Ehrenberg Sandbowl

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) watches over many unique federal lands, covering well over 200 million acres in total, spread across various parts of the United States. Because the majority of these sites provide picturesque opportunities for BLM camping, visitors travel long distances to stay in the areas overnight, surrounded by nature and crisp, fresh air. Whether the sites feature established, well-kept campgrounds or only beautiful land for dispersed camping, each one offers something unique. Many of these sites also draw visitors for the potential for outdoor recreation, and the Ehrenberg Sandbowl is a perfect example of that.

Situated right beside the Colorado River and the California-Nevada border, the Ehrenberg Sandbowl is primarily known as an excellent destination for OHV (off-highway vehicle) riding. The area's hills and sandy terrain provide the perfect setting to ride your ATV, motorcycle, or even golf cart. Visitors can also enjoy water-based recreation on the Colorado River or visit one of the nearby wildlife refuges.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Crystal Hill

Located near the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Crystal Hill is a short out-and-back trail with wide-open views of the surrounding rocky landscape. As you're exploring the trail, you may come across crystals that have fallen down the hill. You're even allowed to collect up to 10 pounds or 10 pieces of the cool crystals. The hike offers a quiet, peaceful experience for hikers of all skill levels.

Length: 1.4 miles

Intensity: Easy

Signal Peak Trail

The Signal Peak Trail, situated in the Kofa Wilderness, is a rocky out-and-back trail with some of the most breathtaking views in the area. The route, which is considered to be pretty challenging, is regarded as an exceptionally rewarding and enjoyable hike. The trail is a bit steep in some areas, but the higher you climb, the more impressive the views become. The Signal Peak Trail is relatively popular, so you should expect to see a fair amount of other people during your visit. The best time to visit is between March and October.

Length: 4.3 miles

Intensity: Hard

Fishing and Boating

The Colorado River flows only a few miles west of the Ehrenberg Sandbowl and provides excellent opportunities for fishing and boating. Most anglers prefer to cast their lines from drift boats, and species most commonly caught in the river include channel catfish, common carp, large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. As for boating, the Colorado River is widely considered to be one of the premier kayaking waterways in the country. Canoeing, paddling, and floating are also popular pastimes on the majestic river.

Wildlife Viewing

If you're a wildlife enthusiast, you'll want to head over to the nearby Kofa National Wildlife Refuge to observe some of the awesome species. Some of the animals commonly seen roaming the plains are badgers, foxes, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, ringtails, and mountain lions. In the area, you may also spot some mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, or endangered Sonoran pronghorn. If you're lucky, you may get a glimpse of some fascinating amphibians and reptiles as well, such as Gila monsters, desert horned lizards, desert iguana, or red-spotted toads.

Picnicking

You'll find several picnic tables, vault toilets, and shade ramadas at the staging area of the Ehrenberg Sandbowl. You could enjoy your picnic there and watch your friends or family ride their OHVs, or you could walk over to the shores of the large river and put down a blanket there instead.

OHV Riding

A large percentage of those who visit the Ehrenberg Sandbowl are there to partake in some exciting OHV riding. The primary riding area features a small sand dune as well as a bunch of side trails that lead you around the site. Additionally, the main staging area features loading ramps for riders to use. There are few hazards found around the riding area, and riders of all ability levels should be able to stay safe and have some fun among the dunes and trails.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Although the area isn't recommended for large vehicles, RV camping is a possibility at the Ehrenberg Sandbowl. You'll find a primitive camping area at the site, and you cant rent a campsite by paying a small fee at the self-pay kiosk found in the staging area. Although no other Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are located in the area, there are numerous options for modern RV parks only a few miles away. If you head just a few minutes north, you'll find the Vista Del Rio River Resort and the River Breeze RV Resort beside the Colorado River.

Free Camping

If you don't mind going without amenities and providing fully for yourself, you're free to set up your campsite on any durable land around the area. There aren't any restrictions placed on nearby Bureau of Land Management free camping, but if you want to avoid the fee, you'll need to camp outside of the established on-site camping area.

RV Rentals Near Ehrenberg Sandbowl Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Ehrenberg Sandbowl BLM trip

If you're traveling to the Ehrenberg Sandbowl and planning to do any OHV riding, you'll need to ensure that your vehicle meets a few requirements. First and foremost, you must have either an Arizona OHV permit, even if you're from a different state. If you don't have one, you'll need to purchase one before visiting the site. Your vehicle must also have a spark arresting exhaust silence or end cap to ride in the OHV area. As an extra safety measure, you should also consider using a whip flag. If you're under 18, a helmet is also required while riding. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Remember to leave no trace of your visit to the Ehrenberg Sandbowl. That means not leaving any trash behind, disturbing anything you find on the land, or getting too close to any animals that you encounter. You must also avoid riding your OHV outside of the designated area or being disrespectful of other riders and visitors. If you burn a campfire, keep it contained and as small as possible. Overall, the more time you take to plan your travels and activities, the smaller your impact on the area will be.

Ehrenberg Sandbowl Location

To reach the Ehrenberg Sandbowl BLM site from Phoenix, head west on I-10 for about 142 miles, then take exit 1 toward Ehrenberg Parker. Turn left onto Juneau Ave, take the first exit at the traffic circl,e and continue onto S Frontage Road. Continue for 0.4 miles, take a left onto Ox Box Rd, and follow it for about one mile. You should see a left turn with a sign for the site. After the turn, the destination will be on your right after 0.1 mile.

Ready to visit Ehrenberg Sandbowl? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.