Western Trails Wilderness Camping

5.0•199 ratings

Laguna Niguel, CA, US

204 members · Public group

What we’re about

Got Clearance? And a 4x4 rig? Then pack your gear and roll with us. WT takes manageable trails to unimaginable and remote destinations, usually over multiple days, while camping together along the way. Discover the hidden beauty of the Southwest, from the Mojave and Sonoran deserts to the red rocks of Utah, to the Eastern Sierra and Death Valley. It’s all open to us.

We take our time on the trail, eat really well while we’re there, plan to camp comfy and warm, and always enjoy each other’s company.

We’re not about breaking your rig apart, or about shaming you because you may have a long wheelbase, or because you don’t roll massive tires. While things do break on the trail, on occasion, our goal is always to return home safely, with our rigs intact, and to be blown away by our trail experience together.

Sound like something that you’d be interested in? Then come out and join us, and see where the trail ends. Our next adventure will be heading out soon!

On the Rocks! - Mark

Upcoming events

See all

Sat, Nov 8 · 12:00 PST
Anza-Borrego: Canyons & Caves Run
Location not specified yet
Just completed a pre‑run of the route, and everything is shaping up for another incredible trip! The recent recon allowed us to verify trail conditions, tweak our schedule, and add a few enhancements to the itinerary. I've made some update below.

Overview:
Gear up for an unforgettable adventure through Anza-Borrego! We’ll carve our way through twisting sandstone canyons, crawl into hidden mud caves beneath the desert floor, and stand at overlooks so dramatic they feel like you’ve landed on another planet.
Our journey kicks off heading towards Canyon Sin Nombre, where rugged canyon walls guide us into the legendary Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves — a maze of underground passages waiting to be explored. From there, we’ll squeeze through the tight turns of Sandstone Canyon, if we have time, marvel at the towering, cathedral-like spires of the Mud Palisades. But the adventure doesn’t stop there. We’ll make our way through the narrow sandstone corridors then climb to the top of Font’s Point, where the Borrego Badlands erupt in a kaleidoscope of color. To cap it all off, we’ll push deeper into the badlands and finally discover the surreal, larger-than-life, Galleta Meadows Sculptures scattered across the desert floor as we end our journey.
This isn’t just a drive — it’s a true desert odyssey. A blend of off-roading, exploration, and jaw-dropping scenery that will leave you in awe at every turn.

General Information:

Official Trip Dates: Saturday, November 8th to Monday, November 10th.

Friday Night Camp: Anyone who wants to head up early is more than welcome - the more, the merrier! We'll set up camp just past the official Blair Valley Campground — not inside it, but a bit beyond for a more secluded spot. Look for the turnoff into Blair Valley at GPS 33.03727, -116.41055. I’m planning to get to camp around 5:00 pm, maybe earlier. If you plan on getting there early, there is lots to see around there - Pictographs, Petroglyphs, and numerous archeological sites, some are marked and easy to get to.

Friday Night Campsite: 33.03183, -116.40931

Friday Night Camp (Alternate Spot): 33.03399, -116.39816

Rally Point and Time:
- https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=9.1/-116.1725/33.0148&pubLink=2tCI2GVQQPb9rubbJdDHXjNb&folderId=e0b69f18-1d2e-4c93-9532-c5131b340694
- OnXOffroad GPX Maps:
- https://webmap.onxmaps.com/offroad/share/content?share_id=01K8H193QNXDJQAN16TJS8BC8B
- Total Miles: approximately 120 miles
Campfires: Allowed in metal containers or designated park fire rings. Bring a bundle or two for a campfire. I'm bringing my Fireside Fire Pit.

Trails and Rating:
Easy: (WT-1) Dirt and rocky roads dotted with small obstacles like rocks, dips, and ruts. Sandy areas with mild off camber.
- Canyon Sin Nombre
- Vallecito Creek Road
- Arroyo Tapiado
- Arroyo Seco Del Diablo
- Sandstone Canyon
- Olla Wash - Anza Borrego
- Fish Creek Trail
- Palo Verde Wash
- Short Wash
- Font's Point
- San Felipe Wash
- The Slot
Moderate: (WT-2) Expect terrain that’ll challenge your tires and test your ground clearance. Dirt and rocky roads with obstacles under 10 inches—think rocks, ruts, and dips. Trails may get steep with off camber section.
- Inspiration Wash
- Badland Trail
- Diablo Drop-Off
Day-by-Day Details:

Day 1 (Saturday, Nov 8) Rally Point to Mud Caves
Rally and Departure:
· 12:00 pm – Rally Point: Meet at the Chevron station (1071 Imperial Hwy, Ocotillo). Make final fuel stops and provisions. Aired down and ready to roll.
· Depart the rally point for an easy drive through the wind farm. These giant turbines provide a photogenic start to our journey.
· Dos Cabezas Water Tower: A quick stop at the abandoned railroad water tower to photograph this relic of the area’s railway history.
Afternoon: Historic Sites, Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves & Canyon Sin Nombre
· Canyon Sin Nombre: After Dos Cabezas Water Tower will head toward a short pavement drive into this sandy canyon. The canyon winds through layers of sandstone and granite; fossils in the canyon walls are over 100 million years old.
· Hollywood & Vine Sign: A quirky detour for group photos.
· Mud Caves Exploration: Arroyo Tapiado Wash to reach the extensive mud cave system. More than twenty caves and nine slot canyons have formed along this wash. Some caves are nearly 1,000 ft long with ceilings up to 80 ft. Bring headlamps or flashlights if you want to explore the cave.
Evening: Camp & Potluck
· Camp: A short drive north of the mud caves brings us to a flat area and our campsite.
- Saturday Night Campsite: 32.94844, -116.21593
· Potluck Dinner: Since some of our crew are departing Sunday afternoon, our epic potluck will take place Saturday night. If you have tables, please bring them for the potluck.

Day 2 (Sunday, Nov 9): Mud Palisades, Sandstone Canyon, Fish Creek Trail
Morning: Diablo Drop Off
· Tapiado‑Diablo Cut Across: We follow Arroyo Seco del Diablo, a twisting sandstone canyon within a sandy wash. Trail conditions change with weather, so expect minor wall collapses and ruts.
· Diablo Drop Off: A sign marks the turn toward Diablo Drop Off. This descent consists of two steep, sandy slopes; use low gear and maintain spacing. One is a bit more challenging than the other, but a slow, steady pace will get you though it with ease.
Afternoon: Sandstone Canyon
1. Sandstone Canyon: We enter Fish Creek Wash and soon turn into Sandstone Canyon. This bronzed‑walled canyon is carved from ancient sandstone; the area features mollusk beds from a prehistoric river and wind caves created by wind and water erosion. The trail is narrow in places, so full‑size rigs must navigate carefully.
· Mud Palisades Detour: Time permitting, we take a short detour up Olla Wash to see the Mud Palisades. These mudstone cliffs erode into delicate, cathedral-like formations. A maze of short corridors and slot canyons invites exploration.
· Return to Fish Creek: After the detour, we continue north through Fish Creek Wash. At the end of Fish Creek Wash we’ll make a quick stop for anyone that wants to use the pit toilets at Fish Creek Primitive Camp.
· After the pit stop, we’ll head up north, exiting the southern part of Anza Borrego and head toward Hwy 78 and our campsite.
Evening: Camp Near Fish Creek
· Primitive Camp: We will camp near Hawk Canyon just north of Hwy 78. Camp is in a narrow wash and there are plenty of flat sandy areas to camp.

Day 3 (Monday, Nov 10): Fonts Point, Badlands, Galleta Meadows Sculptures
Morning: Break Camp & Vista Del Malpais
· Drive to Vista Del Malpais: We follow Fish Creek Wash north toward Vista Del Malpais for a quick viewpoint of the surrounding badlands.
Afternoon: Font’s Point
· Font’s Point Overlook: A short hike from the parking area brings us to the top of Font’s Point. This overlook offers sweeping views across the Borrego Badlands and valleys. Layers of conglomerate sandstone and mudstone record millions of years of geologic history. On clear days you can see the Vallecito Mountains, Borrego Valley and the Peninsular Range.
· Inscription Point & Badlands Loop: After Font’s Point we return to Hwy S22 and head east, then turn back onto dirt toward Inscription Point. This loop through the badlands features three obstacles:
1. Rutted Hill: A short, rutted climb requiring careful throttle control and wheel placement. Nothing our group can’t handle.
2. Boulder Bypass: A large boulder blocks the old trail; a tight bypass on the right avoids it.
3. Sharp Turn: A narrow, sharp right turn that can challenge long wheelbases. Spotters will be needed for some vehicles; once we have passed these challenges, we enjoy an easy cruise through sandy washes flanked by dunes.
  · Sand Dunes: We’ll take a short drive through some of the dunes. Follow the rig in front at a steady pace.
  · Borrego Sink: The trail emerges near Borrego Sink, where the desert floor drops into a shallow basin.
  End of Trip: Geleta Meadows:
  · Galleta Meadows Sculpture Garden: A short drive brings us to Borrego Springs and the open fields of Galleta Meadows. Over 130 life‑size metal sculptures are scattered along dirt roads north and south of Christmas Circle. Created by artist Ricardo Breceda for philanthropist Dennis Avery, the collection includes prehistoric animals, camels, horses and a 350‑foot serpent whose head and tail rise from the sand. We’ll roam among the sculptures and take photos to conclude the trip.
  · Official End: The group will formally disperse here. Anyone who prefers to skip the afternoon obstacles (badlands trail) can go directly from Font’s Point to Borrego Springs and meet us at Galleta Meadows or head home early.
28 attendees