Camp Ibis-Patton

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

A trip to Camp Ibis-Patton will give visitors a peek into the history of the United States. Constructed in 1942-43, Camp Ibis-Patton is a historical site that's over two miles long. When it was an active military camp, many armored divisions were stationed there, with each division containing more than 20,000 men, multiple firearm ranges, and combat ranges. Since the camp has been so well-preserved, you can find many artifacts in the area.

This camp is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a federal agency that oversees the maintenance of many public land areas across the United States. As long as there are no signs that say "closed to camping," dispersed camping, meaning camping away from recreational facilities, is allowed for up to two weeks at a time. When you visit Camp Ibis-Patton, be sure to check out the nearby Mojave National Preserve and Lake Havasu State Park. Death Valley National Park is also under four hours away.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Rock Springs Loop Trail

Located 42 miles south of Camp Ibis-Patton in the Mojave National Preserve, the Rock Springs Trail is a leisurely hike for nature and history enthusiasts alike. During your trek, you will learn the history of Rock Springs and get to take in the beauty of the Mojave Desert.

Length: 1 mile

Intensity: Easy

The Needles and Tumarion Peak

This fantastic route is not for the faint of heart. Needles, California was named for this group of volcanic peaks, but more people visit the town than the landmark. Be one of the few adventurers to see The Needles in all their glory, as well as Tumarion Peak. The adventure of a lifetime is only a 20-minute drive away from Camp Ibis-Patton.

Length: 16.2 miles

Intensity: Difficult

Fishing and Boating

Though there aren't any opportunities for fishing and boating at Camp Ibis-Patton, you can enjoy the waters of Topock Gorge and Topock Marsh. These spots are only 20 minutes away at the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

Climbing

Camp Ibis-Patton doesn't have any climbing spots of its own, but there is a good climbing spot in the nearby Mojave National Preserve called Castle Peaks. Castle Peaks, which comprises five climbable peaks ranging in difficulty from difficult to expert, are in the northeast corner of the preserve.

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife enthusiasts will love the variety of animals surrounding Camp Ibis-Patton. You can see osprey, swallows, beavers, and rattlesnakes in the lush 4,000 acres of the Topock Marsh in the nearby Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. If desert wildlife is more your speed, head on over to the Mojave National Preserve to glimpse banded geckos, horned lizards, and desert tortoises instead.

Picnicking

Though there aren't any designated picnicking areas in Camp Ibis-Patton, you can certainly pack a few sandwiches and snacks and enjoy a meal while taking in the historical atmosphere. Of course, be sure to clean up after yourself and be prepared to pack trash out with you as there may not be trash receptacles in the area.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Although there aren't any sites for RV camping directly in Camp Ibis-Patton, there are quite a few campgrounds nearby. If you'd like to stay in Needles, there's a KOA campground there with RV sites only 17 minutes away. If you want a campsite with all the bells and whistles, there's also the Desert View RV Resort just 18 minutes from the Camp Ibis Memorial Marker.

Free Camping

There aren't any free camping areas at Camp Ibis-Patton, but there are some nearby in the Mojave National Preserve. To the south of the site, the Craggy Wash Dispersed Camping Area is also open to free BLM RV camping.

RV Rentals Near Camp Ibis-Patton Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Camp Ibis-Patton BLM trip

Check the weather. It will get sweltering if you plan to visit the nearby Mojave Desert in the summer. Make sure you pack enough protective clothing and headgear, as well as plenty of water to keep yourself safe while you explore.

Be aware of wildlife. The smell of food can draw animals, including predators, from miles away, so you'll want to take precautions to keep your food secured.

Have a plan for waste. Be sure to bring enough bags to carry out what you bring in. Remember, toilet paper takes a long time to break down, so you'll need to take that out along with your trash if you camp at a primitive site. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

When visiting any BLM site, leaving no evidence of your visit is important. If there are visible campsites in the area you want to use for primitive camping, go ahead and reuse them rather than making a new one. When you’re hiking, be sure to move quietly whenever possible to avoid startling the animals living nearby and avoid interacting with them. It’s important to leave the site exactly as you found it, so don’t take any natural elements out with you. If you find something exciting, take a picture to commemorate your find to avoid disturbing animal habitats.

Camp Ibis-Patton Location

Camp Ibis-Patton is located in San Bernardino County about 21 miles northwest of the town of Needles. Take I-40 west from Needles for 10 miles, and then exit US Highway 95 north. Follow US 95 for eight miles until you reach Camp Ibis. You'll know you're in the right place when you see a site monument on the right.

Ready to visit Camp Ibis-Patton? 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.