With that in place, youre good to go camping in the Arizona forests. There are approximately fourteen camping sites at this location, the majority of which include a fire pit along with a picnic table. In fact, most of the roads leading into Kofa from Highway 95 are on BLM land, which means dispersed camping is allowed before you even enter the park. If people don't start taking care of our beautiful country and camping areas. Whether or not you score a rim-side site, several overlook points are just a short hike away. The campsites are decently spaced apart, so youre in for a quiet and peaceful night without many close neighbors. THAT IS WHAT I WOULD LOOK FOR. The road is passable by most vehicles, although it is known for having many deep potholes. Not only is nearby Cave Creek Canyon beautiful, but its also home to some of the best birding in Arizona (including the chance to see the elegant trogon). A great part of Arizona for dispersed camping is the wilderness and national forest surrounding Prescott, AZ. However, many campgrounds do not have all of these amenities and may only have a picnic table and fire ring. Sunset and sunrise here is very special. You can expect to catch the native Apache Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout on the norm. Better yet? Glamping is fun. Lots of campsites yet plenty of privacy. Coconino Rim Road is my go-to for free camping near the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Campers must make a reservation before setting up on any site. For such a beautiful area, its relatively uncrowded here. The eastern stretch of the Lower Black River holds Apache and Rainbow Trout. Alpine, AZ 85920. Cellular reception is strong for most providers. Raccoon is a small campground on the East Fork of the Black River. the Plomosa Road dispersed camping area is situated on BLM land north of the town of Quartzsite, Arizona. The U.S. Forest Service and Dispersed Camping The U.S. Forest Service manages 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 44 states (as well as Puerto Rico) across the United States, and in almost all of these, visitors are welcome to set up their camp outside of designated areasprovided camping is not expressly prohibited. In order to camp on this land you must obtain a recreational permit, which costs all of $15-$20 for a full year. Reserve a campsite online or by calling 1-888-947-2757. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'boonieriders_org-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_3',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-boonieriders_org-large-leaderboard-2-0');Furthermore, Arizona has become a ray of hope or beacon for most travelers. Located just west of the City on BLM land, Hackamore Road has beautiful view of the surrounding wilderness and leads into the Bulldog Canyon area. Here's What Causes Trailer Tires to Wear on the Inside. Visit in the off season or on a weekday during summer to beat (most) of the crowds. The best campsites along the rim fill up fast and get crowded. Below are beginner off-road trails in the onX Offroad App. Along the route youll find some excellent dispersed camping options, with most of the good sites located closer to I-17. While these apps and websites are a good starting place for finding dispersed camping in Arizona, we always rely on public agencies maps and information as our main source. Located in the Tonto National Forest, thousands of people visit the Salt River every summer to enjoy a day of tubing and relaxing. Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler - The ultimate camping cooler. Although the Superstition Wilderness itself is in Tonto National Forest, the dispersed camping on Peralta Road is actually on Arizona State Trust Land. The area itself is beautiful. Travel trailers and RVs should opt for the larger campsites just after the sign for the national forest. The result is some of our favorite Arizona dispersed camping that is very close to Flagstaff. A visit to this campsite will make them invest a ton of energy in the water as you stream ski, windsurf, scuba jump, and sail. You could even stop and erect a tent if youd like to camp there for the night. Meanwhile, you could as well get a bed with a roof over your head, a free warm shower, and a free breakfast for the same $20(USD) at a place called Flagstaff. You will have to deal with your own poo by burying it or packing it out with you. Our favorite option here is the Prescott Basin Designated Dispersed Camping area. This is a convenient place to spend the night, as Vekol Valley Rd is easily accessed off of the main highway, I-8. You can generally expect similar regulations for dispersed camping across the different national forests, but it is still important to check the rules in the forest you plan to camp in. Cellular service is strong. Look towards the forest roads near Tortilla Flat just northeast of Apache Junction. Rigs of all sizes are welcome here. It was a mess! Youll be well off the beaten path here so can expect a quiet camping experience as well as stunning night skys. Schnebly Hill Road is popular so its often busy and noisy. There is no shade and it gets hot especially during the summer. The dispersed campsites along Pinery Canyon Road make an excellent home base for exploring Chiricahua National Monument. Thats it! The campsites along Crystal Hill Road are another good bet. That said, RVs and trailers are better off looking for boondocking spots just after the first mile marker after turning off Highway 95. Ok, now comes the fun part! Although there are no services specifically for campers here, you will find a vault toilet and some picnic tables at the Indian Break Rocks picnic area. Highly recommended! Another favorite of mine (also with views of the Grand Canyon) is the area near Marble Viewpoint. Heres how to find other dispersed campsites in Arizona: Another option for free camping in Arizona is blacktop boondocking in a store parking lot such as Walmart or Cracker Barrel. If you can tough out the crowds for a night or two, then youre in for a real treat. These are all along the paved access road. Its located about 45 minutes away from Wilcox in Coronado National Forest. You can simply use your smart phone's GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast. 7. Cellular reception is decent, but far from amazing. The East Portal Campground is located in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, directly east of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There are also plenty of shade trees to shield you from the hot sun. Coconino Rim Road has fantastic access to Grand Canyon lookout points, including Grandview Point and Moran Point. Guide to Camping on the Tour du Mont Blanc, Guide to Hiking from Aspen to Crested Butte, Guide to Camping on the West Highland Way, Guide to Camping on the Walkers Haute Route, The Ultimate Guide to the Coast to Coast Walk, The Complete Guide to Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park, How to find dispersed campsites in Arizona, The 10 Best Dispersed Camping Areas in Arizona, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest dispersed camping, Coconino National Forest dispersed camping, Coronado National Forest dispersed camping, Prescott National Forest dispersed camping, Bureau of Land Management Dispersed Camping in Arizona (BLM), Arizona State Land Trust Dispersed Camping, Palm Canyon in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, The BEST Washington Dispersed Camping: Everything you need to know, The BEST Places to Camp Near Bryce Canyon National Park. The East Fork Black River Recreation Area stretches 8 miles along the East Fork Black River, from Diamond Rock Campground south to Buffalo Crossing Campground. The Lower Salt River Recreation Area is a popular area near Mesa, AZ and provides numerous recreational opportunities. Yet another option one that I personally only use in a pinch is stealth camping. Camp at Saddle Mountain Overlook for the Grand Canyon views. available directed at Indian Bread Rocks, you will find a vault toilet. Coronado National Forest has several other dispersed camping opportunities near Patagonia, including along San Rafael Road. Campground Overview: Agua Fria National Monument is a 71,000-acre monument, approximately 40 miles north of central Phoenix. I am very grateful when there are restrooms and they are clean. This includes everything from determining what public land allows camping, how to find specific campsites, what to bring, and more. Turn right and travel 7 miles to the junction of FR 205. Another one of my favorite places to camp on the Mogollon Rim is actually south of Highway 260 on Old Rim Road (FR 171), known as FR 171 Campground. Continue along the Desert View Drive portion of Highway 64 for about 15 miles until you reach the turnoff for Coconino Rim Road (also called Forest Road 310). For directions and up to date information here is the Forest Service website. Bring your own hand sanitizing liquid. Here are 11 of my favorite places for free dispersed camping in Arizona to help you find the perfect campsite for your next trip. Thats ridiculous. At Moabi Regional Park, at the Arizona and California state line along the Colorado River, dispersed and developed campsites are available, along with fishing, hiking, boating, and off-roading. Find a Free Campsite There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. The first several campsites are quite spacious and include a large dirt parking lot bordered by trees. Winding through California's magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains, Kern River is one of the state's best destinations for dispersed camping, hiking, and rafting. Similar to backpacking, hunter camping provides another way to camp primitively. The majority of the campgrounds are located high in the mountains, nestled between peaceful mountain streams. Most American national parks are flooded with visitors in summer, but those who venture out of season will be treated to five free-entrance days at all National Park Service . Unfortunately, there are just a handful of sites with views of the Grand Canyon itself. Today, Im going to share my favorite free campsites in Arizona. If youre coming from the Sedona side youll need to drive quite a ways along the road before reaching the area where camping is permitted. Love the big comfy beds. Coconino Rim Road is part of Kaibab National Forest. Many of the site are along creeks, but you should still come prepared with as much water as you think youll need. Here is. This is an entirely free site and very easily accessible. Then travel on through the town of Globe to Show Low and then on through the town of Springerville. Countless dispersed campsites are available, most with decent shade. Going forward, youll start seeing how such information acquired and implemented gradually improve your camping experience or adventures.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'boonieriders_org-leader-3','ezslot_11',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-boonieriders_org-leader-3-0'); So guys, go out there, do your due diligence (both online and offline), ask relevant questions where need be, and confirm the same from two or more sources. 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. Several small, developed national forest campgrounds are also available for a small fee. They lack the required amount of tread that would enable the air to travel between their grooves. At this Phoenix campground, you will find between six and fifteen free camping sites. Weve provided contact information for all of the National Forests and BLM offices in Arizona in this post, and your best bet for finding a good dispersed campsite is to reach out to them directly. Theres lots of cholla, so keep an eye on your dogs. 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. The road to Gardner Canyon dispersed camping is passable for most vehicles, so this makes a good campsite for those in low clearance cars or with larger rigs. King Mountain. Several sites are large enough for RVs and trailers. These distinct forests are located in all different areas of Arizona and encompass the wide variety of ecosystems the state is known for. Honestly, nobody would really care how long you intend to camp there. Plus, its just a short walk into Tortilla Flat to get an ice cream. Each cluster of campsites had a large signage area. Its also very windy here. Phone: 204-296-2267. Despite having quite a bit of traffic, Harshaw Road is quiet and peaceful. 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. Perfect for boondocking in an RV or trailer thanks to well-maintained access roads. Im more of a hotel camper, although some of the very large tents with beds and lots of amenities look pretty cool. C) Make sure you choose a site that is obviously not in a meadow or clearing. Required fields are marked *. The toilets with the holesI just cant. It was fun to watch them. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets. Just be sure to check the current fire restrictions with the Nogales Ranger District before having a fire. Strong winds are common. Herb Martyr Campground is one of my favorites. Saddle Mountain Overlook is part of Kaibab National Forest. Arizona also becomes the vagabond, fugitive, or homeless capital of the United States during winter. Here are the seven principles of Leave No Trace camping: You can read more about the seven principles of Leave No Trace camping here. The BLM access road is a bit bumpy, but doable in all vehicles. Unfortunately, all too many visitors leave behind trash and dont properly dispose of human waste make sure youre not one of them! Our favorite resources for Arizona dispersed camping are below: Check out our Dispersed Camping App guide here. Your email address will not be published. Ive seen low-clearance 2WD vehicles (including a Prius) make the drive, but high-clearance and/or 4WD is very helpful. The campsites are all private. Many sites are spacious enough and the access road is smooth enough for large RVs and trailers. Lets take a look at our 10 favorite Arizona dispersed camping areas located across the state, all outlined below. These access roads are RV friendly, although big rigs should look for campsites closer to Highway 95 as the roads do become rougher the further in you travel towards the mountains. Please always follow the7 Leave No Trace principles(especially packing out all your trash,properly disposing of human waste, respecting campfire bans, and only using previously-used campsites) when dispersed camping in Arizona. The two largest land managers that youll want to familiarize yourself with are the US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Pinewood Lodge Campground. The North Kaibab Ranger District offers countless dispersed camping opportunities. 8 Rules and Regulations Regarding Campfire Rings: 9 Important Information You Should Take Into Consideration 10 Summary: 10.1 Related In conclusion, however, I encourage you to dig deep for more knowledge or information regarding dispersed camping in Arizona. Winnipeg , Manitoba R3C 0C4 , Canada. This was a very nice benefit that I do not normally see. Im more of a hotel girl myself, but I can appreciate an occasional overnight of camping. Kofa is an ideal place for RV boondocking in Arizona. G) Also note that before you consider leaving your site, do ensure to put out the campfire completely. The red rock canyon views from the overlook are amazing. Turn north at the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center to reach these. Now discover how to make a living from it. Some of my favorite sites include the Apache Trout Campground, Lyman Lake State Park, and Granville Campground . Keep in mind that if you plan on exploring further into the national forest youll likely want a high-clearance 4WD vehicle as the roads get quite a bit rougher past the camping area. This site also participates in other affiliate programs with, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies., 2023 Copyright Boondocking and Dispersed Camping. These maps generally show which forest service roads permit dispersed camping, often notated by two dots on either side of the road. Loading. There are main reasons why people enjoy camping here: (1) It is located on the shoreline of the Gunnison River and (2) There are many box elder trees which provide shade to the campsites. 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. Call the Red Rock Ranger District for more information: (928) 282-4199, Related Post: Best Free Dispersed Camping Near Sedona. Its just 10 miles from Lake Havasu City to the south and 12 miles from I-40 to the north. There are literally hundreds of places to dispersed camp here, although my favorites are accessed north of Highway 260 along or just off Rim Road (FR 300). In Arizona, youre free to explore or travel around the deserts, forests, mountains, sleep there, and even erect a camp if you so wish. The route begins in a corner of the desert which has some of the world's richest saguaro stands. Coconino County (where the national forest is located) is actually the second-largest county in the United States with an area the size of both Vermont and New Hampshire combined! Love it when they have a tent and beds all setup. Beautiful Vermillion Cliffs (including The Wave in Coyote Buttes North) is just a short drive away. You already know you love to travel You could even stop and erect a tent if youd like to camp there for the night. The paved road then follows meandering Harshaw Creek through a sycamore-shaded canyon until crossing over into Coronado National Forest. Looking to find more free, dispersed camping? Both are also part of the Coconino National Forest. At many locations the BLM provides developed facilities for camping. Not satisfied with the free campsites on my list? Weve created this Arizona dispersed camping guide to help you navigate through the various regulations, rules, and different public landowners to help you find your perfect dispersed campsite. Camping a bit away from the rim helps minimize wind. Cell service is spotty, but you should pick up at least a bar or two. Just note that its only accessible from late spring to late fall due to its high elevation. 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