Click here for up-to-date information on changes to closures, facilities and services at this LTVA. Click here for up-to-date information on Imperial County public pools COVID guidelines.
Overview
Every year, thousands of visitors come and enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities offered at BLM's Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs), where visitors can camp for as long as seven months. The Hot Springs LTVA is known for it's historic and still active hot spring attracting both local and winter visitors. Fee season September 15-April 15 $180, $80 4-week stay, $40 2-week stay; 14 day camping free April 16-September 14.
Permits
Thank you for visiting the Hot Spring LTVA managed by the BLM El Centro Field Office. You must have a permit to camp in a designated LTVA between September 15 and April 15.
To purchase your permit you will need to take one of the following actions:
You can purchase your permit with the campground hosts at the site or at Pilot Knob LTVA. The Pilot Knob LTVA is located approximately 35 miles east of this location on Interstate-8. Take the Sidewinder Road exit and continue south.
If you wish to purchase online, visit recreation.gov to pay for the permit. You will receive a voucher that can be exchanged at the BLM Yuma Field Office 50 miles East from the campground on Interstate-8.
To purchase at the BLM El Centro Field Office please visit during business hours (Mon - Fri 8:00am - 4:30pm). The Field Office is located at 1661 South 4th Street, El Centro, CA.
The description, directions and fees are the Bureau of Land Management’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
US Forest Service (USFS)
National Park Service (NPS)
US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
Department Of Defense (DOD)
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Other Federal
State
Local
Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
Alaska Native Allotment
Road
Primitive Road
Road
Primitive Road
Trail
Roads open to all Vehicles, Yearlong
Roads open to all Vehicles, Seasonal
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Yearlong
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal
Special Designation, Yearlong
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails open to all vehicles, Yearlong
Trails open to all vehicles, Seasonal
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Yearlong
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Seasonal
Trails open to motorcycles, Yearlong
Trails open to motorcycles, Seasonal
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" in Width, Yearlong
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" or Less in Width, Seasonal
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Study Area