Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area
Winterhaven, California · on Senator Wash Reservoir · Yuma Field Office
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $180
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area
The Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area is a BLM-managed desert recreation area on Senator Wash Reservoir, just north of Yuma, Arizona on the California side of the Colorado River near Winterhaven. The reservoir works as a desert swimming hole and a genuine lake to swim in: BLM's own recreation pages for the North Shore and South Shore sites explicitly list swimming, along with boating and fishing, among the activities available at the gravel-beach access points.
The area sits within a roughly 3,500-acre flat, sparsely vegetated desert LTVA in Imperial County, California, just across the Colorado River from Yuma, Arizona. Senator Wash Reservoir's developed shore sites (South Shore ~50 acres, North Shore ~60 acres) are flat, open areas with large gravel beaches providing direct access to the water.
Swimming at Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area
BLM describes gravel beaches at both the North Shore and South Shore recreation sites giving direct access to the reservoir, with swimming and boating (including personal watercraft and shore-launched small watercraft) listed as primary activities. No official description of water depth, clarity, or bottom conditions was found.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Interstate 8, exit at Yuma and follow Imperial County Road S-24 north approximately 22 miles to Senator Wash Road; turn onto Senator Wash Road and continue about 2-3 miles to reach the Senator Wash campgrounds and shore recreation sites (BLM lists ~2 miles to the LTVA campgrounds and ~3 miles to the South Mesa/South Shore area).
Parking: Drive-up gravel beach and campground access at both North Shore and South Shore sites; no separate trailhead parking lot described, vehicles park on the gravel beach/camping areas.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up access: vehicles reach the gravel beach directly at Senator Wash North Shore, South Shore, or the Boat Ramp Day Use Area, so no hike is needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Gravel-beach walk-in entry with no steep drop-offs described, but the reservoir is shared with motorboats, personal watercraft (jet skis), and water-skiers, and BLM's own page for the Boat Ramp Day Use Area states there are no lifeguards at the swimming area, so adult supervision around boat traffic is warranted.
Parking
Paid, $10 day-use / $15 overnight (Apr 16-Sep 14) or $75 annual pass at Senator Wash sites; LTVA season (Sep 15-Apr 15) uses $40 short-visit or $180 long-term permits
No dedicated trailhead-style parking lot; vehicles park directly on the gravel beach/camping areas at North Shore and South Shore, or at the separate Boat Ramp Day Use Area.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets, outdoor showers, and drinking water at Senator Wash South Shore (restrooms noted as accessible); vault toilets at Senator Wash North Shore (accessible access described as difficult); additional restroom/shower facilities and dump stations at the broader Imperial Dam LTVA.
Hours
Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area is posted 6 a.m.-10 p.m. day use only; no separate public hours are posted for the North Shore/South Shore shore-camping and swim sites, which are managed under the LTVA/day-use fee and stay-limit system instead.
On the water
BLM's Senator Wash North Shore and South Shore pages list kayaking/boating and personal watercraft among permitted activities, with small watercraft launched directly from the gravel shore. The separate Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area (6 a.m.-10 p.m.) has a boat ramp and explicitly permits water-skiing and personal watercraft. No wake-limit, no-wake-zone, or electric-only restriction was found in any official source.
Rentals nearby
Kayak and paddleboard rentals with free delivery/pickup in the greater Yuma area
Prices: Reported: kayak session ~$20 (45-50 min), paddleboard session ~$25 (~1 hr); a separate listing under the prior business name showed 2 hr $20 / 6 hr $35 / full day $50
Yuma, AZ 85364 (Yuma proper, roughly 20-25 miles south of Senator Wash Reservoir); delivery-based, no fixed shop at the reservoir · Reported as open daily 6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. under the prior business name (Leto's); not independently confirmed for the current name
Personal watercraft (jet ski) rentals by the hour or 24-hour period at Martinez Lake, near Imperial Dam/Senator Wash
Prices: Rentals reported starting around $300
Based at 2972 S Kyla Ave A, Yuma, AZ; serves Martinez Lake, a few miles from Senator Wash Reservoir. Minimum renter age 18; life jackets/helmets included; delivery available by arrangement.
Boat rentals, including a 25-ft 90HP pontoon, on half-day (4 hr) and full-day (9 hr) options
Martinez Lake, AZ, a few miles from Senator Wash Reservoir/Imperial Dam
What regulars say
Visitor reports (r/yuma thread on open-water swimming) mention that campers can pitch close to the water at Senator Wash, and one user specifically planned to scout Senator Wash because it 'looks like it would support longer open water swims.' No candid comments on water clarity or crowd levels at this specific spot were found; a separate mention referenced a road closure near Senator Wash Rd tied to the adjacent Yuma Proving Ground, which could occasionally affect access via that route.
Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area: FAQ
Does Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area charge a fee?
LTVA long-term permit $180 (Sept 15-Apr 15, valid across BLM LTVAs); short-visit permit $40 (any 14 consecutive days in season); off-season (Apr 16-Sept 14) $15 per night or $75 annual pass; Senator Wash North/South Shore sites separately list day-use $10, overnight $15, annual pass $75.
Is Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area kid friendly?
Gravel-beach walk-in entry with no steep drop-offs described, but the reservoir is shared with motorboats, personal watercraft (jet skis), and water-skiers, and BLM's own page for the Boat Ramp Day Use Area states there are no lifeguards at the swimming area, so adult supervision around boat traffic is warranted.
Do I need to hike to reach Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area?
No dedicated trailhead-style parking lot; vehicles park directly on the gravel beach/camping areas at North Shore and South Shore, or at the separate Boat Ramp Day Use Area.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area?
BLM's Senator Wash North Shore and South Shore pages list kayaking/boating and personal watercraft among permitted activities, with small watercraft launched directly from the gravel shore. The separate Senator Wash Boat Ramp Day Use Area (6 a.m.-10 p.m.) has a boat ramp and explicitly permits water-skiing and personal watercraft. No wake-limit, no-wake-zone, or electric-only restriction was found in any official source.
When is the best time to visit Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area?
The LTVA is primarily a winter/snowbird destination, with the long-term permit season running September 15 through April 15; official pages do not state a recommended swim season, but the low desert location implies extreme summer heat.
What are the rules at Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area?
Maximum stay of 14 days within any 28-day period; Arizona or California OHV registration required as applicable; standard BLM LTVA rules apply.
What water body is Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area on?
Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area is on Senator Wash Reservoir, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
