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Painted Canyon
Mecca Hills Wilderness Area
Write a Review Painted Canyon Rd. Mecca, CA 92254 760-833-7100 Official WebsiteGPS: 33.6118, -116.0087
Overview of Painted Canyon
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by kelley welch on 4/20/2022
Longest RV Reported: 39 feet (Class A)
Reported by Plstype on 3/5/2018
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 393 ft / 119 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Painted Canyon
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 760-833-7100
HGalle asked on 1/31/2021
Is there actually RV camping on Painted canyon, like a campsite? If not, can you simply pull off anywhere along paint...
andrewdowns826@gmail.com asked on 2/26/2020
Can I get back there with a 2-wheel drive with 6 inch clearance?
Reviews of Painted Canyon 13 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 3 Users
Last reported 8/5/2021
Confirmed by 4 Users
Last reported 1/23/2021
“Not for all rigs ”
Reviewed 4/20/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 0 |
| RV Length: | 34' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Tried to make it work with a 34 ft tt but kept getting stuck in the sand. Service was too spotty to go too far down the road, ended up leaving. If you can navigate the sand it's definitely worth checking out, it was super quiet and the views were nice.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great. Pretty with shade.”
Reviewed 8/5/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
This site was great. Needed 4wd to drive the last 2 miles of road into the site due to deep sand. Canyon walls provided shade in the morning and evening. There were bathrooms but we didn’t check if they were unlocked. Saw the biggest shooting star I’ve ever seen here. Would definitely stay again.
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Verizon 4G
Scwushy would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Spectacular canyon trail but beware of the sandy road”
Reviewed 1/29/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 21' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
Take the 4WD warnings seriously! We got stuck in my 2WD Toyota RV as we slowed to check out one of the first potential camping sites entering the canyon, so we went back and found a good solid spot on the side of the road in the more open area. There is a sand berm that makes getting on and off the road more challenging. It did have a... more
Take the 4WD warnings seriously! We got stuck in my 2WD Toyota RV as we slowed to check out one of the first potential camping sites entering the canyon, so we went back and found a good solid spot on the side of the road in the more open area. There is a sand berm that makes getting on and off the road more challenging. It did have a nice view of the mountains on one side and the Salton Sea on the other, but we got a lot of traffic in the evening and during the day, which when the wind was blowing wrong, gave us some dust storms. People drive very fast down the road due to the sand and washboard.
However, the sandy road hassles are worth it for the hiking trails through steep, painted canyons. We had a dog so didn't take any ladder trails, but others told us they were great. We drove a Subaru to get to the trailhead and that was fine, though we did see several 2WD cars stuck, including a pickup that had sunk itself down to the drivetrain. But some sedans seem to make it there OK. Just be sure you have skills to drive a sandy road. There were a number of 4WD vehicles with rooftop tents or towing trailers that made it into the canyon campsites, which looked nice if you can get to them.
It's also a nice location for day trips to see the Salton Sea (beware of the smell!) and other area sights.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great, easily accessible ”
Reviewed 1/23/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | N/a |
Overall Rating
2 hrs from So Cal and you feel so remote. Did an overnight and slept in the car. Temps were pleasant. My gratitude to BLM for diligently maintaining the two toilets, they were super clean and didn’t smell. Watch out for areas with deep sand. Plenty of pre-used/established fire rings
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AT&T 4G
Brunz would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Views, but Bring MaxTrax ”
Reviewed 12/25/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
Overall Rating
This is my favorite BLM so far! I wouldn't bring a trailer or Class A back into the canyon, but 4-wheel drive or walk in. It's quiet and not too far from the freeway. Service wasn't great in the canyon, but it's good outside. The road in is not great, but I think it's worth it.
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Verizon 4G
Ashley would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“ Very Sandy Area”
Reviewed 12/21/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
The road leading to the end of road trailhead (TH) has firm driving areas on either side for majority of the way. There is a TH around 3-4 miles down the road on the left that has a vault toilet. Very few designated camping spots and majority are camping within a mile of the end of the road TH (Painted/Ladders/Ropes Canyon Trai... more
The road leading to the end of road trailhead (TH) has firm driving areas on either side for majority of the way.
There is a TH around 3-4 miles down the road on the left that has a vault toilet.
Very few designated camping spots and majority are camping within a mile of the end of the road TH (Painted/Ladders/Ropes Canyon Trails).
Very pretty drive in but just way to much sand. I helped 3 people get unstuck. I also got stuck once.
Cell service is spotty. I would get 4G/LTE in the canyons to 5G on the ridges but move a few feet from that location and I had no reception. I have ATT service.
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AT&T 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice spots”
Reviewed 2/19/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | NA |
| RV Length: | 28' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
The road in is one of the worst washboard roads I have ever been on. It is because there are about 75 to 100 vehicles a day on the weekends hiking the ladders trail. There are numerous camping spots off to the side of this road, some are accessible to 2WD cars but most of them will require four-wheel-drive and a capable driver. The c... more
The road in is one of the worst washboard roads I have ever been on. It is because there are about 75 to 100 vehicles a day on the weekends hiking the ladders trail.
There are numerous camping spots off to the side of this road, some are accessible to 2WD cars but most of them will require four-wheel-drive and a capable driver. The campsites are great and it allows you to hit the trails before everyone else comes in. Most of the spots were available even on a busy weekend. Highly recommended.
New bathrooms are there but they were not open as of yet.
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AT&T 4G
rubidug would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very quiet”
Reviewed 1/29/2020
| Nightly rate: | $9 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | None |
Overall Rating
This area is very quiet, utilized by hikers.
Road in was washboard and slow going.
Lots of jet noises, during the day, sonic booms could be heard, at night extremely quiet.
Cookie would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Lots of OHV potential but Camping ??”
Reviewed 12/20/2019
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| RV Length: | 33' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
All roads currently seem to be open getting here. Lots of potential for Off Roading but ‘camping’ maybe not so much. Many Arroyos with loose dirt and mud potential and no ‘areas’ that I found with past campsite experience. Just doing a ‘drive by’ but would not be My choice for camping areas with a 30’ 5th wheel.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Box canyon road closure ”
Reviewed 11/11/2018
Overall Rating
I visited 11/10/2018 and as of 9/30/2018 box canyon road has been closed due to road damage. Painted canyon campsite is unreachable.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Pets
- pets
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