The best camping near Calipatria with fishing

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You’ll find over 110 places to camp in Calipatria if fishing tops your list. Most sites sit near desert lakes or canals, where anglers pull tilapia and carp right from the shore. Expect average rates around $18 a night, with a few options dipping as low as $15. Top picks include Oasis Ranch (70 reviews), known for its shady palms and easy water access, Salton Sea Sanctuary (5 reviews) with wide open skies, and Salton Ocotillo Dunes (4 reviews) where you’ll spot wildlife between casts. Most sites allow campfires and pets; toilets are standard. Beyond fishing, hikers work the desert trails and birders watch for pelicans and herons along the water. Calipatria’s campsites put you close to the action—just pack your rod and get ready to cast.

97% (83) 114 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Calipatria

Oasis Ranch

1. Oasis Ranch

96%
(89)
17mi from Calipatria · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Our Rural location is set in the Imperial Valley within driving distance to Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Bombay Beach, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The Oasis Ranch offers multiple locations on the property including: Pond Site surrounded by +35 year old oak trees. Desert terrain along with river washes lined with desert Cedar. Beautiful one of a kind locations are very accessible, we are happy to help facilitate and coordinate where appropriate and needed.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$32
 / night
Salton Sea Nymphs

2. Salton Sea Nymphs

100%
(1)
29mi from Calipatria · 1 site
Salton Sea Nymphs is a future art project and roadside destination. By staying here, you will contributing to the project coming to life and projects to help remedy the sea. WHAT TO DO This is a great RV spot to explore the Salton Sea, stargaze, or crash for a night during your road trip. You can also ATV the heck out of the place (you'll see the path directly at the back of the property). You may tent camp, but there are days/nights where it can get very windy. Check the forecast. UPDATE: There is a recently installed fire pit to help you stay warm or cook up a feed. Be safe and have at it. PLEASE NOTE: Ground is very soft. I did have a friend drive an RV on it without issue, but just be aware. While this is currently a vacant lot, it is in short driving distance of gas stations, convenience stores, and a few restaurants.
Pets
from 
$15
 / night
Salton Ocotillo Dunes

3. Salton Ocotillo Dunes

100%
(6)
30mi from Calipatria · 1 site · Tent, RV
Private quarter acre campsite with a large fire pit, paved road to the entrance and access to Truckhaven and Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area directly from the property. Surrounded by picturesque beach sand dunes, mountains, canyons and some of the state’s best off-roading, you can park your vehicle around the fire ring and set up a group camp with friends or book for some peaceful family time under the stars of the lower Colorado Desert. If you are in the area to see the Salton Sea, this site is 7 miles to the water.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$21
 / night
Salton Sea State Recreation Area

4. Salton Sea State Recreation Area

80%
(7)
State park 34mi from Calipatria · 102 sites
Don't be salty about the Salton Sea. It's the largest lake in California.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Picacho State Recreation Area

5. Picacho State Recreation Area

100%
(3)
State park 52mi from Calipatria · 73 sites
Picacho is about as far away from humanity as you can get. And it's a ghost town.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Salton Sea Sanctuary

6. Salton Sea Sanctuary

90%
(5)
31mi from Calipatria · 1 site · Tent, RV
Feel the sand beneath your feet at this private campsite with a large fire pit, paved road access and the Salton Sea shoreline in walking distance! This property is at the north end of Salton City and has unique trails to explore with views of the mountains to the west and water to the east. Walk to the north end of Camino Dr to find the new Vegetation Enhancement program using hay bales to control dust and hold moisture for new plant life. Or pull up a lounge chair and watch powered paragliders flying along the shoreline of the Salton Sea.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$21
 / night

You’ll find over 110 places to camp in Calipatria if fishing tops your list. Most sites sit near desert lakes or canals, where anglers pull tilapia and carp right from the shore. Expect average rates around $18 a night, with a few options dipping as low as $15. Top picks include Oasis Ranch (70 reviews), known for its shady palms and easy water access, Salton Sea Sanctuary (5 reviews) with wide open skies, and Salton Ocotillo Dunes (4 reviews) where you’ll spot wildlife between casts. Most sites allow campfires and pets; toilets are standard. Beyond fishing, hikers work the desert trails and birders watch for pelicans and herons along the water. Calipatria’s campsites put you close to the action—just pack your rod and get ready to cast.

97% (83) 114 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Calipatria

Oasis Ranch

1. Oasis Ranch

96%
(89)
17mi from Calipatria · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Our Rural location is set in the Imperial Valley within driving distance to Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Bombay Beach, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The Oasis Ranch offers multiple locations on the property including: Pond Site surrounded by +35 year old oak trees. Desert terrain along with river washes lined with desert Cedar. Beautiful one of a kind locations are very accessible, we are happy to help facilitate and coordinate where appropriate and needed.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$32
 / night
Salton Sea Nymphs

2. Salton Sea Nymphs

100%
(1)
29mi from Calipatria · 1 site
Salton Sea Nymphs is a future art project and roadside destination. By staying here, you will contributing to the project coming to life and projects to help remedy the sea. WHAT TO DO This is a great RV spot to explore the Salton Sea, stargaze, or crash for a night during your road trip. You can also ATV the heck out of the place (you'll see the path directly at the back of the property). You may tent camp, but there are days/nights where it can get very windy. Check the forecast. UPDATE: There is a recently installed fire pit to help you stay warm or cook up a feed. Be safe and have at it. PLEASE NOTE: Ground is very soft. I did have a friend drive an RV on it without issue, but just be aware. While this is currently a vacant lot, it is in short driving distance of gas stations, convenience stores, and a few restaurants.
Pets
from 
$15
 / night
Salton Ocotillo Dunes

3. Salton Ocotillo Dunes

100%
(6)
30mi from Calipatria · 1 site · Tent, RV
Private quarter acre campsite with a large fire pit, paved road to the entrance and access to Truckhaven and Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area directly from the property. Surrounded by picturesque beach sand dunes, mountains, canyons and some of the state’s best off-roading, you can park your vehicle around the fire ring and set up a group camp with friends or book for some peaceful family time under the stars of the lower Colorado Desert. If you are in the area to see the Salton Sea, this site is 7 miles to the water.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$21
 / night
Salton Sea State Recreation Area

4. Salton Sea State Recreation Area

80%
(7)
State park 34mi from Calipatria · 102 sites
Don't be salty about the Salton Sea. It's the largest lake in California.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Picacho State Recreation Area

5. Picacho State Recreation Area

100%
(3)
State park 52mi from Calipatria · 73 sites
Picacho is about as far away from humanity as you can get. And it's a ghost town.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Salton Sea Sanctuary

6. Salton Sea Sanctuary

90%
(5)
31mi from Calipatria · 1 site · Tent, RV
Feel the sand beneath your feet at this private campsite with a large fire pit, paved road access and the Salton Sea shoreline in walking distance! This property is at the north end of Salton City and has unique trails to explore with views of the mountains to the west and water to the east. Walk to the north end of Camino Dr to find the new Vegetation Enhancement program using hay bales to control dust and hold moisture for new plant life. Or pull up a lounge chair and watch powered paragliders flying along the shoreline of the Salton Sea.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$21
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field