By:
Submission
Located in the lower Colorado Desert in eastern Riverside County, the Coon Hollow campground is located adjacent to a desert riparian wash populated by palo verde, smoke tree, mesquite and ironwood trees. There is easy 4-wheel drive access to nearby rock-hounding sites: Hauser Geode Beds and Opal Hill Fire Agate Mine. The historic Bradshaw Trail National Scenic Byway provides access to numerous trails, gem and mineral collection sites, and an historic stage route/mining area.
Turn south at the Wiley’s Well Road exit from Interstate Highway 10 located about 16 miles west of Blythe, California. Drive southward on Wiley’s Well Road 12.1 miles to reach the Coon Hollow Campground sign at 33°26.737' N and 114°53.696' W. Turn right and drive west 0.5 mile to the campsites. From I 10 the road is paved 2.9 miles to the Chuckawalla Valley and Ironwood State Prison where a small sign indicates camping ahead. The road from this point consists of graded dirt and unless it is raining, or it has rained recently, it should be passable for all types of vehicles. If the road has not been graded within the previous two or three weeks, though, it is likely to be seriously wash-boarded.
If your a rockhounder you will love this place. $40 for 2 weeks, $80 for a month or $180 for the season which is April-Sept. Campsites have BBQ's and camp fire pots.
Nice little campground. Nowhere near as busy as nearby wiley wells. Bathroom was clean, non-potable water available, though limited (says the sign). $40 a night seems a bit steep if you ask me.
Great quiet place to camp. But don't go if you camp in a tent. The "host" (and I use the term very very loosely), Roger, treats tent campers like an inferior species. He also lets his dog run throughout the campground unleashed nearly every day. Thinks his only task is to collect as much money as possible. He's gruff and nasty tempered, and he drove the camp telling lies about me to my neighbors. Try Wiley Well Campground. Their host, Viviene, is very cool.
Awesome place to explore , rockhound, and see the stars. It's beautiful in its own desert way. Camp hosts were great, and our tour guide and new friend J was awesome and his little adorable furry friend Jasper. If you ever wanted to try camping in the desert, this is a great place to start. It's all dry camp, and the wind sucks when it shows up and the fine dirt is in everything. Be prepared with all your gear and food/water because there is nothing around for miles but well worth the experience. p.s. the sunsets are amazing!
