Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Fish Creek Wash Dispersed Area

Fish Creek Wash cuts through Anza-Borrego’s rugged badlands, offering dispersed camping spots along the sandy wash bottom and on terraces above. The area feels wild and isolated, with dramatic eroded hills, slot canyons, and fossilized shell reefs. Sites accommodate everything from tent camping to large RVs, though high-clearance vehicles handle the sandy wash better. Fire restrictions typically apply year-round.

Access requires driving several miles up the wash itself — soft sand can trap two-wheel-drive vehicles. Winter and spring offer the best weather, while summer temperatures exceed 110°F. No facilities or potable water; pack everything in and out. Popular with rockhounds and photographers but rarely crowded except on winter weekends.

Remote badlands camping in California's desert