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The morning sun illuminates the stark beauty of Ajo’s landscape, casting long shadows across the open-pit mine that dominates the eastern edge of town. Unlike many of Arizona’s mining communities that flared briefly before fading into ghost towns, Ajo represents a different story—one of remarkable persistence through boom and bust cycles. Nestled in the Sonoran Desert of southwestern Arizona, approximately 43 miles from the Mexican border, this community still stands as a living testament to Arizona’s mining heritage, though much diminished from its heyday. The town’s Spanish name, meaning “garlic” (though some argue it derives from a Tohono O’odham word for paint), reflects the cultural crossroads where Anglo, Mexican, and Native American influences have converged for generations.
The actual location of Camp Laguna lies within the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) area, which is still an active U.S. Army installation. Portions of the camp and surrounding desert training areas are now part of public-access BLM land, though visitors must avoid restricted military zones. Scattered around the site are subtle signs of the camp’s existence—concrete foundations, vehicle tracks, tent pads, and rusting debris. It takes a sharp eye and respect for the land to explore responsibly.
Camp Laguna was one of several key installations in the Desert Training Center, the largest military training area in the world during WWII. Over one million soldiers passed through this harsh terrain as they prepared for overseas deployment. While there are no formal visitor facilities at Camp Laguna itself, history buffs can study maps, military records, and interpretive plaques found at the General Patton Memorial Museum in California (near Chiriaco Summit) or online military archives to understand the broader impact of this vast training system.
Although Camp Laguna does not have a dedicated museum, the nearby Yuma Proving Ground Heritage Center (located within the YPG main gate area) provides excellent context. It features exhibits on Camp Laguna, WWII desert training, and the history of military technology testing in the region. Admission is free, but ID is required for entry due to it being on an active base.
Visitors to Camp Laguna often combine their visit with a trip to Castle Dome Mine Museum, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, or historic downtown Yuma. These sites offer more developed facilities and attractions, making for a well-rounded historical and outdoor itinerary.
For those who enjoy photographing historic landscapes, Camp Laguna offers haunting imagery—vast open desert, subtle traces of human activity, and striking desert light. The site is extremely quiet, perfect for those seeking solitude and reflection in a place where thousands once trained for war.
The Camp Laguna area sits within a unique Sonoran Desert ecosystem that supports an array of desert wildlife. Visitors may spot desert bighorn sheep, foxes, coyotes, lizards, and a variety of desert birds. In spring, the desert floor may bloom with wildflowers, adding beauty to an otherwise stark landscape.
The area surrounding Camp Laguna features numerous desert trails and unpaved roads, making it a great location for off-roading, OHV exploration, or scenic desert driving (where permitted). Always check local maps and land status—some areas are on restricted military land, while others are public.
Behind the institutional history of Camp Laguna are the personal experiences of thousands of soldiers who trained there. The 3rd Armored Division, one of the first units to train at the camp, arrived in the spring of 1942 under challenging conditions. These men faced temperatures exceeding 120 degrees, scarce water supplies, dust storms, and limited facilities as they acclimated to desert warfare. Their letters home, preserved in various archives and family collections, reveal both the hardships and the camaraderie that defined their time at Camp Laguna.
For many soldiers, Camp Laguna represented their first exposure to desert conditions and a crucial phase in their transformation from civilians to combat-ready troops. Major General Walton Walker, who commanded during the expansion of the Desert Training Center into the California-Arizona Maneuver Area, understood the purpose clearly: “It is our job to rehearse for war, to bring these units to a state of perfection that will be demanded of them by actual warfare, the perfection necessary to win battles.”
The Italian prisoners of war who later worked at the Yuma Test Branch add another dimension to the human story of Camp Laguna. These former enemies, captured during the North African campaign, eventually supported the Allied war effort through the Italian Service Units program. Their presence underscores the complex international relationships that developed during the war, even in remote desert outposts like Camp Laguna.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Camp Laguna, Arizona |
| Type | Abandoned military training site / WWII-era camp |
| County | Yuma County |
| Founded | 1942, during World War II |
| Status | Abandoned after the war; only remnants and markers remain |
| Population (Historic) | Thousands of U.S. Army troops trained here (exact number varies by unit rotation) |
| Population (Current) | None |
| Historical Significance | Part of the Desert Training Center (DTC), designed to prepare soldiers for North Africa campaigns |
| Commanded By | General George S. Patton (DTC Commander) |
| Purpose | Tank and infantry desert warfare training |
| Primary Use Dates | 1942–1944 |
| Remnants Today | Concrete slabs, building foundations, roads, rock markers; no standing buildings |
| Managed By | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Bureau of Land Management |
| Nearby Landmark | Yuma Proving Ground; located northeast of Yuma, AZ |
| Access | Remote desert access via BLM roads (no facilities) |
| Elevation | Approx. 300–400 feet (91–122 meters) |
| Climate | Hot Sonoran Desert – extreme summer heat, mild winters |
| Best For | Military history enthusiasts, off-road explorers, WWII researchers |
Camp Laguna was established in April 1942 as the first of four Arizona camps that formed part of General George S. Patton’s massive Desert Training Center (DTC), later renamed the California-Arizona Maneuver Area (C-AMA). The DTC was created in response to the immediate need to prepare American troops for combat in the North African theater of World War II, where they would face the German Afrika Korps. The camp’s location in the Sonoran Desert was deliberately chosen for its environmental similarities to the North African landscape, providing realistic training conditions for desert warfare.
Major General George S. Patton Jr. declared the Desert Training Center to be “the largest and best training ground in the US,” while Lieutenant General Leslie McNair, Commander of the Army Ground Forces, called it “our best training agency for both combat and service units.” This sentiment was echoed by other military leaders, who recognized the value of the harsh environment for preparing troops for the realities of desert combat.
At its peak, the Desert Training Center/California-Arizona Maneuver Area became the largest military training ground in history, covering approximately 18,000 square miles across southeastern California and western Arizona. Camp Laguna played a crucial role in this expansive operation, hosting several major military units during its operational period from April 1942 to April 1944, including the 3rd and 9th Armored Divisions, the 79th, 80th, and 8th Infantry Divisions, as well as Italian service units and specialized bridge testing sections.
Today, Camp Laguna exists primarily as a historical footnote, with most of its former grounds now incorporated into the vast Yuma Proving Ground, a U.S. Army facility that continues the legacy of military testing and training in the desert environment. Unlike some other ghost towns that maintain substantial structural remains, Camp Laguna’s physical presence has largely been reclaimed by the desert, with only scattered remnants visible to those who know where to look.
The most distinct remaining features are the rock-lined pathways that once guided soldiers through the camp. These alignments of stones, weathered by time but still discernible, outline where roads, walkways, and tent areas once stood. Concrete foundations and slabs mark the locations of more substantial structures, including shower buildings, latrines, and administrative facilities.
Water storage infrastructure, crucial to sustaining thousands of troops in the desert environment, can still be identified by those familiar with the site.
Access to the original Camp Laguna site is now restricted, as it sits within the boundaries of the Yuma Proving Ground. For preservation, safety, and security reasons, the untouched footprint of the camp is off-limits to the general public. However, some interpretive opportunities have been developed through collaboration between the Cultural Resource Manager and the Museum Curator at Yuma Proving Ground, allowing visitors to learn about the camp’s history without disturbing the remaining historical features.
The Camp Laguna area is connected to several cemetery sites, though not all are directly associated with the WWII military installation. In the broader region, the Laguna Cemetery—located northwest of Yuma—represents a long-forgotten pioneer burial ground that predates the military camp. This cemetery sits on a slight knoll overlooking agricultural fields and has fallen into a state of neglect, with minimal maintenance or formal preservation efforts.
Within this pioneer cemetery, visitors can find approximately seventy graves marked only by piles of stones, with some featuring white-painted rocks and others bearing the remnants of wooden crosses. An additional six graves, marked by rectangular piles of heaped stones, are situated about 100 feet east of the main cemetery area, suggesting possible segregation based on social status, ethnicity, or religious differences.
The cemetery likely contains the remains of agricultural workers, miners from the historic Laguna placers in nearby mountains, and laborers who worked on infrastructure projects like the Laguna Dam. The simple nature of the grave markers reflects the frontier conditions and limited resources available to commemorate the dead in this harsh environment. Without proper documentation, many of these individuals’ identities and stories have been lost to time, though the cemetery itself stands as a testament to the pioneer spirit that helped develop this region.
Beyond the pioneer cemetery, the Camp Laguna story connects to broader patterns of community burial practices in the region. While not directly associated with the military camp, the presence of Italian prisoners of war who worked in service units at Camp Laguna adds an international dimension to the local burial narrative. Some Italian POWs became part of Italian Service Units supporting the American war effort after the North African campaign, working at the Yuma Test Branch that was built in 1943 northwest of Camp Laguna.
Today, military burials associated with Camp Laguna’s era are more likely to be found in established national cemeteries rather than in isolated field burials. Camp Navajo in Bellemont, Arizona, for instance, hosts one of four Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, representing the more formalized approach to military burials that developed during and after World War II.
The evolution from frontier burial practices (marked by stone piles and wooden crosses) to formal military cemeteries reflects broader changes in American commemoration traditions and the increased federal role in honoring veterans. While the community burial grounds near Laguna maintain their rustic, pioneer character, military personnel who trained at Camp Laguna would eventually find their final resting places in more regulated and maintained veterans’ cemeteries throughout the country.
Due to the secretive nature of military operations during wartime, newspaper coverage of Camp Laguna during its active period was limited and carefully controlled. Local papers in Yuma and regional publications would have reported on the establishment of the camp and the general influx of military personnel but would have been restricted from publishing specific details about training activities, troop movements, or technological developments.
The primary publications serving the Yuma area during this period included the Yuma Sun and other regional newspapers. These papers likely covered the economic impact of the camp on local communities, human interest stories about servicemen stationed there, and general announcements relevant to civilians interacting with military personnel. However, specific tactical training, equipment testing, and troop strength would have been censored for security reasons.
Following the war, newspapers became more valuable sources for documenting Camp Laguna’s history, as veterans shared their experiences and classified information became available to the public. These post-war accounts helped preserve the memory of Camp Laguna and its significance in preparing American forces for combat in North Africa and other theaters of World War II.
The rail system played a crucial role in the establishment and operation of Camp Laguna. The camp’s relative proximity to existing rail infrastructure allowed for the efficient movement of troops, equipment, and supplies to this remote desert location. The Southern Pacific Railroad’s main line through Yuma provided the primary connection to the national rail network, with spur lines and truck transportation bridging the gap between the railhead and the camp itself.
Additionally, Camp Laguna’s aviation infrastructure—the Laguna Army Airfield (LGF)—was constructed about two miles north of the main camp to support training activities. This airfield featured a runway suitable for small observation aircraft like the L-4 Piper, which were used to monitor the vast training grounds from the air. The runway was also capable of accommodating larger aircraft for training exercises and supply deliveries.
The nearby Yuma Test Branch, established in 1943 northwest of Camp Laguna, represented another dimension of the transportation infrastructure associated with the camp. This facility, built near the Colorado River, was ideal for testing mobile combat bridges, amphibious vehicles, and boats, highlighting the interconnected nature of transportation systems supporting military operations in the region.
Camp Laguna’s operational life was relatively brief, spanning just two years from April 1942 to April 1944. The 80th Infantry Division has the distinction of being the last unit to depart from the camp in April 1944, marking the end of its active training mission.
Several factors contributed to the camp’s closure. By early 1944, the North African campaign—the original impetus for desert training—had been successfully concluded, reducing the immediate need for specialized desert warfare preparation.
Additionally, as the war progressed, military resources were increasingly directed toward the European and Pacific theaters, leading to a reprioritization of training facilities and personnel.
A critical factor in the decision to close the California-Arizona Maneuver Area was the depletion of support personnel—by early 1944, most communications and transportation specialists had been deployed overseas. Lieutenant General McNair, recognizing that this shortage created a degraded training experience, made the decision to close the facility.
Following its deactivation, much of Camp Laguna’s infrastructure was dismantled or repurposed. The more permanent structures were either demolished or incorporated into the Yuma Proving Ground that later occupied portions of the site. Equipment and materials that could be used elsewhere in the war effort were redistributed, leaving mainly foundations, roads, and non-salvageable elements to weather away in the desert environment.
Today, Camp Laguna holds significant historical importance as part of Arizona’s contribution to the World War II effort. As the first of four Arizona camps in the Desert Training Center, it represents a crucial chapter in military history—the systematic preparation of American forces for desert warfare through environmental immersion and realistic training scenarios.
The Desert Training Center/California-Arizona Maneuver Area as a whole trained approximately 25 divisions and over 1.5 million men during its operation, with Camp Laguna playing a substantial role in this massive undertaking. The training methodologies developed and refined here influenced military doctrine beyond World War II, establishing precedents for environmental-specific preparation that would inform later conflicts.
Archaeological studies of Camp Laguna have revealed patterns of military camp organization, resource allocation, and adaptation to extreme environments that provide valuable insights for historians and military researchers. The preservation of these sites, even in their fragmented state, allows for ongoing research into this pivotal period of American military history.
From a broader cultural perspective, Camp Laguna represents the transformation of the American Southwest during World War II, as previously isolated regions became integrated into the national defense infrastructure. The legacy of this integration continues today at the Yuma Proving Ground, where military testing and training activities build upon the foundation established during Camp Laguna’s brief but significant operational period.
Preservation efforts for both military-related sites and pioneer cemeteries in the Camp Laguna area face significant challenges. The Laguna Cemetery, with its simple stone markers and minimal documentation, exemplifies the vulnerabilities of pioneer burial grounds. Without formal protection or regular maintenance, this site is gradually being reclaimed by desert vegetation and faces potential damage from agricultural activities in the surrounding area.
In contrast, the historical features of Camp Laguna itself benefit from some degree of protection due to their location within the Yuma Proving Ground. The Cultural Resource Manager at the proving ground, working in collaboration with the Museum Curator, has implemented measures to document and preserve these features while developing interpretive resources to educate the public about their significance.
Memorial practices associated with Camp Laguna have evolved over time. In 1998, the Lost Dutchman Chapter 5917 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, in cooperation with the United States Army Yuma Proving Ground, erected a historical marker commemorating Camp Laguna’s role in World War II. This marker stands near Yuma on East Imperial Dam Road, providing visitors with basic information about the camp’s history and significance.
More recently, the development of a Visitor Contact Center at Yuma Proving Ground has created new opportunities for interpreting Camp Laguna’s history. This facility features exhibits about the camp and provides a more accessible way for the public to learn about this chapter of Arizona history without disturbing the actual archaeological sites.
For those interested in connecting with the history of Camp Laguna, several options exist that balance accessibility with preservation concerns. The historical marker on East Imperial Dam Road, approximately half a mile west of U.S. 95, provides basic information about the camp and its role in the Desert Training Center. This marker is publicly accessible and offers a convenient starting point for learning about Camp Laguna’s history.
The Yuma Proving Ground maintains a museum that includes exhibits related to Camp Laguna and the broader military history of the region. Visitors can explore these displays without impacting the fragile archaeological remains at the original camp site. The museum provides context through photographs, artifacts, and interpretive materials that help visitors understand the significance of Camp Laguna in both regional and national history.
For those specifically interested in the pioneer cemetery associated with the Laguna area, it is important to approach such sites with appropriate respect. While this cemetery is not directly connected to the military camp, it represents an important dimension of the region’s settlement history. Visitors should:
Photography for personal, educational, or research purposes is generally acceptable at publicly accessible sites, but should always be conducted respectfully, particularly around grave sites. Those interested in more detailed documentation or research should contact the appropriate authorities, including the Yuma Proving Ground’s Cultural Resource Management office or local historical societies.
The story of Camp Laguna embodies the ephemerality of human endeavors against the enduring backdrop of the desert landscape. What once was a bustling military installation housing thousands of troops now exists primarily as scattered remnants gradually returning to the earth. Yet the legacy of Camp Laguna extends far beyond its physical remains, encompassing the contributions of those who trained there to the Allied victory in World War II and the ongoing military presence in the region through the Yuma Proving Ground.
The associated cemeteries, from pioneer burial grounds to formal military memorials, remind us of the human cost of settlement and conflict in this harsh environment. Each stone marker or wooden cross represents an individual life and story, many now fading from collective memory but preserved in some form through archaeological documentation and historical research.
As we reflect on Camp Laguna’s brief but significant existence, we are reminded of how quickly the works of humanity can disappear without deliberate efforts at preservation and commemoration. The rock-lined pathways that still trace the outlines of the camp, resilient against decades of desert winds and seasonal floods, stand as metaphors for the enduring impact of Camp Laguna on military history and the development of the American Southwest during a pivotal period of global conflict.
In the end, the most lasting monument to Camp Laguna may be found not in its physical remains but in the transformative experience it provided to the servicemen who trained there—many of whom carried the lessons learned in the Arizona desert to battlefields across North Africa and Europe, helping to secure the Allied victory that shaped the modern world.
The Camp Laguna historical marker is located near Yuma in Yuma County, Arizona on East Imperial Dam Road, half a mile west of U.S. 95. The exact coordinates are 32° 49.708′ N, 114° 23.416′ W.