Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area
RV Guide
Introduction
If you ever find yourself near Yuma, Arizona, consider visiting Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area. It is located on the southwestern border of Arizona, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from California. This is a great place to enjoy some time away from the big city. Though it's not as remote as other wildlife areas, it still allows you to enjoy the great outdoors. Many people visiting here love the location and enjoy that it's so close to the border of California
It is located just northeast of the Palo Verde Mountains and directly north of the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. This is the perfect area for animal lovers. You will enjoy the sights of bighorn sheep, wild horses, mountain lions, and many other creatures. People who visit Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area enjoy activities such as hiking, photography, stargazing, and hunting.
Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area also offers yearly camping available for an inexpensive price. There are several other areas nearby where you can get some rest and enjoy being in nature. You will also have easy access to the Colorado River as this BLM area sits along its shores.
RV Rentals in Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area
Transportation
Driving
When visiting Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area you will find yourself on the border of Arizona and California, next to the Colorado River. This is one of the easiest to access BLM campgrounds in the country. All of the roads in the area are paved and well-maintained. You won't have to worry about winding mountain roads or snow-covered hills when traveling to Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area. Upon arrival, you will notice a variety of parking spots for RV campers to spend the night.
A few steps away lies the Colorado River where you can go boating, canoeing, or paddleboarding. This is a great way to get around the area, especially during the summer. Once you cross over into California you'll see a bit more vegetation on the heathland where you can hike or go wildlife viewing. Unlike other wildlife areas, at Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area you can get around by foot, watercraft, horseback, or vehicle. Located just off Levee Road, it's hard to miss Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area
Campsites in Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area
First-come first-served
Little Picacho Wilderness
One of the best campgrounds near Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area is Little Picacho Wilderness. This is considered dispersed camping, which is great if you want to avoid the crowd. Camping at this location is available on a first-come, first-served basis. You won't find any amenities when camping here, which is one reason it may be best for RV campers instead of tent campers. Tent campers are only allowed to camp within certain areas of the Little Picacho Wilderness.
RV campers are only allowed to park on the roads in Little Picacho Wilderness. It's also important to note that there are no hookups available either. Ground fires are allowed and you can gather wood from downed trees. This is a beautiful place to stay when visiting Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area. You will be surrounded by nature and will rarely have to worry about crowds.
Picacho State Recreation Area
Similarly, there is the Picacho State Recreation Area. There you will find 85 campsites that are available for tent and RV campers. This is a great place to stay during your visit to Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area if you're looking for a campground with electricity. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can hold 12 people per campsite. When it comes to RV camping, there are electric hookups available, but no water or sewer hookups.
Unfortunately, camping at the Picacho State Recreation Area isn't free and the prices range from month to month. It is important to note that even though there are many modern amenities at this Campground, generator use is not allowed. There is, however, Wi-Fi, showers, restrooms, running water, and a dump station. Picacho State Recreation Area is open 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day. This will be many visitors to Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area's first choice for campgrounds in the area!
4S Beach Campground
Lastly, 4S Beach Campground is the perfect area for people interested in primitive camping. This is a smaller campground which means you'll likely be surrounded by fewer people. All four campsites in this campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis. there are also picnic tables, shaded canopies, and fire pits at campers can use. Other than those three things, there are no other amenities available, including a toilet.
It may be important to know that there is limited cell phone service in the area because the location is so remote. People who stay here enjoy the peace and quiet and all of the available activities. 4S Beach Campground has plenty of Wildlife available for you to see. Since it's along the Colorado River, many people enjoy fishing and water activities during the warm summer months. While staying at Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area, this is the perfect place to doze off and get some rest after a long day outdoors.
Seasonal activities in Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area
In-Season
Hunting
One of the most common activities people enjoy while visiting Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area is hunting. Due to the location of the Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area, there are several different types of landscapes in the area. This brings in a larger variety of animals.
Most people hunt animals such as elk and deer in this area. With that being said, there are also desert bighorn sheep, wild burros, and even horses. It is important to note that you will need permits along with a hunting license that is valid in the state of California and Arizona.
Hiking
Hiking is another great activity that people can enjoy when visiting the recreation and wildlife area. There are several nearby mountain ranges that are for the perfect terrain for a weekend hike. There is a fairly low elevation in the area, with most peaks being under 2,000 feet.
Make sure you bring your best pair of hiking boots so that you can enjoy the steep ridges, slanted slopes, and gravel terrain throughout Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area and surrounding areas.
Shooting
Similarly to hunting, visitors to Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area can also enjoy a day of shooting. The types of weapons that are allowed in the area are guns, slingshots, and archery equipment. Just like hunting, you will need the appropriate permits and licenses necessary to take part in this activity. You can bring your own targets or tin cans to shoot. Be sure that you clean up any cartridges or shells that land on the ground.
Off-Season
Wildlife Viewing
When it comes to off-season activities, wildlife viewing is one of the most enjoyable that Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area has to offer. Some of the most commonly seen animals are spotted bats, wild horses, bighorn sheep, and even desert tortoises.
If you or someone you're with enjoys birdwatching, remember to pack a pair of binoculars in the RV. This is a great activity that the whole family can enjoy if you're looking for something more laid-back.
Stargazing
Easily one of the best activities that you can experience while visiting this area of Arizona is stargazing. Even though there are some city lights around, the stars still appear quite bright in the evening hours. This is a relaxing activity that many couples enjoy when visiting Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area. If you're interested in finding specific constellations, you can bring a map of the stars or download one of the many stargazing apps available.
Photography
Last but not least, when it comes to off-season activities, photography is one that anyone can enjoy as long as you have a smartphone. You can also bring a more professional camera or even an old-school disposable camera. This is a great way to create memories of your trip. You'll be able to take photos of the beautiful landscape, the wildlife in their natural habitat, the variety of local vegetation, and more.
