FREE BLM Camping near Yuma, AZ – Mittry Lake, Kool Corner, Fortuna Pond

Updated for 2024

A detailed guide to FREE BLM camping north of Yuma, Arizona at Mittry Lake Wildlife Area, Kool Corner, and Fortuna Pond (also known as Fortuna Lake).

As shown on the map below, these areas are between Yuma and Imperial Dam just west of I-95.

Location

Mittry Lake – About 30 minutes north of Yuma when traveling along I-95. When driving south from the north, look for the Imperial Dam turn. After a short distance, turn left at the Mittry Lake signpost. It is a bumpy dirt road down to the lake.

When driving from Yuma, there is an easier way. From Yuma, take I-95 north then turn left on Laguna Road (two gas stations at the corner). Stay on Laguna Road past Kool Corner to Mittry Lake.

Kool Corner – From Yuma, take I-95 north then turn left on Laguna Road (two gas stations at the corner). Stay on Laguna Road past Kool Corner, then immediately turn right and cross a narrow canal.

Fortuna Pond – Please study my map below. From I-95, take Ave 12E north to the Lake. It is a good dirt road. You can also reach it from Laguna Rd to the west.

Area GPS Map

I highly recommend the Avenza Maps App!

Unfortunately, there is no feasible map for this area. Just use my Google Map below.

On the map below, click on the square in the top-right corner for a full-screen view.

Mittry Lake, Kool Corner, or Fortuna Pond Camping?

If you want lakeside dispersed camping then Mittry Lake is the most popular choice but there are only a dozen or so lakefront sites. Fortuna Pond (a much smaller lake) has many more lakefront sites but far less privacy. It is a lakefront parking lot with RVs parked nose-to-tail.

I recommend Kool Corner only for a quick overnight because it is dry, barren, and unattractive – unless your vehicle can handle the climb to the top of the hill from where the views are good. Some folks park at Kool Corner while waiting for sites to open at Mittry Lake nearby.

Kool Corner

Named after an old grocery store at a sharp turn in the road just south of the camping area,

Kool Corner is a viable free BLM option while waiting for spaces to open in other areas such as Mittry Lake.

It is a small space with 3 areas to camp – the main camp area at the bottom of the hill, a quarry area, and the hilltop area.

The hilltop area is best but only if your vehicle can handle the hill and loose gravel. It gets windy there but you have great views of the farmlands below.

I cannot imagine camping at Kool Corner for 2 weeks but some folks may like the proximity to Mittry Lake.

14-day stay and no amenities. It is 8 miles to the gas station and a water kiosk. There is a toilet at Mittry Lake nearby.

Verizon’s service is spotty.

Fortuna Pond

A small and crowded lake with RVs parked nose-to-tail.

The lake is oval-shaped and you camp between the lake and the lake road – it is dusty and rather loud with traffic and generators and general camping noise.

There are some sites away from the lake in the brush and vegetation but be aware the soil is very sandy. Do not get stuck.

While camping around the lake is fine, the BLM area surrounding the lake is less appealing. It is trashy and dusty. I cannot recommend camping far away from the lake itself.

14-day stay and no amenities other than a Porta-John and dumpster. It is 5.5 miles to the gas station and a water kiosk.

Verizon’s service is good.

Mittry Lake Wildlife Area

One of the most talked-about free BLM camping areas near Yuma.

It is very scenic and the water views are a welcome sight after camping at Quartzsite or elsewhere in the desert.

The greater Mittry Lake area is quite large and there are many sites for camping, but if you want lakefront camping you are in for some competition! With only a dozen or so lakefront sites, you need luck and great timing to secure a spot next to the lake.

To make matters worse, many sites are large enough to accommodate several RVs. You may pull into a beautiful, private site only to find someone right next to you when you return from your afternoon walk!

For easier navigation, consider there are 5 camping areas surrounding Mittry Lake. And to make it easier to understand the layout, there are camping south of the picnic/boat launch, and camping north of the picnic area.

In the south are the Formal Camping area, lakefront sites, and hilltop sites. To the north are roadside sites and the Maize.

Formal camping area – In the middle of it all and near the toilet, is an open area for camping. It is crowded with no privacy but easy in and out if you have a large rig. Situated across the road from the lake, most sites have water views.

Lakefront sites – A dozen or so sites with direct lake access and views. These are in high demand but some are better than others! Most are not private – meaning they are large enough to accommodate more than one RV. Be prepared to share.

Hilltop sites – Many sites scattered along the hills – some with lake views – but the roads up there can be challenging so please be careful. Most sites are large and not private. Some sites may not have lake views but they are alongside canals so you get water views after all!

The Maize – If lake views are not important to you, then you will find seclusion somewhere in the Maize! The entrance road is a little steep but then it is easy to find a spot. Be careful, however, and do not get lost in there! There are sandy spots so getting stuck is another (minor) concern.

Roadside pullouts – If you have a larger rig then pulling over may work for you if you can handle the dust and noisy traffic. Some pullouts have lake views.

10-day stay limit PER CALENDAR YEAR with a toilet and dumpster. It is 10 miles to the gas station and a water kiosk.

Verizon’s service is spotty.

Official website.

Other Dispersed Camping

There is some dispersed (free) BLM camping near Fortuna Pond just north of the VFW Campground along I-95 (west side of the road).

I’ve not camped there but it looks like a good spot for a night.

Other BLM Camping options near Yuma