Free Campgrounds and Camping
CALIFORNIA CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
BOX CANYON ROAD
MECCA HILLS WILDERNESS
OROCOPIA MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS
LATITUDE: N 33°35.116'
LONGITUDE W 115°56.715'
Elevation: 550'
Dispersed and Primitive Camping

This was our camp.

Box Canyon Road passes through badlands
and canyons created by extreme erosion
and earthquake faults. The Salton Sea to
the west and Joshua Tree National Park
to the North. There are dispersed camping
areas along Box Canyon Road.

Box Canyon Road

Box Canyon Road

Box Canyon Road

Box Canyons

Canyons and trails are everywhere...

Extreme desert conditions, bring your
own water and proper supplies. If you
stay near the main road, there is less
danger, but when traveling away from
the main road, might not see any other
people. It is a good idea to leave an
itinerary with family or friends.

Slot Canyon

Slot Canyon

Box Canyon Camp Area

There are slot canyons everywhere. Most
of the slot canyons are a couple hundred
yards in length, but some continue longer
distances...

These slot canyons are like a maze
with narrow passages and 100' walls.
Photo from Box Canyon Road
N 33°35.334'
W 115°57.160'
(About 11 miles west of I-10)

The above slot canyons are easy to
get lost and confused. The walls are
100' high and at some spots you can
barely squeeze through. There is a
maze of canyons that dilute any sense
of direction you had... fear and panic
start to set in... well it is confusing the
first time, but you only get lost in your
imagination.

Slot canyon with natural arch.
The arch is always in the shadows.
Artificial light is needed for better photos.
N 33°35.374'
W 115°57.125'

Slot canyon with a natural arch, just
takes the extreme to another level.

Box Canyon Views

Thought we saw it all the first day,
but that was a misconception. As
we explored more, began to realize
that we only scratched the surface.

Box Canyon Views

Box Canyon Views

Box Canyon Views

Photos of crazy landscapes and insane rock
formations are around every corner.

View looking west

Box Canyon Primitive Camp Area for a Tent
High ground in case of flash flood
N 33°35.132'
W 115°56.747'

Box Canyon is a flash flood area. Be aware
of weather conditions. Don't camp in flood
areas...

Box Canyon Primitive Camping

Box Canyon Primitive Camping

Box Canyon Primitive Camping

Primitive camping on Box Canyon Road
is about equal to landing on the moon...

Canyons and Trails

Rugged Canyon Walls
Created by the upward thrust of a earthquake

Notice the upward thrust of the rocks
caused by earthquake. Also notice there is a
slot canyon hidden in the design of the rocks.

Earthquakes played a major role in the
design of the landscape. You don't have
to be an expert to see the results. (This is
part of the San Andreas Fault)

Earthquake Fault
N 33°34.838'
W 115°56.615'

"The Washing Machine"
We call it this for lack of a better description.

View of Salton Sea from Sheep Hole Oasis Trail

View from Sheep Hole Oasis Trail

SHEEP HOLE OASIS TRAIL
Badlands with views of the Salton Sea.
Above photos just a short walk from the
trailhead parking area.
N 33°35.271
W 115°55.743
Elevation: 753'

Names carved into the soft sandstone.

There are names carved into the soft
sandstone of the canyon walls. The oldest
date we saw was from 1911.

Dead tree that looks like a big pile of branches.

Some serious target practice...

Clay Pigeons used for target practice...

There were literally 1000's of empty shell
cases. There are clay pigeons everywhere,
and in some areas, completely cover the
ground.

Signs are not immune to shotguns
N 33°35.116'
W 115°56.715'

A couple times when walking through
the canyons, jackrabbits would jump out
of the bushes and your first thought is of
rattlesnakes. After a couple times you get
used to the sound, but always be cautious.

RATTLESNAKE FACTS

Old vehicle in canyon

Bird Tracks at Box Canyon

Rocks and Minerals from Box Canyon

Natural Arches and Windows in the Rocks
Looks like it got hit with an artillery shell,
but it is a natural formation... there are several
other windows and partial windows.
N 35°34.889'
W 115°56.705'

PHOTO HERE
(No photo at present time)
Natural Arch
N 35°35.029'
W 115°56.851'

Keep an eye open for natural arches
and window formations in the rocks
throughout the canyons.

DIRECTIONS:
From I-10/ Exit 168 South
5 miles west of Chiriaco Summit
Exit at Cottonwood Road / Joshua Tree
Take Box Canyon Road...
From Mecca, CA
Go east on 66th Ave.
Box Canyon Road begins in a couple miles

Box Canyon Road near I-10

Box Canyon Road towards Mecca, CA
Salton Sea is in the distance...

DISTANCES FROM MECCA
Brawley 63 miles
Indio 13 miles
Painted Canyon Road 5 miles

MAP

ROAD CONDITIONS:
Box Canyon Road is paved, but any
camp areas or spurs, you need to be
cautious of loose sand. This is a flash
flood area and even the main road can
be affected.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Bureau of Land Management
Palm Springs - South Coast Resource Area
690 West Garnet Avenue
Palm Springs, CA 92258
760-251-4800

Elevation at Mecca is 180' below sea level.

Painted Canyon

PAINTED CANYON
Painted Canyon Road is about 5 miles
east from Mecca. Ladder Canyon is a
big attraction... not that there are very
many people.

PHOTO HERE
Ladder Canyon

LADDER CANYON
Called Ladder Canyon because you have
to climb ladders to gain access through the
slot canyons.

Red Bell Peppers on 66th Ave.

Salton Sea

Showers at Headquarters Campground
Hwy.111 south from North Shore.
$6.00 Day Use receipt required
Then cost 25¢ for 5 minutes.

Shower between Niland and Slab City

Showers at SLAB CITY
East from Niland on Hwy.111
Free... check photos and information

Showers at Ocotillo Wells SVRA
Off Road Vehicle Recreation Area
Hwy.78 west of Ocotillo Wells
Cost $.50

Showers at Laundromat in Quartzsite, AZ
$5 includes towels and sundries.

Good drinking water at Whitewater
Rest Area on I-10 near Palm Springs.

Bay Tree Spring

Best spring water at BAY TREE SPRING
Hwy 243. Between Grandview Ranger
Station and Lake Fulmor.

Cheapest gas in Arizona.
I-10 / Exit#1 at the Flying-J in Ehrenberg
(On this day was about 40¢ less than California)
It is even less in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Lowest priced gas in SE California in Coachella
Food4Less had a 5 cent discount if you buy
$25 in groceries. (Jan. 2007)

Dos Palmas Preserve

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
Joshua Tree National Park is north from
Box Canyon. From Box Canyon Road,
continue north on Cottonwood Road.

General Patton Memorial Museum
Interstate 10/ Exit 173 at Chiriaco Summit
N 33°39.697
W 115°43.330

General Patton Statue
Flag is proudly waving in background

Wind turbines along I-10
"THE WIND FARM"
Photo from Whitewater Rest Area on I-10
West from Palm Springs and Cathedral City.

PHOTO HERE
Snow capped mountains in January 2006
Photo from Whitewater Rest Area on I-10
West from Palm Springs and Cathedral City.