Best Tent Camping near Winterhaven, CA

Tent campgrounds near Winterhaven, California provide opportunities for both riverside and desert camping experiences. Black Mountain Road Camp offers dispersed tent camping with no facilities but scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Other options include Buttercup Ranger Station for basic tent sites and Glamis Flats at Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area for those seeking a unique sand dune camping experience. The Organic Date Farm in nearby Arizona also offers tent camping with amenities like drinking water and toilet facilities.

Tent camping conditions vary significantly across these sites. Most dispersed areas like Black Mountain Road Camp lack basic amenities - no water, toilets, or established facilities. Campers must bring all supplies, including sufficient water for the desert climate where temperatures frequently exceed 100 degrees in summer months. The road into Black Mountain requires navigating about 2 miles of washboard terrain before reaching camping areas. Sites are primarily on bare desert soil with scattered small cacti that can pose hazards for tent placement and bare feet. The Bureau of Land Management enforces a 14-day stay limit at most dispersed sites in the region.

Areas farther from established campgrounds provide deeper solitude but require more self-sufficiency. The desert terrain offers expansive views and star-filled night skies without light pollution. Campers at Black Mountain Road Camp report "beautiful sunrise and sunset 360-degree views" and "quiet solitude" even during hot weather periods. Walk-in tent sites at Glamis Flats provide access to the unique experience of camping among massive sand dunes. Tent campers should be aware of the lack of natural shade throughout the region - no trees or natural structures block the intense desert sun. Summer tent camping is challenging due to extreme heat, making fall through spring the preferred seasons for backcountry tent camping in this region. Good Verizon service is available at several sites, including Black Mountain Road Camp.

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Best Tent Sites Near Winterhaven, California (17)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Winterhaven, CA

1 Photos of 17 Winterhaven Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Winterhaven, CA

94 Reviews of 17 Winterhaven Campgrounds


  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 27, 2023

    BLM Oxbow Campground

    Great BLM camp on river.

    Nice BLM CG on Colorado River. Colo and AZ state line seems to bisect this area. CG has tables, fire rings vault toilets, dumpster, but NO water or RV dump. $15/$7.50 senior. 14d limit.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 23, 2023

    Lake Mittry Wildlife Designated Camping Area

    Camping in the tules

    Mittry Lake free dispersed camping area.
    This area is close to the Imperial Dam LTVA complex. The area is managed by the AZ fish and game and BOR. Camping limit is 10 days, free dispersed. There are 3-4 camping pod clusters seen from the main graded washboard gravel road. Lots of spots along the main road or tucked into the reeds. The area by the boat ramp has camping only in a designated area that looks recently created improvement. This boat ramp site also has a vault toilet and a dumpster. Cell signal is intermittent depending on your location.

    I was disappointed at seeing a couple fire rings full of trash...

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2022

    Osborne Overlook

    Surprise, it's also a campground!

    Located in the Imperial Dunes, we didn’t even realize this was a “campground” as we drove the short uphill to the lookout to see the dunes. There is a 14-day limit but unless you are really into cruising around the dunes on an OHV, I’m not sure why you would stay that long. It is basically a paved parking lot and there are no markers indicating a separation between “spaces” so you park/camp wherever you find room (there were some sections with no parking signs). Although the road and lot are paved, the wind will blow sand all over and it was VERY windy when we were there! There were two vault toilets, a covered picnic table and several fire rings but no other amenities. As far as I can tell, it is free to camp here. I did notice some RVs displaying rather strident political flags which would have made us uncomfortable staying here overnight so we enjoyed the dunes for a short while and drove on. A plus is the cell coverage is great (you are higher up) and the dunes are beautiful!

  • Miles K.
    Apr. 21, 2021

    BLM Oxbow Campground

    Weekend Getaway Boondocking

    I met up with an old Marine buddy of mine and my 15 year old son for some camping, fishing and offroading with my friends Polaris Razr. There is a nice boat dock that is well used. NOTE: The walking dock to get into your boat is not setup and is not functional. Fishing spots are around the camping sites... fishing from shore into the river is doable... but the flow of the river means you probably will be like I was just practicing your casts. The trails on the Arizona side off of Levee Rd. We're great. We went out into the desert by the Hart Mining area and saw Big Horn Sheep and a Log Cabin from 1910. The weather was great... wind did get a bit gusty in the afternoons. Other than that great sunrises and sunsets. Camp fire rings were full of past ashes. We dug ours out to make it better for a fire. The Vault bathrooms are Really Bad. Luckily I brought my privacy pop-up tent and Lowes bucket with a toilet seat. That was way better than the stench of the toilet. No water so you need to bring your own, same with firewood, toilet needs... no toilet paper provided, no sinks or clothes pins required. We were the ONLY campers in the main campsites by the off duty camp host trailer on the river on Sat night and woke up to an empty campground.

  • Tina R.
    Dec. 28, 2022

    BLM Oxbow Campground

    Dry camping

    This is a dry camp, but fee based. $15.00 per vehicle, per night. Or half price with a federal park pass.

    Plan on bringing water and the nearest dump area is Blythe,  CA.

    Close to Cibola Wildlife refuge.

    Beautiful and quiet, family area.  

    Hosts are excellent and keep very clean bathrooms.

  • Anna J.
    Sep. 8, 2020

    Walter's Camp RV Park & Campground

    Nice off the beaten path

    Not the fanciest but it was a nice quiet area with full hookups. Only $40 a night included utilities and WiFi. We saw some wildlife. Nice little hike in the scrub pines. Close to town but far enough to feel like we were away from it all. Smaller park. I think 44 spaces. They had laundry room I didn’t use. Sell Propane if you need it. Offered bathrooms and showers but didn’t look very clean so I used my own since water was hooked up.

  • Katie O.
    Jul. 14, 2018

    Glamis Flats

    fun!

    if you like to drive offroad, this is the place for you! even if you dont,its fun to sled down the dunes. small pit toilets that seem to be cleaned often but still smell, no water available and there are always beer cans thrown in the bathrooms. very popular with OHV and is pretty empty in the summer due to the extreme heat.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 9, 2023

    BLM King Valley Road Free Dispersed

    Great free boondocking with cell signal

    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.

  • Marty C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2022

    Lake Mittry Wildlife Designated Camping Area

    Beautiful but trashed by locals.

    From Imperial Dam road, it is an approximate 5 mile drive down a dirt/gravel rock washboard at times road. It would have been a five star dry camp if the locals didn't trash the area and bathrooms. Areas that were once camping spots have been blocked off or signs posted no overnight parking and makes it limited on space. Thankful we came in October, so there was a few spots open.


Guide to Winterhaven

Tent camping near Winterhaven, California, offers a unique blend of desert landscapes and outdoor adventures, perfect for those looking to escape into nature.

Local Attractions to Explore

  • The scenic Carrizo Boat-In Campground provides river access and a launch ramp, making it a great spot for water enthusiasts.
  • Glamis Flats is a popular destination for off-road vehicle lovers, featuring vast dunes and a vibrant atmosphere for adventure seekers.
  • Black Mountain Road Camp offers stunning 360-degree views, ideal for photography and enjoying the serene desert sunsets.

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

  • At Taylor Lake Boat-In Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing and boating, taking advantage of the beautiful lake setting.
  • Midway Campground is perfect for those who want to explore the Imperial Sand Dunes, with ample opportunities for hiking and off-roading.
  • Buttercup Ranger Station provides a quiet retreat for tent campers looking to hike and explore the surrounding desert terrain.

Tent Campers Appreciate These Amenities

  • Organic Date Farm offers unique experiences with farm tours and a nano-brewery, along with essential amenities like drinking water and toilets.
  • Gray's Well is a big rig-friendly option that allows pets, making it a convenient choice for families traveling with furry friends.
  • Roadrunner Campground features basic facilities like toilets and trash disposal, ensuring a comfortable stay for tent campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Winterhaven, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Winterhaven, CA is Buttercup Ranger Station with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Winterhaven, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Winterhaven, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.