Happy Camp Canyon

Running westward off Apache Pass Road into the Indian Bread Rock Recreation Area, Happy Camp Canyon is all about its namesake, camping. Well over thirty campsites of all sizes sit along this easy stretch of trail. The road begins wide and graded with moderate washboarding, narrowing as it passes the day-use picnic area with its tables, vault toilet, grill, and shade. The single-lane trail continues past numerous campsites and spur trails until it turns sharply south, becoming even narrower with embedded gravel ranging in size from apples to lemons. The road ends at the locked gate of a small ranch.

The road is bordered on the north by a broad plain doiminated by ranch lands and orchards of pecans and pistachios. To the south is the Indian Bread Rocks Recreational Area and the edge of the Dos Cabezas Mountains. The Bread Rocks moniker is from the massive buff and umber-colored tumble of granite boulder slabs ranging in size from a small automobile to an extremely large house. The jumble of rocks lifts into a prominent ridge. Government Peak, the highest point in the Dos Cabezas, projects skyward in the background. Ravens and raptors soar lazily on the updrafts. Doves sound their mournful notes from evening roosts on the slopes. Coveys of quail cackle as they search for seeds amongst mesquite, agave, and grasses along the plain. Finding small areas of soil and moisture between the massive boulders, Gamble Oaks dot the steep incline. Soap Root Agave and spindly Ocotilla find homes in the lesser crevices. This is BLM land, so bovines often roam through the campsites, seemingly unaware of the visitors seeking campsites on their range.

The free and popular campsites range from large enough for an RV to a small vehicle with a tent.   Unmaintained spur roads lead to sites with impressive views but often lack room for large rigs to turn around and very uneven ground. The last campsite, a large one capable of hosting multiple rigs or an RV, is at the sharp curve south. Camping at the picnic area is not allowed.