Getting Oriented
The Bradshaw Trail runs east-west across Riverside County, just south of Interstate 10 between the Coachella Valley and Blythe. The western end ties into roads coming off the Salton Sea and Mecca Hills; the eastern end intersects Wiley's Well Road, which then runs nine miles north to I-10 at the Wiley's Well exit. The Bureau of Land Management's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office administers the byway, and Riverside County's transportation department handles grading.
Trail Overview
Seventy miles of graded dirt, point-to-point. County crews work the surface periodically, but rain reshapes it between visits. Soft sand pockets in the central stretch are the practical reason for the 4WD recommendation; otherwise, a high-clearance 2WD can manage most of the route in dry conditions. There are no technical obstacles, no rock crawling, no fords. Most drivers run the full byway in a single day if they stage from one of the eastern campgrounds and start at sunrise. Faster groups cut it down further; photographers stretch it across two.
Points of Interest
- Wiley's Well Campground. BLM Long-Term Visitor Area campground at the eastern end. Vault toilets, no water.
- Coon Hollow Campground. Adjacent BLM LTVA campground a few miles south of Wiley's Well.
- Chuckwalla Bench. A broad, sloping plain on the byway's south side, visible for most of the central stretch. Designated bighorn sheep habitat.
- Orocopia Mountains Wilderness. The western end runs along the southern edge of the wilderness boundary; foot access only beyond the road.
- Ehrenberg, Arizona. Across the Colorado River from the eastern terminus, the small town occupies the spot where 1860s and 1870s stage traffic continued to the La Paz gold fields.
Where to Camp
Wiley's Well and Coon Hollow Campgrounds anchor the eastern end. Both are part of BLM's California Desert Long-Term Visitor Area program; nightly stays run $40, the season pass runs $180 and covers all California desert LTVAs from mid-September through mid-April. Dispersed camping is permitted on BLM land along the byway with the standard 14-day stay limit. The western end has fewer formal options; closest developed sites are at Salton Sea State Recreation Area on the lake's east shore.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- The byway parallels the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range to the south. Stay on the marked trail. Unexploded ordnance is a documented hazard if you stray off-road south of the byway.
- Carry traction boards and air down on the soft sections. Aired-up street pressures get stuck in minutes.
- The desert tops 110°F May through September. Plan a cool-season visit.
- No water on the route. Carry a gallon per person per day, more if it's warm.
- The Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office (760-833-7100) handles current closures and conditions. The agency's Bradshaw Trail page lists recent updates.
- Cell service drops out east of Mecca and stays gone until you climb back to I-10 near Blythe.
