Camping in Imperial County, CA, offers a rugged desert experience centered around the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, a haven for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts. Campgrounds like Keyhole, Gecko, and Roadrunner provide primitive sites with minimal amenities, ideal for winter camping (October–April) due to extreme summer heat. Expect vast sand dunes for OHV riding, sandboarding, and stargazing, with no water, restrooms, or hookups at most sites, requiring self-sufficiency. Nearby attractions include the Salton Sea and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, but campers must prepare for dust, remote locations, and OHV permit requirements.
![]() Gecko CampgroundGeckp Campground, Imperial County, CA Gecko Campground is the largest campground in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, located near Glamis and Holtville, Imperial County,,California,… |
![]() Keyhole CampgroundImperial County California Seal Keyhole Campground is located within the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (Algodones Dunes), east of Brawley, California, in Imperial County. Access… |
![]() Midway CampgroundMidway Campground, Imperial County California Seal Nestled in the heart of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, Midway Campground is a semi-primitive, dispersed camping destination… |
![]() Roadrunner CampgroundRoadrunner Campground, Imperial County California Seal Roadrunner Campground is the second-largest campground in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, located near Brawley, California, approximately 23… |