Activities | Camp | Camping | Destinations | Desert

SRA.picacho

Winter camping is great here. Hunters, fisherman & RVers alike, all know the best kept secret.. Picacho Peak on the Colorado River is prime spot for outdoor recreation & camping. Canoe, kayak, fish, hunt, mtn. bike, hike, & off road. All this, less than 3 hour drive from San Diego.

Ancient volcanic peaks surround this area of the Colorado River. Good stopping point on a river trip between Walter's Camp and Martinez Lake. A century ago Picacho was a mining town with 100 citizens. Now it is a State Park, offering diverse scenery, including cactus, burros, bighorn sheep and thousands of waterfowl. The impressive lower Colorado River is the recreation area on the eastern border of California.

Take the 20+ mile dirt road north from Winterhaven / Yuma AZ . The road to Picacho is paved only a few miles. The last 18 miles is over a dirt road that is passable for cars & motorhomes. In the summer months thunderstorms can cause flash flooding in the washes, making sections of the road impassable. Check forecast before traveling.

Hiking / Mt Biking
Campground
Primitive Camps
Backroads

Info: 760-393-3052
Salton Sea SRA at (760)767-5311

Overview MAP

Nearby cities & towns:

Yuma AZ
El Centro

Some Wilderness

limited 4x4 use, follow signs

a big RV & motorhome destination

California Desert Byways

Picacho, rich in history, was once a small mining town

Hiking

Then enjoy several long days of hiking old mine-train rail lines, exploring the river bank, and doing a little peak bagging of some desert outcrops (Picacho Peak, 1947', is a standout). Mountain biking is good here because the track beds that lead into the mountains are quite level.

Hike straight from the main campground to many areas along the scenic rivers edge. Stroll thru old graveyard & read about the areas history.

Campground
click on campground name for photos & more descriptions All are first-come first-served basis.

campground	elev.	spots	veg	toilet	water	fee		comments
Taylor Lake Camp	river	4	river	pit	piped	yes	river edge	Boaters or vehicles okay
Outpost	river	3	river	pit	river	yes	river edge	Boaters or vehicles okay
4-S Beach	river	4	river	pit	river	yes	river edge	Boaters or vehicles okay
Paddlewheeler	river	2	river	pit	piped	yes	river edge	Boat-in camp, no vehicles
Carrizo	river	2	river	pit	piped	yes	river edge	Boat-in camp, no vehicles
Picacho Camp main campgr, groupsites	100'	54	tamarisk	pit	piped	yes	large sites	plenty RV spots centrally located

Primitive Camping

Senator Wash - south end of park, open dispersed camping between Squaw Lake & Senators Wash.

BOAT IN CAMPING > No back road dispersed camping inside park boundaries. Small campgrounds for boat in camping listed above.

BackRoads

The majority of this desert scenic area is dirt back roads, so get prepared & take precautions: water, warm clothes, matches, tune up. Also get your SUV out & ready to explore. Many roads could require 4wheel drive, but there are still plenry suitable for 2WD.

The main road up the Picach Campground is fine for RVs that don't mind the long haul on a wash board road.

The main attraction here is the Colorado River & the off roading is just an added bonus.

California's Wilderness Areas: Deserts

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Hiking

Campground click on campground name for photos & more descriptions All are first-come first-served basis.

Primitive Camping

BackRoads

Campground
click on campground name for photos & more descriptions All are first-come first-served basis.