We were passing through the Brawley area and wanted to check it out, so needed a place to stay. We chose Wiest Lake County Park as there were not many alternatives. It is about 10 miles outside of Brawley and is convenient. The lake is very small. There was no sign at the entrance to the campground. We found it later on the ground with a lot of graffiti. Almost all of the hook-up sites were taken up by what looked to be very long-term stays. Of the few available sites, some had low branches so that we could not get into the site. There are also low branches along the drive coming into the campground. At times, there were very large dogs running around off leash. Right across from the campground is a large cattle feed lot. Right next to the campground is a pasture with sheep. So, you have a lot of opportunity for not very pleasant fragrances. The electrical voltage was low, but not so low as to trip our EMS, so was OK. We had strong Verizon voice and 4G data. There was no listing of rates and no indication of how to pay. One of the residents told us that we were to pay the man that lived in the house on the premises, but we could never locate him despite knocking on the door of the house. As we were getting ready to leave, a truck with Ranger on the side passed by but seemed to ignore us. We tracked him down and he said that we could pay him. For what you get the rate of $30 per night is very high. We stayed only one night, were ready to depart, and would not stay here again. - TheJim

This is a dirt bikers paradise. I wouldn't suggest camping here in a tent due to the noise and winds but, If you like to play in the sand, this is the place for you. - RVParkConnoisseur

The sites are level dirt/gravel. We had to use back-to-back sites as the sites are small. Manager was helpful in accommodating our need for more space and electric for our big rig. There was an airport and train nearby and lots of flies left over from the Fair. Lots of noise from races at the track, so check the schedule if you don't want the noise and dust. There was trash, including cigarette butts, broken beer bottles, etc. and it could be really messy if it rained. We also noticed a natural gas smell. We will not stay here again. - BigRigTravelerUSA

We stayed here a month and had mixed emotions about a return visit. The park has three sections; a new, 11-site area with full width concrete pads and landscaping, the older and larger section with much the same features except a small patio, and the "tarmac" or overflow area which is a parking lot with full hookups. The recreation room is serviceable, and the laundry was fairly large and inexpensive ($1). The base facilities are spartan; the exchange is very small and stocks mostly convenience items, and the commissary is very small, but adequate. The base is located eight miles from town and there is very little nearby. No cable and few OTA stations in English, but no trees to block the satellites. WiFi was unusable, but Verizon cell/4G was strong. The quality of our stay was affected by aircraft noise. The runway is close by and jets start flying at 0700 each morning and often fly until 10 PM. The pattern takes the aircraft right over the park, and during night ops it's difficult to hear the TV or have a conversation. Approaching the gate, be aware you'll be stopped while a truck gate to the right is opened. - Meanderman

Campsites were roomy and everything was kept neat and clean. Laundry was $1 for washer and $1 for dryer. The rec area had plush chairs, loads of books, 2 Tvs, a pool and a ping pong table, and an outside area with barbecue. The on base theater was free and playing current movies. Recent torrential rains (the likes of which the MWR clerk had not seen in the 17 years he's been here) left things very muddy. The sites had concrete pads, patio, and picnic table. All hookups worked fine (including 50 amp service). Wifi was good and the dog park was acceptable. We would definitely come here again. - Melodycthomas

Stayed here for an overnight rest while traveling to San Diego. Arrived after hours and got a clear back in space. The plus is there is a free RV self wash in covered bay with free power washer use and soap. The temps are high in the summer and we saw 110' in May, before the pool on base was "open for the summer".

This is an active Air Force base so aircraft noise should be expected. The camp appeared only 25% occupied, but the host informed it is the place to be in the winter because of the weather and because it is the winter training area for the Blue Angels to practice for their national air shows. Believe we saw the Thunderbirds practicing during our stay but not certain. This is a military only facility and we did not check out the Px or commissary facilities. - C1775

Quite frankly, the only RV parks we've come across which I've found a reason to complain about the site sizes are in California! This is the 2nd one. By the time we pulled our 40' RV into place, put the slides out, parked the tow vehicle, and hauled out our chairs, we had nowhere to put them! We wound up using the empty site next door to us, but we shouldn't have to! The park itself is nicely maintained and has a golf course attached. Considering the size of the park & the number of winter visitors, I was quite surprised to find there wasn't a fitness room. But there are restaurants, a grocery store, and other shopping all within walking distance of the resort. I found this park to be adequate for a night or 2. I personally could not spend the entire winter there in those narrow little sites. I wouldn't recommend this park for long-term stays, but would suggest it for the very short-term traveler. - Kelly S

Price reflects a weekly stay. Older campsite, city has grown up around it. Spots are quite small if you have slides on both sides of unit. Short timers can park in a gravel parking lot at a cheaper rate; no sewer there, but electric and water are available and these sites are bigger and right beside washrooms and activity hall. Nice little golf course, lots of snowbirds there for the winter, very friendly and welcoming. Wi-Fi accessible at office. Park happy hour on Thursdays with park entertainers who were very talented. We would go back again for a short stay. - ijudgesk8

I stayed in their dry camp area, which also had back-in partial hookup sites. Clean washrooms and showers. Free Wi-Fi, but it only works next to the office. I had to put the rain jacket on and sit there in the night on the bench next to the closed office. Kind of humiliating. Ugly, gravel lot, nothing spectacular, with a garbage bin sitting right in the middle of the lot. Park is close to the street. You can hear the traffic. - Almot

We wanted to check out the Salton Sea and visit the Sony Bono Wildlife Refuge, so we chose Red Hill Marina County Park. There are about five miles of fairly rough dirt/gravel road that you use to navigate to the park. We had been told by a Ranger at Wiest Lake County Park, that there would not be anyone around to collect our money until the next day, but that it was OK to move some barricades and go ahead into the campground. When entering the area there is a sign that indicates "camping" to the left and "RV parking" to the right. It turns out that the hook-up campground is to the right. However, we could not make it all of the way to the campground because of low-hanging branches. We did walk down to take a look and found that it was mainly trashed campers. We then went down to the area marked camping and found some old shelters and picnic tables and a flat place to park. We decided to dry camp for the night. The Salton Sea has receded so much that it is now about 200 yards from the boat ramp. Because the Sea is primarily agricultural runoff, it has a powerful stench that is hard to tolerate when the wind is coming off of the lake. The whole area looks pretty trashed with broken up concrete and rebar. It was quiet at night and fairly dark, except for lights from the nearby geothermal power plants. Satellite was not a problem as there are no trees. We had strong Verizon voice and 4G data. It was convenient for visiting the wildlife refuge and it great for birding, but otherwise it is not a very desirable place to stay. I believe the camping rate for dry camping is supposed to be $15 per night, but we never found anyone to pay. We would not stay here again. - TheJim

Discovered this gem when pulling off I-8 for the night. Friendly staff and tenants. Well spaced lots with full hookups, cable and Wi-Fi. Many snowbirds and all we met were friendly. Beautiful saline pool and hot tub. Many activities with on site director. Clean and well maintained. Gated passcode controlled entrance. We will be back again next year. Recommended. - Pawbear

We have stayed at this park numerous times in the past 4 years and like it. The facilities are top notch, beautiful pool, and very clean restrooms and laundry. However be warned if you have to do your laundry they use a card system. If you need to add money to your card make sure you let the office do it for you. I lost $30 reloading on their card reader and it became my problem entirely. The company that services their machines failed to fix the problem. - jandj

Stayed here for an overnight which its fine for. Lots of long term residents. Nice pool and hot tub which the kids loved. Convenient to I-8. - Crazyrvfamily

Office closes at 4 during the spring and summer. They reserve a row of pull throughs for anyone arriving after 4. Those pull throughs are big rig friendly but will likely require that you unhook your tow vehicle. Our 40 ft plus towed rubicon did not fit. The provided cable tv did not work. We had to dig the cable out of the dirt and it was not functional. If you love your satellite TV, park towards the back of the site to avoid interference with the palm trees lining one side of all the spots in this row. Ambience of this park is better than any in the area. Landscaping and RV spots are well maintained. No picnic tables or fire rings. - Jamul

Off season so park was pretty empty. Nice site, pool under repair. Golf course next door. Lot spacing was spacious with a sunny/open exposure. Site surface was gravel. Restrooms and showers were clean. - russ1102

We have stayed here once before for 2 weeks, and did so again this year because the services and staff are great, and the RVers are very friendly. The sites are separated by OLEANDER bushes and wide enough for privacy. The back of the park sites could use more gravel to build them up a bit from the soil behind them, but most are level. I'll be back again in winter of 2017. - AlexB