Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness
RV Guide
Introduction
Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness was designated all the way back in 1994 and covers nearly 30,000 acres of land in California. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and offers a variety of different activities for visitors. The area is dry and mostly desert. It is a vital place for animals like the desert tortoises to continue their existence.
You will see unique cacti like the barrel cactus, as well as other vegetation. There is plenty of room to hike, mountain bike, picnic, and view wildlife in their natural habitats. Many people enjoy camping at one of the nearby BLM campgrounds available. These provide spacious areas to relax under the stars after a long day hiking around Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness.
This is also a great area to get away from your busy life and enjoy some time in solitude and nature. You will be surrounded by the Little Chuckwalla Mountains as well as vast valleys and deserts. A lot of areas around the mountain peaks have a unique look to them due to old volcanic activity.
RV Rentals in Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness
Transportation
Driving
Because of its vast size, Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness resides in both Imperial and Riverside Counties in southeast California. The closest big town is Blythe and it is just 25 miles northwest of Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness. The roads surrounding the wilderness are both gravel and paved. They are well maintained and easy to travel on for just about any vehicle type.
The majority of visitors will take Interstate 10 to enter Little Chuckwalla. If you aren't driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle, avoid taking Teague Well. Many people don't realize they're driving by or can see the mountains around them. This is because locals are used to their surroundings and may not even understand how important these mountains are, especially to desert tortoises.
Whether you're coming from California or Arizona, both Wiley's Well Road and Bradshaw Trail will guide you straight into the entrance of Little Chuckwalla. The area within the wilderness is rather dry and rugged. The majority of travel is done on foot or mountain bike. Thanks to the desert terrain, you won't have to worry about road closures due to extreme weather.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness
Campsites in Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness
First-come first-served
Coon Hollow Campground
When visiting Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness there are a variety of campgrounds to choose from including Coon Hollow Campground. There you'll find 29 campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This campground has a peak season from September through April. A permit is required for recreational activities during those months.
At this campground, you will find picnic tables, barbecue grills, and toilets available for your convenience. There are also six cabanas available that provide shade during the warmer months. You will not find RV hookups or water at Coon Hollow Campground. It is important to note that you should never collect wood in this area.
You need to bring your own firewood and leave the local wood for wildlife to inhabit. There is camping available for both tent and RV campers. Because it is located in the Colorado Desert in Palm Springs, camping is dispersed and there isn't a ton of vegetation around. You will get to enjoy beautiful starry nights and quiet, relaxing evenings while camping there.
Wiley's Well Campground
Another campsite close to Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness is Wiley's Well Campground. There you are fine 15 trailer and RV sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each of these sites has picnic tables, barbecue stands, and fire rings for your convenience.
There are also three vault toilets and five campsites with cabanas. You will find a camp host during peak season and there is an information kiosk available all year round. Like the previous campground, there are no electricity hookups for RVs or water available on site. If you're visiting during the summer months, the campsite advises bringing at least one gallon of water per person for each day of your stay due to the extreme temperatures.
You will also need to bring your own firewood while camping here. There is a garbage collection available and an RV sewage dump station as well. You'll be surrounded by a variety of different trees and desert wildlife.
Oxbow Recreation Area
If you're interested in crossing state lines, there is a BLM campground available for Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness visitors in Arizona. Oxbow Recreation Area is located just off of Highway 78 and has camping available for both tent and RV campers. There's a maximum state of 14 days per month and all campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are dirt pads and a maximum RV and trailer length of 25 feet. Some sites have picnic tables available but you must bring your own water. There are no hookups available for RVs, but generator use is allowed the majority of the time. There are several sections of this campground, including the Colorado River.
Here you will be able to enjoy water activities and cool off after a long day of visiting Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness. There is also Oxbow Lake available for you to enjoy a day of paddling on the water.
Seasonal activities in Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness
In-Season
Hiking
Who doesn't love a good hike surrounded by beautiful scenery? Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness has plenty of hiking trails no matter what your skill level is. If you're into fitness and worrying about missing a day at the gym during your vacation, you'll love the hiking opportunities in the wilderness.
It is a great way to get your workout in while exploring the area. If you are planning a more strenuous hike you must wear the proper safety gear such as high-quality hiking boots.
Horseback Riding
If you're an equestrian and visiting Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness, you can bring your horses. There are a few horseback riding opportunities throughout the wilderness. While there are trails available, they are a bit rocky and steep. It is best to ride your horse on the maintained and flat terrain.
This is a beautiful and relaxing way to explore the wilderness and spend time with horses. Because the area is mostly desert you must bring enough water for not only you but your horse as well.
Mountain Biking
If you're looking for an adrenaline rush, consider mountain biking when you visit Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness. Not only is this activity a thrill, but it is also a great way to get in exercise and see unique views of the wilderness.
Mountain biking is allowed on the majority of the trails where people hike, as well as other areas. It is important that you bring proper safety gear such as a helmet and kneepads, and stay alert for hikers.
Off-Season
Photography
Photography is a great way to explore your creative side. While visiting the Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness, you will find a variety of different things to photograph and the options are endless.
You can use any type of camera, whether it's disposable, digital, or part of your smartphone. You'll have the opportunity to capture the landscape, wildlife, or your adventure crew. This is a great way to take a bit of the trip home with you and have lasting memories.
Wildlife Viewing
A relaxing activity that the whole family will enjoy is wildlife viewing. Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness is home to the desert tortoise. Though they are shy creatures, you just might spot one.
You're also likely to see a desert bighorn sheep and plenty of different reptiles, amphibians, and birds. There are also unique plants and cacti you will see in the area. Be sure you bring a pair of binoculars to increase the chances of you seeing a variety of different wildlife.
Scenic Driving
Whether you need to rest your feet after a long hike on one of the trails of Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness or you are looking for a laid-back activity, the area makes for a beautiful scenic drive.
There are plenty of paved and well-maintained roads in the area that you can travel on to see a multitude of different views. This is also an activity that can be done on your way to or from one of the surrounding campgrounds.
