The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Located in California's arid Colorado Desert, the Dos Palmas Preserve is a serene oasis under the protection of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM administers hundreds of sites across the United States, many of which are popular destinations for camping, exploring, and various outdoor recreational opportunities. Because established campgrounds are common at these sites, BLM camping is a well-known activity for frequent travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. If you enjoy connecting with nature and sleeping out in the fresh air, you may get a lot of satisfaction from visiting one or more of these BLM-protected natural sites. The BLM website will provide you with details on all of the locations for "BLM camping near me" in your region.
The Dos Palmas Preserve doesn't feature an on-site camping area, but it's a desirable destination nonetheless. The nature preserve is known for its many swaying fan palms, natural pools, and lush wetlands, and there are excellent opportunities in the area for hiking and wildlife viewing. The BLM site is also located only a few miles away from the fascinating Joshua Tree National Park, as well as the unique waters of the Salton Sea. The national park, which features breathtaking scenery, is an extremely popular destination for those who visit the area.
The Lost Palms Oasis trail is a long out-and-back trail located at Joshua Tree National Park. The route offers hikers gorgeous desert scenery, and although there aren't many Joshua trees along the trail, there is an impressive palm tree grove in the beautiful oasis. Traveling down to the oasis requires a challenging off-route scramble, but you can always turn back before that if you like. It's best to avoid the hike during the summer months due to the extreme heat.
Length: 7.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
A shorter, easier-to-navigate trail you can explore in Joshua Tree National Park is the Skull Rock trail. The loop trail is located near the town of Twentynine Palms, CA, and there are quality camping opportunities in the area. The unique nature trail features boulder piles, desert washes, and the impressive formation known as Skull Rock. Because of the harsh climate, this trail is best visited between October and April, and dogs are not permitted.
Length: 1.7 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Dos Palmas Preserve lies only a few miles east of the vast Salton Sea, which is the largest lake in California and contains salty, shallow water. Only desert pupfish and tilapia can survive in the reservoir, so it's not a particularly popular fishing destination. If you like, though, you can spend a day kayaking or canoeing on the unique lake. There aren't many other significant bodies of water in the region, but the majestic Colorado River does flow around 50 miles east of the preserve. You can take your non-motorized boat out on the river or cast your fishing line to reel in some channel catfish.
For anyone in the area hoping to enjoy some climbing, one option is to head to nearby Joshua Tree National Park. In the park, there's an excellent selection of bouldering and traditional climbing routes, and many of them have conveniently short approaches. The rock in the area is quartz monzonite, and the formations are unique and diverse. The bouldering routes feature difficulty levels ranging from V2 R to V5, and the traditional routes range from 5.10a to 5.12a.
The Dos Palmas Preserve is known for being home to a couple of unique endangered species in the Yuma clapper rail and the desert pupfish. The pupfish is a relic species from the Pleistocene era, and the Yuma clapper rail is an elusive bird that builds its nests in the area's cattails. Other interesting creatures you may spot in the area include the black-necked stilt, bufflehead, desert woodrat, flat-tail horned lizard, leaf-nosed bat, osprey, prairie falcon, snowy egret, and many others.
The odds that you'll find any picnic tables or designated areas at the Dos Palmas Preserve are slim, so you'll likely need to create your own picnicking setup. The scenery around the site is strange and fascinating, so if you come equipped with a large blanket or portable seating, you can dig into your lunch while taking in your unique surroundings.
You're welcome to enjoy BLM RV camping at the Dos Palmas Preserve, but there aren't any established Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at the site. So the choice is yours whether you want to go with primitive camping or stay at one of the many nearby campgrounds. Lots of camping areas lie along the shore of the Salton Sea, and several of them are RV parks with hookups and amenities. If you prefer that type of modern RV camping experience, a couple of the best nearby options are the Oasis Palms RV Resort and the Salton Sea State Recreation Area.
If you're feeling adventurous and like to rough it out in nature, Bureau of Land Management free camping at the Dos Palmas Preserve may be a good option. Much of the oasis consists of wetlands and pools, so you'll need to find a spot on solid ground to put up your dispersed campsite. If you can make it work, it will be a memorable experience camping in a unique environment.
When visiting the Dos Palmas Preserve, you should keep in mind that even in a lush oasis, this region of California can get incredibly hot during the summer. If you're traveling to the site between May and October, be prepared for temperatures above 100 degrees. You should also be aware that the on-site pools and the nearby Salton Sea contain water that you should avoid drinking due to potential contamination. Before you leave home, pack your RV with lots of extra potable water so that you don't run into any issues, regardless of how high the temperature rises. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The BLM asks that you help them preserve the Dos Palmas Preserve by treating the land with care and respect. If you choose to participate in dispersed camping at or around the site, remember to only do so on durable land surfaces.
To reach the Dos Palmas Preserve from Indio, CA, take Interstate 10 eastbound until you reach the Dillon Road offramp, and then turn south. Continue until you reach the first stoplight, and then take a left onto Highway 111 and travel southeast for approximately 25 miles. When you reach Highway 111's junction with Highway 86, take the left fork to stay on Highway 111. Stay on the highway through the towns of Coachella, Theral, and Mecca, and when you're roughly 10 miles past Mecca, watch for the Park Headquarters for the Salton Sea State Recreation Area; it will be on your right. Opposite the Park Headquarters, there will be a left turn you can take onto Parkside Drive. Take the left, and then follow it for about 2 miles before turning right onto Desert Aire. Follow Desert Aire until it ends, and then take a left onto the unmarked dirt road. Stay left at the next fork and follow the dirt road until you reach Rancho Dos Palmas.
Ready to visit Dos Palmas Preserve? 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.
