Midway Campground

4500 Gecko Road, Brawley, CA, 92257, USA

Welcome to Gecko Campground, where endless sand dunes meet starlit desert skies in the heart of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. As the area's premier camping destination, this expansive campground unfolds across two thoughtfully designed loops—north and south—each accessible by smooth paved roads that wind through the dramatic dunescapes. Modern vault toilets are strategically placed throughout both loops, ensuring comfort without compromising the authentic desert experience. Here, the rhythmic whisper of shifting sands and the vast openness of the Sonoran Desert create an unforgettable backdrop for your outdoor adventure.

El Centro Field Office, 4500 Gecko Road, Brawley, CA, 92257, USA

Tucked away in the vast Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, Keyhole Campground offers an intimate desert escape perfect for those seeking a more secluded experience. As the smallest campground in this legendary dune system, Keyhole provides a cozy haven with its smooth paved surface that welcomes everything from solo adventurers to tight-knit groups ready to share stories under the desert stars. Whether you're planning a family reunion or a small gathering of off-road enthusiasts, this compact gem delivers the perfect basecamp for your sand dune adventures.

El Centro Field Office, Brawley, CA, 92257, USA

Welcome to Roadrunner Campground, where adventure meets the endless horizon of golden sand. As the second largest camping destination in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, this desert oasis offers spacious sites along a well-maintained loop of paved roads. Modern vaulted toilets and thoughtfully designed infrastructure make this raw wilderness accessible without sacrificing the authentic dune experience that draws thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year.

Interpark Road at Picacho Road, Winterhaven, CA 92283

Escape to S Beach Boat-in and Drive-in Campground, where the untamed beauty of the Colorado River meets the solitude of the desert. This hidden gem welcomes adventurers by both land and water, offering primitive campsites thoughtfully furnished with picnic tables and fire rings for those perfect desert evenings under the stars. While you won't find hookups here, the campground provides chemical toilets and strategically placed potable water stations, ensuring comfort without compromising the authentic wilderness experience.

Carrizo Boat-in Campground, Picacho State Recreation Area, Winterhaven, CA 92283

Hidden along the Colorado River's edge, Carrizo Boat-in Campground offers adventurous souls a true escape from civilization. This remote outpost within Picacho State Recreation Area can only be reached by boat, rewarding those who make the journey with two pristine riverside campsites. Each site comes furnished with the essentials—a sturdy picnic table, fire ring for evening gatherings, and chemical vault toilets—though visitors should note that bringing their own water is essential for this primitive camping experience.

Taylor Lake Boat-in Campground, Picacho State Recreation Area, Winterhaven, CA 92283

Escape to Taylor Lake Boat-in Campground, where four secluded family campsites await adventurous souls seeking solitude along the Colorado River. Whether you arrive by small watercraft gliding across the glassy surface or navigate the rugged access roads, you'll discover a pristine wilderness retreat complete with essential amenities. Each site comes equipped with sturdy picnic tables and fire rings for evening gatherings under starlit skies, while well-maintained chemical toilets and an thoughtfully designed ADA-accessible site ensure comfort for all visitors. This hidden gem delivers an authentic backcountry experience where the desert meets the river, far from the crowds and close to nature's raw beauty.

4900 Picacho Rd., Winterhaven, CA 92283

Discover your perfect outdoor escape at this hidden gem, where adventure meets tranquility. Whether you're seeking a weekend getaway or an extended wilderness retreat, this campground offers the ideal basecamp for exploring nature's wonders. From sunrise hikes to starlit evenings around the campfire, every moment here connects you with the great outdoors.

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Escape to the serene isolation of Paddlewheel Boat-in Campground, where the only way in is across the shimmering waters of the Colorado River. This hidden gem rewards adventurous paddlers and boaters with pristine primitive camping far from the crowds. Your waterfront site comes equipped with the essentials—a sturdy picnic table, fire ring for evening gatherings, and chemical toilets—while the absence of potable water ensures you'll experience true backcountry camping. Here, under vast desert skies, you'll find the perfect blend of river tranquility and desert solitude that makes every paddle stroke worth the journey.

Picacho State Recreation Area, Winterhaven, CA 92283

Escape to Picacho Main Campground, where 54 primitive campsites await adventurers seeking an authentic desert experience. Each site comes equipped with the essentials—sturdy tables for evening meals under the stars, fire rings for crackling campfires, and access to drinking water and facilities including chemical toilets and refreshing solar showers. Just steps from the life-giving Colorado River, this desert sanctuary invites you to cast a line at sunrise, explore rugged hiking trails, or launch your boat into the flowing waters that have shaped this landscape for millennia.

El Centro Field Office, Brawley, CA, 92257, USA

4500 Gecko Road, Brawley, CA, 92257, USA

El Centro Field Office, 4500 Gecko Road, Brawley, CA, 92257, USA

Bishop Creek, South Lake Road, near Four Jeffrey Campground, CA

Escape to Mountain Glen Campground, where just five secluded sites await beneath a canopy of quaking aspens and graceful willows. This hidden gem along the melodic waters of Bishop Creek offers the perfect basecamp for tomorrow's alpine adventure or a tranquil week-long retreat from the demands of modern life. Here, intimacy meets wilderness, creating an atmosphere where every camper becomes part of the mountain's quiet rhythm.

1 Visitor Center Dr Lee Vining, CA 93541

Tucked into a scenic bend along the melodious Lee Vining Creek, Big Bend Campground invites adventurers to claim one of its 17 intimate campsites within the majestic Inyo National Forest. This hidden gem serves as the perfect basecamp for those drawn to both Yosemite's stunning Tuolumne Meadows entrance and the otherworldly landscapes of Mono Basin Scenic Area. Each site comes equipped with essential amenities including vault toilets, fresh potable water, and bear-proof food storage lockers to ensure both comfort and wildlife safety during your stay.

INYO, CA, USA

Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Sierra, Big Pine Canyon offers adventurers a gateway to some of California's most dramatic alpine wilderness. This stunning canyon serves as your basecamp for exploring ancient glaciers, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and towering granite peaks that pierce the sky at over 14,000 feet. Whether you're seeking challenging mountaineering routes or peaceful streamside camping, Big Pine Canyon delivers an authentic High Sierra experience that will leave you breathless—both from the altitude and the sheer beauty surrounding you.

Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Gather your favorite people at Camp 4 Group Campsite, where up to 35 adventurers can create lasting memories together in the heart of nature. This thoughtfully developed campground welcomes groups with everything needed for the perfect outdoor gathering – spacious picnic tables for shared meals under towering trees, crackling fire pits for evening storytelling, convenient vault toilets, and regular garbage collection that lets you focus on what matters most: quality time with friends and family.

Six Rivers National Forest

Tucked away in the vast wilderness of Six Rivers National Forest, Bailey Canyon Campground offers an authentic back-to-nature experience for those seeking solitude and simplicity. This hidden gem provides all the essentials for a comfortable stay, including vault toilets and fresh drinking water, while each thoughtfully arranged campsite comes complete with a sturdy table for meals under the stars and a campfire ring where stories and s'mores come to life after dark.

Sequoia National Forest

Rail Creek Rd, Klamath National Forest, California

Escape to the pristine wilderness of Kangaroo Lake Campground, where 18 thoughtfully placed sites await at 6,100 feet among towering conifers and fragrant manzanita. Choose from 13 convenient drive-in sites or venture to one of 5 secluded walk-in tent sites for a more intimate connection with nature. The crown jewel is the crystal-clear, 25-acre lake that plunges to depths of 110 feet—a tranquil haven for paddlers and anglers pursuing rainbow trout in its cool waters. A gentle, quarter-mile paved trail winds through the forest to the lake's edge, making this mountain paradise accessible to all. As you settle into this bear country sanctuary, proper food storage becomes part of the authentic wilderness experience under star-filled skies.

Upper Soda Springs Campground, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Nestled in the heart of Reds Meadow Valley, Upper Soda Springs Campground offers an intimate escape where the melodic San Joaquin River becomes your constant companion. This tranquil retreat features 28 thoughtfully spaced campsites, each equipped with bear-proof lockers, picnic tables, and access to pristine pit toilets and fresh potable water. Adventure beckons from every direction—cast a line into the crystal-clear river waters, set out on scenic trails that wind through ancient forests, or venture to the nearby geological wonder of Devil's Postpile National Monument and the breathtaking cascade of Rainbow Falls.

Eldorado National Forest

Tucked away in the heart of Eldorado National Forest, Northwind Campground beckons those seeking solitude amid towering pines and whispering aspens. This hidden gem rewards visitors who venture off the beaten path with pristine natural beauty and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that's increasingly rare in today's busy world. The smooth paved roads leading to this intimate campground make it an accessible retreat where the only sounds you'll hear are birdsong and wind through the trees.

Sequoia National Forest

Perched at an impressive 7,800 feet elevation, this mountain retreat features 73 thoughtfully designed campsites nestled among towering pines and crisp mountain air. The campground welcomes RVs up to 24 feet, with each site featuring a paved parking spur for easy setup and bear-proof storage boxes for peace of mind. Adventure seekers will love the direct access to thrilling OHV trails right from camp, while fresh drinking water is available throughout the season. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping off-road adventures or simply yearning to wake up above the clouds, this high-elevation haven offers the perfect basecamp for your mountain escape.