Boondocking at Imperial Dam LTVA, Winterhaven, CA

Boondocking at the Imperial Dam LTVA (long-term visitors area) is through the BLM (Bureau of Land Management).  We found this through freecampsites.net. There is a cost of $40 for two weeks or $180 for six months, and with this you get an area with dump sites, fresh water, trash cans, and two restrooms with outdoor showers. Purchasing a permit here is also valid in any of the other designated LTVAs. There is a trailer they use as a permit office there, but it was closed during the Government shutdown in January. Also, the camp hosts were off duty. We stayed there free with the intention of paying as soon as they opened up.

You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them. 

Getting there by highway 95, you turn towards the Yuma Proving Grounds (military base).  From there, basically follow the signs to Imperial Dam Recreation Area. There are many different areas to park, depending on how close you want to be to the dump area, or to the Christian Service Center, or way off on your own.

The Christian Service Center at Imperial Dam LTVA is a privately owned area with an office, thrift store, post office, meeting room, church services and solar store. 

We had 3 bar Verizon most of the time and got 5 over the air TV channels. There were some real windy days, and some beautiful calm ones.