









Picacho State Recreation Area
Winterhaven
The 18-mile dirt road to Picacho is half the adventure: washboard ruts give way to a lush Colorado River corridor where wild burros roam among the ruins of a 1920s gold town. Camp beneath cottonwoods, cast a line for bass, or simply soak in the surreal desert-to-river contrast.
Remote desert oasis
Colorado River camping
Wildlife watching
Historic gold townsite
Tips
🌵"hidden oasis" after the long, bumpy desert drive
🚗go slow on the dirt road, no rush needed
☀️visit in winter, summer heat is brutal
Picacho State Recreation Area
WinterhavenOpen










The 18-mile dirt road to Picacho is half the adventure: washboard ruts give way to a lush Colorado River corridor where wild burros roam among the ruins of a 1920s gold town. Camp beneath cottonwoods, cast a line for bass, or simply soak in the surreal desert-to-river contrast.
Remote desert oasis
Colorado River camping
Wildlife watching
Historic gold townsite
Tips
🌵"hidden oasis" after the long, bumpy desert drive
🚗go slow on the dirt road, no rush needed
☀️visit in winter, summer heat is brutal