The Painted Gorge, located in the Coyote Mountains of the Southern California Desert, consists of metamorphic, sedimentary and ingenious rocks colored by the weathering of rocks containing copper, sulfur and iron deposits. Reds, purples, oranges and mauves mixed with coffee tones and blacks create a rainbow of color as the sun illuminates and casts shadows across this geologic gem. The upper end of the gorge contains ancient marine coral reefs with fossilized marine life deposited during the Great Flood. The best time to explore the area is fall through spring when temperatures are mild and lower sun angles offer the best light for photography. The vehicle access gate at the entrance to Painted Gorge is locked January 1st through June 30th for bighorn mountain sheep lambing season. Foot access is allowed year around. The area is maintained by the BLM and boondocking is allowed. Primitive camping and staging for OHV (Off highway vehicle) day use can be found east of the gorge entrance at N32 48.873 W115 58.395 The junction of Painted Gorge Road and Route S80 is located at: N32 45.757 W 115 55.891
BLM instructions to Painted Canyon are as follows: To access Painted Gorge, proceed approximately 22 miles west of El Centro on County Route S80; turn north on Painted Gorge Road. The road eventually becomes BLM Route EC236. From Ocotillo proceed east on County Route S80, turn north on Painted Gorge Road.
Boondocking on the Creator’s palette, just another colorful adventure in RVing!
Boondocking at the Entrance of Painted Gorge
Colors
The “Road” up the Gorge
Exploring the Gorge via ATV
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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