WINTERHAVEN, CA

NOTES – Not reported as O/N locations unless so stated. 1) D & W ($), see CA, WINTERHAVEN: Squaw Lake CG (BLM).
2) D & W, fee, at Gold Rock RV Park, ~8.3 mi N of I-8 x159 on Ogilby Rd.
3) D & W, D $15 for RV 30’+, $12 for smaller, W free (attendant said non-potable), at Chevron, I-8 x164, go S. May be higher, reports vary. Jon Twork #72786 Feb 16. Updated by Cinn #132581 viewed Jan 22.
4) GD OK at PO, Winterhaven CA 92283 (I-8 x170, go N, bear R on CR-S24, on R), but can only pick up 2:30-4:30p M-F.
5) Diesel & Gas can be $0.50 to $1.00 cheaper per gallon in Yuma, worth the drive. See AZ, YUMA: NOTES. Chas Wilder #88717 used Mar 22.

RA. W, pit toilet, dumpsters. I-8 MM 155, last RA going E out of CA, 16 mi from AZ state line, 1 mi W of Gray’s Well Rd x156. RA is in median area and you can go either E or W at exit. W faucet is at NE part of oval-shaped drive around the RA. W closed, REPORT NEEDED Mar 24. Howard/Ann Kasuta #8029 Jan 93. Last updated by Chas Wilder #88717 viewed Mar 24.

BD (BLM & private land). No facilities. Free. 14-day limit. From 4th Ave go 12.5 mi W on I-8 to x159 (Ogilby Rd, CR-S34), go N. 1) Go 3.6 mi N to RR tracks, TR on 1st rd just past the tracks (32.81665 -114.83773), signed Sidewinder Rd. The 1st mi in shows on a land ownership map as part of the “Imperial Sand Dunes” requiring a permit costing money, but there are no signs along rd. The next 0.3 mi (beginning ~32.81735 -114.82044) shows as private property, but there are no signs and RVers have for years used areas up to 1/4 to 1/2 mi from both sides of rd, permission/stay limit unk. (See #2 below for better rd to access this area.) At 1.3 mi in, BLM signs begin, posted “Limited Use Area”, where unless posted otherwise, camping is allowed within 300′ of the rd. Some areas difficult to reach due to road grading & possible route changes – access from #2) below may be an option. Any size rig. Lots of good hiking. Stovall/White #5058 Mar 00. Last updated by Jeff & Kay Down #101784 viewed Mar 16. Reval by Diane and Andy Hitzel #95726 stayed Dec 23.
2) Go ~0.1 mi further N on Ogilby Rd and find a rd that takes off diagonally to the NE. This is named “American Girl Mine Rd” on maps, may be signed on Ogilby. Similar BD area along this rd. This rd is often better maint than Sidewinder Rd and can be used to reach many of the areas in #1 above. TR on American Girl Rd, go past the R & L turns, watch for fenced water tanker on L, continue 1/2 mi, watch on R for a very prominent 2-rut rd coming in on the R, it will parallel you for ~200 yards. TR onto it, almost 180 degrees (lg rig use the whole rd) follow it 1 mi to the “private property” area off the N side of Sidewinder Rd in #1 above. Also reports of some areas on NW side of American Girl Rd, 1 at 32.8365 -114.81496. Stovall/White #5058 Mar 00. Last updated by Cinn #132581 stayed Feb 19. Last reval by Randy & Ellen Underwood #133278 stayed Feb 24.
3) Go 0.6 mi further N on Ogilby, just N of MM 4, 32.82678 -114.8375, TR (E) on BLM rd EC705, lg 14-day-limit signed area, OK for lg rigs for ~1.2 mi. Access from hwy a little rough. Cinn #132581 viewed Jan 22.
4) Go 0.2 mi further N on Ogilby, TR on BLM rd EC668, 32.83069 -114.83759, good access, signed for camping. Cinn #132581 viewed Jan 22.
5) Go 1.6 mi further N on Ogilby, TR on BLM rd EC801 (not signed at hwy, 32.85493 -114.83833), signed for camping, last easy turnaround 0.2 mi in. Cinn #132581 viewed Jan 22.
6) Go 7.0 mi further N on Ogilby (~10.5 mi S of SR-78), TL (W), go 0.5 mi to BLM area. 32.937 W114.881. CARE Benefit event once held here.7) Go 8.6 mi further N on Ogilby (1.9 mi S of SR-78), TL (W) into lg level firm gravel BLM area. 33.05941  -114.91498. Several lg rigs, easy turnaround. Good Verizon & ATT. Unshaded. Minor traffic during day, quiet after 8p. Mark & Sue Bryer #86611 stayed Jan 22.
NOTE: BLM enforces the “park only within 300′ of a numbered/named road” rule, but there are many BLM-numbered rds off Ogilby & Sidewinder Rds. Avenza maps (free basic Android or iPhone app) clearly shows above land ownership & numbered BLM rds (get the free Eastern Imperial County Route Map). Occasional high winds blow dust/sand at you from the dunes.

Pilot Knob LTVA (BLM). BD. Trash service w/ camping permit. $40 for 14 days (w/ option to purchase unlimited addl permits), $180 for season Sep 15-Apr 15 (summer rules are different). No S/A discount. From Yuma go W on I-8 beyond Ag insp sta to Sidewinder Rd x164. Go S over fwy, straight ahead & follow sign into LTVA. Los Algodones, MX, is a 10 min drive. Frank/Merridee Guyer #35069 Feb 96. Updated by Chas Wilder #88717 Mar 16. Last reval Mar 21.

Pilot Knob BD (BLM). I-8 x164, go S (cross over I-8 if WB), 2 rds go to 14-day camping areas: 1) Turn immed W on paved frontage rd by Chevron sta, continue past RV resort on L, past private property & no trespassing signs, ~1 mi to where pavement ends. Free 14-day land is on L. Wayne & Norma Murphy Mar 90. Reval by Al & Sharon Florida #86865 viewed Jan 18.
2) Go 0.2 mi S from I-8, look for sign just before LTVA to TR on dirt/sandy rd (BLM EC745) going to 14-day camping area. Take that rd, follow the power lines, go past “No Camping” signs on L (land on R is Indian rez), 1.6 mi to 2 signed free 14-day areas on L. 32.74321 -114.78454. Light gravel surface, mostly flat, reasonably level. Room for a few dozen rigs. Meets “no camping w/in 1 mi of LTVA” rule. Being only 4.4 mi from I-8 x166, these are the closest known free camping areas to Los Algodones for those who go there. PHOTO. Chas Wilder #88717 viewed Mar 15. Last reval by Richard #131211 stayed Jan 19.

BD (BLM). No facilties. Free. 14 day limit. W of town, I-8 x164, go ~1.5 mi N on Sidewinder Rd to end of pavement. BD areas on R, room for many rigs no size limit. 32.77479 -114.75417. 32.78111 -114.75402. Good ATT. Sidewinder Rd continues W to link up with Ogilby Rd, more BD spots 2-3 mi further N. Peter & Joan Williams #118734 viewed Mar 18. Last updated by John Schreiter #110510 stayed Mar 24.

Paved pkg area. No facilities. Free. No restrictive signs. I-8 EB only MM 165, S side. 32.74652 -114.7411. Old unused checkpoint area, across hwy from CA ag insp sta stopping WB traffic. Chas Wilder #88717 viewed Mar 22.

Quechan Indian Reservation pkg areas, Algodones Rd, S of I-8. Any size rig. Permit ($10/night/person, $40/wk/person or $110/3mo/person, required, sometimes enforced) can be purchased at Quechan Fish & Game Office on the hill above Paradise Casino near the church & closed medical ctr (separate from the tribal police). I-8 x166 (5.6 mi W of Yuma’s Winterhaven/4th Ave exit) go S on SR-186 toward Los Algodones, Mexico. 1) 1/4 mi before reaching All American Canal, turnoff on L leading to sm box canyon; very nice, quiet compared to nearby areas on N side of I-8 next to busy RR tracks.
2) Just before bridge over All American Canal, 2 turnoffs to R. One is 90 degrees to a rd paralleling the canal, the other is 150 degrees to a rd leading up a sm hill. The rd up the hill winds for a few mi thru a very lg secluded area w/ many BD spots to choose from.
3) Across All American Canal, immed R turn leads to another lg area secluded from SR-186, while a 90 degree R turn leads to spots along the canal.
4) 100 yards past All American Canal, L turn over spillway leads to a lg (usually crowded) area for BDers.
5) Past the spillway turnoff are turnoffs to spots on either side of the rd for the next mi or so. Howard/Ann Kashuta #8029 ?/97. Last updated by Terry & Barb Brown #105261 viewed Feb 19.

Quechan Pkg Lot. RV O/N pkg. No facilities. $22. Must be out by 8a. Daily pkg for cars $8, RVs $12, cash only. I-8 x166 (5.6 mi W of Yuma’s Winterhaven/4th Ave exit) go S on SR-186 toward Los Algodones, Mexico. Drive slowly past RV Park on R, look for sm sign for turnoff to lot on R (go any further and you are committed to drive into Mexico). Over fee criteria but included as a convenient option for some while visiting Los Algodones. Short walk across border to get meds, dental work, eyeglasses, haircut, liquor, etc (US re-entry 6a-10p daily, passport required). Rhonda Olsen #36111 viewed May 16. Updated by Kim & Greg Ketcher #140941 stayed Mar 23.

Quechan Indian Reservation, gravel pkg area, CR-S24 N of I-8. Permit required, sometimes enforced, see “S of I-8” listing. I-8 x166 (5.6 mi W of Yuma’s Winterhaven/4th Ave exit) N side. N32 44.911 W114 42.596. Bob & Viva Lee Ed #7568 Jan 03. Last updated by Rhonda Olsen #36111 stayed May 16.

Quechan Casino Resort. Pkg area for RVs/trucks S side of Casino. BD, no facilities. 1 day $10, 3 days $25, 7 days $50. Get permit at gift shop, need players card & license plate #. I-8 x166 (Algodones Rd), SW quad. Sign at 1st (Main) entrance says RVs use next (South) entrance rd, but it has some deep dips. Best to TR into Main, 32.74060 -114.72011, then TL to South lot. 32.73889 -114.72142. Any size rig. Security does very frequent patrols. Xlnt restaurant, wkend breakfast & brunch buffets. Promos for casino play. 877-783-2426. Chris Christiansen #49314 and Andy & Diane Hitzel #95726 Mar 09. Last updated by Gary Thompson #56944 stayed Feb 20.

Imperial Dam LTVA (BLM). BD, lg sprawling area. 8 fresh W & 4 D lanes near camp host, & some other locations. Restroom facilities w/ outdoor cold showers, trash removal. $40 for 14 days (w/ option to purchase unlimited addl permits), $180 for season Sep 15-Apr 15 (summer rules are different). No S/A discount. From I-8 in town, take x172 (4th Ave) N to CR S-24. TL, going W and then N ~22 mi to Senator Wash Rd. TL and soon you will see LTVA CG areas on both sides of rd. Or, from I-8 E of town, take x12 (Fortuna Rd), go N 2 mi, TR on SR-95. At MM 44, TL (between the big guns) on Imperial Dam Rd. Go ~8 mi to Senator Wash Rd, TR (see above). Mail delivery avail at Christian Ctr on Ferguson Rd (please donate), mornings only. Inside hot showers at Squaw Lake (end of rd), $1 per 5 min. Verizon great at Coyote Ridge, not good in wash areas. Wild burros amble thru camping areas. PHOTO. Kevin & Malia Lindsay #109985 stayed Jan 16. Last reval Mar 21.

Ferguson Lake BD area (BLM). Several undeveloped shoreline sites. No facilities. Free. 14-day limit w/in 28, must move 25 mi if moving to more BLM. From I-8 in town, take x172 (4th Ave) N to CR S-24. TL, going W and then N ~22 mi to Senator Wash Rd. TL, go ~3 mi to South Mesa CG. TL, go straight through the CG to sign w/ directions to Ferguson Lake. Rds to & around area are dirt (4WD recommended), but may be difficult to navigate after major rain. Last 10 mi of dirt rd is extremely rough, narrow, steep & winding w/ very few pullouts to meet oncoming vehicles. Lg rigs not recommended. Fishing, hunting, boating, hiking. Ferguson Lake is a backwater connected to the lower Colorado Riv, w/ access to Riv thru small channels. Joyce Findlay #112256 viewed Jan 16.

Squaw Lake CG (BLM). Designated spaces on asphalt, quite akin to nicer RAs along interstates. 4 restroom/shower bldgs (hot showers $1 per 5 min), threaded W spigots nearby. D. $15, S/A Pass 1/2. 14-day limit w/in 28. Annual pass for camping $75, still 14-day limit but can use all yr. From I-8, take 4th Ave x172, N to CR S-24. TL, going W & then N, ~22 mi to Senator Wash Rd. TL, go past all the Imperial Dam LTVA areas. The rd ends at this CG (not in the LTVA), at the E end of Senator Wash Reservoir, w/ Squaw Lake to the E. Some sites have nice views of lake. A sign says that if the alarm sounds, there is a problem with the dam, & head to higher ground. Fair Verizon. PHOTO. Rita Poe #95664 Nov 11. Last updated by Jen Rettig #113239 stayed Jan 20.

Also see AZ, YUMA.