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Dispersed Camping

Painted Canyon

6 Reviews

Painted Canyon offers a unique camping experience with its rugged terrain characterized by canyons and rock formations. Temperatures can range from 40°F in winter to over 100°F in summer. Nearby, visitors can explore the Salton Sea and Joshua Tree National Park, both offering additional outdoor activities and natural beauty.

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Location

Painted Canyon is located in California

Coordinates

33.6193004 N
116.0000782 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Connectivity

Presented by T-Mobile Satellite

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T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Verizon
No Coverage
Verified by 1 user
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Drive Time

1 hr 32 min from El Centro
2 hrs 30 min from Yuma
2 hrs 36 min from San Diego
3 hrs 7 min from Lake Havasu City

Stephanie F.

Guide

Reviewed May. 19, 2025

Hummingbirds and beautiful canyons!

Stunning canyons to explore! They are marked and theres also pit toilets halfway through the main road to turnaround point. Hummingbirds came right up to my face! Didn’t even know they lived out here also saw whiptail lizard. Cell AT&T spotty to none the further you go in but theres random places with 2bars or more. Says mandatory 4WD but your fine with 2WD as long as you stick to main road or the pullouts that look like firm like the main road.

Month of VisitMay

(5) View All

Vanessa C.

Ranger

Reviewed Apr. 27, 2025

BEST BLM CAMPING

Literally gorgeous campsite. Was here 26 April and weather was gorgeous. Great place to unwind and feel isolated. Dogs were off leash entire time with plenty of separation from other campers. We went past the main part and went towards the end of the dirt road. With a 4WD you can easily make it through the thick sand. Recommend driving off to the sides were you will find event more tucked away campsites with fire rings around them. Only 1 bathroom near the beginning the the road. HIGHLY recommend for those who want to be off grid. Even had a little service with Verizon.

Month of VisitApril

Kai K.

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 20, 2025

BEAUTIFUL SITES WITH PLENTY OPEN

The main road was a super easy drive, definitely doable 2 wheel drive but 4 wheel is recommended. Plenty of sites and pretty quiet (especially considering st pattys day.) we had no issues finding a spot. Road traffic was quiet until hikers started to show up in the early AM. Lots of sunning views and a cool trail system with ropes and ladders at the end of the road.

SiteN/A

Month of VisitMarch

(6) View All

clinton H.

Guide

Reviewed Feb. 18, 2025

Best dispersed camping site of all time

Amazing area! So many places to camp. Road in is unpaved but not too bumpy. Once you get to the canyon area it’s deeper sand, so 4WD is advised. The road says mandatory but we saw many 2WD cars there.

Month of VisitFebruary

(5) View All

Mo H.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 24, 2024

Amazing stars

Absolutely quiet and an amazing starry sky

Ideal for tents

Month of VisitMay

Brad C.

Traveler

Reviewed Nov. 26, 2023

Absolutely stunning & so much fun

This place should be part of the park system. Stunning diversity in color and rock formations. If you hike to the top of the loop, you’ll not only feel like you’ve accomplished something special, but you’ll also get to see the rock formations and vegetation change with elevation. In the higher points of the hikes, you can see the Salton Sea from afar. Absolutely stunning at sunrise and sunset.

Sitedispersed camping

Month of VisitNovember