This experience is the epitome of an adventure that can ignite your childlike spirit. This is a must for anyone into geology, but if you don’t mind the 2+ hour drive to the heart of the largest state park in the contiguous 48 states, it’s fun for almost anyone. Just don’t go in summer. November through May are the best times for to spend a day marveling at this desert scape, including the caves carved by wind. Take your camera if you’re a photographer or aspiring photographer. Climbing around the caves like a kid and being present enough to appreciate the stillness of the desert absent almost any human influence is a fascinating way to spend a day.
After 3-5 miles, the wash will wind to the left and begin to open up. You may see some other vehicles parked on the side of the wash here. Look for the sign to the left that says, “Wind Caves 1 Mile.” Unless there is a separate set of caves that we never reached, this distance is inaccurate. You’ll find that it’s less than a mile to reach the caves from this unofficial trailhead.
The campground used for GPS purposes is the closest landmark to the trailhead for the wind caves. The last portion of the drive is on dirt/sand with lots of good-size rocks to contend with; again a good reason to take a high-clearance 4×4.
Take Rt. 78 east to the tiny town of Ocotillo Wells. You’ll be making a RIGHT to head south on Split Mountain Road, which you’re on for 8-10 miles before you make a RIGHT on Fish Creek Wash and head to the Fish Creek Primitive Campground.
Sunrise to Sunset
- Lots of water
- Snacks/lunch to eat at the caves
- Backpack/day pack
- Sandals/shoes to change into once you return to your car
- Towel for dirt and depending on the day, maybe sweat
- Sunglasses and sunscreen of course
