Hot Springs Long Term Visitor Area
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Hot Springs Long-Term Visitor Area is one of the most accessible places to set up an RV and enjoy developed hot springs. Two developed pools at the site provide access to comfortable locations for relaxation and other activities. Paved roads provide access to the LTVA, and the interior is hard-packed desert dirt that's highly accommodating to RVs of all sizes and designs. There are no reservations for the site, so locations are first-come, first-served. You do need to purchase a permit when you arrive. Especially if you're looking for long-term camping in the winter, the Hot Springs LTVA offers a superb experience at a great price.
Quick Facts About RVing in Hot Springs LTVA BLM
• RV Friendly: Yes • Max RV Length: No posted limits; can handle rigs of 80 feet • Camping Type: Dispersed camping only option at the LTVA • Reservations: No, first-come, first-served • Hookups: No on-site hookups • Dump Station: No, nearest dump station 15 minutes away • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Excellent, tower close by • Pets: Pets leashed at all times • Roads: Roads paved to the entrance with hard-packed dirt inside • Best Season: Late fall to early spring
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• The free developed hot springs are open from 5 a.m. to midnight. • RV permits are $180 for the full season from September 15 to April 15. There are also permits for four weeks at $80 and two weeks at $20. • No permit is needed for free camping in the hot season, from April 16 to September 14, but BLM caps stays at 14 days. • Strong cell phone coverage is available. • There is abundant solar energy. • Flat ground, paved nearby roads, and hard-dirt roads at the site make this one of the most RV-friendly sites anywhere in America.
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Horse Tanks Trail
Located in the nearby Kofa Wilderness outside of Yuma, this trail is a great option for hiking, horseback riding, or off-roading.
Length: 6.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Telegraph Pass Trail
One of the more popular trails in the area, this Muggins Mountain Wilderness path is a good choice for hiking or mountain biking, and it offers beautiful views.
Length: 5.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Jester’s Trail
This trail offers spectacular views of the area, particularly at the trail’s summit.
Length: 2.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
East Wetlands Interpretive Trail
This trail follows a creek and offers great opportunities for spotting wildlife.
Length: 2.6 miles
Intensity: Easy
West Wetlands Loop
This gentle trail is pet-friendly and offers easy access to a swimming area.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
The nearby Colorado River is ideal for fishing, swimming, and boating. Anglers can often catch striped, smallmouth, and largemouth bass, as well as tilapia, bluegill, mullet, crappie, and catfish. Fortuna Lake is also a great option, and it offers a quiet, peaceful fishing or camping experience.
Wildlife Viewing
The Hot Springs Long Term Visitor Area sees its fair share of wildlife, but visitors can also head to the nearby Gila Mountains or the Kofa or Muggins Mountain Wilderness to see or photograph more wild animals. Species native to the area include bighorn sheep, rabbits, bobcats, coyotes, mule deer, birds of prey, songbirds, and several lizard and snake species.
Picnicking
Riverside Park offers beautiful views of the Colorado River, and there are several picnic tables available. Gateway Park is also located on the river, and it features fishing docks, restrooms, picnic tables, and a playground. The Colorado River State Historic Park is also an ideal location. There are several picnic areas, clean bathrooms, and plenty of room to spread out a blanket. Visitors can also stop in to see the park’s exhibits and learn more about the history of the area.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
BLM RV camping is available at the Hot Springs Long Term Visitor Area. Fees for the campground are $180 for the full season, stretching from September 15 to April 15, $80 for a four-week stay, and $40 for a two-week stay. Visitors can also camp for shorter periods of time at the Hidden Cove RV Park. The park is for visitors 55 years or older and offers full hookups, cement patio pads, and daily, weekly, and monthly rates. The Blue Sky Ranch RV Park offers over 200 sites with hookups, and there is a pool, bathrooms, a laundry room, and a doggie corral. The park also offers access to nearby hiking trails.
Developed Campgrounds
There are no developed campgrounds at the Hot Springs LTVA. However, nearby private campgrounds include Desert Trails RV Park 25 minutes away of I-8, Sunbeam Lake RV Resort 35 minutes away, and Rio Bend RV & Golf Resort 35 minutes away. The private options include access to full hookups and an impressive array of amenities for a fee.
Dispersed Camping
The Hot Springs LTVA is a proper dispersed camping location with a first-come, first-served policy. There are no designated sites, but try to observe at least 15 feet of space between others' spots. The LTVA is the definition of a wide-open space, so take advantage of it. The northern locations have a reputation for being rockier and closer to the freeway's noise. Many people prefer to set up on the south side for this reason. Check out our guide to dispersed camping on public lands for more information. During the main September 15 to April 15 season, dispersed campers can stay the entire seven months. From April 16 to September 14, the limit is 14 days.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: The LTVA is great for camper vans, but make sure yours is fully self-contained. • Travel Trailers: The area's flat land makes it ideal for travel trailers. • Fifth Wheels: With lots of room to maneuver, the site accommodates fifth wheels well. Likewise, you may want to use it to bring a car to get to nearby towns for grocery runs. • Class A Motorhomes: The LTVA is heaven for a Class A RV. There is ample space for maneuvering it. • Class B Motorhomes: The compact body of a Class B RV makes it a good choice for navigating dirt roads in the area, but be sure yours is big enough to be fully stocked. • Class C Motorhomes: A Class C setup is arguably the simplest and most accommodating option for the LTVA.
Free Camping 
Bureau of Land Management free camping is also available at the Hot Springs Long Term Visitor Area from April to September. All two-week stays are free. Mittry Lake is also a great free camping option. The campground provides stunning views, and visitors can set up a dispersed site wherever they like.
RV Rentals Near Hot Springs Long Term Visitor Area Plan your next adventure
Planning your Hot Springs Long Term Visitor Area BLM trip
Most people prefer to visit the Hot Springs Long Term Visitor Area during the early spring, winter, and late fall months when the weather is dry and mild. During the summer, temperatures climb, and daytime temperatures often reach 105 or more. The area sees almost no rain throughout the year.
To camp at the Hot Springs Long Term Visitor Area, you must have a camping permit. Camping permits can be purchased from the campground hosts at the site or the nearby Pilot Knob Long Term Visitor Area. You can also buy a permit online, after which you will receive a voucher that can be exchanged for a permit at the BLM Yuma Field Office. Permits can also be purchased directly from the field office or the BLM El Centro Field Office.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
This is California's desert country, so your top priority is watching the weather notices and checking for burn bans. Check road conditions because desert sand can create problems suddenly. Holtville is 10 minutes away and offers fuel, basic groceries, hardware, a post office, and sites for dumping and water filling. El Centro is 25 minutes away and adds more grocery options, propane, and big-box retailers. If you need the benefits of a true city, Yuma, AZ is one hour east on the I-8. The Hot Spring LTVA is a superb spot for solar generators. Consider getting one with a good battery to play nice during the noise-limit period. Desert cold catches people off guard even in the summer. Prepare according by studying our tips for RVing in the Southwest desert.
Leave No Trace 
It’s crucial that Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and long-term visitor areas remain protected and cared for, and Leave No Trace practices can help. Be courteous of other visitors by keeping noise to a minimum and sharing common areas such as picnic tables, fire rings, and trails. Clean up after yourself and always dispose of all trash properly. Be aware of the dangers of fire and keep fires controlled in designated pits or rings. Stay up to date on fire bans, and only start a fire if the danger rating is low. Stay alert for wild animals, and if you see one, let it move on. Do not try to approach or touch wild animals, including reptiles and insects.
Hot Springs Long Term Visitor Area Location
From Yuma, head west on the I-8 to Exit 131 for 115 North/Van Der Linden. Continue east on Evan Hewes for 3.8 miles. You can also reach the area by traveling on I-8 east from El Centro, California.
Ready to visit Hot Springs Long Term Visitor 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.
Plan Your Day at Hot Springs LTVA
• Morning: Make coffee or tea. Hike the desert and then relax in the pools. • Afternoon: Deploy your solar generator to get that free energy. Conduct a supply run into Holtville or El Centro. • Evening: Watch the sun set over the western flats, host a few friends you've made at the camp, and do some stargazing under the unfathomably black desert sky.
Nearby Attractions
• Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge: Located one hour north, the wildlife refuge is one of the best spots for winter bird watching in California. • North Algodones Dunes Wilderness: Hikers and horseback riders can explore the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness. No motor vehicles are allowed on the dunes. • Imperial Sand Dunes: A permit-only location, Imperial Sand Dunes is one of the largest dune systems in all of North America.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to camp at Hot Springs LTVA? Permits are required for the main cool season, which stretches from September 15 to April 15. The area is permit-free for up to 14 days during the hot season, which runs from April 16 to September 14. You can contact the BLM El Centro Field Office for more information on permits and limits. Can I bring a tent or a van without a bathroom? No, the BLM requires all vehicles camping in the area to be self-contained units. This means you should have an onboard waste tank. A tank with at least 10 gallons of capacity is strongly recommended. Likewise, you will want to have a fresh water tank. Is the hot spring free? Yes, the hot spring is free throughout the year. It opens at 5 a.m. and closes at midnight. BLM does not permit food, drinks, glass, soap, or animals within the fenced-in area. Can large RVs get in? Yes, the Hot Spring LTVA is one of the most big-rig-friendly RVing locations in all of the United States. There are no posted length limits, and the open ground makes it relatively easy to park a big rig with a long trailer. Try to be mindful of your fellow campers, though, as you move your rig and trailer around. There's room to roam, so take advantage of it to keep maneuvering simple. Can I stay the full seven months? Yes, your LTVA permit entitles you to stick around the entire seven-month period. As a bonus, you can also use it at other BLM-based LTVA locations anywhere in Arizona or California. This makes the permit especially popular with snowbirds.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
Renting an RV is a great way to get the perfect ride for your time at the Hot Springs LTVA. Look for fully self-contained units. There are no length or trailer limits, so focus on finding the right RV for your preferred camping lifestyle. Solar generation is a huge plus for camping in this region, so consider an RV that includes it. Also, fresh water is a must, so tank capacity matters. Discover the right vehicle for you among the numerous RV rentals in El Centro on RVshare.