We just finished a 4 day boondocking stay along the Colorado River south of Ehrenberg, AZ. This is BLM land and includes an ATV use area. Located along the east bank of the Colorado River, miles of boondocking spots are available... we stays about 10 miles down an excellent gravel road heading toward the Cibola NWR.
The Good - This area seems to allow unlimited length stays... we met a fellow there that had been camped on the river for over 3 months so far this year after spending the entire winter there last year. There are hundreds of boondocking locations... many with good riverfront access. There is firewood available in a burned area and the Mesquite not only makes for a nice campfire, it also makes for some great cookin'! The road along the river is excellent gravel but has no guard rails and if you fail a turn in the wrong place, you could end up in the river.
The Ugly - This area is probably heavily used in the summer... there is trash in the brush everywhere. It would take an army of people to effectively clean up this whole stretch of riverfront, but I make it sound worse than it actually is. If you go, take a couple large trash bags to clean up your campsite... you will be rewarded with a nice spot.
The Bad - Public lands are under attack in my opinion and our federal agencies have very limited budgets. In places such as the "Dust Bowl OHV Area" about 3 miles south of Ehrenburg, the sign says it's a day use area and there is a $10 per day use fee, $15 per night camping fee, or a $75 annual fee. There is a nice pit toilet, ATV loading ramps, trash cans, and a couple picnic shelters.
The fee tube is broken open and has been for who knows how long. There is a burned out bed spring and the BLM isn't picking it up... we saw the maintenance crew pull out of the area after cleaning the toilets and emptied the trash cans and that bed spring was left... along with a lot of other trash on the ground around the area. If you wanted to pay the day use or camping fee, you apparently need to go the the Yuma Field Office of the BLM to get your permit since the fee tube has no envelopes in it either. My mapping software calls it 102 miles each way.
There are many boondocking spots located on good gravel peninsulas created for erosion control. These are usually about 500 feet long and probably should be backed into for most of us. The campsite would be very flat, but not very wide surrounded by dense underbrush along the riverbank. These sites provide the best views of across the river in most locations. There are many campsites that have small beaches available and are very private once you pull off the main road. It will take some easy exploration to find a location you will like.
The California side of the river is agricultural, so you can expect some farm machinery sounds during the day, and perhaps at night. There are birds aplenty! Water fowl, and many different types of land birds will keep you entertained. Peter Cottontail was spotted in our campsite as well.
If you don't like sand, you may not like this area. If you camp with a beach location, your view is limited by the brush around your campsite, and rip-rap river bank on the opposite side of the river. A short walk up to the main road and you will be at an even level with farm land to the west and expansive views of the Chocolate mountains.
This is a real change of pace from your typical desert boondocking location. Private campsites along a river isn't something you find out here very often, but to enjoy it, you may have to do some campsite trash removal.
Please Support Multiple Use of our Public Lands!
Brian & Margie www.rv-camping.org
'10 Sunseeker Class C - Gozer II
'97 Jeep TJ (Wrangler) - Blackie
Nice report! Thanks for sharing. I might have to check that area out soon.
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I guess I should at least provide some directions...
From I-10 take Arizona exit #1
The Flying J Travel Plaza is on the south frontage road and you will pass the plaza and watch for a small BLM sign just west of the Flying J. There is also a sign saying LNG Plant and is called Ox Bow Road. Turn left and you're on your way. This road runs south all the way to the Cibola NWR.
Coordinates??? well, here is a spot that I didn't walk into, but it a might be good. It is located on the old road right of way behind the road closed sign at aprox N33 31.379 W114 33.568.
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