Main - 54 Primitive/Undeveloped Campground

4.33

21 reviews

Picacho State Recreation Area, Winterhaven, CA 92283

Featured in:Winter Camping California

Quick Facts

217 ft

Price

$20 - $35/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

54 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Showers

Opens California State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Quick Facts

217 ft

Price

$20 - $35/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

54 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Showers

Opens California State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Main - 54 Primitive/Undeveloped Campground

$20.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fees range from $20 to $35 per night depending on the site type and number of vehicles. Senior discounts of $2 per night are available for...

Standard Site Fee$20.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$25.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Reserve California

Provider

760-996-2963SpecialEvents.OcotilloWells@parks.ca.gov

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What Campers Say

4.33

Recommended

Based on 21 reviews

133 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanshowerssites

Some mention

noisemosquitoes

"User reviews highlight the scenic beauty, wildlife diversity, and a peaceful atmosphere but note challenges like rough access roads, mosquitoes, and noisy burros."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Picacho State Recreation Area, Winterhaven, CA 92283

Main - 54 Primitive/Undeveloped Campground

Picacho State Recreation Area, Winterhaven, CA 92283

Driving directionsTake the 24-mile (mostly unpaved) road north from Winterhaven near the Mexican border. The road to Picacho from Winterhaven is paved only for the first 6 of 24 miles. The last 18 miles is over a dirt road that is passable for cars and motorhomes. Flash flooding during summer thunderstorms may make the road temporarily impassable.

Picacho Road is paved for the first 6 miles, but the last 18 miles are dirt roads accessible to cars and motorhomes. Flash flooding in summer can make sections impassable. Picacho Road is recommended over Indian Pass Road, which requires a high-clearance 4x4 and navigation skills.

Nearby places

Winterhaven, CA (24 miles), Yuma, AZ (25 miles), Blythe, CA (100 miles)

Nearby supplies

Winterhaven, CA (closest groceries, camping supplies, and fuel) is 24 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Main - 54 Primitive/Undeveloped Campground

Experience the dramatic seasonal shifts of the Colorado Desert, where winter nights can dip to a crisp 20°F and summer days soar to an intense 120°F. From March through October, the river's proximity brings mosquitoes to life, so pack accordingly. For the most comfortable camping experience, plan your visit between mid-October and April, when desert wildflowers bloom, temperatures moderate, and the landscape reveals its gentler side—perfect for exploration without the extreme heat.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

Not recommended

Summer days can reach 120°F; extreme heat makes camping very challenging.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Peak season mid‑Oct through Apr; milder fall temperatures make visits ideal.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring offers pleasant conditions before summer heat; river activities available.

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.0 / 5

Top 12% in CA

Winter is within the recommended Oct–Apr season, though nights can dip to ~20°F.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Mid-October through April (best time to visit due to milder temperatures).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Park is open year-round.
Current Alerts: Sites 17 through 25 will be unavailable from October 1 to December 31, 2024, due to trail construction.

About Main - 54 Primitive/Undeveloped Campground

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.

The Main Campground is a primitive camping site catering to family campers, with no reservations accepted for standard sites.

Historical Significance

Indigenous Heritage

Step back in time at Picacho, where weathered ruins whisper tales of 1800s gold seekers who once transformed this remote outpost into a bustling mining town. Among the scattered remnants of their ambitious dreams, you'll discover a landscape that holds even deeper meaning—this is ancestral territory of the Quechan people, who have called this river corridor home for countless generations. Their enduring connection to this land adds layers of cultural richness to every sunset and sunrise.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic seasonal shifts of the Colorado Desert, where winter nights can dip to a crisp 20°F and summer days soar to an intense 120°F. From March through October, the river's proximity brings mosquitoes to life, so pack accordingly. For the most comfortable camping experience, plan your visit between mid-October and April, when desert wildflowers bloom, temperatures moderate, and the landscape reveals its gentler side—perfect for exploration without the extreme heat.

ElevationNestled at the meeting point of river and desert, Picacho Main Campground sits at an elevation that captures the essence of low desert camping, where the Colorado River's influence creates a unique microclimate in this arid landscape.

Natural Features and SceneryDiscover an unexpected oasis where the mighty Colorado River transforms harsh desert into a ribbon of green vitality. Wild burros roam freely through camp, their calls echoing off canyon walls, while majestic bighorn sheep navigate rocky outcrops with gravity-defying grace. Overhead, seasonal migrations bring waterfowl to rest along the river's edge. The landscape punctuates itself with the vibrant magenta blooms of beavertail cactus and the dramatic scarlet-tipped spears of ocotillo, creating a photographer's paradise at golden hour.

Geological RegionSet within the raw beauty of the Colorado Desert, this recreation area showcases nature's volcanic artistry through ancient lava flows and rugged mountain peaks. Desert washes carved by flash floods create natural highways through the terrain, revealing layers of geological history. These dramatic formations stand as monuments to the powerful forces that shaped this corner of the Southwest, offering endless opportunities for exploration and wonder.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

All day and night.

Check-out

All day and night.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 8 people and 3 vehicles per site.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Each campsite accommodates up to 8 people and 3 vehicles.

Groups

Group drive-in campsites near the Main Campground are secluded for group activities. Reservations are recommended and processed through the Special Events Coordinator.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground is spread out with 54 sites, including accessible features near restrooms and solar showers.

Reservation PlatformsReservations for group campsites can be made via email to SpecialEvents.OcotilloWells@parks.ca.gov.

Walk-in AvailabilityCampsites are first-come, first-served; reservations are not accepted for family sites.

Cancellation PolicyReservations for group sites require payment via check or money order; cancellations are not detailed in the sources.

AccessibilityAccessibility is continually improving. "The main campground has a designated accessible campsite located between sites 20-22 near the restroom and shower building. The table and fire ring are designed for accessibility.

Site SizeSites are generally flat and large with firm pads, making them usable.

PrivacySites offer moderate privacy within a desert environment. They are clustered but provide some separation.

Total Campsites54 campsites

Recommended SitesSites near the river offer scenic views and proximity to water activities.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Picacho State Recreation Area offers diverse recreational activities including hiking, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Visitors frequently mention the unique scenery and wildlife.

HikingMultiple trails are available, including the Stewart Lake Trail and Stamp Mill Trail. "Stewart Lake Trail winds past the usually dry Stewart Lake and nice volcanic scenery." The Stamp Mill Trail provides views of old mill ruins and volcanic formations.

FishingFishing is permitted 24/7 with a valid California license, and popular catches include black bass, catfish, and striped bass. "Fishing at Picacho and on the Colorado River is great! You don't necessarily need a boat to land nice fish."

SwimmingSwimming is popular along the Colorado River, but no designated swimming areas are mentioned.

BikingThe park road offers opportunities for biking, but the terrain is challenging with sandy and corrugated sections. User reviews emphasize this: "Almost the entire 19 miles to the Colorado was sandy, corrugated and/or with loose gravel."

BoatingBoating activities include powerboats, canoes, and kayaks navigating the Colorado River's sandbars. "Shallow draft powerboats, canoes, and kayaks carefully navigate the Colorado River’s shifting sandbars."

Wildlife viewingThe park is home to diverse wildlife including burros, bighorn sheep, and migratory waterfowl. "Desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, mountain lions, southern mule deer, antelope ground squirrels, and feral burros."

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes are prevalent from March to October. Flash flooding can occur on access roads during summer thunderstorms.

Active AlertsSites 17 through 25 will be unavailable from October 1 to December 31, 2024, due to trail construction.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyCampfires allowed only in provided fire rings. Gathering wood is prohibited.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10 PM to 6 AM.

Emergency ServicesWinterhaven, CA (nearest hospital, police station, and ranger station)

Trash & RecyclingTrash must be packed out from boat-in sites. At the Main Campground, trash receptacles are available. "Litter, including cigarette butts, belongs in the trash cans."

Water FeaturesLocated near the Colorado River; several campsites are riverfront.

Camp HostCamp host available; clean restrooms and friendly ranger as noted in user reviews.

Weather at Main - 54 Primitive/Undeveloped Campground

Reviews

4.3

21 reviews

Recommended

Main - 54 Primitive/Undeveloped Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the scenic beauty, wildlife diversity, and a peaceful atmosphere but note challenges like rough access roads, mosquitoes, and noisy burros.

Review Summaries

Based on 21 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include large campsites, clean bathrooms, warm solar showers, diverse wildlife, and scenic trails.

Based on 21 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include relentless mosquitoes, noisy burros at night, raccoons scavenging for food, and challenging road conditions leading to the park.

Based on 21 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring plenty of water, gas, and supplies due to the park's remote location. Avoid summer months due to extreme heat. Bring insect repellant and prepare for rough roads.

Based on 21 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Visitors recommend mid-October through April as the best time to visit due to moderate weather. Summer temperatures can reach 120°F, making camping challenging.

Based on 21 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Definitely worth a day trip if in the area." "Mosquitoes will eat you alive." "Burros he-haw all night, and they're loud!" "Free solar showers and they were warm!" "The road in is rough on tires; I...

Based on 21 reviews