Wash 10

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Introduction / Overview

For Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts in California and beyond, the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA), affectionately known as Glamis, is the ultimate playground. While the surrounding Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land offers vast open camping areas, sometimes a little more comfort is exactly what you need after a long day of dune riding. That's where Wash 10 comes in.

Wash 10 is recognized as a highly popular and sometimes crowded private camping area nestled right along Highway 78, acting as one of the primary gateways to the dunes. It has earned a reputation as a favorite spot, especially during holiday weekends when the OHV crowds descend upon the region. What sets Wash 10 apart from the surrounding dispersed camping is the invaluable convenience it offers: full hookup RV spots.

This facility caters directly to the RV and toy hauler crowd who demand utility connections for comfort—namely, water for daily showers and high-amperage electricity (often 50A) to power air conditioners, toy-hauler accessories, and equipment. The atmosphere is consistently described as energetic, festive, and perfect for large groups, making it the ideal basecamp for an action-packed weekend or holiday adventure in the Southern California desert.

Please note that this is not a quiet, traditional campground experience. It is specifically a high-energy hub for the OHV community accessing the spectacular Imperial Sand Dunes.

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Location and Accessibility

Wash 10 boasts an excellent location directly off a major state highway, providing easy access for large RVs, tow vehicles, and toy haulers traveling to the dunes.

Address: 5775 CA-78, Brawley, CA 92227, USA

Accessibility: The campground sits right alongside California State Route 78, making it highly visible and easy to navigate to. This highway is the main access point from the west (Brawley/El Centro) into the northern and central sections of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, including the popular Gecko Road and Glamis areas.

Proximity to Dunes: Its location puts campers mere minutes, or even directly adjacent, to the open riding areas of the dunes. This allows OHV enthusiasts to unload their vehicles and quickly get onto the sand.

Local Area: While situated in a remote desert area, the nearby city of Brawley offers access to essential supplies, fuel, and services, typically a 20 to 30-minute drive away.

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Services Offered

The primary value proposition of Wash 10 is the provision of full utilities, which are typically absent in the vast, open, and undeveloped BLM camping washes that make up most of the Imperial Dunes area. While specific details can change, the main services revolve around utility connections.

• Full Hookup RV Sites: The key draw is the availability of spots offering water, sewer, and electric hookups, including coveted 50-amp service (50A) necessary for large modern RVs and toy haulers.
• Utility Access: Access to potable water is a critical service, allowing campers to easily refill tanks and use amenities without relying solely on limited supplies.
• Daily Showers/Comfort: The availability of water and power allows for the convenience of daily showers and climate control (A/C) which is highly valued in the sometimes dusty and hot desert environment, as highlighted by customer reviews.
• Reservations/Early Arrival: Due to high demand, especially during peak OHV season (October through May) and major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's, Presidents' Day), securing a hookup spot requires planning and often early arrival, as the best spots are highly sought after.
• Waste Disposal: The sewer hookups eliminate the need to drive long distances to a dump station, which is a major convenience for long-weekend stays.

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Features / Highlights

Wash 10 is all about maximizing comfort and convenience while immersing yourself in the Imperial Sand Dunes OHV culture.

• The Full Hookup Advantage: In an area where most camping is dry (boondocking) on open BLM washes, the full hookups offered by Wash 10 are the single most significant feature. This allows for generator-free power, immediate water access, and simple waste disposal.
• Direct Dune Access: The campground's location on CA-78 offers incredibly fast, direct access to the most popular riding areas of the ISDRA. Campers can generally transition from their site to the sand in minimal time.
• High-Energy Community: The atmosphere is a vibrant highlight. It's a place to be seen, to gather with other OHV enthusiasts, and to celebrate the culture of the dunes. It is often cited as being "crowded" during peak times, which is considered a positive for those who enjoy the excitement and communal spirit of the holiday OHV crowd.
• Suitable for Large Rigs/Toy Haulers: The area is naturally accommodating to large recreational vehicles and toy haulers, which are the standard vehicle types for this kind of recreation.
• Base for Exploration: It serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring not just the dunes, but also nearby attractions like the vast desert landscapes, the Salton Sea, and the historical areas of the Imperial Valley.

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Contact Information

As a private facility, direct contact is necessary for current pricing, reservations, and specific hookup availability. Since Wash 10 is often referenced primarily by its general location and services near the Imperial Sand Dunes, it's important to use the provided address.

Address: 5775 CA-78, Brawley, CA 92227, USA

Phone: Contact information is not publicly available on general sources, which is common for smaller, privately operated desert camping spots in this region. Visitors often rely on on-site hosts or general Imperial Sand Dunes information for guidance.

BLM Information (General Area Management): For official Imperial Sand Dunes permit information and regulations, contact the BLM El Centro Field Office at (760) 337-4400.

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What is Worth Choosing

Wash 10 is definitively worth choosing for a specific type of California outdoor enthusiast: The dedicated OHV RVer who prioritizes convenience and comfort above all else during a trip to Glamis.

While the surrounding BLM washes offer free or low-cost dispersed camping, they require complete self-sufficiency (generators, hauling water, packing out waste). Wash 10 eliminates these logistical headaches by offering the highly desirable full hookup experience—50A electric, water, and sewer—a feature that is rare in the immediate vicinity of the dunes.

Choosing Wash 10 means opting for: an easy, paved-road commute right to the edge of the action; the luxury of unlimited A/C and hot showers after a dusty day; and the vibrant, social energy of a community that loves off-roading just as much as you do. If your idea of a perfect dune trip involves powerful utilities and a guaranteed spot with amenities, not just open desert, Wash 10 should be at the top of your list.

Would you like to search for the current permit fees for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, which are required for all campers and OHV users in the region?