swimming holes between phx & la?

June 24, 2009 3:34 PM

seeking oasis: roadtrip from phx to la - looking for good camping with natural water in between the two cities. mid-desert hot springs or cliff diving or swimming holes?

i've exhausted all of my books & websites on arizona swimming holes - none noted west of phoenix.... i've found water on the map but no mention of available camping. i'm hoping to find a desert dweller or crosser that has a sweet spot they'd like to recommend - ideally midway-ish between the cities. high desert swimming can happen. i'm sure of it.

posted by babsomatica to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

You gotta be kidding.

There isn't any "natural water" between Phoenix and Los Angeles except for the Colorado River.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:43 PM on June 24

Does the Salton Sea meet your definition of natural? Plenty of empty space and park land around it, at least on the east side. It's pretty ugly, but interesting.
posted by Nelson at 3:48 PM on June 24

There is NO water between the two. Even the Colorado River doesn't reach the ocean most of the year any more.

Anywhere that is BLM controlled land or designated US Wilderness Area is available for camping by anyone. That means there won't be any developed campsites, but setting up a tent is always an option on public land in the US. It's held in government trust for all of us.
posted by hippybear at 3:54 PM on June 24 [1 favorite]

chocloate pickle: there is plenty of water (a great deal of it hot springs) between phoenix and los angeles - just haven't seen any with camping...

nelson: salton sea! yes i'll check their camping availability. thanks!
posted by babsomatica at 3:54 PM on June 24

The Salton Sea isn't in the high desert.
posted by dhammond at 4:03 PM on June 24

It also doesn't smell very good when the weather's warm, and the dust storms can be horrendous.
posted by rtha at 5:12 PM on June 24

Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest

swimmingholes.org
posted by ZenMasterThis at 7:58 PM on June 24

El Dorado Hot Springs

Arizona Skinny-dipper Diary

Tonopah Hot Springs
posted by ZenMasterThis at 8:04 PM on June 24