SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Fishing the Colorado River is within walking distance of your campsite at Needles KOA, and the Riverfront Cafe sits right alongside it. The campground sits in Needles, California, a desert town along Interstate 40 where temperatures can hit 114°F in summer and drop to comfortable mid-70s in winter. Sites are gravel, laid out in a flat open grid with minimal separation between neighbors. Privacy is limited. What the location trades in shade and seclusion, it makes up for in amenities and proximity to the river.

The campground runs full hookups for RVs up to 60 feet, with electric, water, and sewer connections at each site. A pool stays open around the clock, though it is not heated, and one reviewer noted they were unsure how the water stays as cold as it does in the desert heat. There is a clubhouse with a pool table, fireplace area, and group seating, plus a well-stocked camp store, laundry room, and a dump station. "T-mobile has great cell service here, and the water pressure is fantastic," notes Sandy S. The bathhouse is dated but functional, and some sites may not include a picnic table.

Timing matters significantly at this campground. Summer heat is not casual discomfort. At 10 PM, temperatures can still read 100°F, and tap water runs warm from the spigot. Winter and early spring bring far more manageable conditions, with blue skies and temperatures in the low 70s drawing RV travelers looking for a longer stay or a stopover between destinations. Nearby options like Desert View RV Resort, Northshore RV Resort, and Fenders River Road Resort give travelers along this corridor additional choices.

Reservations are available and the staff receives consistent mentions for being accommodating, including working with guests who need to reschedule. Gas in Needles runs significantly higher than surrounding towns, so filling up before arriving saves money. For campers passing through the Mojave on a longer route, this stop covers the basics reliably. Those planning a winter stay in the places to camp near Needles will find this KOA a workable base with mountains visible to the northeast and the Colorado River a short walk away.

Fee Info

Adults 18+, Kids 4-17, Free 0-3

Check AvailabilitySuggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsNeedles KOA is located in California near Needles

Detail location of campground
RV Park

Directions

W'bnd from jct I-40 & West Broadway: Go 1/2 mi N on River Rd, then 1 mi W on National Old Trails Hwy. Entrance on right. E'bnd from jct I-40 & River Rd cutoff: Go 1 block NW on River Rd, then 1/2 mi SE on National Old Trails Hwy. Entrance on left.

Address

5400 National Old Trail Hwy
Needles, CA 92363

Coordinates

34.86878561 N
114.64361818 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 125 users
    Last on 8/12/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 13 users
    Last on 8/12/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 8/12/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 125 users
    Last on 8/12/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 13 users
    Last on 8/12/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 8/12/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews12 Camper Reviews - Needles KOA

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

25%
50%
25%
0%
0%

4.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Numerous guests pointed out the extensive amenities including clean pools, laundry facilities, and helpful staff. A common theme was the lack of privacy between gravel sites and limited shade, though most found the location convenient for desert travel.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed May. 2, 2024

Grateful Stop

Last minute reservation traveling from Yosemite-Tule Lake. Easy access off 40. Carla was very accommodating offering one of the 2 shaded lots available for our dogs sake as it was 92. Very Clean & quiet.

Site97
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by charlie O., May 2, 2024
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by charlie O., May 2, 2024
Reviewed Feb. 4, 2023

Snowbirding Rocks

We arrived after park hosting in Oregon for 4 months. Blue sky, sift breeze and 72 degrees greeted us. Carla at the desk is awesome. We had to reschedule our visit due to mechanical issues. She was very helpful. Mountains to the NE of us. They have a pool, cleaned regularly but not heated. I’m too much of a wimp for polar plunges. But my wife Sherri says she’ll go it later.

Site49
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Michael C., February 4, 2023
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Michael C., February 4, 2023
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Michael C., February 4, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Feb. 2, 2023

Pool looks nice

The pool looks nice but it’s been too cold to check it out. I am not used to the desert so it’s hard for me to like this area. However the sites are flat and gravel and there is a decent laundry room. The bath house is dated but serviceable. For some reason my spot didn’t have a picnic table but it’s too windy to use anyways.

Site8
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Lisa C., February 2, 2023
  • Play button icon
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2022

Deluxe campground, sweltering heat

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.

Site27
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Alex M., June 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Alex M., June 11, 2022
Reviewed Apr. 24, 2022

Monthly stay

Staff is Great! Nice pool Clean restrooms Great place

Site37
Month of VisitJanuary
Reviewed Jan. 21, 2022

Needles

This is a wonderful clean stop over or a very reasonable monthly stay. Love the desert breeze for afternoon naps!

Site55
Month of VisitJanuary
Reviewed Nov. 29, 2021

Rv camping

This would be our first stop as a RV camper. KOA in needles ca and I would have to say we loved it ! Friendly staff nice clean swimming pool , and the amenities and facilities clean . The park overall I would say a 10 out of 10

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Nov. 20, 2020

KOA desert life

KOA have pretty much everything you need this location well its nothing fancy for what your paying, you get all the basics, the reason they only get a 4 is that they could have a bit more greenery for the cost you pay. They have a decent clubhouse, well-kept laundry room, a cool little fireplace where you can sit with friends, burn wood, and eat a meal on the tables a really neat group area for a bunch of friends or family that's for sure. They have full hookups, showers, bathrooms, a nice swimming pool, dump station, all spots are very close to your neighbors with no privacy AT ALL! some ran down tables and bbq at each site. we came when it wasn't scorching but this place gets super hot so prepare for that, they do have a store for things you need as well.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Brittney  C., November 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Brittney  C., November 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Brittney  C., November 20, 2020
  • (20) View All
Reviewed Nov. 20, 2020

desert camping you have to pay for

ok ok ok... this place does offer a lot!!! A clean blue swimming pool, laundry, showers, and bathrooms. each camp spot has pads, bbq grills, and water sources, some also offer a little covered canopy which is needed out here. In case you want to stay in a cabin, they have small cabins available to rent. This place has a variety of games around that can be fun for groups. I gave it a 4 only because it's really nothing special besides the amenities they could for sure have put some nice trees in to make it more shade for guest.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Brittney  C., November 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Brittney  C., November 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Brittney  C., November 20, 2020
  • (20) View All
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2020

Needles

Descent pool. Not sure how they keep the water freezing. Some killer desert views. Rough crowd around and needles is a disgusting town. It will suffice if you need to stop for a night. Level spots descent size. Well stocked store with very friendly staff

Reviewed Mar. 26, 2019

Not much going on here...

This area has an unheated pool and a rec area that has a pool table, card table and a couch facing a big TV that's equipped with a VCR and a big library of tapes to go with it. They also have a laundry mat here, a pretty well stocked store and a couple of horseshoe pits. The site itself isn't that great, there's no concrete slabs, it's just a big gravel parking lot with a few separation bushes and plants. But it is a decent location because its walking distance from the Colorado River, (and beside it) is the River Front Cafe. The cafe has more of a bar feel, but it has some nice views as you are eating some pretty good food.

T-mobile has great cell service here, and the water pressure is fantastic. Just don't buy gas here in Needles. It's twice the price of any current gas station. Go to one of the other towns that lay right on the outskirts of Needles town.

Site55
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Sandy S., March 26, 2019
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Sandy S., March 26, 2019
  • Review photo of Needles KOA by Sandy S., March 26, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2018

Hot Hot!

We pulling in very late, and it was still very hot! They have the swimming pool open all the time! we rented a cabin and there was no air condition on when we arrived and we turned it on and went swimming at 10:30 at night and by the time we got back to the cabin it was cooled off! nice clean but hot!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Needles KOA have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Needles KOA has 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

What is the max vehicle length at Needles KOA?

Needles KOA allows vehicles up to 60 feet.

Are fires allowed at Needles KOA?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Needles KOA, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Needles KOA have wifi?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Needles KOA does have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Needles KOA?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is excellent coverage for AT&T, excellent coverage for T-Mobile, and excellent coverage for Verizon.