Rancho Mil | Established Campground

April 23rd, 2024 by El Viejo y La Paloma

Nice place! Don, the owner, is very friendly, you can tell he has a lot of interesting Baja stories! Friendly dogs here too. Camp sites are right on the river, there is shade for tents and hammocks. Lots of great birding! Pit toilets are just that, but there is a basic shower that is refreshing. Don warned us about the bugs in the evening, and they are brutal! Otherwise, highly recommend!

March 22nd, 2024 by jeffrja

Rancho Mil is a great place to stop coming or going to the border about an hour below Mexicali. Many of the sites back up to a freshwater river that has lots of bird life. There is one pit toilet for men and women. Also, one cold water shower is in a covered common area. 300 pesos for 2 people.

March 19th, 2024 by Smith Fam

Rancho mil was a god- send for our family! Heading down to San Felipe, this was the perfect place, if there is one, for our Rig to breakdown. Mr. Don, and Gustavo were exceptional hosts. Clean, beautiful, quaint and quiet. They also went above and beyond to get part to make our travel safe again. They used their mechanic skills, to set our large family upon their beautiful river site. Next Time we hope to return and stay longer to enjoy Atmosphere. Thanks Mr Don! Hasta Luego

March 16th, 2024 by LaGringaMorada

Colorado River campground. Great for birdwatching, nice stop close to the border. Host Don is friendly. $300 pesos for dry camping.

March 13th, 2024 by josh

A hidden oasis in the middle of a vast dry desert. Low key camping on the Rio Hardy with hundreds of birds to keep you company. Even though it is close to Mexicali it feels very remote, quiet and safe. A perfect place to stay to get an early start for the border. One warning: put your food and garbage away at night. The extremely friendly camp dogs are also food hounds.

March 8th, 2024 by nedkelly

This spot was wonderful. Best place I’ve found on either side close to the border

February 9th, 2024 by D1000 Baja

In response to the last comment....Rancho Mil is open! It's a very quiet, peaceful place so you won't always see activity from the entrance gate. There is a phone number on the gate and instructions if no one is in sight.

January 23rd, 2024 by shaettich

seems to be closed.

December 11th, 2023 by phanie.nature

Nice place to relax after crossing the border. Right by the river.

October 6th, 2023 by stanthecarman

Update Verizon and ATT signal working, but comes and goes 1 bar to 5 bars with no logical reason.

October 5th, 2023 by stanthecarman

Arrived yesterday will be staying 4 nights. Don met us as we arrived. Rate in 300 mx pesos per night. We have electric power and parked next to a palm roofed structure with concrete floor, sink with running water and 2 showe stalls. Ther Hardy River is absolutly beautiful. Lots of bird acctivity. temperature today was 96. Easy to find, look for merker 58km onhighway 5 and turn in. HAPPY TRAVELS. Great Place you will not be disappointed.

September 21st, 2023 by shaettich

Seems to be closed. Tried to call by Phone. No answer. Gate closed. Left the place and choosed an other...

April 30th, 2023 by halosz

Don is wonderful and Rancho Mil is intriguing! Beauty and birds and the friendliest dawg pound and also the cutest rancho puppies ever. The skeeters were the most abundant we have had in 3 weeks in Baja, so we’re the flies. As to be expected near the river! Good shady spots for vans and hammocks. Nice dining area. Not your typical desert camp, beach camp, or sand camp. Great option before or after crossing. Happy to leave fresh goodies with the locals before northbound crossing.

March 29th, 2023 by raquelesteves

Perfect spot to stop on your way to the border or just after crossing. Stunning location right on the river with beautiful views of the mountains. Don was very friendly, accommodating and so inviting. His dogs are the sweetest and played well with our dog. There was a litter of 6 week old puppies that were just the cutest and loved hard on our almost 3 year old son, it was the best! Highly recommend, you will not be disappointed! Worth the stop!

March 28th, 2023 by Sleam

Calm and empty. Friendly owner. $300 mx. Lovely river.

February 26th, 2023 by BJO

Beauty at its Best!
We lucked out finding this Gem through someone who visited here previously and sang it’s praises. Rancho Mil will not disappoint. The view from the river side is gorgeous then you turn around and are incapsulated by the beauty of the mountains. We originally came here for 2 days but our stay will go on….
The owner, Don, is a welcoming man who prides himself on having a clean park. The showers have water that is self heated but your camping and it’s all in the experience. They are very clean and “refreshing”. Honestly, they are great.
I highly recommend visiting this Oasis. You will not be disappointed.

February 9th, 2023 by cbearsrus

Very quiet spot, lots of room for RV. 300 pesos dry camp. Friendly dogs, birds abound. Don is a great help if you need him. Beautiful view of Rio Hardy.

January 30th, 2023 by april.m.mcqueen

Don is fabulous- so kind and welcoming. The property is beautiful- we did a little kayaking/paddle boarding on the Rio Hardy while we were there. The dogs and cats were very friendly and a big hit with our kiddos. Highly recommend a stop here- it’s the place you stop for a night but end up
Staying longer

December 14th, 2022 by Lando

We had heard about Rancho Mil here and also ran into someone that told us about it. We arrived later than expected so didn’t have a chance to spend more time - it’s beautiful. Peaceful and quiet. We were met at the gate and had a fun chat with Don. They have a website where you can learn more and find all the contact info. As a courtesy we should have called ahead next time to let them know we are coming. Had a nice night and hope to go back.

December 13th, 2022 by nedworthy21

This is a perfect stop only 45 min from the Mexicali border and only 1 km off Hwy 5. Very quiet and serene along the river with amazing bird watching. Don is very friendly and accommodating and more than happy to share his knowledge of the area. Highly recommend this place.

December 9th, 2022 by ian.hallett

Stopped to tent camp here while cycling down the Baja. Lovely spot by the river and owner, Don, very friendly. He even arranged for someone from the village to bring us a cooked meal.
You can contact owner in advance via the Rancho Mil Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/campomil1000

December 4th, 2022 by bill

Nice quiet rustic spot on the edge of the river. Don, the owner, super friendly and eager to chat with visitors. Cold water and showers available. Friendly dogs.

November 22nd, 2022 by m.m.e.gonecamping

Great peaceful place as described. Bird watching is fantastic. Friendly dogs kinda made our cat's life difficult - but they got used to each other. Don is super helpful. WiFi is OK if you have line of site to the guest house. US ATT had some problems with allowing hot spot. Access via the 1000m dirt road is easy. Storm damage is sad but doesn't affect your stay

November 20th, 2022 by alexiawatelet

We enjoyed very much our stay there. Ron is really nice and helpful. It s very peaceful ! Just in front of the river,we saw a lot of birds.our kids played with the friendly dogs 😃.

September 22nd, 2022 by D1000 Baja

Survived Tropical Storm Kay!
Still as peaceful and beautiful as ever!

July 2nd, 2022 by D1000 Baja

UPDATE......220 and 110 hookups now available!

April 7th, 2022 by instagram.com/gocamp.n

Definitely recommend Rancho Mil for anyone looking for a friendly host and beautiful riverfront camping. Great setting for watching the white pelicans, and friendly dogs on site who were good with our kids. We were the only ones here on a Wednesday in early April, paid 300p.

March 23rd, 2022 by casa.edmondson

Super nice guy! Worth a stay and a few hours just to chat a bit. We loved watching the birds on the river at sunset. 300mxd for dry camping. Pit toilets. Cold showers. Dish washing station. We’ll be coming back next year for more stories with Don.

March 22nd, 2022 by cynthiacampbell81

Beautiful quite spot by the river! lots of birds and 3 cute friendly dogs! 150peso per person in tent and 300peso for a RV! Owner Don is super !

March 16th, 2022 by Falkor Expeditions

We loved our stay and meeting Don Thousand. Serene riverside campsite for $15 a night! Slept so well with peace and quiet and enjoyed getting to know Don, the American owner, who’s been coming here for 40 something years. He’s got some great stories and loves an IPA happy hour on his deck. Paradise has a name and it’s Rancho Mil.

March 14th, 2022 by Falkor Expeditions

Perfect river hideaway with amazing host

February 11th, 2022 by gusigb

Wonderful, quiet spot right on the Colorado river. Owner/host was super friendly and was welcoming of my dog as well.

Campsite has pit toilets and a cold water shower and a series of tables looking directly over river. Enough space for probably any kind of rig.

Cheap and safe, and would totally recommend. Will visit here again.

January 11th, 2022 by SHADAE

Great place just an hour away from Mexicali.
River front camping with pit toilets.
There are cabins for rent as well as a few homes for sale.
Don the owner has been here for 45 years and is a wealth of information.
Paddle boarding and kayaking possible on the calm river. Must have your own.
300 pesos per night

December 24th, 2021 by Baja Surf Yoga

Great place on the Rio Hardy. Away from the crowds at the other campos. We spent Christmas Eve here while on the road. Don is an awesome host and super interesting guy. He even brought us amazing red velvet cupcakes that night. Bring all of your own stuff. There is a privy and cold water shower.

December 17th, 2021 by TruckLifeOverlanders

We had planned to stay here for one night. It’s just so beautiful and tranquil we decided to stay an extra night. Don, the owner, has been so warm and welcoming. We are camped right by the Colorado river. It’s so peaceful. So many birds and wildlife to watch. Great place for stargazing. Pit toilets and showers available. Great stop before or after the border. This is such a unique place, a real hidden gem. We’ll definitely come back here.

December 17th, 2021 by D1000 Baja

Quiet and peaceful riverfront campground. 300 pesos/night for RV's. 150 pesos/ night per person for tent camping.

December 14th, 2021 by info

great spot on the river. Nice and quiet, friendly host. Perfect place to stay within an easy drive of the border. 300 pesos now. you can call ahead as well- 949-466-2069. US number.

March 27th, 2021 by roamingabout.com

200mx/night. Camping on the river. Pit toilets and cold showers. Owner is friends american. He lives in the last house towards the highway. Friendly dogs around as well. All good for an early start to the border.

December 30th, 2020 by Chris McKesson

Private estate owned by American Don Thousand. Has dry camping as well as furnished homes for rent. I think we paid 200MXN to overnight in an RV. Lovely place, right on the river. Very quiet, very pleasant.