Best place for Camping in Glamis

Glamis CA located in the southeast corner of the state is Federal land that is managed by BLM which gives you the ability to camp just about any where you want. Yes anywhere, if you can get out there and back, then you you can stay there. They want you to follow a couple easy rule regulations when it comes to spacing from some of the structures already in place, like camping within so many feet off the road on Gecko, and from the bathrooms on site. But if you want to camp out in the middle of the dunes then Go for it. We will break down all the popular camping destinations Pros and Cons of each. While staying on BLM land you have the ability to camp up to 14 days consecutive then you must leave for 24hrs and then return for another 14 days. All of Glamis is considered to by Dry Camping or Boondocking. Meaning there is no water or electricity available to the public. If you need directions Click Here to our contact page that has a google map.

Glamis Camping main areas

There are many areas that allow up to over a hundred thousand people on a busy holiday weekend camp in the Glamis area. There are many benefits to each camping area you will need to find what best for your group.

• The Flats/Vendors/Store
• The Washes- from 3 to 25
• Osbourne lookout
• Cement Flats
• Canal
• Gecko- which makes up the Pads (1-5) Gecko loop, Key hole, Roadrunner
• Anywhere south or highway 78/ along gecko road

The Flats/Vendors/Store– Can be found in the north east section of Glamis this is also where you will find the beach store on HWY 78 where the highway meets the train tracks. There is a small turn off the highway at the start of the area or you can exit at the store and make a turn west to head towards vendors row. Overall it is a nice flat area that has several outhouse type restrooms and it meets up with some small dunes to the west that is the entrance to the bigger dunes. Benefit of being here is that you will be next to all the vendors for all your goodies that range from firewood, food, clothing, and parts for your off road toys. Main benefit is that you have access to resources to just about everything you may need on your trip or that you may have forgotten. There is a lot of open area that allows you to form a camp circle that may include as many vehicles as you need. Many people just circle up make home for the time that they are there. There is a Downside it is also very popular and may become very dusty/loud on a big weekends. Area is mostly firm but will have some soft spots that may require you may need four wheel drive and assistance to get unstuck.

The Washes 3-25– “the washes” as they are referred to allow the same style of as the flats/store camping. To access the Washes you will pass the beach store and then just after make a right to head south down the wash road. The main road is maintained by the BLM and is usually safe to travel in 2 wheel drive vehicles. The washes are numbered after the openings under the train tracks that allows flood water from the east traveling west not wash out the train tracks. Once you find a wash that you can call home you will turn of wash road and head west to find a space that you like. Many of these washes allow you to travel far back in there to kind of get away from other people. Groups that have been coming for years all have there favorite spots to camp. When setting up camp please take note that these are run off for Rain water. Try and set up on ground that may be a foot or two higher than surrounding area to prevent being surprised during a storm to the east and all the runoff. Benefits is that you have a large area to form a camp with your friends. There some bathrooms located throughout which is nice if you are tent camping. You are close to Vendors row and Beach store. Downside is that there are a lot of people on busy weekends which leads to excessive noise and dust from all the traffic. On Busier weekends it can lead to a long time of getting out to the highway as there is really only one way out. Many times I have heard stories of multiple hours wait on a Sunday to get to the highway.

Osbourne Lookout– This is a unique place to camp as it is the highest camping spot in the Dunes. It is located just west of Competition hill and off hwy78 that leads up a small road to small asphalt parking lot. This area allows campers to set up camp and enjoy the views of the dunes. Benefits it is paved with little worry of being stuck. Downside it is a small area and not many campers can utilize this space, big groups may struggle to find room

Cement Flats– After passing over the Canal, if you are traveling from brawley, is the first place one will see large groups. You will make the turn onto Gecko rd and head south. Just past the small vendor area you will see a sign and will turn right sown the path to cement flats. Benefits it is hard packed and will good in a big coach or toy hauler. Easy in and Easy out not very hard to get back on the highway and head home. Close to ranger station and the several vendors located on Gecko. Downside it is a smaller area but still able to accommodate a lot of large groups. can get really tight between trailers/groups on busy weekends. lastly It is next to highway so you will hear road noise.

Gecko Rd– Is approximately 6 mi long from the highway to Roadrunner loop at the end of the road. Along the way there are many options to find camp either one of the 3 loops or on the Pads that have been created. Starting at the north end of gecko you will find the Ranger station. AKA Chauilla Ranger station. Then traveling south you start with a pushout on the right across from the trash Dumpster area. South of the dumpsters on the east side is Pad 1. This pad is nice as you across from the Drags that happen every night during busy times. The pad is fairly long but the nice thing is it is deep. You can fit large groups and can stack them in there close to the sand. A lot of people like to back in just past pad 1. It is manageable with a slight down slope to put your trailer in the sand and drop the nose to make the trailer level. Alot of people take advantage of 4 wheel drive and drop further down to the flat area to set up camp. Then next is Pad 2 This pad nestles up against a small dune that limits the depth of the pad but it rather long. Next up is Pad 2.5 which is just before the Gecko loop. Again this pad is long and had good depth and many large groups are able to squeeze in and make camp. Next is Gecko Loop this is a paved with several loops that allow people to camp on the outside of the road on fairly firm dirt, there are many options in here to camp. Down side hard to organize a large group in a circle here. Usually need to back in or line side to side. Traveling beyond the loop is on the east is Pad 3 and West Pad 5. Both of these pads are long and with pad 3 being just big enough to back a long rig onto before getting into the soft sand. Pad 5 is deeper and will allow groups line both the inside and outside to get a bigger groups. Pad 5 provides very good sunset views to the west. Beyond these pads you have Pad 4 on the East side prior to Key Hole. key hold is a small Cul de sac is the best way to explain it as a small out crop that has room for maybe 8-10 trailers depending on size of rig. the last area of Gecko is Roadrunner. This roadrunner loop returns traffic back down gecko. The loop forms an area in the middle that allows rigs to camp inside the loop and along the outside of the road. Inside gives the ability to circle up while the outside usually is parked parallel to the road.

Canal– This is the area furthest west at Glamis. This is large cement structure that takes water from the Colorado river along Highway 8 then turns north along the west side of the dunes ultimately helping to irrigate the many farm fields. This is an open area and many people choose to camp here which allows you to camp like the Washes. Benefits-Large groups can circle up and make a big camp without infringing on anybody else. It Tends to be quieter at night, less people, and less traffic. If your coming from the west it is first place to camp and typically easy in and out on the more popular weekends. Downside– Can be some soft soil and sand mixed in there, four wheel drive may be necessary. Also tends to have more scorpions in this area. Scorpions are part of the Southwest and typically can be seen at night with a black light (they glow a purpleish white color). Although not Deadly to adults they will leave you with an irritated spot that will create discomfort if stung.

Where is the Best place to camp

• If you have a large group 8-10+ rigs cement flats or the Store/washes
• If you have a large group have a couple retired buddies that can hold down space on a gecko pad
• Smaller groups usually have the option to squeeze into more places
• Need access to food or parts- then Vendors or the store is batter choice

This all depends on your preference and the experience you would like. For people coming from Sand Diego LA to camp in wash 13 may add another 45 minutes to your drive time compared to Gecko Rd. The opposite is true for people coming from Vegas or Phoenix. The washes and store allow you to circle up a large group and have that true camping experience. Gecko is nice due to the road limits the people that will be around you. But on the other side if you have a large group it may be hard to secure enough room for all your rigs. Gecko tends to be not as dusty during busier weekends as the wind typically blows from the west moving dust towards the washes and the store.