The 3,500 acre Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area was created in 1983 to meet the needs of winter visitors and to protect the local desert ecosystem from over-use.
Located North of Yuma on the California side of the Colorado River, the RV campground's flat landscape is sparsely vegetated with Creosote bushes, Palo Verde, Ironwood, and Mesquite trees, and various cacti.
Visitors will enjoy the unique desert scenery and recreational opportunities such as cultural sites, rockhounding, wildlife watching, hiking, fishing, boating, and swimming.
Facilities at LTVA include grey- and black-water dump sites (one with water), two restroom facilities with outdoor showers, trash removal, ramadas, dance floor, and a music performance area. Restrooms are handicap accessible.
A long term use permit is required each season (September 15-April 15), which is valid for seven months; a lower-cost short term permit is available for one to four week stays. Long term permit also allows access to day use sites at Senator Wash and Squaw Lake. Permits may be purchased on-site.