Open Year-round
Yes
Reservations possible?
No
RV Hookups
No
Potable water
No
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Ehrenberg Sandbowl is a BLM area near the intersection of Interstate 10 and the Colorado River that is popular for dispersed camping and Off Road Vehicle riding.

While the area at one time had a few structures and a bathroom, it has fallen into disrepair and is now just BLM-managed backcountry marked by the remains of a couple small buildings and platforms that remain. 

However, this area is a popular camping, staging and launch point for riding trails and sand dunes extending into the undeveloped desert backcountry. For those not looking for any amenities, The Sandbowl provides a beautiful desert area that is full of wildflowers and sandy trails reaching far from civilization. Those who are able to time their trips, or just get lucky, to avoid OHV riders will find the area a scenic and beautiful pocket of the desert where dunes roll into mountains with the Colorado River flowing a short distance away.

With no shade, the best time to get out and walk is during morning or evening. A few vandalized and spraypainted structures remain at the parking area, along with old fire rings and an unfortunate abundance of trash left by target shooters, though a short walk will lead away from that and into the dunes lined with desert wild flowers given the right conditions.

As BLM land, there is no charge for camping and a 14 day limit is set for campers. There are no amenities located here, though a service station lies up the road near the entrance to I-10.

The final mile to the Sandbowl is on graded gravel that most cars should be able to drive, however there are areas of deep and soft sand near the final turnoff to the Sandbowl.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Fall

Congestion

Rarely full

Parking Pass

None

Price per night (basic site)

0.00 $ (0.00 €)

Pros

Beautiful environment.

Cons

Can get crowded and noisy with ORVs.

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Managed by

BLM

Features

Big vistas
Wildflowers

Access

Vehicle

Total number of sites

20

Lodging type

Rustic cabin

Maximum trailer length

36.00 ft (10.97 m)

Location

Comments

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