Saddle Mountain Overlook might just boast the best views of any free campsite in Arizona maybe even the entire United States. The further you drive in, the more likely you are to find a private campsite. Visit in the off season or on a weekday during summer to beat (most) of the crowds. The best campsites are located near a small stream about 5 miles after turning onto Pinery Canyon Road from Highway 181. Let us know. Overall it seems there is a good bit of turnover. An example is Twin Arrows Casino Resort near Flagstaff. The Mogollon Rim is part of Coconino National Forest and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Saddle Mountain Overlook is part of Kaibab National Forest. Call the Tusayan Ranger District for more information: (928) 635-2443, Related Post: Best Free Campsites Near Grand Canyon National Park. Not homeless (though they may well have looked it; they played HARD here.) One thing very frustrating was the number of trucks and recreation vehicles speeding through the roads at all hours of the day and night. They did say they were taking down names and plates so it wouldnt happen twice. Although there are options closer to town, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is my favorite place for boondocking near Quartzsite. There were a number of larger to smaller RVs and some tents. California condors also live here. Plus, its just a short walk into Tortilla Flat to get an ice cream. The existing Apache Trail in Arizona is a 120 mile circle route through the Superstition Mountains. Its very accessible for small RVs, like [read more], Interested in living full-time in a truck camper and exploring North, Central, and South America? Coconino Rim Road is my go-to for free camping near the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Low clearance beware. This lake is set among sun-painted canyon walls, which form scenic backdrops to the lake itself. Apache Trail, or AZ 88 as it is officially known, linksApache Junctionat the edge of the Greater Phoenix area withTheodore Roosevelt Lake, through theSuperstition Mountain Wildernessand theTonto National Forest; 40 miles of steep, winding and mostly unpaved road past magnificent scenery of twisted igneous mountains with dense forests of saguaro and ferocactus, and several deep blue lakes. All were friendly and respectful. Most 2WD vehicles should be able to make it to the overlook (if you drive slowly). Clearly this area is used by people staying more than the 14 day limit. Not many good spots for RVs. There are biking and hiking trails, and the park itself is lovely for a walk. Edge of the World is sometimes called East Pocket or End of the World. But you have the homeless camping there with their kids swinging from the trees, very trashy area and deep holes and with this last storm there was water everywhere. Just take it slow and youll arrive in one piece in almost any vehicle, although RVs and trailers should probably avoid camping here. Arizona is a wonderful place to explore with countless free camping opportunities. This is a local hangout for those up to no good as we found out when in the night, off-road vehicles ran the roads up and down all hours of the night, often careening through at high speeds. Reach Peralta Canyon by heading east out of Phoenix towards Apache Junction. There is a bump out right when you pull in so we unhooked our toad there and did a quick loop through the area (but people will camp in this bump out, so it might not be available). The road into this huge maze is extremely rutted with massive pits and you will have to take a perfect line in once you pass the fenced building on your left. The mountain views are beautiful and the stars are bright at night. Three Mile Wash Shoreline Area, located3 miles south of Roosevelt Dam on the south shoreline of Apache Lake, offers shoreline dispersed camping. We tried to get reservations for next year but everything was already booked for the next year. Apache Trail Dispersed Camping Apache Trail, Apache Junction, Arizona 85119 USA Add Photo View Gallery 5 of 11 July 15, 2022 Roadtrippers Photo Credit: Campendium/Michael Claim copyright Keep exploring with the Roadtrippers mobile apps. more. The trail that passes along Fish Creek is a dirt and gravel surface. With so many options to choose from, this is one of the most pocket-friendly ways to spend some time with . Mello Mike is an Amazon.com associate. Small area right off the road. This is a local hangout for those up to no good as we found out when in the night, off-road vehicles ran the roads up and down all hours of the night, often careening through at high speeds After planning this trip for a [read more], Most of us who enjoy boondocking have been there at one time or another. One thing very frustrating was the number of trucks and recreation vehicles speeding through the roads at all hours of the day and night. Overview of Oxbow Designated Dispersed Campsite 25. Its also a popular destination for jeep tours and OHV riders. Camp and explore the Sonoran desert trails Camping & RV Sites Campsite reservations are available online or by calling our camping experts at the Arizona State Parks Reservation Desk 1-877-MY PARKS. I love the mix of trees for shade and open areas to charge my devices with my solar panels. Craggy Wash is one of the most popular places for BLM camping in Arizona. Lightning storms here are extremely scary (and not at all uncommon). The views of the Colorado River from the cliffs above are hard to beat. Several are large enough for even the biggest RVs. If youre lucky enough to score one of these, then youre in for a real treat sunrise and sunset against the canyon walls is indescribably beautiful. If you can tough out the crowds for a night or two, then youre in for a real treat. Its here that the campsites first appear. Not homeless (though they may well have looked it; they played HARD here.) more. Because a permit is required, this area isnt 100% free, but its still very cheap! Nearest Gas 3.5 miles away. Dirt roads are numerous with dispersed camping allowed throughout the entire area. RVs and trailers should avoid traveling beyond this point. There is a bump out right when you pull in so we unhooked our toad there and did a quick loop through the area (but people will camp in this bump out, so it might not be available). Fair amount of trash around which is disappointing. Call the Sierra Vista Ranger District for more information: (520) 378-0311. Middlemarch Pass winds through the Dragoon Mountains and provides access between Tombstone and Pearce. Campsites are spacious enough for the largest rigs and the dirt roads are well maintained. The views here are spectacular. Learn more: Boondocking 101 Located a little over an hour south of Tucson and just 15 minutes from Patagonia, Harshaw Road (sometimes called Harshaw Creek Road) is the ideal location for those exploring southern Arizona near the Mexican border. As per the other reviews, it was crowded, even on a rainy Sunday evening. Do not attempt at night! Once you reach Edge of the World itself, youll find plenty of space to spread out in the forest with the best spots located on the rim of a canyon overlooking the beautiful Red Rock Wilderness. Once you get in there are many roads that arent as terrible that snake around all over the place. Be the first to add a note for Apache Trail Dispersed Camping! Today, Im going to share my favorite free campsites in Arizona. Also! 9 tenths of a mile past mile marker 202 on st. rt. Travel trailers and RVs should opt for the larger campsites just after the sign for the national forest. Cheveron?) The campsites are decently spaced apart, so youre in for a quiet and peaceful night without many close neighbors. Class A busses probably wouldn't make it. Hackamore Road Apache Junction, AZ 623-580-5500 Official Website GPS: 33.4663, -111.5084 Location submitted by: Suejo Add Photos View 23 Photos Overview Q&A Cell Service Reviews (9) Amenities Overview of Hackamore Road Dispersed Camping Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Southeastern Utahs Valley of the Gods is a great place to boondock. The paved road then follows meandering Harshaw Creek through a sycamore-shaded canyon until crossing over into Coronado National Forest. The noise was there but it wasnt too bad for us and didnt go later than 10:30 pm or so and didnt seem to be before 8:00 am. Fair amount of trash around which is disappointing. Nearly all of the forest service roads off of Highway 67 have dispersed campsites. Cell service is spotty, but you should pick up at least a bar or two. Countless dispersed campsites are available, most with decent shade. We're available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Arizona time. Few camping experiences are more exhilarating than sleeping under the stars. There is some sort of mine on the other side of the road; they start work well before sunrise at 5am. We'd stay here again, but only if we had to. The views here are spectacular. Unfortunately, youre not allowed to camp at the overlook itself. My husband had to catch an early morning flight out of Gateway Airport in Mesa, which was a half hour away. Mello Mike is an Arizona native, author, and the founder of Truck Camper Adventure. Here are a few of the most important things to do: Visit the national forest or BLM website for the public land youre visiting to read up on each areas specific dispersed camping rules and regulations. Dispersed camping used to be great years ago, but this is the worst degradation of it Ive seen yet. more. The Best RV Campgrounds for Stargazing Adventures. The first several campsites are quite spacious and include a large dirt parking lot bordered by trees. The location is great! Overview of Tower Road Designated Dispersed Campsite 64. Truck Camper Adventure is an emagazine offering truck camper news, reviews, travel tips, and more. Instead of turning north at the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center, you turn south. Canyon, Apache, and Roosevelt lakes offer a . Thanks to the elevation (which increases the deeper in you drive along Harshaw Road) this area is excellent for summer camping to escape the Arizona heat. Cell signal is great, which is rare for boondocking. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. read pdf salt river canyon tonto national forest ng853. It appeared that our neighbors were living there more than camping there. February 27, 2023 alexandra bonefas scott No Comments . Despite having quite a bit of traffic, Harshaw Road is quiet and peaceful. Its decent for RVs and trailers. After Badger Creek Overlook, my favorite place to camp near Vermillion Cliffs is Stateline Campground, a small campground on the border between Utah and Arizona. The road is absolutely horrendous getting in and the camp sites if that's what you want to call them are huge mud holes for local ATVs and pickup trucks!! East of Phoenix, Arizona, is the historic Apache Trail which travels through the Superstition Mountains region. 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Apache Junction, Check with Clifton District Ranger's Office to ensure availability of campsites. Fish Creek Canyon has two established sites where you can boondock. Here are two rules for using the bathroom when camping: Be at least 200 ft away from the trail, campsite, or water source. Each winter, several BLM-managed Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) in Arizona offer long-term boondocking for just $180 for September 15th to April 15th. Its worth a shot unless you have very low clearance or a big rig. Sadly, the rest of this camping area is absolutely horrible! And during Christmas of all times!! Unfortunately, the creek is actually a wash and flows only during rain storms, but the amount of rain is enough to water the abundant Arizona Sycamore and Cottonwood trees that line the creek. Just make sure you take Woody Mountain Road and youll arrive at the correct spot. Located within the Tonto National Forest, the Apache Trail is also one of Arizonas most scenic drives and has been designated a USFS Scenic Byway. Mello Mike is an Arizona native, author, and the founder of Truck Camper Adventure. So incredible. Schnebly Hill Road is popular so its often busy and noisy. No porta-potties or trash containers provided, and people left their trash laying around. Dogs will be dogs! It rained so the area was very muddy. Best Dispersed Campsites in Arizona Jump to the free campsite you want to know more about: Schnebly Hill Road Edge of the World Coconino Rim Road Saddle Mountain Overlook Mogollon Rim Road Peralta Canyon Palm Canyon Road Pinery Canyon Road Craggy Wash Badger Creek Overlook Harshaw Road The Apache Trail, located in the heart of central Arizona, is known for its breathtaking beauty, but for those who enjoy outdoor recreation like boating, fishing, and hiking, its also a first-rate attraction. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Have you written a blog post about Apache Trail Dispersed Camping? Craggy Wash is part of the Bureau of Land Management. A fellow camper said the weekend was noisy with partying. arizona map for salt river canyon tonto national forest. To make matters even worse (which I wasn't sure was even possible!! It was also noted that there were several nails and other broken glass scattered around the areas here. FWIW? Ive seen low-clearance 2WD vehicles (including a Prius) make the drive, but high-clearance and/or 4WD is very helpful. Unbelievable unobstructed views of Lost Dutchman. Apache Lakewas formed in 1927 when the Horse Mesa Dam was completed. If possible, sending a scout vehicle in first is a good idea. * Thats not to mention the abundance of border patrol vehicles which drive through the area at all hours, including the middle of the night. Would stay here again for sure. The main draw is the amazing view of the mountains. . A variety of dispersed camping opportunities are available just off of the Apache Trail (Highway 88) which winds its way through the Superstition Mountains, although portions of the road have been closed due to wildfires and flooding for the past several years. Jump to the free campsite you want to know more about: Or, browse our Arizona dispersed camping map to find a dispersed campsite near you. Call the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge offices for more information: (928) 783-7861. Lots of cars also coming and going. Awesome Valley of the Sun weather, mid 70s all 4 days. Youll notice a bit of traffic (including some ATVs), but this is minimal, especially compared to other popular Arizona dispersed camping locations. Gross, I know!! more. Camping information for West Fork Campground in Arizona's White Mountains in the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. There are also plenty of shade trees to shield you from the hot sun. The closest towns are 30+mins away, but the drive to Carlsbad Caverns was worth it for the scenery and experience. Apache Trail, Harshaw Road is quite busy. The roads arent in the best shape, but expect nothing worse than moderate washboarding at least until youre about 7 miles in. The road is well-maintained (aside from moderate washboarding) to this point. We ended up biking through the dispersed camping area which was super sketchy. Even though it was very busy, we thought there were at least three different places we could have stayed in our 33' motorhome. "Dispersed camping," as it's called, is legal camping in undeveloped campsites, often just off of forest access roads. Drops up to 200 feet are common, so keep children and pets close. 15 min to Canyon Lake 2 min away from Lost Dutchman State Park. Coconino Rim Road is part of Kaibab National Forest. The numerous OHV trails in the area makes for some road noise and the likelihood of dust. Trash everywhere, actually smelled like urine, and some peopl Dispersed tent camping to left of campground's entrance is possible. Place is spotlessly clean. Camping is only allowed at designated campsites in Sproul State Forest. If youre tent camping, make sure to stake down your tent! TMO signal 2-3 bars depending on where you camp. black river az dispersed campingwhat is the best wand in prodigy 2021 black river az dispersed camping. It appeared that our neighbors were living there more than camping there. The road in is very rutted and bumpy. Cellular service is strong. Its located about 45 minutes away from Wilcox in Coronado National Forest. Because of the popularity of the Mogollon Rim, many of the areas dispersed campsites are actually designated. Related Post: The Best Dispersed Campsites in Colorado. If you have questions call the local ranger office and they can explain all the restrictions in place for their ranger district in the forest. 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