Can you reserve a site at Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area?

No. Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area

Facility · Arizona ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Yuma Field Office (Bureau of Land Management AZ) · Open Access

235 ft
Elevation

Warning: Navigational Hazard

The Oxbow Bridge was destroyed in a fire and is currently impassable. Do not travel north from the boat ramp.

Debris from the bridge may become dislodged, creating potential navigational hazards. Boaters are advised to exercise caution in the area.

Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area provides RV and tent camping sites, a boat launch, and a day use area on old river channel (oxbow) of the Colorado River. The site is heavily used on summer and holiday weekends, and is popular with winter visitors.

Jet skiing, water skiing, and other fast paced boating activities occur within the Colorado River. Slower paced boating activities, such as fishing, kayaking, and canoeing are more common within Oxbow Lake.

Getting there

The site is located approximately 23 miles south of Blythe, CA and 68 miles northwest of Yuma, AZ.

From I-10: Exit at Neighbours Blvd. /CA-78 in Blythe, California, heading south on Highway 78.

From I-8: Exit north on Ogilby Rd. Turn right on Highway 78 heading north. The site is approximately 3 miles south of Palo Verde, California, at Colorado River mile 100. Turn east onto the gravel road at sign marked "Colorado River." Oxbow is ? mile east of Highway 78.

33.38765, -114.71184 · 33°23'15.5"N 114°42'42.6"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 109°F in Jul, down to 66°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	68	72	80	87	96	105	109	108	102	90	77	66
Low °F	43	46	52	57	65	73	82	82	74	61	49	42
Precip in	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.1	0.1	0.0	0.3	0.4	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 16 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

The Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area is $10 for day-use; $15 for overnight use; or $75 annually. Commercial, competitive, and large organized group events require a special recreation permit. Contact the Yuma Field Office for more information about special recreation permits.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

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Common questions about Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area

Can you reserve a site at Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area?: No. Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Oxbow Recreation and Wildlife Area

Coon Hollow Campground 11.7 mi · Campground
Wiley's Well Campground 12.5 mi · Campground
Ehrenberg Sandbowl 17.7 mi · Facility
Senator Wash North Shore 35.4 mi · Facility
Senator Wash South Shore 35.8 mi · Facility
T.K. Jones Campground and Boat Launch 36.1 mi · Campground
North Algodones Dunes Wilderness 36.7 mi · Facility
Corn Springs Campground 39.1 mi · Campground
Cahuilla Ranger Station 39.1 mi · Facility
Buttercup Ranger Station 45.9 mi · Facility
Kofa Wilderness 50.9 mi · Facility

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Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.