Cactus Wonderland | Wild Camping

February 24th, 2024 by casualweb99

Stunning spot behind the rock surrounded by cactus. Easy to find. A circle of stones for a fire pit so a well used site. Could hear traffic from the 1 in our RTT till about 2am and then it started back up around 5:30 the next day.

December 30th, 2023 by LilyOakElm

Finding this location was fairly easy as there’s an obvious turn out along the highway. Road was very easy to drive with a 2WD SUV.

We opted to camp behind the large rock formation so our car couldn’t be seen from the road. There was one other couple staying in this area on the other side of the large boulders and they kept to themselves. Only other humans we saw that day was a group of dirt bike riders who did two laps in the area and left.

Beautiful, secluded, and quiet spot otherwise surrounded by cirio, cactus, and agave. The sunset and sunrise were spectacular. And I saw the most stars I’ve ever seen in the evening. Definitely recommend stopping at this campsite for a day

May 30th, 2023 by momollivier

Juste perfect and dreaming spot in Baja. Little bit cold during the night.

May 16th, 2023 by zwag

Great spot - kind of like Joshua Tree but better. Definitely watch out for cacti. We got attacked by gnats the whole time, so definitely bring bug spray and maybe a net. Beautiful sunset. Felt safe and secluded despite being close to the highway.

April 9th, 2023 by lisa.l.webber

Here during Semana Santa and there was only one other camper. Spots are far apart. Gorgeous desert area with several spots to choose from. We are car camping and popped our tent in behind a large boulder cropping. As others have mentioned it looks like a garden and we have seen several types of lizards, a few birds and bats so far. The wind died down around 7pm so we didn’t use our fly on the tent and lied there gazing at the stars. Highly recommend for all types!

November 12th, 2022 by RAV4Girl

A++!!! All the reviews are accurate. Soooo worth the detour if you come down highway 1. The dome nearby has fallen, and the cave paintings / cave is a 10 to 15 min walk down the road. Super cute cafe Enramada down the road to get coffee and free wifi. Just added to the awesome feeling.

February 4th, 2022 by spaskertyo

Just awesome. Stayed here one night in a tent in late January and wish we stayed longer. The cacti and boojum trees are so beautiful, I teared up a bit when we got here. The only downside is that in the early morning it got super super windy, so windy that we couldn’t sleep. Maybe that was just that particular day, idk. Had a 2wd vehicle and was able to access no problem. The cave paintings down the road are awesome too. Really really amazing place

August 15th, 2021 by projetomundocao.com.br

We camped here a few times. Still very calm and there are many spots to choose for camping along this dirt road. Just drive down, enjoy and find your perfect spot! This whole area looks like a cactus garden with many different types and sizes. Come see it and please keep it clean!

March 15th, 2020 by instagram.com/bryceybrycey

I stayed quite a while here. There are some rocks to climb and abundant wildlife. In addition to the wildlife already mentioned, I saw a salamander (under a rock) and a rattlesnake (it rattled at me). There is plenty of firewood if you walk far enough.

I’ve noticed that semis idle at night sometimes near here.

Something paced around my van one night. I went outside to check what it was after half an hour, and I couldn’t find the source of the noice. It came back and I ignored it.

March 7th, 2020 by Mic’n’Di

Just as lovely as the last time we were here. Beautiful.

February 14th, 2020 by OffPathTravels.com

Beautiful wild camping area in the middle of a boulder field full of cirios (boojum trees), cardon cactus, and ocotillos. There are some cleared off areas with fire rings. The stars were incredible at night!!! We stayed 2 nights and were completely alone except for the abundant wildlife: lizards, kangaroo rats, quails, crows, and mice (with some coyotes in the distance). There were some tiny flies during the day that were very annoying, but other than that (and some litter here and there) it was Baja desert camping perfection. Would love to stay here again!

January 18th, 2020 by ourmidlifeadventure.com

Great place to stay in the desert. Cactus, Rocks, and stars. By far our favorite spot this trip!
We drove a bit further in, camped between this spot and the next one marked west (appx. 1.5 miles - turn left- road ends w/in 100 yards).
No trash, no fire rings, and very little truck noise.
On the south side of the dirt road going west.
Tried driving to the “lake”, but turned around when we saw what might be a ranch.

May 6th, 2019 by mike

Fantastic. Nature couldn’t make a better campground.

March 9th, 2019 by Wilde Weite Welt

One of many great campsites in the vicinity of Catavina in a wonderland of many different varieties of cacti, big cardon and cirios. In this area we found the biggest cardons. You can easily move away from Mex 1 to avoid the noise from the highway.

February 26th, 2019 by e_mezzabotta

Great camp spot. No hwy noise at all. In the thick of the Cactus Wonderland. Fire pit. There was some wood there already there left from previous adventurers. Highly recommend - beautiful sunset and tranquillity.

February 9th, 2019 by a11lee

By far the coolest desert camping spot I’ve ever been. It really is “cactus wonderland.” We spent two nights here. The road is close so you can hear the occasional truck pass by but most of the time all you hear are birds chirping. The cactus variety here is so beautiful. Got down to 40 degrees at night, but during the day it is beautiful and it reached 70 degrees.

Be careful where you walk, as there are pieces of broken cactus that you can step on. Definitely wear a good shoe if you plan on walking around the campsites. Highly recommend this place!

February 4th, 2019 by gordonburgschmidt

this is an amazing place to pull off the highway if you need a place to stay,and don't want to drive anymore. the rocks are beautiful the cactus are just outstanding and its very similar to the places around it except this one is clean be sure to pack your s*** out! fire pit as well. one of my favorite Desert( none beach) camp spots on this side of Baja. stars were amaZing.

January 29th, 2019 by ti-gus

Stayed one night. Stay 2 if you can.
About 10 different spots along the sandy path, among the giant and photogenic cacti. Far enough from the road. Would stay there again if I decide to come back the same way.

November 4th, 2018 by tjhva

This place was amazing. We got here for sunset and it was wild. But we couldn’t stay. It was full so flying bugs everywhere.

Hope you catch it at another time with no bugs!

October 6th, 2018 by jamosre

Beautiful and mistic place in the middle of huge cactuses. Good to spend the night , safe and quiet

July 1st, 2018 by prettylittletravels

Super nice place, beautiful sunset, huge cacti - if you go in a little deeper it will be less and less rubish!

January 8th, 2018 by skelto

Easy access from MEX1, desert camping at its best. Quiet and peaceful with beautiful sunset.

December 27th, 2017 by catherine.litalien

6 km before getting to Cataviña. Not far from the Hwy 1 super quiet and nice free camp spots by the huge cactus and boulders. There is even free wood for a camp fire !! But watch your steps for cactus especially if you have pets.