Wash 3

**🏜️ Introduction / Overview**

For California's extensive community of off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, the **Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA)**, universally known as **Glamis**, represents the ultimate desert playground. Within this massive expanse of gold-colored sand, the numbered "Washes" along Wash Road are famous staging areas, and **Wash 3** is a standout choice, particularly favored for its balance of **easy accessibility** and **vast, open camping space**.

Wash 3, like its neighboring washes, is a primitive camping location where visitors engage in **boondocking** (dry camping), bringing everything they need to sustain their stay. This area attracts huge numbers of Californians with RVs, toy haulers, and dirt bikes, quads, and side-by-sides, all eager to tackle the majestic dunes that can soar up to 300 feet high. The community spirit is vibrant and the memories are lasting. As one first-time visitor exclaimed, they "had a blast! Easy access, beautiful sunrises and a clean campsite. Can't beat it!" This campsite offers an "Enjoyable" and essential experience for the family, emphasizing the sense of community and adventure that defines the Glamis culture.

Camping at Wash 3 places you right in the heart of the action while providing enough space to set up comfortably, making it an excellent base for exploring the largest OHV recreation area of its kind in the United States.

**📍 Location and Accessibility**

Wash 3 is one of the closest and most recognizable camping areas within the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA), located on the east side of the main dune field in Imperial County, California.

**Address (General Area):** 5775 CA-78, Brawley, CA 92227, USA (This address is a general geographical marker for the intersection of Highway 78 and the Wash Road/Glamis Flats area).

• Primary Access: Wash 3 is directly accessed by turning south off **California State Route 78 (CA-78)** onto the unpaved **Wash Road**. Being one of the first washes (numbered 1, 2, 3, etc.), it is among the easiest and fastest spots to reach from the highway, which contributes to its popularity.

• Road Conditions: Wash Road is a graded dirt/gravel road, generally manageable for large RVs and heavy toy haulers. However, the campsites themselves are open desert ground, requiring cautious driving in soft, sandy conditions, especially when pulling far from the main road.

• Nearby Hubs: The site is closest to the Glamis "Flats" area, where a concentration of vendors and the Glamis Beach Store are often located during peak season, providing some convenience for supplies like ice, food, and fuel.

• Navigation: The open nature of the washes means no defined campsites. Campers select their spot on a **first-come, first-served** basis, setting up camp on the spacious, relatively flat desert floor.

**🛠️ Services Offered (Primitive & BLM Managed)**

As a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) primitive camping area, Wash 3 provides minimal infrastructure. Campers must be fully prepared for **boondocking**—the experience of camping without utility connections.

• Campsites: The area is entirely **undeveloped**, offering vast, open, unmarked sites. Campers are permitted to set up tents, trailers, RVs, and elaborate group camps.

• Restrooms: **Vaulted (pit) toilets** are typically available along the main access roads, though their presence is not guaranteed at the farthest reaches of the wash. Visitors should rely on their own facilities when possible.

• Utilities: **No water, sewer, or electrical hookups** are provided. All power must be supplied by generators (which are generally permitted during non-quiet hours), and all water must be packed in.

• Trash Disposal: Limited **dumpster service** may be offered at key staging areas, especially during high-traffic holidays. Visitors are strictly required to adhere to a **Pack It In, Pack It Out** policy for all refuse.

• Permit Requirement: A **BLM Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Permit** is mandatory for all overnight stays and OHV use between **October 1 and April 15** each year.

**⭐ Features / Highlights**

Wash 3 is prized by California OHV users for its convenience, wide-open feel, and connection to the vast dune landscape.

• Ease of Access: As one of the first washes off CA-78, Wash 3 offers some of the **easiest in-and-out access** for large vehicles, making setup less stressful for first-time visitors or those arriving late.

• Family-Friendly Environment: While the dunes are known for intense OHV activity, Wash 3's open layout and proximity to smaller dunes often make it a comfortable location for families, providing slightly less congestion than the infamous Gecko Road during peak times.

• Direct Dune Riding: Campers can ride their OHVs directly from their campsite onto the sand. The location provides a great launchpad for exploring the smaller, more manageable dunes to the east before tackling the major bowls and tall climbs.

• Spectacular Sunrises: Being on the eastern edge of the dunes, the site offers breathtaking **"beautiful sunrises"** over the desert landscape, a peaceful contrast to the nighttime action.

• Proximity to Vendors: Its location near the main Glamis Flats area means quicker access to **Vendor Row**, which supplies fuel, parts, food, and emergency supplies during major holiday weekends.

**📞 Contact Information**

As a BLM-managed open recreation area, there is no direct contact number for Wash 3. All official inquiries should be directed to the administering BLM Field Office.

• **Address (General Area):** 5775 CA-78, Brawley, CA 92227, USA

• **BLM El Centro Field Office (For ISDRA Info):** (760) 337-4400 (The primary administrative office for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area).

• **Permit Sales:** Permits (required Oct 1 - Apr 15) can be purchased online via Recreation.gov or from authorized vendors in Brawley, Yuma, or the Ranger Stations.

**⭐ What is Worth Choosing Wash 3?**

Wash 3 is the perfect choice for California OHV enthusiasts and families seeking a **blend of convenience, space, and a high-energy community atmosphere** at Glamis.

Its primary advantage is its **easy accessibility** right off the highway, minimizing the driving stress often associated with deep desert boondocking, making it an excellent recommendation for first-timers or those with exceptionally large RVs. It provides the signature **unlimited open space** needed for large group camping circles and full-sized toy haulers, ensuring you always have room to spread out and stage your vehicles.

If your ideal California weekend involves direct access to the dunes, a supportive community of fellow duners, and the ability to comfortably host a large group without the congestion of developed sites, Wash 3 offers the genuine, memorable, and "can't beat it" experience of the Imperial Sand Dunes. It’s a reliable hub for family fun and serious OHV adventure.