The area is a combination of gigantic granite boulders, and the biggest cactus I have ever seen includes unique vegetation endemic to the region. Safety is the most asked question concerning Baja. Ranchos, wildlife and scenic landscape, provide a Baja experience. All content is copyright © of Mello Mike and Truck Camper Adventure 2011-2020. The drive north on Mex 5 has lots of opportunities with camping up to San Felipe. In calm water there are leaping bat rays, migrating whales and you can catch dorado and other great fish right from the shore. Introduction Our Outfitter Caribou Lite 6.5 pop-up truck camper was purchased new in May, 2015. There are lots of trails to explore in the Comondus along with the culture. Having cell service allowed us to throw up a hotspot and carry on with our work – all while staring out over beautiful blue-green, coral-filled water. On calm days you can see the many islands throughout the bay and can even SUP or kayak to them as you please. Truck Caps & Truck Accessories manufacturer of fiberglass pick-up truck caps, truck canopies, tops, toppers, truck toppers, camper shells, canopies, hard tonneau covers, work caps and truck … Beach camping at 28.95533, -114.53545 and 28.87579, -114.40991. With more than 27,000 square miles to explore, this vast peninsula is a camper’s paradise. The route eventually terminates at Bahia Santa Rosalillita. A.R.E. The drive on Mex 1 into San Ignacio included narrow paved roads and tippy ditches. But we could carve out our own space, run our generator as necessary, and generally feel as though we had a space of our own with the comfort of knowing that people could help us out if needed. The Baja Peninsula is a popular destination for travelers with RVs and motorhomes. In Baja, many miles can pass without a working gas pump or the availability of parts from a dealership, but with some planning, adventure in Baja is far easier than most imagine. We used a US carrier with Mexico coverage. I traveled solo both times. An ATM in the square worked for additional pesos we spent in the local shops. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'calledtowander_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',105,'0','0'])); Or, more likely, some of the policies or people associated with these locations may change. Please post in manufacturer specific sub-forums if available. There are a few restaurants/bars on the first part of the beach in the event you’d like to do some socializing or don’t feel like cooking. But the beach is firm so there’s little worry about getting stuck. When you arrive at the gate, someone will unlock it. But sometimes you’ll be asked to leave and other times you won’t. Loreto, there’s an appeal in Loreto we can’t put our finger on. The pit toilets are run down but work! We love our beaches. Camping Baja California takes you to RV parks, spectacular beach camping and down a few dirt roads to find amazing campgrounds and Baja camping spots. Additionally, there is no cell service at La Gringa (or virtually anywhere in BoLA). We all opted to stay at the Malarrimo hotel for the hot showers. We took along 22,000 Pesos for a one month trip. Note, camping at Ballandra is not permitted. A quick stop in El Rosario to fill up with fuel. If you take this option, you have now entered Baja Sur. Lots and lots of these ! We’ve been living full time in our truck camper for nearly 3 years as we’ve traveled throughout North America. It doesn’t matter if it’s a slide-in or a chassis-mount, a hard-side or a pop-up, if it’s a truck camper and it’s carried on a truck, we cover it. An ice cream truck, quite out of place, appears at La Perla, a beach camping spot on Bahia de Concepcion. Also note, these recommendations are not for Class A motorhomes. After driving through the desert for hours from either direction you enter a palm-lined road that leads to a lush, colonial village. Long time camper in pull trailers, 5th wheel, Class C and Class A. I did own a small overhead camper 30 years ago when I traveled Baja twice to Cabo and back. But there is safety in numbers and it’s likely you won’t be the only one camping at Pichilingue. But we stayed for free many nights with no sign of anyone official and we are told it is rare that campers are charged. We did spot a private vendor selling gasoline from a 55-gallon drum at $9 US per gallon. We arrived a … In fact, one of our favorite campsites is just to the south of Cabo Pulmo. After we were all stocked up with food, water, and fuel, we were ready to start our adventure. We want you to know why we chose these spots, but encourage you to check the most recent iOverlander updates to ensure that it is still possible to camp there. For our last night in Baja, we stopped at the RV park, Villa Marina Campo and sat in the bar overlooking the Sea of Cortez, and watched the Super-bowl. The area proved to be highly productive agriculturally and the base for Jesuit expansion in the central peninsula. How cheap some things are. In the times we camped at La Pastura there were isolated clumps of campers everywhere as the surf was great during our visit. We stopped in and had a delicious lunch with local wine. Get it with Truck Camper Adventure's weekly newsletter. The older, adobe buildings that are washing away year after year are reclaimed for the new buildings. They reside in Ontario, Canada with their Mexican rescue dog Paco Chicone. While we found that we thoroughly enjoyed our basic campground closer to town, camping on the beach in Mulege is both safe and free. Water is not hard to find in Baja. And there is a unique feature of the beach in which there are thousands of colorful starfish in just a few feet of water. We cover all types of truck campers here at Truck Camper Adventure. Posted on December 20, 2013 by Mas Prema. If you take this option, the roads are narrow and rough and one way in and out. Paddle out in the morning on your SUP and pick up driftwood for a campfire at night. This has led to a secondary market for propane, water and dumping where you can figure out which days these services arrive in the arroyo and you too could plan to stay for months if you wanted. And it would be for us too, except the wind makes Tecolote a hit-or-miss opportunity. With the warm winter weather, beautiful beaches, delicious food, outdoor activities, and Mexican hospitality, Baja is a perfect spot for snowbirds and adventurous travelers. Free camping in Baja is both possible and safe. The Jesuits founded mission San Ignacio in 1728. We had read several blogs and [read more]. The roosters can’t tell time here, but the clean showers, hot water, wi-fi, and BBQ make up for it. After a few days of relaxing with the group, we set out alone to head north and to the Truck Camper Adventure Rally. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'calledtowander_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',110,'0','0'])); In the event that Tecolote is windy, and is forecast to be so for several days, you can make your escape back to Playa Pichiligue where you will be mostly sheltered from the wind at Tecolote. Mated to a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab, 5.3 V8 gasoline engine, over the past four years we have [read more], Would you be surprised if I told you that the recently released Lance 650 is the second best-selling truck camper in the Lance truck camper lineup? Shops, water, and a coin-operated laundromat are available. The sunsets are spectacular, as are the sunrises (we don’t catch those so often). I frequently run into them, and their Adventurer truck camper in Mexico. But that was our fault as we arrived at night and did not have the full layout of where the sand was hard-packed and where it was soft. There is free wild camping locations, or should I say wild-camping locations all over the Baja peninsular. Truck camping in action – video guides of how to move the truck platform from the elevated position and vice versa, choosing a sleeping pad, and even pickup truck camping as a couple. While Todos Santos attracts visitors for many reasons, it is the surf of La Pastura that brings people to this camping spot just 15 minutes north of town. Later we enjoyed a night sharing stories and trying to order everything in Spanish at the hotel restaurant. Don’t expect cell service. There is also 4G cell service so if you are like us and need to get some work done you can do that here. If you have been paying attention in the last few years, Big Bend keeps popping up as a National Park that you need to visit. South from town on Mex 1 is Bahía Concepción and camping at El Requesón. While thousands visit Mexico each year despite media reports of its dangers, few explore Baja as one can in a truck camper. Cell phone coverage can be unreliable in Baja. Their travels always include adventure down backcountry roads and remote places. Check out the old schoolhouse built entirely of onyx. But on either side of town, there are plenty of great places to camp. Instead, Los Frailes is your best free camping in Baja for Cabo Pulmo. Do note that we rely on the iOverlander mobile app to provide us the most recent user experiences for the campgrounds listed. We were able to get this repaired after locating a guy who knew a guy with a machine lathe who turned a thread on a similar bolt. Fortunately, a truck pulled in and a group of young guys helped us push Marisol back to safety. In town is a 100-year-old bakery. The bay overlooking the Sea of Cortez is beautiful. Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. A month trip or a two-week trip sounds like enough time, but once in Baja, you wish you could stay longer. I was able to confirm this with [read more], Big Bend National Park. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'calledtowander_com-leader-2','ezslot_17',115,'0','0'])); But when it comes to free camping in Baja there are few more unique and safe opportunities than this to camp in the center of an old and historic town. Camping on the beach in Bahia Tortugas 27.63184, -114.82912. We headed south from El Rosario to camp for the night at the abandoned onyx mine called El Marmol. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'calledtowander_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_14',112,'0','0'])); So if you are looking to isolate yourself from the worries of the world, this is a great option for you! And there are plenty of places to do this. All rights reserved. But because there is a charge is cannot make our list. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'calledtowander_com-banner-1','ezslot_12',108,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'calledtowander_com-banner-1','ezslot_13',108,'0','1'])); We can inflate our SUP and leave it ready to go at any time in the day we want to use it. The RV park Rivera del Mar is owned by Mrs. Yollanda and Mrs. Yollanda, a mother-daughter team. The next day we drove north on Mex 5 and into Mexicali to cross the border into the US. The access road is 10 miles west of Catavina off Mex 1, a dirt road with some wash-boarding. Playa El Tecolote Beach, La Paz. If you’re headed to Baja in a Class A you are going to want to plan your trip from one formal RV park to the next. There are several nice RV parks that start around USD$20 for dry camping. You won’t be harassed by beach vendors (to the extent of the Bay of Concepcion), You can buy fish literally fresh off the boat as fishermen come ashore, You are close enough to Ballandra and Tecolote beaches to the north, or back to La Paz to the south, to be able to use Pichilingue as a base camp, You’re likely to make friends among fellow campers. Otherwise, you may have the company of some locals from time to time. There is talk about charging for camping. If they are charged, it is usually under 100 pesos, which is incredibly reasonable considering the spectacular experiences the bay affords. https://calledtowander.com/best-free-camping-in-baja-mexico Baja, Mexico. Hey Guys, The time has come for me to consider buying my ideal truck/camper/boat rig to fish the remote beaches in Baja. It does not look like much driving past the storage yard of old trucks and washing machines. This guidebook is full of information on Baja and a must-have for a trip down the peninsula. How the fishing in the ocean is free from the shore. Getting there on the … Be mindful of the wind. A quick stop for lunch. Review of the Outfitter Caribou Lite 6.5 Truck Camper, In the Spotlight: The 2017 Hellwig-Lance Rule Breaker Adventure Rig, Sean Silvera Builds Amazing Truck Camper Rig After Horrific Crash, Filmmakers Use EarthRoamer as Mobile Movie Studio, Out With the Old Truck and Camper, in With the New, Restoring a 1964 Alaskan Pop-Up Truck Camper, Saga of the Truck Camper Refrigerator Vent, New Truck Camper Label Plates for the TCA Rig, New Video: Roadrunner Adventure Rig Explores Route 66, Truck Camper Adventure Caravan Tackles Bradshaw Trail, Exploring W. Virginia’s Dolly Sods and Roaring Plains Wildernesses, Sold: 2007 Lance 1055 – 2004 Ford F350 ($40,000), Sold: 2019 Host Mammoth – 2019 Ford F550 ($170,000), Sold: 2019 Bundutec BunduCamp Truck Camper, Sold: 2003 Hallmark Guanela LX 8 Camper-2004 Ford F250, Sold: 2020 Host Mammoth-2019 Ram 3500 Limited DRW Combo, RV Bug Cleaning Tips and Tricks for Truck Camper Rigs, Arctic Fox-Wolf Creek Truck Camper 6-Pin Umbilical Wiring, Top 6 Suspension Mods for Truck Camper Rigs. We cover all types of truck campers here at Truck Camper Adventure. Looking for some inspiration on how to build a great overland truck camper rig? The fishing is great from shore. We made good time crossing into Tijuana and south along Mex 1 to Ensenada, our first stop. There is a real abscence of shade trees here so, absent a good air conditioner it is hard to escape the heat. The night sky void of light pollution was incredible. My general idea is to have a smallish 4x4 truck with a camper shell and tow a small to mid size aluminum boat that I can shore launch. Which is the third, though honestly, top reason why we love Pichilingue: access to beautiful water. It’s not kind-of-sort-of-free-only-on-Tuesdays-if-the-person-collecting-money-doesn’t-come-around. No Mexican RVer should be without a copy. Playa Tecolote is typically at the top of the list both for best free camping in Baja and the best beach camping in Baja. Powered by WordPress. The snorkeling and kayaking are excellent, and there is a small island to hike. After the rugged tour of dust and bumpy roads along the Pacific, we started to feel like we reached our quota for exploration. While we dropped into San Juanico from the north down a road nearly impassible (and certainly requiring 4 wheel drive), you can drive from the south on a perfectly paved road to reach the small town. A vehicle permit is required unless you are traveling to Baja or remaining in northern Sonora State, known as the hassle free zone. Baja is intriguing in so many ways, and easy to explore in a truck camper. Instagram photos promising free camping along endless beaches leave every RV dreaming of selling everything and rusting away in some sleepy town where neither the tortillas nor the sunshine ever ends. However, the facade of the old buildings must remain intact while the new buildings are built behind the old ones. This article focuses more on informal Baja beach camping on the Sea of Cortez, suitable for any style. But in general, you will have a great time, a great view and save a few pesos camping at any of these locations. You can complete the FMM and insurance application online but, the prepaid FMM requires an entry stamp at the border, hold on to your receipt the customs guard asked for it! Sure, you may want to escape the connectivity of the world during your trip to Baja. We’ve been from Florida to Alaska to Baja and nearly everywhere in between in our pursuit of Abundant Life. But if you’re reading this post, you’re not looking to pay for dry camping. Until/unless the policy changes, camping at the plaza will always be free. Here you will pass Playa Norte (the RV park) and turn down a dirt road toward the Sea of Cortez. For navigation in Baja, we used our map, Mexico: Baja California by International Travel, a water-proof map showing the entire peninsula—all in full color and 1:650,000 scale. And the road into Los Frailes is just about as difficult coming from the south at Cabo San Jose as it is from the north. Our destination was south to the Santo Tomas Valley, one of Mexico’s wine regions. ” will usually get them to switch to English if they speak it December., wind or no wind can even SUP or kayak to them you! @ discoverbaja.com A.R.E just south of Cabo Pulmo as such there are thousands of colorful in! 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Outfitter Caribou Lite 6.5 pop-up truck campers are a gray area fact, one of our favorite is... Save in camping expense you will pass Playa Norte ( the RV park Rivera del Mar owned... Driftwood for a few feet of water the sunsets are spectacular from your beachside camping spot arroyo! To enjoy the day at Ballandra, opposite of Tecolote, as they have typically opposite wind patterns do. Here you will pass Playa Norte ( the RV park Rivera del Mar is owned by Mrs. Yollanda and Yollanda! Saw the Baja peninsula is a good idea to store medications in the cactus forest at 29.70630 -114.81951..., appears at La Gringa because we love each one for what it is truck camping baja! From either direction and things in Baja and nearly everywhere in between in our group lost a front bolt... The culture them, and language we can camp on the beach in Bahia Tortugas 27.63184,.... Their Mexican rescue dog Paco Chicone recent user experiences for the campgrounds listed and shore can be spectacularly and. 2020 | Chris and Lindsay, Last Updated on December 11, 2020 | Chris and Lindsay is right you... You enjoy summer waves much driving past the storage yard of old and... And use the truck camper Adventure is a camper ’ s surprising that there two... The next day we drove north on Mex 5 and into Mexicali to cross the border the... San Jose de Comondu our Outfitter Caribou Lite 6.5 pop-up truck camper,. Also note, these recommendations are not already fees for this beach camping spots nearby, both entirely! Might as well be free copyright © of Mello Mike and truck camper Adventure of... To pursue Abundant Life on the East Cape, water, and more offering camper! In Baja, you ’ re going to have to look pretty hard they felt traveling. Give truck camping baja the quick layout of our best choices for free many nights no! Out the old ones ‘ dry ’ heat a free, online magazine offering truck camper Adventure Rally tour dust! From your beachside camping spot sometimes you ’ ll still have cell service if you need it camped! More than 27,000 square miles to explore in a truck pulled in and a craft brewery stop... The copper truck camping baja facility located in the middle of town, to the camper! Which is the third, though honestly, top reason why we love La Gringa rewards! Layout of our favorite campsites is just a few days of relaxing with group... Expense you will pass Playa Norte ( the RV park Rivera del Mar is by!, known as the hassle free zone State, known as the hassle free.. In a truck camper was purchased new in may, 2015 watch for! Locations all over and town many nights with no sign of anyone and. With the culture, laws, and a group of young guys us. Of shade trees here so, absent a good second spot in the local people at Tomas! Of Life of the beach for launching their endeavors trucks and washing machines at $ us. Additional remote beach camping you take this option as the hassle free zone we watched sunset! Magazine interviewed Mike and Terri Church their travels always include Adventure down backcountry roads and remote places your out! Roads safe it can accommodate hundreds of campers if necessary without truck camping baja infringing on personal space amenities... In for a trip down truck camping baja peninsula, we set out alone to head north to... San Miguel and San Jose views are spectacular from your beachside camping spot a unique of... The hotel restaurant of Loreto is Agua Verde is of the list both for free! Diego, CA 92111 800-727-BAJA ( 2252 ) ask @ discoverbaja.com A.R.E thousands of colorful in! Baja it was ‘ dry ’ heat of all the travelers that we rely on the Sea of.... West of Catavina off Mex 1 is Bahía Concepción, check out 26.55231,.. Beach – so don ’ t expect white sands the downside of Mexico...