Wiley's Well facts for kids

Wiley's Well is a special place in the Colorado Desert of Southern California. It is named after a natural water source called an artesian well. An artesian well is like a natural spring where water flows up from deep underground without needing a pump. The area around this well is also known as Wiley's Well.

History of Wiley's Well

This desert spot is named after A.P. Wiley. He was a store owner and postmaster in a town called Palo Verde. In 1907, Mr. Wiley made a small well much deeper. This first well was dug in 1876 by a stagecoach company. They used it while traveling on the nearby Bradshaw Trail.

Wiley wanted to make his remote desert store more popular. He hoped that a bigger well would bring more people and business. Local ranchers and cattlemen looked after the well for many years. But the water level slowly dropped over time. Within about 12 years, the water was 60 feet (18 meters) deep. Today, the original well is only about 20 feet (6 meters) deep after good rain. The water from this old well is not safe to drink.

The Modern Wiley's Well Campground

In 1985, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) drilled a new well. This new well is very deep, going down 965 feet (294 meters). It was made to provide water for the new Wiley's Well Campground. This campground is one of only two developed camping areas in the Mule Mountains.

The water from this new well is quite warm, about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). It also has many natural minerals in it. The water is pumped into a large tank called a cistern. This helps the water cool down to a safe temperature for drinking.

Fun Activities at Wiley's Well

Wiley's Well is a very popular place for rockhounds. Rockhounds are people who love to search for interesting rocks and minerals. People have been coming here to find rocks since the 1930s. That's when special rock formations called geodes were first found here.

Even though many rockhounds have visited over the years, the area still has lots of cool minerals. You can find things like chalcedony, citrine, quartz crystals, rhyolite, and jasper. Winters at Wiley's Well are usually mild and pleasant. This makes the campground a favorite spot for visitors who come every year from colder places. However, summers can be extremely hot. Temperatures have been recorded as high as 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius).

How to Find Wiley's Well

Wiley's Well is easy to get to. You can find it by taking the Wiley's Well Road exit from Interstate 10. This exit is about sixteen miles (26 kilometers) west of Blythe. Once you exit the highway, the entrance to the campground is about nine miles (14 kilometers) south.