Picacho State Recreation Area occupies a remote nine-mile stretch of the lower Colorado River in far southeastern California at the site of the former gold mining town of Picacho. The park combines river recreation such as camping, boating, and fishing with hiking and desert wildlife viewing, and it preserves visible remains of the early 1900s settlement, especially a stamp mill once used to crush gold ore. Migratory waterfowl gather here in large numbers in spring and fall, adding to its ecological importance. Despite closure threats during California budget cuts in 2008 and again in 2012, the area remained open, with Friends4Picacho organized to help sustain operations.