Lake Cahuilla Recreation Area

This park has pretty much everything you need. Especially so if you like bank fishing. There seemed to be plenty of sites during the week, though given it’s popularity and access it can get crowded on weekends. It gave us great access to family in La Quinta, and the greater Palm Springs area.

Don’t plan on swimming or boating on the lake. It is only open to fishing from shore. The night sky was good enough to star watch with our telescope.

We had a premium water site, with both water and electric hookups. The hook up for water was over 25’, but we ran off of the fresh water tank. There are quite a few primative sites, with good solar exposure where you can dry camp if you come prepared. It has potable water, and a dump station available.

Popular place on weekends in the spring. The scenery being close to mountains and a pretty lake were about all this place offers. Saw lots of people fishing, but not many catching. The lake is also the cities drinking water so you can’t put any kind of boat into it. I had a neighbor who was outside swearing at someone at 3am. And on the other side was a guy in a tent playing music and singing loudly but not well.

We stayed here during COVID, so hardly anyone was around. Opted for a slot right on the “lake”. Our site didn’t have any power but it had water. Be sure to check their map to get what you are looking for. Just because one site has power and water doesn’t mean the site next to it does.

Pros: view, quiet, nearby trails, price, cheap showers

Cons: facilities older, weekends can be loud with locals.

I'd like to start this by saying we stayed during the COVID-19 so this may not be a common experience here. We were the only ones there for the most part. There were a few people that came and went during our stay but they all stayed far, far away (which we LOVED because we hate cramped RV parks as I'm sure everyone else does).

We had a FHU spot (a host spot) - most spots are water and electric. Dump is on site. I believe it costs $10. We are a self contained rig so I didn't venture into the bathrooms - I do believe they were closed anyway. Dumpsters are right next to the RV park. There's primitive camping also. I think it's $115 for a week of primitive. $175 for a week of water/electric. If you can snag a host spot it's $200. Oh! and $2/day per pet.... unfortunately.

Level sites. Trees for shade. The place was super clean.

We loved the view. No one bothered us. Rangers were friendly. Park closed at 2pm so there wasn't anyone around for the later part of the day. They close the gates and give you a gate code. Totally think this is a 'one off' experience - at least during the COVID situation.

Cell signal was great for AT&T (67mbps down / 16 up) and Verizon (7mbps down / 12 up). Pretty sure Verizon had congestion.

Overall, if you're in the area during these strange times, this park is a fantastic little oasis in the desert. Get a host spot, stay awhile! (14 days is the max) If it's during normal times... I'm not entirely sure that your experience will be like ours lol ;)

Camped in a 35” motorhome. We are self-contained so cannot comment on restrooms/shower facilities. Most sites are water and electric only sites. Dump station on site. Site #60. We love this campground – will return.

Pros –
- Wonderful views of the mountains and lake.
- Friendly staff and camp host
- Fairly convenient to Sulton Sea and Indio

Cons –
- Fairly to very windy most of the time.
- Quiet except for the shooting range across the lake.