| Ocotillo Wells is known in the OHV community as one | | | | 3. Barrel Springs |
| of the best places to go out and ride. There are | | | | Barrel springs is a beautiful oasis for wildlife in the |
| more than 80,000 acres of beautiful open desert. | | | | area. The springs come up from the ground especially |
| They allow camping and day use at no charge; you | | | | after is rains. Part of this area is a cultural reserve |
| are able to camp for free for up to 30 days. They | | | | because they have found that several Native |
| have vault toilets, tables and fire rings. There are also | | | | American groups have used the area. |
| some spots that have shaded sitting areas. | | | | This is a very neat place to visit and see what it |
| There is no running water throughout the park. Here | | | | would have been like for the early settlers. |
| is a list of some of the best places to check out | | | | 4. Shell Reef |
| while staying at Ocotillo Wells. | | | | Shell Reef is one of the most amazing sites here. If |
| 1. Blow Sand Hill | | | | you park beneath the reef you will see fragments of |
| Blow sand hill is a huge sand dune. The high wind | | | | fossilized oyster shells and even pieces of reef! |
| blows sand for miles before it finally ends at the | | | | The reef is estimated to be around 4 million years |
| huge dune. This is one of the most popular spots to | | | | old. It was pushed out of the ocean when the land |
| visit. | | | | was moving and creating the mountain ranges. |
| You will see people riding up and down the dune all | | | | 5. Gas Domes |
| day. You might even see night riding on the dune as | | | | These very mysterious mud pots are located just |
| people pull their cars up and illuminate the hill with | | | | out of the park. They are cold to the touch. You can |
| their headlights. | | | | see the gas bubble out of the mud almost like a |
| 2. Devils slide | | | | volcano. |
| Devils slide is a 200 foot granite and sand island. It's | | | | 6. Pumpkin Patch |
| promptly named for how challenging it is to climb. | | | | The pumpkin patch isn't actually a pumpkin patch. |
| Devils slide is actually an ancient decomposing | | | | This is probably one of the most serine scenes in the |
| mountain top. The whole rock is covered in a dark | | | | park. They are created by wind and water that is |
| varnish due to constant sun exposure. | | | | continually eroding the surface soil. |
| All throughout the mountain are old hidden mine | | | | It is believed that they are formed by natural |
| shafts. These shafts are said to be haunted and | | | | cementing of sand particles to a small object like a |
| people have reported seeing flickering lights and | | | | piece of shell or an insect. They are also known as |
| sounds at night. | | | | desert pearls. |