El Centro Field Office
Learn about camping and boondocking on lands administered by BLM, California, El Centro Field Office
Imperial Dam LTVA, Winterhaven, CA
Imperial Dam LTVA is one of eight Long Term Visitor Areas operated by the Bureau of Land Management. It's one of the few that is NOT free, during any time of the year. However, the price is cheap enough during the winter season that it might be considered "almost free". Imperial Dam LTVA has potable water, a dump station, and trash dumpsters.
Sidewinder Road, Ogilby, CA
Sidewinder Road runs through the ghost town of Ogilby and into lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This is a popular boondocking area during the winter months. There is enough open space to accommodate hundreds of full-sized RVs. BLM officials "do" patrol this area during the winter months to enforce occupancy rules.
Pilot Knob LTVA, Felicity, CA
Camping at Pilot Knob LTVA Pilot Knob LTVA is one of eight (8) Long Term Visitor Areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management frequented by snow birds and full time RVers during a seven month period from September 15 to April 15 of each year. For more information, see Related Articles linked below. Video Reviews Cheap Winter Camping in California- Pilot Knob Long Term Visitor Area (LTVA) Review
Hot Springs LTVA, Holtville, CA
Hot Springs LTVA, Holtville, California While technically not free camping, Hot Springs LTVA offers “dirt cheap” boondocking in the California desert for the entire snow bird season. We’re talking $180.00 for 7 months (that’s roughly $0.85 per day). That’s good from September 15 through April 15. The rest of the year, it actually is free. However, it has the normal 14-day maximum stay. But, at this time of the year, the weather gets really hot, like up into the 100s. And you don’t have to spend all that time at this location. That price is good for all of the Long Term ... Read more
Buttercup Sand Dunes, Winterhaven, CA
Buttercup Sand Dunes, Winterhaven, California What actually makes Buttercup Sand Dunes such a popular place for overnight boondocking is that it’s so very close to Interstate 8. It’s literally just get off the freeway, and you’re right there. There’s no driving for several miles, and there’s no washboarded roads. It’s all paved and you can literally pull off the road, and you’re on firm, flat ground. Even better yet, is the fact you can see the area from the Interstate, and be able to determine if its too crowded or not. Buttercup is also home to the last-remaining section of wooden plank ... Read more
Where to Find BLM Land Near Anza Borrego Desert State Park
There is lots of BLM Land surrounding Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Much of it lies adjacent to the southern half of the Park. There is a mixture of BLM "public land" and BLM "wilderness". Both are open for camping, however vehicles...
