Cottonwood Campground (El Centro)

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

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Cottonwood Campground (El Centro)

Located in Southern California, the Cottonwood Campground is a scenic outdoor camping area maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM is a federal government agency, and the Cottonwood Campground is one of the numerous sites it administers throughout California and many other states, with the majority located in the western United States. Many BLM sites feature lovely camping areas, as well as a variety of unique attractions and recreational opportunities. With a quick online search for "BLM camping near me," you can discover any similar natural areas in your region.

The Cottonwood Campground lies only thirteen miles north of the United States-Mexico border and only forty-five miles east of San Diego, CA. Other nearby destinations include Cleveland National Forest and the picturesque Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Popular activities at and around the BLM campground include hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Pictograph Trail

The Pictograph Trail is a serene out-and-back trail found within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The area features fascinating pictographs, as well as unique flora and fauna. During the hike, you'll also get to see a small waterfall and plenty of pretty wildflowers. If you want to spend the night in the area, there are some great camping opportunities near the trail, and you should be able to enjoy plenty of solitude during your stay. The ideal time to visit the trail is between March and October.

Length: 2.6 miles

Intensity: Easy

Calcite Mine Trail

The Calcite Mine Trail lies near Borrego Springs, CA, and is a frequently visited trail for hiking, horseback riding, and scenic driving. The out-and-back route is relatively challenging but not prohibitively difficult for beginner hikers. Visitors will enjoy views of unique rock formations, the nearby Salton Sea, and the surrounding badlands. Remember to leave your dogs at home as they aren't permitted on this trail.

Length: 3.7 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Cactus Loop Trail

If you're looking for a quick, leisurely hike, the Cactus Loop Trail is a perfect option. Located within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the popular trail should only take around thirty minutes to hike. In addition to hiking, many visitors also use the rocky route for mountain biking. If possible, try to make your visit to the Cactus Loop Trail between October and May.

Length: 0.7 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing & Boating

Much of the region surrounding the Cottonwood Campground is arid, but there are some great angling opportunities to be found. One solid option is Lake Cuyamaca, located roughly twenty miles northwest of the BLM site near Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. There are a variety of fish species that live in the small lake, including trout, bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. Boating is also permitted on the placid reservoir; you can either bring your own watercraft or rent one at the state park. Motorized boats, kayaks, pedal boats, pontoon boats, and rowboats are all available to rent and take out on the water.

Climbing

If you want to do some rock climbing, your best option may be to travel north to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. There, you'll not only find many peaks of various heights, but you'll also find many geological formations that provide the opportunity for bouldering. One of the most popular sections of the park for climbing is the Culp Valley area.

Wildlife Viewing

If you enjoy wildlife viewing or photography, one destination you may want to visit is Cleveland National Forest, located about thirty miles northwest of the Cottonwood Campground. There, you can hike through some of the lush trails and watch for gray foxes, bobcats, coyotes, mule deer, ringtail cats, long-tailed weasels, mountain lions, black-tailed jackrabbits, opossums, and many other species.

Picnicking

The Cottonwood Campground is a fantastic spot to enjoy an afternoon picnic. The camping area not only contains picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, but it's also surrounded by beautiful scenery and a peaceful atmosphere. Many of the tables are found in shady, lush parts of the site, and sitting down for a snack or meal is sure to be a serene experience.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Visitors to the Cottonwood Campground are more than welcome to partake in BLM RV camping. The campground features twenty-five developed campsites, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $6 per night. That said, the campsites don't feature RV hookups, and there aren't any modern amenities on-site. While no other Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are located nearby, there are RV parks with full hookups within ten miles of the site. If you travel south to the Boulevard, CA, area, you can camp overnight at Boulevard Pines Mobile Home and RV Park. Alternatively, if you head a bit further west, you could stay at the Lake Morena RV Park.

Free Camping

As long as you set up your dispersed campsite outside of the established campground and the McCain Valley, you can enjoy Bureau of Land Management free camping anywhere in the surrounding area. If you're willing to search around a bit, you should be able to find an unoccupied spot that offers some shade, privacy, and solitude.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Cottonwood Campground (El Centro) BLM trip

If you're planning a trip to the Cottonwood Campground, make sure you check the weather forecast before you head out. While many people associate Southern California with nonstop sunshine, that isn't necessarily the case in this area. In fact, thunderstorms and showers are common near the campground in July and August. During the winter months, the area even sees occasional snowfall.

While you're camping, hiking, or exploring the area around the Cottonwood Campground, keep in mind that certain sections of the region are private land. Watch for any signs to avoid accidentally wandering into an area where you aren't supposed to be. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

If you do your part during your visit, you can contribute to keeping the Cottonwood Campground pristine. You can achieve this by adhering to the Leave No Trace guidelines, which are aimed at keeping your impact on the land to a minimum. To follow these principles, you need to plan ahead and prepare during every step of your trip. You also need to thoroughly pick up after yourself and leave things in nature just how you found them. Refrain from approaching any wild animals, be courteous toward other campers, and keep your fires small and contained.

Cottonwood Campground (El Centro) Location

To reach the Cottonwood Campground from Boulevard, head east on Old Hwy 80 for 0.9 miles, then turn left onto McCain Valley Rd and follow it for 4.2 miles. Take a slight left to stay on McCain Valley Rd; after 0.2 miles, take another slight left to stay on it once again. Continue for 8.4 miles, and the campground will be on your left.

Ready to visit Cottonwood Campground (El Centro)? 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.