Glamis season opens this weekend with an overnight camping ban at Osborne Overlook, and NOAA’s winter outlook leans wet for the Southwest. Here’s what else moved across the corridor this week.
Osborne Overlook closes to overnight camping for Halloween week at Glamis
The BLM’s El Centro Field Office has barred overnight camping at Osborne Overlook, on Highway 78 between the Cahuilla Ranger Station and the Glamis Beach Store, from Oct 26 to Nov 1. The same rule returns for Thanksgiving week (Nov 23 to 29), New Year’s (Dec 28 to Jan 3) and Presidents’ Day week (Feb 8 to 15). Day use stays open. The goal is a clear landing zone for medical helicopters and room for law enforcement on the dunes’ busiest weekends. Separately, the Cement Flats area off Gecko Road is closed to camping through February 2028 while it serves as a temporary ranger station.
What it means for us: if you’ve camped at Osborne for Halloween before, pick another spot and get there early, since the holiday weekends fill fast.
Sources: BLM closure order, Osborne Overlook, Sep 2026 · BLM closure order, Cement Flats, Sep 2026
NOAA’s winter outlook leans wet for the Southwest as a very strong El Niño builds
NOAA’s December-to-February outlook, released Oct 15, favors wetter-than-average conditions across the Southwest and expects drought there to improve or end. Forecasters say a very strong El Niño will likely push the jet stream south and east. Much of Nevada and Utah sits at equal chances, so the wet tilt is strongest for southern California and Arizona.
What it means for us: a wet winter means washed-out dirt roads, flash floods in slot canyons and soft, impassable playas. Check road conditions before you leave, and don’t camp in washes. We dug into what past El Niño winters actually did in the Mojave in our El Niño winter guide.
Source: NOAA, Oct 15
New OHV grants fund signs at Dove Springs, safety training at Glamis and a Nevada trail
Polaris and the Foundation for America’s Public Lands, the BLM’s charitable partner, announced more than $500,000 for 10 OHV projects in six states on Oct 22. In our part of the map, the money pays for a new entrance kiosk and route maps at the Dove Springs OHV area, safety training and a cleanup at Imperial Sand Dunes around Veterans Day weekend, new gateway signs for four Arizona OHV areas and Back Country Byways along Route 66, updated trailhead kiosks on Moab-area OHV routes, and a one-mile trail linking Shoshone to Mill Creek Campground in Nevada.
What it means for us: none of this changes access rules. It pays for the signs, maps and marked routes that help keep riding areas open.
Source: Polaris and Foundation for America's Public Lands via PR Newswire, Oct 22
Death Valley ’49ers Encampment fills Stovepipe Wells Oct 29 to Nov 1
The Death Valley ’49ers hold their annual Encampment Oct 29 to Nov 1 at Stovepipe Wells, with the group’s membership meeting on Oct 31. In past years it has brought gold panning, an art and vendor show, history talks and western music, and the group’s events require a ’49ers membership.
What it means for us: expect the campground, store and fuel at Stovepipe Wells to be busy that weekend. If you’re heading into the backcountry rather than to the event, fuel up early or base out of Furnace Creek.
Sources: Death Valley '49ers · Pahrump Valley Times (2025 Encampment), Oct 2025
Lake Mead holds near 1,034 feet this winter while Powell could climb
The Bureau of Reclamation’s October 24-Month Study, released Oct 15, projects Lake Mead at about 1,034 to 1,035 feet at the end of December under every scenario it ran. Lake Powell is the swing: about 3,541 feet by the end of September 2027 in the most probable case, and as high as 3,606 feet in the wet case, up from about 3,518 feet at the end of last September.
What it means for us: nothing changes at Mead’s shoreline this winter, so low-water launch ramps and shore access stay as they are. How much Powell gains depends on the snowpack this winter brings.
Sources: Bureau of Reclamation, Oct 15 · Western Water, Oct 23
2027 desert race calendar: Parker 400 in January, Mint 400 in March
The American Off-Road Racing Championship’s 2027 schedule opens with the Parker 400, Jan 13 to 17 near Parker, AZ. The Mint 400 follows Mar 3 to 7 and the Silver State 300 Apr 21 to 25, both based in Las Vegas, with the Laughlin Desert Classic Oct 13 to 17. King of the Hammers racer registration for 2027 is open in Johnson Valley, and entry fees go up Dec 1.
What it means for us: race weeks bring road closures, full camping areas and crowds near the courses. If you want to watch, plan early; if you want quiet desert, plan around these dates. Our King of the Hammers guide covers race week in Johnson Valley.
Sources: Off-Road Racer, Sep 3 · King of the Hammers, Sep 21