Riding season at Glamis runs from October to mid-April. That's when the BLM permit season is on and the summer heat is gone. We rent from October 16, 2026 through April 14, 2027.
Which weekend you pick changes the whole trip. Thanksgiving means packed camps and a crowd on every dune. A weekday in January is a lot quieter. Here's how the season lays out, holiday by holiday and month by month.
The 2026–27 season at a glance
| When | What | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2026 | Our rental season opens | Building toward Halloween |
| Oct 30–Nov 1 | Halloween weekend | Busy |
| Wed, Nov 11 | Veterans Day | Midweek this year |
| Nov 26–29 | Thanksgiving weekend | The busiest of the year |
| Late Dec to Jan 3, 2027 | Christmas to New Year's | Busy, packed on New Year's weekend |
| Jan 16–18, 2027 | MLK weekend | Three-day-weekend busy |
| Feb 13–15, 2027 | Presidents' Day weekend | Three-day-weekend busy |
| March 2027 | Spring break (dates vary by school) | Steady |
| Mar 26–28, 2027 | Easter weekend | Busy, lots of families |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Our last rental day of the season | Winding down |
We close for the summer on April 15, 2027 and plan to reopen around October 14, 2027.
The holiday weekends
These are the dates that fill up first, for camp spots and for rentals. Camping at Glamis is first-come, first-served with no reservations, so on a holiday weekend the popular spots around Vendor Row, Gecko Road and the Washes go early. A lot of groups roll in midweek to claim theirs.
Halloween weekend: October 30 to November 1, 2026
Halloween is the first big weekend of the season, and plenty of groups plan their first camp of the year around it. Polaris has held its Camp RZR event at the dunes around Halloween weekend in recent years, which adds to the crowd. Check with Polaris for this year's dates. Days are usually still warm, with cool nights.
Halloween counts as a holiday for RV rentals, so the minimum is 4 days instead of 3.
Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
This year Veterans Day lands midweek, so it isn't a three-day weekend. If you're military, a veteran or a first responder, code VETS20 takes 20% off UTV rentals from November 11 to 15, 2026. Bring proof to pickup.
Thanksgiving weekend: November 26 to 29, 2026
Thanksgiving is the busiest weekend of the year at Glamis. For plenty of families it's a yearly trip, camps fill early, and Vendor Row and Competition Hill are as packed as they get. If you want a specific machine, or several machines for a big group, book as soon as you know your dates. Give yourself extra time for everything that weekend, pickup included.
Christmas to New Year's: late December to January 3, 2027
With school out, families come for several days at a time. It gets busier as the new year gets closer, and New Year's weekend (January 1 to 3) is one of the biggest of the season. These are the coldest nights of the year, so pack real cold-weather layers and bedding.
Staying the whole week? You can book up to 6 days online. For 7 days or more, call or text us at (760) 573-6825.
MLK weekend: January 16 to 18, 2027
A three-day weekend in the middle of winter, and busier than a regular January weekend. Days are cool and nights are cold.
Presidents' Day weekend: February 13 to 15, 2027
The other big three-day weekend of the winter. Expect a holiday crowd. February days are mild and the nights are still chilly.
Spring break and Easter: March 2027
Spring break depends on the school district, so March weekends stay steady with families. Easter weekend (March 26 to 28, with Easter Sunday on the 28th) is a big family weekend. Days get warmer, and spring tends to bring more windy days, so keep an eye on the forecast.
We rent through April 14, 2027. The BLM permit season ends April 15.
What changes on holiday dates
For UTV rentals, our holiday dates this season run a little wider than the weekends themselves: Halloween October 29 to November 1, Veterans Day November 11 to 15, Thanksgiving November 25 to December 1, New Year's December 30 to January 3, MLK January 15 to 18, Presidents' Day February 12 to 15, and Easter March 26 to 28.
- UTVs go out for full days only. Half-day and 2-hour rentals aren't offered on holiday dates.
- RVs have a 4-day minimum on holidays, Halloween included. The rest of the season it's 3 days. We deliver the trailer, level it and set it up at your camp or wash.
- Your dates aren't held until the 25% deposit is paid. On a holiday weekend, don't sit on it.
- The weekday discount doesn't apply on holidays. More on that below.
Crowds: holidays, weekends and weekdays
Holiday weekends bring the biggest crowds: more machines on every dune, full camps and a busy Vendor Row. If you love the scene, this is it.
Regular weekends are still busy, but camp space is easier to find and the lines are shorter than on a holiday.
Weekdays are the quietest. UTV rentals that start and end Sunday through Wednesday of the same week get 5% off (not on holidays).
First trip? Pick a non-holiday weekend or a few weekdays. Pickup is quicker, camp spots are easier to get, and there's more open sand while you get your bearings. Our first-weekend guide covers the rest.
Weather by month
October through April is riding season because the desert finally cools off. These are the averages for El Centro (National Weather Service normals, 1991 to 2020). Glamis isn't El Centro, so use them as a guide and check the forecast the week you go.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | What it's like |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 92°F | 62°F | Hot early in the month, cooling off by Halloween |
| November | 79°F | 51°F | Warm days, cool nights |
| December | 70°F | 43°F | Cool, short days and cold nights |
| January | 71°F | 43°F | Cool days, cold nights |
| February | 74°F | 47°F | Mild days, chilly nights |
| March | 80°F | 52°F | Warm days, more wind |
| April | 86°F | 57°F | Getting hot; we rent through the 14th |
From June through September, average highs are over 100°F. We're closed then.
- Rain is rare. El Centro averages less than half an inch a month during the season.
- Wind can show up any month. A big wind day blows sand and cuts visibility, so check the forecast before you go.
- Winter days are short. There's no night riding on our rentals, and every machine is due back before closing on your last day, so plan your ride around daylight.
When to book
For a holiday weekend, book as soon as you know your dates. Holiday dates fill first, and if you want a particular model or several machines for a group, booking early is the only way to be sure. A 25% reservation deposit locks in your dates. Read the cancellation policy before you book.
Regular weekends and weekdays have more room, but booking ahead still gets you the machine you want. Staying a few nights? Rent an RV and we'll deliver it to your camp.
Rules that don't change on holidays
- A BLM permit is required from October 1 to April 15 for the vehicle you bring into the dunes. Our rental UTVs need no permit or sticker. Details are in our permit guide.
- Quiet hours are 10 pm to 6 am.
- No glass bottles, and keep it under 15 mph within 50 feet of camps and people.
- Every vehicle needs a whip flag. Ours come with one installed.
- On our rentals: helmets on at all times (one per rider is included), only the renter drives, and no night riding.
Quick answers
What's the busiest weekend at Glamis?
Thanksgiving. Halloween, New Year's, MLK and Presidents' Day weekends are busy too.
When is Glamis quietest?
Weekdays, and weekends away from the big holiday dates.
Is Glamis open in the summer?
The recreation area is open all year, but average highs run over 100°F from June through September. We're closed from April 15 until about October 14, 2027.
Can I rent a UTV for half a day on a holiday?
No. Half-day and 2-hour rentals aren't offered on holiday dates. Holiday rentals are full days.
What's the minimum for an RV over a holiday?
4 days, Halloween included. The rest of the season the minimum is 3 days. See RV rentals for what's included.
