Alvord Playa, Alvord Desert | Wild Camping
United States
Details
- Verified:
- about 1 month ago
- GPS:
- 42.50611, -118.51306
- Altitude:
- 1225.0 masl
- Contributor:
-
Wilde Weite Welt
Amenities
- Electricity:
- No
- Wifi:
- No
- Kitchen:
- No
- Restaurant:
- No
- Showers:
- No
- Water:
- No
- Toilets:
- Pit Toilets
- Big Rig Friendly:
- Yes
- Tent Friendly:
- Yes
- Pet Friendly:
- Yes
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Description
iOverlander cannot verify if wild camping is permitted at this location. It is your responsibility to verify local laws or obtain consent before staying the night.
Very unusual camping in the middle of the Alvord Playa. Gorgeous surrounding. High clearance is recommended to access to the playa at N 42° 30' 27", W 118° 31' 49" (Frog Springs) because of a washout. There is a pit toilet at Frog Springs.
Photos
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Latest Check-Ins
Very nice place, no wind and a wonderful view ! Road easy for all the vehicles !
Report Check-InPretty much a must go if you’re in the area. Very windy when we were there.
Report Check-InCame in from the Frog Springs access. Road was rough but short. The camper van handled it fine. Camp anywhere on the playa! It's unreal! We had lovely dry conditions and very little wind. No dust issues.
Report Check-InGorgeous views of surrounding snow capped peaks. Only one other camper on the playa but no where near us. Great place for watching the stars and running around in the desert.
Report Check-InFree entrance onto the lakebed 1 mile south of Alvord Hot springs (don’t pay the $10 to use their road). Any car can make it, we were in a very low Pontiac Vibe.
Report Check-InWe were excited to check this place out, but coming south from 78 there is 30 miles of washboard gravel road after the pavement ends. We went for about a mile before turning around. Our 26ft class c and our nerves would have been rattled to bits.
Report Check-InSummer night - perfect temperature and not too windy. A handful of other campers on the playa.
Report Check-InVery interesting place to camp but be mindful of the strong winds at night that bring dust with them. There is no protection from the wind dust and sun on the lake bed.
Report Check-InReally cool place to camp but be prepared for potential harsh weather conditions. For your safety, consider camping nearer to an edge as people try to top out their cars here. Winter tends to be the driest season.
The public access road is apparently kind of rough BUT Alvord Hot Springs maintains an access road to the lake bed that any car can manage. The road fee is reasonable, something like $10 or $15.
Report Check-Inentrance to the playa at Frog Creek was a bit rutted, but our 25’ RV made it fine. Amazing stargazing. We saw a string of bright, fast satellites, maybe 50 of them, arcing across the sky in a tight single file line. We’ve been told they were probably Starlink.
Report Check-InTurn into Frog Springs and either camp in the dispersed camp spots up off the desert (close to the pit toilet), or drive down onto the desert and, as far as I could tell, camp literally wherever you want! It was a bit wet when we were there, and we were a little worried about getting stuck in the epically muddy clay (it was a real mess, we camped up at Frog Springs entrance the second night to avoid it) but my Eurovan did just fine.
Report Check-InWhat an amazing place! The wind 8s always blowing, the dust gets in everything, but the beauty is incredible!
Report Check-InVery unusual camping in the middle of the Alvord Playa. Gorgeous surrounding. High clearance is recommended to access to the playa at N 42° 30' 27", W 118° 31' 49" (Frog Springs) because of a washout. There is a pit toilet at Frog Springs.
Report Check-In