How much does camping cost at Midway Campground?

Camping fees at Midway Campground range from $35/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Midway Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Midway Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-up access is available and is the only option, as reservations cannot be made.

What is the best time to visit Midway Campground?

Midway Campground is open October 1 through April 15. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Midway Campground?

Midway Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Midway Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Midway Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Midway Campground?

Midway Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Midway Campground

4.41

34 reviews

Bureau of Land Management, El Centro Field Office, Winterhaven, CA, USA

Featured in:Winter Camping California Desert Camping California

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

190 ft

Price

$35/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

October 1 through Ap...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Bureau of Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

190 ft

Price

$35/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

October 1 through Ap...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Bureau of Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Midway Campground

$35.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Permits are required from October 1 through April 15 annually for access to the recreation area, priced at $35 per week if purchased in advance.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

760-337-4400BLM_CA_Web_EC@blm.gov

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.41

Recommended

Based on 34 reviews

32 Google reviews

Most mentioned

clean

"User reviews of Midway Campground consistently highlight its cleanliness, access to dunes, and suitability for dry camping. Some users note its seclusion and relative safety despite its proximity to the border."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Bureau of Land Management, El Centro Field Office, Winterhaven, CA, USA

Midway Campground

Bureau of Land Management, El Centro Field Office, Winterhaven, CA, USA

Best Time to Camp at Midway Campground

Winter is the time to visit. Daytime temperatures sit between 55 and 70°F, with nights dropping to 35–45°F. Summer heat is dangerous. Rain is rare, about 1.4% chance any given day. Skies stay clear most of the year. Expect moderate crowds on holiday weekends, busier Saturdays in winter, but overall it's one of the least crowded campgrounds in the dune system.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Peak season Oct 1–Apr 15; cooler fall months are especially popular and comfortable.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: October 1 through April 15. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: October 1 through April 15 (permit required during these months)

About Midway Campground

Midway Campground sits on Grey's Well Road in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, a desert outpost for OHV riders and dune enthusiasts. The campground has vault toilets and dumpsters. Sites are primitive, $35 per night, and suited for dry camping in the heart of one of California's largest dune fields.

Midway Campground offers dry camping options within the Imperial Sand Dunes recreation area.

Weather and SeasonsWinter is the time to visit. Daytime temperatures sit between 55 and 70°F, with nights dropping to 35–45°F. Summer heat is dangerous. Rain is rare, about 1.4% chance any given day. Skies stay clear most of the year. Expect moderate crowds on holiday weekends, busier Saturdays in winter, but overall it's one of the least crowded campgrounds in the dune system.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Imperial Sand Dunes stretch in all directions, a massive field of windblown sand that formed from sediments of ancient Lake Cahuilla. At 190 feet elevation, the campground sits surrounded by dunes that constantly reshape themselves. Golden light hits the rippled sand at sunrise and sunset. The landscape is harsh, open, and distinctly Martian.

Geological RegionMidway Campground sits within the Imperial Sand Dunes, one of California's most remarkable geological treasures and among the largest dune fields in North America. This extraordinary landscape emerged over thousands of years as persistent winds carried and deposited sediments from ancient Lake Cahuilla, gradually building the massive dune system that attracts adventurers from around the world. The result is a dynamic environment where geology comes alive, with dunes constantly reshaping themselves in an eternal dance with the desert winds.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Groups

No details are available regarding group sites or their capacity.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations available; walk-up access only.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up access is available and is the only option, as reservations cannot be made.

AccessibilityNo information is available regarding accessibility features for campers with disabilities at Midway Campground.

Site SizeThe size of the campsites is not explicitly described.

PrivacyPrivacy levels at the campsites are not detailed in the available source material.

Recommended SitesSites are near restrooms, with plenty of room for large groups and campfires.

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Midway Campground is popular for activities related to the dunes, such as off-highway vehicle use and recreational riding. The proximity to the Imperial Sand Dunes enhances the opportunities for outdoor activities.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUsers have reported potential encounters with people crossing the nearby border, blending in with the sand to avoid detection.

Weather at Midway Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.4

34 reviews

Recommended

Midway Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews of Midway Campground consistently highlight its cleanliness, access to dunes, and suitability for dry camping. Some users note its seclusion and relative safety despite its proximity to the border.

Review Summaries

Based on 34 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the campground's cleanliness ("clean campground and bathrooms"), low crowd levels ("It always seems to be the least crowded"), and convenience for OHV enthusiasts ("easy access to...

Based on 34 reviews

Common Concerns

Some users expressed concerns about safety issues related to the nearby border, mentioning people crossing and attempting to blend in with the sand.

Based on 34 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips include noting the suitability of the campground for dry camping and large groups, as well as its proximity to restroom facilities and dunes.

Based on 34 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground seems to be popular during the cooler months, as permits are required between October 1 and April 15. No specific seasonal complaints or highlights are provided.

Based on 34 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Clean campground and bathrooms" - Heather Barclay; "My family has been going to the Sand Dunes for over 20 years and Midway is by far our favorite camping spot. It always seems to be the least...

Based on 34 reviews