If you're looking for an amazing place to camp on the beach this is it. They have great showers and…read morebathrooms, a pool, water at every camp site and miles of beach. You can bring your ATV's or dune buggy and spend hours on their off road course. Punta Estrella is the best place to camp in the San Felipe area. It's far away from town that you can see a billion stars but it's close enough to go get ice and supplies as needed. I highly recommend a visit even if it''s just for the day to play on the clean beach.

Haven't camped here yet, but Rancho Punta Estrella is our favorite beach to come spend the day at…read morein San Felipe. The beach is beautiful and clean and there are tons of shells on the sand at low tide. The coco and pina trucks come through frequently as well. We love making memories here.

Hello? Does anybody live here? Where is everyone? Were they all abducted?…read more I was on a mission to find a cool place to take pictures of my car. The Salton Sea has been on my radar for a while. I mentioned it to a few people and they never said anything. It was not until I got here and started posting on IG that people decided to warn me. Telling me things about the people here, warning me about safety. A little late I think. You should of told me before. It's like a freaking Zombie Apocalypse here. Such a ghost town packed with abandoned buildings and buildings people call home. I know people live here but I only saw a handful of people outside. Lots of streets named after a variety of California beaches like Zuma, Newport, Pismo. Pretty neat. I just drove up and down these lost back streets hoping my exhaust was not going to pull people out of hiding. I guess this used to be a tourist attraction back in the day. But now it's just tons of dead fish, plants, trees here and things that make you go hmmmmmm. Since I am your friend I am going to warn you. Don't come here alone. If you were to get hurt nobody would hear you scream. If they did hear you scream I doubt they would help you. Nobody would find your car either. You would just disappear into the nothing that is here. I had my dog with me and some other accessories just in case. I got out of my car in 30 second increments and kept my doors locked. However that wouldn't stop anyone from jumping out of nowhere and barricading my car. The roads here are dirty. I had just washed my car and once I got home I had to wash it again. The roads messed up my tire pressure too. I wasn't happy. Anyways don't come alone and don't talk to anyone or look at anyone and you will be good. It's a fun place and mission accomplished taking car pictures.

The Salton Sea is really unbelievable. Haven't really ever heard of it before my mom moved to La…read moreQuinta 14 years ago. But after hearing the stories, I had to go. Recently, it finally came true. When you finally get your sights on it, it's more unreal. The lake is about 15 by 35 miles at its widest and longest. So, it's HUGE, and there's a hell of a lot of water. Sure, it's getting smaller, but still. If you go, you should decide to go on the West or East side...because it's very far to go all around. My mom and I went east, but I think there's more to see on the west side (which has Salton City, Desert Shores, Salton Sea Beach). What we did see was a few "campgrounds", former structures, and the highlight -- Bombay Beach, an little town with some artistic endeavors, but mostly low income and off-grid living. It's just not healthy to live nearby this. It has a little market and an old motel, the Ski Inn, that is now a coffee shop and dive bar. It wasn't very smelly on a 75 degree day, but I'm sure it is in the heat of summer. It's both marvelous and a engineering disaster. I asked Siri a million things while driving, but I'm left with more questions than answers.

During my visit to the Salton Sea, I had the opportunity to speak directly with the locals and…read morewitness the conditions firsthand. It was intriguing to hear their perspectives, which differed from what I had read in the press. The residents confidently shared that they still swim in the waters, despite its reputation as toxic. They assured me that the air quality has been improving, and the sea itself has become cleaner and more vibrant, teeming with diverse and healthy microorganisms. Their accounts challenged the negative narrative portrayed in the media. They spoke of the sea's transformation, describing positive changes that they personally observed. It was evident that they took pride in their surroundings and were enthusiastic about the improvements they had noticed. While these individual experiences were compelling, it's important to note that they represent a local perspective and might not provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall situation. To gain a more complete picture, it would be valuable to consult scientific studies, environmental assessments, and data analysis conducted by experts. I personally found that my visit to the Salton Sea was so completely intriguing in so many and varied ways that I cannot WAIT to go back again and converse and "break bread" with the locals as they explain to me how their life works in an area that has been written off by many for decades.

I took the drive from Palm Springs (where I was staying) to Bombay Beach last week and it was…read moresomething I've wanted to see for a very long time. This desolate and erie town is a skeleton of what it once once and has one of the strongest and strangest smells I've ever experienced pulling into a new place. The marina here is pretty massive and is absolutely full of all kinds of "art" or whatever you would like to call it from mannequins being tortured, recliners with blood, funny signs about cars getting stuck, religious areas, and a million other things that only pictures can really do justice. I was able to get out of my car and walk a little bit around but didn't go too close to the water for various reasons. This place is fascinating for so many different reasons and I truly do hope to come in the future. Overall, this place is completely going to be a different experience for literally everyone. For me? It was kind of eye opening in a strange way, as I still don't actually know what I saw here, but hey, I think I'll have to come back one day and just figure it out again.

Great fascinating place to visit. See the separate entry for its interpretive center. That's a…read more"must visit." Sadly, New Camp is closed. Copper wire thieves stripped the RV hook ups, and the state gated the campsite, even though us tent campers don't need hook ups. Mecca campground, one mile south, is also closed. Its plumbing has been broke for years. Unfortunately fixing this gem of a state park is probably not a high priority for Sacramento. Still, visit it & do the best you can. Try Salt Wash campground (separate Yelp entry).

The Salton Sea is a large and hyper saline lake with high concentrations of minerals and salts…read more While many fishes no longer survive here due to increasing salinity, the primary fish species that currently inhabit are tilapia and the native desert pupfish. I have to say it's very smelly in this area, and the lake has a distinct rotten egg odor.

has a very spacious playground for the children. Also has a a lot of of space for events that you…read morecome birthday parties until it is very well. Kept and clean. I highly recommended.

I had a great visit at Sunbeam lake today, Tuesday Jan 13. I took a walk mainly to take some…read morepictures for Tic Tok. I enjoyed a picnic lunch, some bird watching and just being outside.

Out of the way, in the middle of nowhere, smelly, dusty...muddy…read more But I still like it here. The birds like it, too. This area is changing due to the intractable drought and the water level keeps dropping. Winter time is better IMO because the weather is more hospitable for walking and the winter migrants come to play. However, last time I was here, the snow geese seemed much more scarce and I only heard the sandhill cranes, not getting a glimpse of them. At the main visitor station, there's good parking and the Rock Hill trail is very easy. You need to walk the trail to get to the water and see some shore birds. The trail ends at the top of a hill (not difficult) where you get a unique birds eye view of the area. However, if you hang out at the visitor center at the parking lot, you have a good chance of spotting quails and other birds, as they keep feeders hanging from trees in the vicinity. Unit 1 should not be missed for birding either - that's where you'll have access to wetlands. It can be pretty muddy there so wear appropriate shoes. If you like landscape photography, there's a lot of interesting, weird spots all around the sea, within the refuge and outside of it, to grab your interest. You'll need to explore the area, however, to find these locations and it's better if you have a high clearance vehicle, as many roads here are not paved. Beware of all the mud if there were recent rains, both on the roads and on trails.

We visited the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge toward the end of March and…read moreunfortunately the timing did not work in our favor. It was already around 100 degrees, which made it too hot to venture out toward the lake. My son loves bird photography and uses a telephoto lens, so we were hoping to see more wildlife. Instead, we mostly stayed near the visitor center area. We did spot quite a few adorable cottontail bunnies resting in the shade. They dig little shallow pockets in the cool dirt, which was fun to watch. There were also a few birds chirping and some doves, but overall not much activity. The visitor center itself is small but nice and worth a quick stop. From what I have heard, this area can be amazing for migratory birds, but we did not see many during our visit. I am guessing earlier in the year or during the winter would be a much better time to go. It is also pretty out of the way, so not somewhere you will just casually swing by. Overall, it was an okay visit, but I would definitely plan for a cooler season next time. 3 stars

This review is for Ladder Canyon & Painted Canyon Trail which was a ~4.4 miles round trip that took…read more~2.5 hours to complete. Ladder Canyon & Painted Canyon Trail was a popular and crowded hike near Mecca, California. Trail was flat and sandy while you're at the bottom of the canyons. Started the loop clockwise; look for the ladder on your left. Requires a little bit of rock scrambling at this part and some ladders to get to the slot canyons. Trail becomes a bit more rocky with a slight incline towards the top of the canyons. Furthermore, there was a rope and ladder near the end of the loop. Overall, this was unique trail with stunning views throughout the hike! Required to drive on a well maintained dirt road for ~4.6 miles. Low clearance cars could make it; go slow and dodge the bigger bumps as you get closer to the parking. No restroom at the trailhead! Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/7HECQHARzvs

I went there on April 6, 2025. There's 7 cars at parking area. I ran into 6 hikers while I was on…read morethe trail. It's quiet and really enjoyed the nature. Gloves and hiking boots are game changers. Last 2 miles are very rocky and sandy, so it's hard to walk. I forgot my sunscreen and sunglasses.

I'm coming up on my two-year anniversary living at Hidden Beaches River Resort and that inspired me…read moreto write a review. I absolutely love it here! A few key things that make this Park stand out: THE STAFF: This on-site team is professional, friendly and quick to resolve any issues. Deya is a gem. She truly cares about the tenants and is always friendly and upbeat. Carlos keeps my grass green and is the first one to help me carry a heavy package if he sees me struggling to pull a package out of the mail center box. And Martin, he is on top of any maintenance issue I request-almost before I finish the sentence. THE FACILITIES: It is so convenient to have an on-site laundry. So much nicer than having to drive into town and deal with people vying for machines. And I was lucky enough to be able to host BINGO which enabled me to meet several of the tenants from all walks of life. They are a great bunch of people - definitely fun Bingo enthusiasts! THE LOCATION: This is the Pie'ce de Resistance! I have such a beautiful view. I am fortunate enough to be on the water. The sunrise/sunsets are incredible! Just having this view keeps me smiling and feeling upbeat. I thoroughly recommend this RV Resort to anyone wanting a beautiful, serene place to live or visit on weekends and holidays. I don't plan on ever leaving.

Amazing little glamping gem on the river. Very relaxing. Easy river access. Family orientated good…read morefor fur babies

Beautiful park underneath the Ocean to Ocean Highway bridge, which crosses the Colorado River in…read moreYuma on the CA/AZ border. The park has bathrooms, picnic tables under a large pavilion, a play ground, and a sandy beach. There's even an outdoor shower for cleaning off the sand when you're done. On an August weekday around noon, there were multiple families at the park to lounge and swim. The bridge provides ample shade for sitting on the beach or swimming in the water. The water was clear and looked clean. Some kids had tied a rope swing to the bridge and were swing jumping into the water - so fun! Yuma is HOT and frankly quite ugly, without much to offer the passerby outside of food, fuel, and the prison (also worth a stop!!). Gateway Park is an exception - a beautiful spot and a great break point for the weary traveler. Bring swimsuits - you won't just want to dip your feet in!

Even with the tide really low due to the lack of rain, this makes a great place to relax, picnic or…read morewhat have you. Seemingly all the times we've been here the other groups of people have been very mellow. I mean, yes they're into their own get - togethers but the hootin' and hollerin' you'd expect from other beaches? Not so much here. The lake current is nice and strong; you could float on your back down the river if you wanted too. I got a good workout in there just crawling around and things. Like I said, most of the river is not as deep as after a rainfall. Recommended!

Mayflower Regional Park was a fun and relaxing place to visit with someone. I saw many teenagers…read morecamping and spending time by the Colorado River and the whole area felt clean and welcoming. The atmosphere felt calm and friendly with campfires, laughter, and the sound of water nearby. Teenagers would love how social and laid back it feels because it gives them a chance to enjoy nature without pressure. The service was helpful especially when checking in or asking about campsite options. The value was excellent with affordable camping and RV spots. The quality of the grounds and river access was high and everything felt safe and well managed. The selection of activities like camping, exploring, and relaxing by the water made it perfect for teenagers who enjoy the outdoors. I have only been there once before writing this review but it was one of the most refreshing places I have visited. I highly recommend that teenagers go there because it gives them a chance to enjoy nature in a playful and peaceful way.

Park is okay, we do camping with the family every year, unfortunately they make a lot of money on…read morecamping spots and day parking I wonder why they haven't make the park safe, we literally have to do a dangerous hike to go to the water, Insaw few people falling over the rocks! place is really dangerous I don't know why they haven't fix this