed here couple of weeks quiet place with great views and camp sites of the lake. Not to many people here must have hit it at a good time. had good Verizon reception using booster 4 bars.
ScoutFree 14 day camping. Very dusty when wind picks up but plenty of places to tent camp or RV. VFW club house on site.
Guide
Located South of Q Casino on way to boarder crossing. No amenities. Just a great place to park for free. Casino charges $10/nite for exact same amenities.
TravelerI didn't choose to park right next to the lake but was on the other side of the dirt road. Real nice place to relax, camp out, ride my bike, all for free. Felt very safe and had no issues during the stay. Its close to town if needed also. Never saw bugs and wind was pretty calm
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Winterhaven, California, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots that cater to different preferences, from serene lakeside views to rugged desert landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Winterhaven, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Winterhaven, CA is Mittry Lake Wildlife Area with a 4.4-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Winterhaven, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 dispersed camping locations near Winterhaven, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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