4.4224 reviews
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$20 - $35/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
54 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$20 - $35/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
54 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Learn more about alerts →Main - 54 Primitive/Undeveloped Campground
Picacho State Recreation Area, Winterhaven, CA 92283
Shore anglers and kayakers who want Colorado River access without a crowded marina scene. Fishing is 24/7 with no boat required, burros wander through camp, and fall nights cool into the 50s. Sites are first-come, so arrive early mid-October through November.
Remote workers, light sleepers, and anyone sensitive to insects will struggle. No cell service anywhere in the area, burros bray through the night, mosquitoes are relentless March to October near the river, and supplies are 24 miles away in Winterhaven.
Context for the broader area surrounding Main - 54 Primitive/Undeveloped Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
<h2>Afton Canyon</h2> <p>Known locally as the Grand Canyon of the East Mojave for its dramatic geological formations, the Afton Canyon Natural Area/Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is part of the Mojave Trails National Monument. The ACEC encompasses approximately 41,500 acres, of which about 23,600 acres are public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Barstow Field Office.</p> <p>Afton Canyon is one of only three places where the Mojave River flows above ground year-round in the Mojave Desert. Its water has provided food and habitat for humans and wildlife since prehistoric times. The area is popular for birdwatching, hiking, hunting, vehicle touring, rockhounding, horseback riding, stargazing, photography, natural history study and camping.</p> <p><a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2022-10/Public_Room_CA_Afton%20Canyon.pdf" rel="nofollow">Download the Afton Canyon Information Guide</a></p> <dl> <dt>Know Before You Go</dt> <dd> <ul> <li>Weather extremes, flash floods, and poisonous snakes are common hazards.</li> <li>Out of State OHV users must comply with all California rules and regulations, which are available at <a href="https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/" rel="nofollow">California OHV Page.</a></li> <li>Desert winds are frequent and strong.</li> <li>Plan ahead and be prepared. Have adequate food, water, supplies, emergency medical provisions and a satellite phone to call for help if needed.</li> <li>Food, fuel and most necessities are available in Baker and Barstow.</li> <li>Cellular phone service is not reliable in all locations.</li> <li>Practice Leave No Trace: pack it in—pack it out.</li> <li>Don’t disturb the diverse wildlife that call Afton Canyon home.</li> </ul> </dd> <dt>Camping and Fees</dt> <dd> <p>The campground has 22 primitive campsites. Each site is equipped with a shade structure, parking area, table, fire pit, and grill. Camp sites are available on a first-come basis for a fee of $6 per night, with a 14-day stay limit. Piped water is sometimes available, but campers are advised to bring their own water. Vault toilets are centrally located. Discharge of firearms within the campground is not permitted.</p> </dd> <dt>Campfire Permits</dt> <dd> <p>Campfire permits are required and may be restricted in fire season. Fire danger is extreme during most of the year. Campfire permits can be obtained online at <a href="https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/" rel="nofollow">Campfire Permit - Ready for Wildfire.</a> </p> </dd> <dt>Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Use</dt> <dd> <p>This area provides access for staging OHV and 4x4 vehicle touring into the adjacent area of the Mojave Trails National Monument. This and other surrounding<br/> limited use areas require vehicles to travel on designated routes. There is also street legal vehicle access into the Mojave National Preserve along the Mojave Road. Learn more about OHV use at <a href="https://www.blm.gov/barstow" rel="nofollow">https://www.blm.gov/barstow</a>.</p> </dd> </dl> <p> </p>
<p>From Barstow, take Interstate 15 east for 35 miles. Take the Afton exit south. Drive south three miles on graded dirt road to parking area for the fully-developed Afton Campground. Visitor information is available at the campground and at all entrances into the area.</p>
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Fall delivers the best conditions: 70s-90s°F days and 50s-60s°F nights from mid-October through November. Winter stretches the comfortable season through April, though nights can drop to 20°F. Summer heat reaches 120°F and isn't recommended. Mosquitoes are active March through October near the river. Bring repellent if you're visiting outside the November-February window.
Mid‑Oct–Nov offers 70s–90s days and mild nights; cited as best season by visitors.
The Main Campground at Picacho State Recreation Area features basic amenities suitable for primitive camping. "Picacho Main Campground has 54 family campsites. Facilities include tables, fire rings, drinkable water, chemical and CXT toilets, a solar shower, and a dump station." Each campsite is limited to eight people and three vehicles. It is important to note that reservations are not accepted for these sites, and they are only available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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