The Washes campground
The Washes
The campground offers a variety of amenities for visitors, including RV and tent camping sites, picnic areas, and fire pits. There are also hiking trails and scenic overlooks within the campground that offer panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Nearby points of interest include the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, which offers a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, kayaking, and bird watching. The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is also nearby and is home to over 400 species of birds.
The best time of year to visit the Washes Campground is during the winter months, when temperatures are cooler and the weather is mild. Average temperatures during this time range from the mid-50s to low 70s. Summer temperatures can reach well over 100 degrees, making it less desirable for outdoor activities.
Interesting facts about the area include that the Salton Sea is actually a man-made lake, created in 1905 when a levee broke on the Colorado River. The lake is also known for its high salt levels, which have caused fish and bird populations to decline in recent years.
Overall, the Washes Campground offers visitors a unique and picturesque location to experience the natural beauty of California's Salton Sea watershed.
What's on-site at The Washes
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of The Washes, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washes Dispersed - Imperial Sand Dunes Ohv | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Glamis Flats | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Glamis Flats - Imperial Sand Dunes Ohv | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Palo Verde Flats Dispersed - Imperial Sand Dunes Ohv | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Garbage Flats | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of The Washes -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brock Reservoir Inlet Near Calexico | 910 cfs | → |
| Brock Reservoir Outlet Near Calexico | 12 cfs | → |
| All-American Canal Below Drop 2 Reservoir Outlet | 5,100 cfs | → |
| Coachella Cn A All American Cn Div Nr Holtville Ca | 599 cfs | → |
| Drain 8-B Near Winterhaven | 8 cfs | → |
| Ypsilanti Canal Nr Winterhaven | 14 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of The Washes -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro 2 Ssw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save The Washes as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About The Washes
Can I make reservations at The Washes?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to The Washes?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of The Washes.