Bureau of Land Management · California
Pilot Knob LTVA
Bureau of Land Management · California, United States
- Season
- Year-round
- Elevation
- 292 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 4
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile good · AT&T good · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 760-337-4400
- Activities
- Long Term Visitor Area (permit Sept. 15 - April 15)
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Pilot Knob Long Term Visitor Area | California
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Click here for up-to-date information on changes to closures, facilities and services at this LTVA.
The area in and around Pilot Knob is rich in both human and natural history. At one time, Patton's troops trained here in preparation for desert fighting in World War II. A State of California Historic Marker lies on the site of Patton's camp. The marker is located just north of Interstate 8 on Sidewinder Road. The Fort Yuma Indian Reservation borders public lands near Pilot Knob. Every year, thousands of visitors come and enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities offered at BLM's Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs), where visitors can camp for as long as seven months. Fee season September 15-April 15 $180, $80 4-week stay, $40 2-week stay; 14 day camping free April 16-September 14
Directions: I-8 (West from Yuma, AZ/East from El Centro,CA) to Sidewinder Rd.(Exit 164.) South on Sidewider Rd.
Fees
Fee season September 15-April 15 $180, $80 4-week stay, $40 2-week stay; 14 day camping free April 16-September 14
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 70° | 48° | 35° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| February | 73° | 50° | 33° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| March | 79° | 53° | 43° | 103° | 0 of 11 |
| April | 86° | 60° | 48° | 101° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 95° | 66° | 55° | 106° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 106° | 74° | 62° | 117° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 109° | 83° | 74° | 117° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 106° | 83° | 74° | 115° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 101° | 76° | 66° | 110° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 90° | 65° | 54° | 103° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 80° | 55° | 43° | 88° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 69° | 46° | 34° | 81° | 0 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Sleepy Hollow RV Park · Tribal Lands · 2 mi
- Cocopah Bend RV & Golf Resort · Tribal Lands · 4 mi
- Buttercup Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 7 mi
- Ogilbly Camp Area · Bureau of Land Management · 9 mi
- Midway Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 9 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-27. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.