RVshare.com
BLM Camping

Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area


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

The Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area is a parking area and boat ramp that provides access to a reservoir near Imperial Dam. Although the Day Use Area is in Arizona, outside of Yuma, the dam is located in California. The area creates a wonderful wetland habitat for nesting shorebirds, so it’s a favorite location for bird-watchers. Other activities in the area include fishing, swimming and picnicking.

BLM sites are public lands that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) protects and preserves. These areas are fantastic for visitors to enjoy nature without the interruption of the modern world. To find BLM sites that offer camping options, search for “BLM camping near me.”

What to See and Do

What to See and Do

Hiking and BikingHiking and Biking

Senator Wash Trail

This secluded trail is perfect for spotting or photographing wildlife.

Length: 12 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Muggins Peak Trail

Located in the Muggins Mountain Wilderness, in Wellton, AZ, 35 minutes southeast of the Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area, this trail is great for hiking or horseback riding and offers lovely views.

Length: 5.6 miles

Intensity: Moderate

East Wetlands Interpretive Trail

The East Wetlands Interpretive Trail in Yuma, Arizona, a half-hour southwest of the Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area, is a fantastic option for bird-watchers or anyone who wants to view the beautiful scenery and wildlife.

Length: 2.6 miles

Intensity: Easy

Elephant Trail

Another trail in the Muggins Mountain Wilderness, the Elephant Trail is ideal for walking and spotting wildlife.

Length: 7.4 miles

Intensity: Easy

Telegraph Pass Trail

Excellent for both hiking and mountain biking, Telegraph Pass Trail, 40 minutes southeast of the Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area, offers stunning views and is a great place to view wildflowers during the spring months.

Length: 5.3 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and BoatingFishing and Boating

Many people choose to boat and fish in the Imperial Reservoir. Anglers can catch striped, largemouth and smallmouth bass. Fortuna Lake in Yuma is also a beautiful, quiet fishing area, and bass and catfish are the most common catches.

Wildlife ViewingWildlife Viewing

The Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area is, itself, a great place to spot wildlife, especially birds. The nearby Muggins Mountain Wilderness also offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Animals native to the area include bobcats; coyotes; ground squirrels; quails; hawks; eagles; vultures; and a range of small mammals, snakes, and lizards.

Picnicking

Gateway Park in Yuma is a wonderful place for picnicking. There are tables and a covered picnic pavilion, plus access to fishing docks and a playground. West Wetlands Park is also a fantastic option and offers a playground, fishing areas, picnic spots and clean restrooms.

Camping

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping Caravan Icon

If you would prefer to go RV camping someplace that offers amenities, you should try Gold Rock Ranch RV Resort & Mobile Home Park, 55 minutes west of the Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area. The park features full-hookup RV sites along with restrooms, laundry facilities, a store and horseshoes. There also are 155 acres of desert where you can ride off-highway vehicles. Hidden Cove RV & Mobile Home Park, a 55+ facility, is located in Yuma. There are 117 full hookup sites, restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, hiking trails, and a clubhouse. Also in Yuma is Rolle’s Lynda Vista RV Park. At this 55+ park, the full hookup sites come with 30-amp electricity, and there is free Wi-Fi. You can also enjoy the solar-heated swimming pool, laundry room, restrooms, putting green and rec hall.

Free Camping Campground Icon

Bureau of Land Management free camping is available at Fortuna Lake, where visitors can set up a dispersed site along the lake’s shores. Campers can stay for up to 14 days. There are few amenities, so bring everything you need with you. Free camping is also available at the Lake Mittry Wildlife Area, which is about 12 minutes southeast of the Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area. BLM RV camping is also available at the Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area. Visitors can spend up to seven months in the campground, but the options for day use or single-day overnight use are also available. Visitors can also purchase a short visit pass that allows stays of up to 14 consecutive days. BLM camping is also available at nearby Quail Hill, and additional long-term camping is available at the Pilot Knob Long Term Visitor Area, 40 minutes southwest of the Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area.

RV Rentals Near Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area Plan your next adventure

Planning Your Trip

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area BLM trip

The Day Use Area is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., but visitors can boat to nearby camping areas along the north and south shores of Senator Wash. There is no boat access to the Colorado River. Swimming is a popular activity in the area, but there are no lifeguards on duty, so always use caution when enjoying water activities. Obey all the rules posted by the on-site camp host at the campgrounds. Anyone looking to fish or hunt in the area will need a valid Arizona license.

Most people enjoy using the Day Use Area and Boat Ramp during the spring, winter and fall months when daytime temperatures hover in the 70s and 80s. Summers are excellent for swimming, but the weather can be extremely hot, and the dry climate can cause the water level to drop. You can check to make sure the reservoir is full and ready for boating.

Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace Leaf

Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and day use areas are often fragile or support rare or delicate ecosystems, so it’s important to follow guidelines, such as Leave No Trace practices, that protect them. You can help by being aware of the impact you leave on the landscape. Stay on trails, and camp only on stable land or where campsites have been previously set up. Always take all your trash with you or dispose of it properly. Be very careful with fires as they can cause serious damage. Check to see what the fire danger rating is, and always keep fires contained in a ring or pit. Even grills can be dangerous, so watch for any stray sparks.

Leave No Trace
Location

Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area Location

From Yuma, head north on AZ 95. Turn left at Imperial Dam Road and then right onto Senator Wash Road. Continue for another 4 miles, following the signs to Squaw Lake. You can also reach the Day Use Area by taking the 4th Avenue Exit off Interstate 8 to Imperial County Road S-24. Head north, and continue for about 22 miles until you reach Senator Wash Road. Take a left, and continue for 4 miles, following the signs for the boat ramp.

Ready to visit the Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area? 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.