Camp Pilot Knob

 Second World War 1939-1945, interesting place, closed / former military, United States Army, historic ruins

 Upload a photo

Camp Pilot Knob was at the southern end of the California-Arizona Maneuver Area (CAMA) just north of Yuma, Arizona. The 6th and 85th Infantry Divisions trained here. To reach the site, go north one mile on Sidewinder Road from its junction with Interstate Highway 8 just northwest of Yuma. The camp can be seen from Sidewinder Road.

Camp Pilot Knob was established in 1943 by the War Department when they secured 4,004.75 acres of desert land as part of the California-Arizona Maneuver Area (CAMA), later named the Desert Training Center, for Camp Pilot Knob. The camp was designed as a temporary location to train troops (initialy the 85th Infantry Division) in desert warfare. There are records indicating the presence of four firing ranges utilizing up to .30 caliber ammunition and the only structures erected on the land were temporary latrines and pyramidal wood frame tents.

The site is located on the Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation.

www.militarymuseum.org/cppilotknob.html