Coon Hollow Campground

About

Coon Hollow Campground sits in the lower Colorado Desert of eastern Riverside County, positioned along a desert riparian wash lined with palo verde, smoke tree, mesquite, and ironwood trees. The campground offers 29 developed sites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and BBQ grill. Some sites benefit from natural shade provided by the wash vegetation, while a few tables are sheltered by metal cabanas. The campground serves as an excellent base camp for rockhounding enthusiasts, with easy 4-wheel drive access to the Hauser Geode Beds and Opal Hill Fire Agate Mine. The historic Bradshaw Trail National Scenic Byway passes through the area, providing access to numerous trails, gem and mineral collection sites, and historic stage route and mining areas. As part of the Mule Mountain Long Term Visitor Area, Coon Hollow operates seasonally from September 15 through April 15. Campers must purchase either a short-term permit ($40 for 14 consecutive days) or a long-term permit ($180 for the entire season). No potable water is available; campers should fill up in Blythe before arriving. Three vault toilets serve the campground.

Directions

From I-10, take the Wiley's Well Road exit approximately 16 miles west of Blythe. Drive south on Wiley's Well Road for 12.1 miles to the Coon Hollow Campground sign. Turn right and drive west 0.5 mile to the campsites. The road is paved for 2.9 miles past the Chuckwalla Valley and Ironwood State Prison, then transitions to graded dirt. Passable for all vehicles in dry conditions but may be wash-boarded if not recently graded.