The BLM managed Superstition Mountains OHV Area is a large and popular off-roading area near Plaster City, California and offers 13,000 acres of open areas with varying landscapes from sand dunes to rocky hills. In addition to the large area that makes up Superstition Mountain OHV area, there are large areas accessible via trail that offer greater four-wheel driving opportunities. This includes old (and recent) military practice bombing ranges that are adjacent to the Superstition Mountain area.
From a camping perspective, Superstition Mountains OHV area is a large, dispersed camping area that allows you to camp virtually anywhere you can grab a spot. There are no amenities of facilities available at Superstition Mountains for camping.
Superstition Mountains OHV Area Bottom Line
The Superstition Mountains are one of our favorite places to camp in the Anza Borrego Desert area. We often visit the area with one of the four wheel drive clubs from the San Diego area and explore the trails around the area. There are many great things about the Superstition Mountain Area for camping and off roading. For one, you are not subject to the rules and regulations of California State Parks, that you would find nearby at Anza Borrego State Park. For two, the off-roading is fairly easy, and is good for people just getting started in four-wheeling. Last but not least, is Superstition Mountains’ proximity to the El Centro Naval Air Facility, which is home to the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels, along with many other Naval jets, practice above the Superstition Mountains OHV Area. When camping here, you are often woken up by the sound of thunder from the jets launching from the base.
When going to Superstition Mountains OHV Area, be sure you have good directions and do not assume your GPS is accurate. When we visited the Superstition Mountains Area, we followed our GPS, which lead us on an off roading adventure in the pitch black through the desert, along canal banks, and around bridges that were out. As impossible as it sounds, remember it is the wild desert, and you need to know how to get where you are going.
Superstition Mountains OHV Area Features
| Campground Type: | Primitive, Dispersed |
| Number of Campsites: | Not Defined – Virtually Unlimited |
| Cost: | Free |
| Use Level: | Low |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes |
| Fire Rings: | None |
| Drinking Water: | None |
| Toilets: | None |
| Showers: | None |
| Trash/Dumpsters: | None – Pack it out |
| Hiking Access: | Yes |
| Beach/Lake Access: | None |
| RV/Trailer Length: | Not Defined |
| RV/Trailer Amenities: | None |
| Cell Phone Service: | None |
| Wifi: | None |
| Operating Season: | Campground Open Year-round |
| Other: |
Getting There
| Address: | |
| Geo Coordinates: | 32.931582, -115.811997 |
| Nearest City/Town: | El Centro, California |
| Elevation: | Sea Level |
| Location: | Imperial County, California |
| Paved Road Access: | None |
| Proximity to Stores: | 20 Miles to El Centro, California |
| Directions: |
From Interstate 8 East:
From Interstate 8 West:
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Connect
| Phone: | 760.337.4400 | Facebook: | ||
| Web: | BLM Superstition Mountain OHV Open Area | Twitter: |
| Reservations: | Not Available – First Come – First Served |
Be Sure to Bring
- Sun Screen
- Firewood
- Drinking Water
- Shade Canopy
- Portable Fire Ring
- Handheld GPS
- A good Ice Chest
- Lantern
- Camping Stove/Grill
When To Go
Fall – The Superstition Mountains are busiest during winter, when the area is swarmed by a sea of RVs and trailers that are brought by various members or four-wheel drive clubs in the San Diego area. Fall allows you to enjoy the slow season between the summer dead season and the busy winter and spring seasons.
Summer time at the Superstition Mountains should be avoided as it can easily exceed 100 degrees daily.
What To Do
Off-roading – The main thing people come to the Superstition Mountains OHV Area is for off-roading. The off-road trails are numerous, and many of them lead to adventurous day trips through the Superstition Mountains themselves.
Air Show – More often than not, the Blue Angels or other fighter squadrens will take off from the nearby El Centro Naval Air Facility and practice over the Superstition Mountains area. Their practice amounts to an awesome, day-long air show while four wheeling.
Superstition Mountains OHV Area Pictures
Image Credits: Justin Wilson