Open
— Open year-round, first-come, first-served. Recreation area permits required for all visitors.
About
Roadrunner Campground is a semi-primitive BLM campground located in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area in southeastern California. As the second largest campground in the ISDRA, it features a large paved loop with designated parking pads, making it accessible for RVs and larger camping setups. Two vault toilets serve the campground, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations available.
The campground is situated in the largest mass of sand dunes in California, offering direct access to world-class off-highway vehicle terrain spanning 45 miles. The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area is renowned for its towering dunes, including popular spots like Competition Hill and China Wall. Beyond OHV recreation, visitors enjoy photography, wildlife viewing, and experiencing the unique desert landscape.
A recreation permit is required for all visitors to the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. The campground is managed by the BLM El Centro Field Office, which provides services including road clearing, campground maintenance, trash collection, and law enforcement. Speed limits of 15 mph are enforced within 500 feet of Gecko Road and access roads within the campground for safety.
Directions
Access to the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area is best made along Highway 78 located east of Brawley, California. Turn onto Gecko Road and the campground is located at the end of the road.
Nearby Campgrounds