roadtripper3515502

I'm shocked only one review mentions the gunfire from the shooting range next door. It starts at 7 AM and goes all day, so it is not a relaxing place to be, and will keep me from going there again. Also, no one mentioned the smell of cow manure from nearby feedlots that wafts over occasionally with the wind. I do see mention of the women's prison, and our site had a nice view of the guard lights and an occasional blast of an announcement.
Our site was on the edge of the park and had lots of room away from other campers. But watch out for your little dogs! I heard at least 2 packs of coyotes celebrating their kills on one night.
The park does have lots of activities that families might enjoy. Kids were biking around the campground, there was lots of fishing, interesting bird-watching, and they do have the disc golf, equestrian center and other activities nearby. We drove to a nearby park to play pickleball with local friends. It's an easy drive from LA and could be a nice family retreat for someone who doesn't have much space at home, or who is visiting someone in the area. Hookups were a luxury since I usually boondock, but they were on the wrong side for our door to face the campsite so we had to turn around when we left in order to dump the tanks (short hoses).

We made a reservation only a few weeks ahead and the only sites available were in Indian. Very expensive for what we got - an uneven gravelly parking space with a picnic table and fire pit, electrical and water. This seems to be a campground for people without backyards to have their backyard parties. About a quarter of the sites had no RV, just tents, even though the rules state that there must be an RV on site to have a tent. Many sites also had more than 8 people per site, and more than 2 cars.
They charge $20/night for a second car (max 2 vehicles, haha) which seems like a lot on top of the $60/night site fee. I have a small RV and my friends had a SUV with rooftop tent, so we took up much less room than many truck and trailer rigs. No sewer but the dump station is next door and seemed to be less crowded than the dump station near the entrance (I did not have to wait when leaving Sunday AM.)
Our neighbors played loud music all night and refused to turn it down when we politely asked around 10:30 (quiet hours start 10 PM). We called and with a lot of patience made it through the automated menus to the front gate, and they said that some one would be by to ask them to be quiet. I also mentioned they had no RV and 10-12 people. We doused our fire and went to bed around 11 because we could not hear each other talk over their music. I put in my earplugs and noticed the music stopped around 12:30-1 AM, though I don't know if it was their choice of if the host finally made it around. They also left trash all around which attracted bees and flies, despite the dumpsters being across from their site. And to top it off, the neighbors on the other side brought a large bird in a cage set outside that started squawking around 6 AM.
There are only 2 primitive portos to serve the 30 sites, many of which as I mentioned do not have RVs, and I didn't dare look at them. My friends in their rooftop tent had originally planned to use the camp toilets, but I let them use my RV bathroom since it was so bad.
Indian campground is away from the lake and the sites are crowded and not scenic, so I would not recommend Indian campground. Maybe some of the other campgrounds have better, quieter camping.

We got a last minute cancellation and this was the only campground on the beach and not too far that we could find. It is right on the ocean but all rocks. Further down there is sand if you go at low tide. Lots of surfers and this campground is well suited for them. Sites are small but we have a small RV and were next to a service drive so not as cramped as some. Well maintained and clean bathrooms.
The biggest issue is all of the ambient noise that prevents one from hearing the waves. It’s probably ok for the sites right on the ocean, but we heard motors (generators? Air conditioners? Pumps?) all night both from the concession stand and from over the chain link fence in the adjacent neighborhood. The railroad tracks are near but we only heard 1 freight train on Friday and several quieter Surfliners over the weekend.
There were several families hosting birthday parties and it seemed nice for them, but parking is a big issue and spots are only supposed to be for day use guests, mostly surfers. Kids had fun circling the drive on bikes and scooters. But they need a sign that says “campground full” or “reservations only” because all day and all evening cars and RVs circled around the drive looking for spots.
There is a concession stand that sells burgers and breakfast burritos as well as ice and firewood. Breakfast burrito was decent but bland and staff was not particularly friendly.
If you are a surfer, or have kids and want to be by the ocean (but not beach), and don’t mind parking lot style camping you may like Hobson Beach, but I won’t be coming back.

Take the 4WD warnings seriously! We got stuck in my 2WD Toyota RV as we slowed to check out one of the first potential camping sites entering the canyon, so we went back and found a good solid spot on the side of the road in the more open area. There is a sand berm that makes getting on and off the road more challenging. It did have a nice view of the mountains on one side and the Salton Sea on the other, but we got a lot of traffic in the evening and during the day, which when the wind was blowing wrong, gave us some dust storms. People drive very fast down the road due to the sand and washboard.

However, the sandy road hassles are worth it for the hiking trails through steep, painted canyons. We had a dog so didn't take any ladder trails, but others told us they were great. We drove a Subaru to get to the trailhead and that was fine, though we did see several 2WD cars stuck, including a pickup that had sunk itself down to the drivetrain. But some sedans seem to make it there OK. Just be sure you have skills to drive a sandy road. There were a number of 4WD vehicles with rooftop tents or towing trailers that made it into the canyon campsites, which looked nice if you can get to them.
It's also a nice location for day trips to see the Salton Sea (beware of the smell!) and other area sights.

They don't publicize it, but RVs can dump for free at the water treatment plant. It's across the street from Dockweiler Beach, where people pay to dump. They are only open for dumping certain days so be sure to call for the schedule. I posted the one I have from 2020.
Enter from Imperial Highway, the first entrance after turning east from Vista Del Mar.
Sometimes there is a line, but regular campground dumps also get lines. You will need a mask and may have to give your name and city.