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BLM Camping

Keyhole Campground

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

Keyhole Campground is the smallest campground in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, which is located outside of the town of Brawley in California, not far from the Mexican border. The region is also near Joshua Tree National Park, the Salton Sea, and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Area is located just north of the campground. Visitors to the area often enjoy riding OHVs along the dunes, spotting wildlife, camping, hiking, or stargazing.

BLM sites are public lands that are protected to preserve wilderness and to create natural spaces that visitors can enjoy and appreciate for generations to come. To find other BLM sites like the Keyhole Campground that offer camping options, search for “BLM camping near me.”

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Salton Sea – Rock Hill Trail

This beautiful trail follows the shores of the inland Salton Sea and provides amazing opportunities for bird-watching.

Length: 2 miles

Intensity: Easy

Picacho Mills Historic Trail

Located in the nearby Picacho State Recreation Area, this trail offers beautiful views, but there is little shade along the route, and the trail can be a bit strenuous.

Length: 2.5 miles

Intensity: Moderate

West Wetlands Loop

This trail in the West Wetlands Park and Conservation Area provides a reprieve from the area’s hot, dry climate. Hikers along this trail can enjoy beautiful views and spot wildlife, including nesting birds.

Length: 2 miles

Intensity: Easy

Painted Desert Loop Trail

Part of the Imperial Refuge Wilderness, this trail is an amazing way to explore the area, take in gorgeous landscapes, or spot wild animals.

Length: 1.4 miles

Intensity: Easy

Indian Pass Road OHV Trail

Although this lengthy trail is generally used for OHV riding, it also offers excellent mountain biking opportunities.

Length: 17 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

The nearby Salton Sea is an incredible place to boat, view wildlife, or fish. Anglers can only catch tilapia in the sea, but the fish are plentiful.

Climbing

Joshua Tree National Park offers thousands of climbs, all of different styles and difficulties, for rock climbing enthusiasts. For example, the Hidden Valley Area features more than 860 climbs, most of which are traditional. The Lost Horse Area offers 651 traditional, sport, and top rope routes. There are also more than 1,300 bouldering options throughout the park.

Wildlife Viewing

The Imperial Sand Dunes are a fantastic place to spot wildlife, but Joshua Tree National Park, the Imperial Refuge Wilderness, and the West Wetlands Park and Conservation Area also offer excellent opportunities to view animals in their native habitats. Animals and insects native to the area include lizards, beetles, scorpions, sidewinders, mule deer, kangaroo rats, roadrunners, owls, coyotes, kit foxes, and jackrabbits.

Picnicking

Hugh T. Osborne Lookout Park is a great choice for a picnic. The park provides beautiful views and also has picnic tables and restrooms. The Heber Dunes SVRA also offers picnic tables and ramadas. There are restrooms, and the area provides access to several OHV riding options.

Horseback Riding

Many of the area’s hiking or OHV riding trails are also excellent for horseback riding. This includes the Indian Pass Road OHV Trail and the Glamis/Oldsmobile OHV Hill Trail.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

BLM RV camping can be found at Roadrunner Campground, located right in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. There are few amenities, but the campground offers concrete pads for parking RVs. Midway and Gecko Campgrounds are also excellent options for camping right in the dunes.

Free Camping

Keyhole Campground is a fantastic choice for Bureau of Land Management free camping, and it provides enough space for several RVs or a small group. The Glamis Flats also offers several dispersed camping sites. Remember that there are few, if any, amenities available at these campgrounds, so pack everything you need.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Keyhole Campground BLM trip

Keyhole Campground is relatively remote, and some of the roads leading to or around the campground can deteriorate in inclement weather. Make sure that the roads you plan to travel on do not require all-wheel-drive or all-terrain vehicles. It’s also a good idea to check the weather forecast ahead of time, and avoid the area if there is a chance of heavy rain.

The area around the campground is incredibly dry. Remember to always bring plenty of water with you, and don’t hesitate to drink water whenever you’re thirsty. Sipping on water throughout the day can help to reduce the risk of dehydration.

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

Leave No Trace

Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, such as the Keyhole Campground, require care in order to remain in their beautiful, untouched state, and Leave No Trace or tread lightly policies can help. In primitive camping areas, it’s important to try to camp only on sturdy, stable ground on which your camper or RV will cause little damage. Try to pick areas that don’t have a lot of vegetation. Always pack out all of your trash, and dispose of waste properly. Share the area, and be polite to other campers by keeping noise to a minimum and keeping your campsite neat. Be cautious about starting campfires. Campfires in California generally require a permit, so make sure you have all of the necessary permits and are following fire safety guidelines.