The views from the end of the road are what make Edge of the World home to arguably the best free camping in Arizona. That said, RVs and trailers are better off looking for boondocking spots just after the first mile marker after turning off Highway 95. Mello Mike is an Arizona native, author, and the founder of Truck Camper Adventure. Low clearance beware. Learn more: Boondocking 101 Very hilly terrain so having blocks will be helpful but there are flat spots to be found. There are a lot of hiking trails in this area (the Big Loop Trail is my favorite). Surrounded by beautiful desert wilderness, there are tons of excellent dispersed campsites near Phoenix that make a great place to pitch your tent or park a trailer. November is a great time to explore the Apache Trail. It is convenient to the Maverick ATV Trail. The mine also blasts the ground with dynamite without warning, which is terrifying if you don't know it's about to happen. Not down in this deep canyon, though you will find AT&T 3G service further east near the Apache Lake Marina and AT&T 4G service at the end of the trail at Roosevelt Lake. 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 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? I will preface this by saying that we didnt camp here, and thank goodness for that. There are also plenty of shade trees to shield you from the hot sun. Horse trailers pull in around 10am and out again around 3-4pm (at least this time of year). It costs just $15 per night. . Phone Number. Rather than list them all, Ive narrowed down your options to just 11 of the very best. 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. Overall it seems there is a good bit of turnover. USA, *Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Several sites are large enough for RVs and trailers. Turn here north onto Peralta Road and continue past the small neighborhood area until you pass a sign declaring your entrance onto Arizona State Trust Land. California condors also live here. Today, Im going to share my favorite free campsites in Arizona. CAMPGROUND NAME: Apache Trout VISIT DATE: 04/20/2009 UPDATE DATE: 2/22/2019 STATE: . Its very important to always follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when dispersed camping in Arizona or anywhere else for that matter to limit human impact on the land as much as possible. When they are here, navigating or finding a spot can be tricky if not impossible. Other dispersed camping opportunities are prevalent in the Tusayan Ranger District of Kaibab National Forest (south of the national park). Good proximity to town, good views of Superstition Mountains. We were able to get a spot in the back along the fence with a nice view, so we were pleasantly surprised at the feeling of privacy we had. For example, there is ample BLM camping on Palm Canyon Road before it crosses into the wildlife refuge. 87/Beeline Hwy. From Mesa: Take State Hwy. Whether youre taking a day trip, or staying several nights, Three Mile Wash is perfect for any outing you are planning. The dispersed campsites here are spacious and mostly level. Dispersed camping is generally allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. We have a class b van and did ok with deft maneuvering. Arizona is also home to countless casinos, many of which offer free casino boondocking in their parking lots. Also! arizona map for salt river canyon tonto national forest. We were very close to the road though, so there was a fair amount of traffic noise. The main road itself is very wide but also very rutted. black river az dispersed campingfast growing firewood trees australia black river az dispersed camping Men university of virginia track and field coaches We once camped near Taos, New Mexico, beside an old homestead which was very picturesque. The best campsites are located near a small stream about 5 miles after turning onto Pinery Canyon Road from Highway 181. Overview of Oxbow Designated Dispersed Campsite 25. Some areas allow camping in designated sites . Whats Better Than One Truck and Camper? Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Both are also part of the Coconino National Forest. Saddle Mountain Overlook might just boast the best views of any free campsite in Arizona maybe even the entire United States. Several campers were definitely not obeying 14 day limits and appeared to be living in this location. Sadly, the rest of this camping area is absolutely horrible! The middle section of trail closest to the intersection of South Cattle Tank Road accesses an extensive BLM dispersed camping area. Dispersed camping and boondocking are allowed throughout the entire refuge, although my favorite campsites are those along Palm Canyon Road. Dirt roads are numerous with dispersed camping allowed throughout the entire area. During the day horse trailers come in and take up alot of the space, late in the day, they leave and spots open up.The area has maybe a dozen level areas and it may be challenging for bigger rigs. Smaller RVs may have an easier time leveling or finding a place when the horse trailers are here (hot tip: park at the entrance and scout by foot), but there is absolutely space for any size rig. Reach Peralta Canyon by heading east out of Phoenix towards Apache Junction. 70 Dispersed Sites Elevation: 7740 feet Reservations: Reservations not accepted. The Chiricahua Apache, led by the famous chief Cochise, utilized this area to evade US Cavalry in the mid-19th century. Not only with other recreationalists, but also with work vehicles driving to and from the areas still active mines. The only saving grace for this site is the view of the Superstition Mountains. 188 for 33 miles to its junction with State Hwy. The views of the Colorado River from the cliffs above are hard to beat. See 9 traveler reviews, 23 photos and blog posts So by the time the OH Cell service is strong thanks to a nearby cellular tower. Well, later that evening, I realized that my poor dog was totally STONED (and not in a good, mellow kind of way!!). Past the lakes, the original route continues in more traditional fashion to the former copper mining town of Globe , but it is the western half which is the most scenic and well-known, however caution is required when driving and it is not recommended for large RVs or caravans. Perform an online search using the name of the national forest combined with "dispersed camping" to learn more. 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. Middlemarch Pass winds through the Dragoon Mountains and provides access between Tombstone and Pearce. Nearby are views of mountains with abundant wildlife. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. Camping information for West Fork Campground in Arizona's White Mountains in the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. Just of AZ 60, this park is a perfect size and caters to both RV Owners & Mobile home owners there for a longer Stay. The overlook (a small turnaround area) gets plenty of visitors during the daytime, but not many stick around to camp, at least in my experience. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The views are spectacular, its too bad this area is being abused. We just pulled in for a quick overnight stay and so grateful that was all. The further you drive in, the more likely you are to find a private campsite. Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. Most 2WD vehicles should be able to make it to the overlook (if you drive slowly). The ground is packed dirt, very unlevel and with many washes BUT the views are breathtaking and lush desert trails are easily accessible. White Mountains Links . It was kind of crowded, but thats to be expected at this time of year in AZ. There is ample dispersed camping in Coronado National Forest, including throughout the rest of the Chiricahua Mountains area. The campsites are decently spaced apart, so youre in for a quiet and peaceful night without many close neighbors. The area is enclosed in barbed wire fence. 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. Its located about 45 minutes away from Wilcox in Coronado National Forest. Breathtaking scenery and several historical sites can be found scattered along this trail! The paved road then follows meandering Harshaw Creek through a sycamore-shaded canyon until crossing over into Coronado National Forest. As the sign near the start of the dirt road states, the area is environmentally fragile, so stick to existing roads, trails, and campsites only. Further in (roughly 7 miles), the road turns to gravel, but is generally kept in good condition. Harshaw Road is part of Coronado National Forest. All rights reserved. Good proximity to town, good views of Superstition Mountains. They did say they were taking down names and plates so it wouldnt happen twice. We were here while Larry stopped through; it may well have been my kids swinging from the tree. This boondock site is sandy gravel with dips and hills, and no marked sites; you just park wherever. The road has several large holes and dips along the trail, when we arrived and parked I saw large pieces of broken tiles (possibly roof tiles?) Camping limitation rules vary per office, please check with your local office for details on camping limitations. Unfortunately, youre not allowed to camp at the overlook itself. Get it with Truck Camper Adventure's weekly newsletter. Camping areas are spread out, but only the ones right off the road are accessible to large rigs. You can almost always find great non-view campsites away from the rim as well as along spur roads on your drive in. more, We were here while Larry stopped through; it may well have been my kids swinging from the tree. There is no shade and it gets hot especially during the summer. Unfortunately, theres a lot of trash and human waste left behind by other visitors. If possible, sending a scout vehicle in first is a good idea. more. Campsites are spacious enough for the largest rigs and the dirt roads are well maintained. Forest Road 302 east of Tusayan is also home to some of my favorite dispersed campsites in Arizona, although its not as convenient to the Grand Canyon as Coconino Rim Road. All were friendly and respectful. Related Post: The Best Free Camping in Nevada. It only takes a few seconds. The Best RV Campgrounds for Stargazing Adventures. The road is well-maintained (aside from moderate washboarding) to this point. Contact Information Default. 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