Corn Springs CG

After a week of dry camping we drove to Quartzsite and made a much needed stop at the RV Pit Stop to dump our holding tanks and refill our water tank. This service area is easy to access, efficiently run, and also includes a reverse osmosis station for drinking water and a propane station.

Since we had no reserved place to stay for the night, we looked for a BLM place between Quartzsite and Joshua Tree National Park. David found Corn Springs CG in the Chuckwalla Mountain Wilderness. The 8-mile road in (dirt, gravel, and sand) was quite good although it was marked on the map as four-wheel drive. (I would not try this during or immediately after a rain.) We did have cell phone coverage so it would be possible to call for help.

The campground has 9-sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets around a central oasis that sports palm trees and a water catchment. The campground sits above several washes and is surrounded by mountains. The area was frequently visited by Native Americans as evidenced by the petroglyphs on the rocks. One drawing appears to be of corn, hence the name for the campground, also suggesting that the washes were also used for cultivation about 1000 years ago.

In the late afternoon we built a campfire; David grilled our dinner.  As the sun was setting it was fun to watch the ravens flying about with their shadows on the mountains looking like synchronized fliers.  In the distance we could hear a couple of owls.  We thought we would be alone for the night, but just before dark another couple arrived in their camper.  Still a very quiet, private campground.

-- Janet (text) and David (photos)