Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area in Winterhaven California is a BLM Campground and offers grey water dump sites, two restroom facilities with outdoor showers, black water dump site with water, and trash removal.
Overview
The Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area (LTVA) was created in 1983 to fulfill the needs of winter visitors and to protect the local desert ecosystem from over-use. The campground is approximately 3,500 acres in size, flat landscape, sparsely vegetated with plants such as Creosote bushes, Palo Verde trees, Ironwood trees, Mesquite trees and various species of cacti. Imperial Dam LTVA offers solitude in a unique desert landscape and a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, swimming, boating, and fishing.
Facilities
Two restroom facilities with outdoor showers, trash services, grey water dump sites, black water dump site with water, dance floor and ramadas.
Permits and Fees
A Long Term Visitor Area Permit is required from September 15th through April 15th each season. The cost is $180 and is valid for up to 7 months. A Short Term Permit can be purchased for a 14-day stay. This permit is $40.
From April 16th through September 14th, the fee is $10 per vehicle for day-use, $15 per vehicle for overnight use, or $75 annually per vehicle, for up to 5 people per vehicle. There will be a $1 per person fee charged for each person over the 5 person limit. The maximum stay is 14 days in a 28-day period.
Visitors must pay daily fees or purchase annual permits on site or at the BLM Yuma Field Office. You may also purchase a short term or long term permit online at: YourPassNow.com
What campers say
Imperial Dam LTVA is a popular, budget-friendly winter option for snowbirds and nomads, offering potable water fills, dump stations, dumpsters and basic restrooms (token showers available). The area provides access to lakes and desert trails for fishing, hiking, kayaking and four-wheeling, with Yuma about a 20–25 minute drive for supplies and nearby mail/provision services. Expect wide open, dusty sites with little shade and limited cell service (Verizon reported strongest). Permits are inexpensive now but planned fee increases have been mentioned. Visitors praise the community feel, while occasional trash, dog‑waste and inconsistent rule enforcement are noted drawbacks.
