Cibola-Colorado River Camping Area

Flat gravel lot right on the Colorado river Arizona side
Metal picket tables with roofs
About twelve to fifteen sites
Green area in the desert
Sandy beach area with large pond connected to river
Wildlife around birds and coots
GPS will take you from hwy 78 through Cibo about twelve miles extra
Take Hwy 78 about 2 miles south of Palo Verde california side
Turn at Cibo sanctuary sign on dirt road about 1 mile in you will see other Short term camp sites on the california side which are pay sites very low cost . Continue across the Oxford bridge {40 ton} and you are in Arizona and the campsite is free
People fish here too
We camped in a 34Ft fifth wheel
Big rig friendly

This spot was one of the nicer free spots we have stayed. It is easy access in for any size rig. There are several developed campsites with there own sun shade, picnic table, and trash can. There is also the cleanest vault toilet I have ever been in. AT&T worked good, Verizon was spotty.

As for stuff to do here... There is a lake area located right in the campground which is connected to the Colorado River Canal. I caught a couple fish in there. A California or Arizona fishing license is good for this section of the river, and Cibola Lake. You can paddle the small lake area or you can float the canal. We did a 10 mile float down to Cibola Lake, which is located at the South end of the Cibola Wildlife Reserve which is also located right on the edge of the campground. This is a great area to view wildlife and birds. Most of the birds have moved along by this time of the year I was told, but we still saw a lot of cool birds and a lot of coyotes. There are several gravel roads that run through the Reserve that make for nice bike rides.

Come stocked to this spot, Blythe is the nearest town 20 miles away. There is a little store a mile down Baseline Rd but you pay the price. The Visitor Center about 4 miles away has a auto driven tour that was worth doing to see the birds. I also found a water spigot here that I filled a 5 gallon jug with a few times. It was a pretty quiet area while we were here, a few nice couples from B.C. and a few locals.

I stayed here in January and it is my number one spot to camp. It's a beautiful spot to camp. The name of this place is called Hippy Hole . It is on BLM land and just above Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. When I found it it was not on the map. Toilet vault is very clean. A lot of locals come to this spot and camp. When I was there some people camped and we're a little bit noisy with their partying. Somebody called the cops and they quieted it down. Only downside is that they don't come clean the garbage but every two weeks and it does pile up. I did some fishing and didn't catch anything in the river and the Lagoon. There was people that did catch fish when I was there. Excellent spot I recommend it to anyone.

This is a great little free BLM campground just north of the Cibola Wildlife Refuge. Covered picnic tables and a vault toilet makes this a premier free camping area even if the trash is to the point of overflowing. See the birds; hear the birds without a doubt. I got in and out without a second thought in a Prius, that most unreliable of vehicles in sand. Give it a look if you’re in the area. Certainly no real reason to go to oxbow across the river.

We spent 8 nights at Hippie Hole arriving on New Year's eve. We were alone for several days, then 4 more travelers trickled in over the next couple of days. Great little park right on the Colorado river that looked very inviting. Still a little too cool but looked like a paddle type kayak would have easy access-we have pedal (Hobie) kayak and the large sand bar made it look a bit too shallow in this area. The Cibola Wildlife Refuge entrance was just a few miles away and did not disappoint. Be sure to bring supplies-closet store of any size is about 20 miles away in Blythe. Very very clean vault toilets and very nice picnic tables with shelters. See my blog for more pictures and information!

We came from CA 78 short dirt road past Oxbow CG across the Colorado River and on the right it’s proper name is Hippie Hole proclaims a sign. This place was upgraded by BLM and has multiple sites with a covered table and trash receptacle. An outhouse and river access for flat hulled boats. Once out of the small outpouch of the River the speed pulls you down river fast. A few sites are directly on the water but don’t have picnic tables. The Cibola National Wildlife Refuge is about 4-5 miles down the paved road. Great birding and short hikes along with an auto tour. We saw many ducks and Sand hill cranes but most were had or were heading out. The visitor center is nice, stop to get a good map of the Refuge. Lots of mountain biking on the levees.
Down the road about 2 miles on the right is a very small store that doesn’t carry much but you can dump $10 or fill your water $10.

We spent just one night at Hippie Hole but could have easily spent a few more had we known how much we’d love it. There are shade/picnic table canopies for a handful of sites, along with ample trash cans throughout. It was quiet when we were there, with a few people coming and going to fish/boat.

This is a very nice family, senior or just campers spot. Many spaces have a nice sunshade over sturdy tables along with trash cans. There is one clean pit toilet.
There are some.areas where the sand is very soft and people do get stuck thrre. Otherwise main roads are firm gravel surfaces.
La Paz County maintains the site.

Great place, but enjoy free camping while you can. Locals say the BLM is adding a camp host and starting to charge next year.

Great spot right on the river.