Project Update

California State Parks has restarted the Ocotillo Wells SVRA General Plan Update project. This project began in 2007 and has undergone various iterations due to changing land management approaches and acquisitions.
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Alternatives for the General Plan Update—including proposed land uses and management zones—were previously evaluated in 2007 and 2015, following several forms of stakeholder and public engagement. These included visitor surveys, public meetings and stakeholder workshops. Click here to view previous public engagement documentation.
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Work on the project was paused in 2018 during negotiations between State Parks and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding a preferred land management approach. BLM land use actions are no longer part of this project following this interagency coordination.

The Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was published for a 30-day comment period, from February 20, 2026, to March 23, 2026. The Notice of Preparation can be viewed here. State Parks will now consider the comments received during the review period as it prepares the Draft EIR and Preliminary General Plan Update.

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About the Project

The current Ocotillo Wells SVRA General Plan was developed in 1982, following the park’s designation as a state vehicular recreation area in 1976. A General Plan Update is needed to reflect changing conditions and issues, and to incorporate lands acquired by Ocotillo Wells SVRA since 1982.
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The General Plan Update will establish a long-term vision for the park and serve as its primary management document. It will include goals and guidelines for future recreation opportunities, resource protection and facility development, as well as park improvements, services and programs.
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An EIR—as required by the California Environmental Quality Act—will be prepared as part of the general plan update process. The EIR will evaluate potential environmental impacts of the general plan update’s planning recommendations.