Clark Dry Lake

Rockhouse Trail is paved for a few hundred feet, the there is dirt. At the beginning of the dirt trail there is a large sign the states the area is closed. The vast area from this point onward is totally empty, where in previous years we stayed along with dozens of others.

The area across the highway (S22) is currently available for boondocking. There are lots of rigs in this area, but it is private property judging from the For Sale sign at the entrance @ 33.292576 -116.297772. There are no signs regarding usage.

We had initially planned to stay at the huge and very popular Rockhouse Canyon BLM boondocking area. There was space, but we’d be one of a very large crowd of RVs. Just a few miles further down Rockhouse Canyon Road and we found an excellent spot adjacent to the Clark Dry Lake Bed. As noted, the lake bed is off-limits to motorized vehicles, but there are a few spots where you park on the edge of lake bed without going past the signs. (We did see several vehicles and a couple of Airstreams that drove right past the signs onto the lake bed, sigh.) We were thrilled with the relative solitude and beautiful views across the lakebed.

Rockhouse Canyon road is a washboard in places, but still accessible for any sized rig. Just be sure to scout to determine road conditions.

During the week, we had the area pretty much to ourselves. On the weekends, every available spot was taken. We were camping with a friend, so our spot was large enough for two RVs. No amenities and we had no Verizon cell service at all.

The town of Borrego Springs has a fantastic library with fast wifi, a couple small grocery stores, a hardware store, restaurants, etc. The Friday Farmer’s Market is worth checking out. We enjoyed hiking at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, hunting and finding the snake rock art near Rockhouse Canyon camping area and we LOVED the metal sculptures (Sky Art) scattered around Borrego Springs. We also were there for the spring wildflowers and the annual Art Show at Christmas Circle Park – which undoubtedly contributed to the large number of RV’s in the boondocking area.

Fairly easy access.
Fairly level.
Gorgeous views.
Next to a road but any traffic dies down to negligible at night.

We first went to Rockhouse Trail a half mile west on the same road.
Useless internet and about fifty or so other trailer/motor home campers there.
Clark Dry Lake is the eastern end of three blm sites one after the other.
It is not on popular sites like Allstate so I believe relatively unknown.
There was only one other camper there and this was during super bloom.
Verizon Internet signal dims in the afternoon but is fine other times. Atmospheric dust? I dunno.
ATT fills in fine.

Check out our video here: https://youtu.be/hlGiPRx910c

This is a great BLM free camping spot where tons of snowbirds park in the winter time. It is a large area so you don't feel too closed in, and it is close to Borrego Springs. The public library in town has fast, and free wifi and the new building is beautiful. There are also two grocery stores in town and gas stations. We will definitely be back since it is such a peaceful and convenient spot.

So as it's been reported above, this camping area has been reduced significantly. You could cram a handful of rigs here, or have 2 or 3 if you all want space from each other. The available space is right by the road too, so road traffic can be loud at night. However, it's very easy access and flat, so if you're getting to the area after dark or are just looking for a quick overnight, this spot will suit you fine.

A stone's throw away is the Rockhouse camping area, which will allow you a ton more room and access to the Clark Dry Lake bed via vehicle. So I'd recommend that as an alternative since this spot has been reduced in size so much.

As a fall 2017 update, cell tower overload in the Borrego Springs area has made data virtually unuseable, even though you'll have a 4G signal here. Calls could be made and texts and emails could (slowly) be sent and received, but if you work from the road, the lack of useable data will drive you insane. Huge bummer, as it's a great camping area.

This is fabulous boondocking - wide open spaces and views, decent cell signal and close to a small funky little town with the basic amenities.

This particular spit of land is still privately owned, and there are no stay limits. You can dump coming into town off the Salton Sea at the gas station (free when we were there), or drive a few miles up the road and pay a $5 day use fee to use the dump station at the state park campground.

This is also some of the more social boondocking we've ever done. During our 3+ weeks there, we had a constant flow of fellow boondockers. Many have been coming for years, and happy hours and socials are frequent. If you enjoy complete isolation... you can find it, but there are many in the area. If you like a mix of lots of gorgeous space around you AND some community feel - this is perfection.

We stay here every year, and always keep coming back. Cute town not far away, beautiful surroundings, lots of hiking and exploring opportunities. The place does get crowded over the big holidays, and Verizon signal is only good closer to the main road (it drops off fast as you drive towards the lake bed), so most RVs crowd closer to S22. If you have satellite, or don't care about signal you can drive way back and get a sweet, secluded site.

This is our second time boondocking in this area. Both times during the month of January. It's a truly spectacular setting in the Anza-Borrego State Park near the town of Borrego Springs.

Although this area seems very popular, there is enough space to allow for some privacy. The location is great to access all kinds of exploring, whether walking from the campsite itself or driving out to other areas of the state park for short or long hikes through slot canyons, cactus "gardens" and badlands.

The town of Borrego Springs is a fifteen minute drive from here and has a few restaurants, small grocery stores (The Market is the largest), liquor stores, as well as a few other shops. There is also a new art institute and a performing arts center (we didn't make it there).

The most unique aspect of the town are the Galleta Meadows Sculptures, over 130 freestanding life-size sculptures of creatures that include prehistoric dinosaurs that lived in this area millions of years ago, scattered all over the desert on private parcels of land opened to the public for their enjoyment by Dennis Avery (now deceased) - pick up a map at the Visitor Center and allow a couple of days to visit them.

Cell service is best near the main road but can be quite spotty. At times, we had good signal on Verizon, but were unable to access the internet, not sure if the tower was overloaded. Further away from the road there is no service, but lots of great sites.

Soft sand and few cacti make this a great area for doggies, but there are coyotes in the area, heard almost every night, so dogs shouldn't be left unattended.