Day use and campground open all day and all night.
First-come first-served camping, contact the park directly for information.
Picacho State Recreation Area
Phone Number
(760) 996-2963
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: 30 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 35 Feet
Park Hours
Driving Directions to Picacho SRA
Take the 24-mile (mostly unpaved) road north from Winterhaven near the Mexican border. The road to Picacho from Winterhaven is paved only for the first 6 of 24 miles. The last 18 miles is over a dirt road that is passable for cars and vehicles with trailers and motorhomes. At times during the summer thunderstorms are likely to cause flash flooding in the washes, temporarily making short sections of the road impassable.Online reservations are not available for this park.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
***PLEASE BE ADVISED:
The road has been graded and should be 2 wheel drive accessible.
The condition of Indian Pass is unknown at this time, but it is recommended that you approach with extreme caution, in a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle only.
100 years ago Picacho was a gold mining town with 100 citizens. Today the site is a State Park, popular with boaters, hikers, anglers and campers. The park offers diverse scenery, including beavertail cactus, wild burros, bighorn sheep and thousands of migratory waterfowl. (The park is on one leg of the Pacific Flyway.) Eight miles of the lower Colorado River are the recreation area’s eastern border.
As in any desert country, travelers on this road should carry extra water and other essential supplies. All motor vehicles are required to stay on the authorized routes of travel in the recreation area. In case of trouble it is best to keep calm and remain near your vehicle and in the shade until help arrives.
Location-Directions
Take the 24-mile (mostly unpaved) road north from Winterhaven near the Mexican border. The road to Picacho from Winterhaven is paved only for the first 6 of 24 miles. The last 18 miles is over a dirt road that is passable for cars and vehicles with trailers and motorhomes. At times during the summer thunderstorms are likely to cause flash flooding in the washes, temporarily making short sections of the road impassable.
For additional information or questions, please call the park office at (760) 996-2963.
***Please Note:
If you are using a mapping device or program make sure you are routed to Picacho SRA via Picacho Road from Winterhaven. The secondary route into the park from Ogilby Road through Indian Pass is a 4X4 ONLY route. Two wheel drive and vehicles towing trailers should always access the park via Picacho Road from Winterhaven, CA.
Friends4Picacho
Discover important information about Picacho State Recreation Area at this link: www.Friends4Picacho.org
Find out about current park events, volunteer opportunities and ongoing efforts to save this pristine land for future generations to enjoy. F4P and Picacho SRA have also partnered with the Park Champions Program through the California State Park Foundation. For current volunteer opportunities please visit www.calparks.org.
Park Videos
Vista: Parks from Ridge to River
The online video journal of the Colorado Desert District covering Anza-Borrego Desert State Park®, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Palomar Mountain State Park, Picacho State Recreation Area, Salton Sea State Recreation Area, and Indio Hills Palms Property.
New Episode
Picacho State Recreation Area
Picacho State Recreation Area lies on the state border along the Colorado River which crosses the thirsty Sonoran Desert. The SRA characterizes the topography and geology of eastern California’s Mojave Desert Geomorphic Province which overlaps the Sonoran Desert. This geologic landscape is continuous throughout southern Arizona- home of the northern Sonoran Desert.
Picacho State Recreation Area lies on the state border along the Colorado River which crosses the thirsty Sonoran Desert. The SRA characterizes the topography and geology of eastern California’s Mojave Desert Geomorphic Province which overlaps the Sonoran Desert. This geologic landscape is continuous throughout southern Arizona- home of the northern Sonoran Desert.
(Photograph by Mike Fuller)
Social Feed
Available Activities and Facilities at Picacho State Recreation Area
BOATING
Boating
Boat Ramps
Boating
Boat Ramps
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Primitive Camping
Boat-in/Floating Camps
RV Access
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Primitive Camping
Boat-in/Floating Camps
RV Access
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Vista Point
Family Programs
Geocaching
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Swimming
Vista Point
Family Programs
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available