Youre out relaxing and enjoying your favorite, secluded spot with your family and then it happensTwo trucks pulling toy haulers stop [read more]. dispersed camping southwest. Unbelievable unobstructed views of Lost Dutchman. Few camping experiences are more exhilarating than sleeping under the stars. 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. Another favorite of mine (also with views of the Grand Canyon) is the area near Marble Viewpoint. Snakes, tarantulas, and other critters are common here so watch your step and keep dogs close. more. Camping areas are spread out, but only the ones right off the road are accessible to large rigs. Would not recommend for rigs over 24ft. Only single vehicles or single axle trailers should venture far off the road. The 23-mile dirt access road is rough and windy. The beautiful views and quiet forest atmosphere always make me happy I stopped here for a night. As the crow flies, its not far from Sedona, but making the drive into town takes over an hour due to the lay of the land. Continue on US Route 60 just past the small community of Gold Canyon. Nearest Gas 3.5 miles away. Several sites are large enough for RVs and trailers. Expect moderate washboarding, although the road is passable to all vehicles. The main benefit of Craggy Wash is its convenience. Mello Mike is an Amazon.com associate. 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. He's been RV'ing since 2002, is a certified RVIA Level 1 RV Technician, and has restored several Airstream travel trailers. Learn more: Boondocking 101 Some people running loud generators late into the night, but most campers were using solar while we were there. You can easily reach this campground near Gurney as it is located about two miles down a well-maintained gravel road off U.S. Highway 169. There is also free water available at the Shell(? My husband had to catch an early morning flight out of Gateway Airport in Mesa, which was a half hour away. Wish we could give it more than 1 star, but theres just nothing good here. For Sale: 2020 Rugged Mountain Granite 11RL Truck Camper ($49,900), 5-Star Boondocking: Utahs Valley of the Gods, Kid and Gypsy Enjoy Truck Camper Life Abroad. Trash everywhere, actually smelled like urine, and some people definitely staying past the 14 day limit. Consistently busy area with campers and horse trailers. more. Around 42% of Arizona is made up of public lands like national forests and BLM land, so its not surprising there are literally hundreds of dispersed camping and boondocking opportunities throughout the state. Be sure to check for regulations in advance and look for signs in the area to indicate if camping is allowed. It appeared that our neighbors were living there more than camping there. [deleted] 3 yr. ago Today, Stronghold Canyon offers several hiking trails, a plethora of dispersed . Ive seen low-clearance 2WD vehicles (including a Prius) make the drive, but high-clearance and/or 4WD is very helpful. Badger Creek Overlook is exposed. Expect wind while camping here. Camped Sunday night, 2/3/19. Although youll see good camping spots almost immediately, its important to continue down the dirt road until you pass the sign for Kaibab National Forest (just past the first cattle guard). Arizona is also home to countless casinos, many of which offer free casino boondocking in their parking lots. She was twitching and freaking out to the point that I called an emergency vet and almost took her in!! Hackamore Rd is not maintained and is basically a dirt bike track. November is a great time to explore the Apache Trail. Since the creek can fill quickly after a rain, two large, single-lane bridges have been constructed to provide year-round access. Wanderland Travelers would stay here again. Many of the dispersed campsites here are located just feet from the rim itself. . Those who are willing to forgo a few luxuries will find extra solitude and scarcely touched wilderness in our national forests, where you can often find free camping. 9 tenths of a mile past mile marker 202 on st. rt. Many of the dispersed camping areas can be found on Google Maps and are named after the forest road theyre located on. In any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge (36CFR 261.10d) With any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition (36CFR 261.5b) Choose a remote area with an earthen backdrop. Located within the Tonto Basin of the Upper Sonoran Desert, this National Park Service site provides opportunities to experience a thriving culture deeply rooted in its natural setting, while encouraging our own connections to our environment. Instead of turning north at the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center, you turn south. Its VERY easy access, any size rig could fit in here. He also does some RV consulting, repairs, and inspections on the side. 88 for 41 miles (the last 20 miles of State Hwy. (Not sure to rate noise 1 for bad/noisy or 5 for loud?) Unless you have a 44 vehicle, its important to access Schnebly Hill Road (Forest Road 153) from I-17 rather than from Sedona itself to avoid the roughest parts of the road. The paved road then follows meandering Harshaw Creek through a sycamore-shaded canyon until crossing over into Coronado National Forest. With so many options to choose from, this is one of the most pocket-friendly ways to spend some time with . Lost Dutchman State Park offers water for $7 or dump-and-fill for $15. All were friendly and respectful. For Sale: 2021 Northern Lite 8-11 and 2020 GMC 2500HD Sierra ($100,000), For Sale: 2018 Toyota Tacoma-2018 Alu-Cab Khaya Camper ($85,000), For Sale: 2015 Ram 3500 DRW and 2019 Arctic Fox 1150 ($90,000), Truck Camper Mod: Eagle Cap 1165 Buffet Storage, 10 Best Truck Camper Modifications for 2023, Installation Report and Review of the Onan QG 2500i Ultra-Quiet RV Generator, Froli RV Travel Bed System Vastly Improves Sleep, Solving the Dreaded Inverter and Generator Eco Mode Conflict, StableCamper Raises Bar in Competitive Truck Bed Market With Faster Turnaround, TrailReady Pre-Runner Bumper Offers More Agile Appearance, CAT Scale Shocker for New F250-Grandby Truck Camper Rig, Bowen Truck Bed Complements Vintage Avion With Loads of Storage, Tattoo Artist Builds Amazing Ram Power Wagon-OEV Truck Camper Rig, Insurance Covers $17k Repair to Pavels Broken Ram 3500 Frame, New RuggedFlex Military-Grade Solar Panel is a Game-Changer, Building a Great Truck Camper Navigation and Reference Library. USFS (United States Forest Service) allows dispersed camping in all six of its Arizona national forests. One of the best scenic drives in Arizona, the roughly 40-mile Apache Trail gains nearly 6,000 feet of elevation, featuring jaw-dropping mountain passes, vibrant wildflowers, and pristine . Place is spotlessly clean. As per the other reviews, it was crowded, even on a rainy Sunday evening. Trash everywhere, actually smelled like urine, and some peopl We tried to get reservations for next year but everything was already booked for the next year. Just shoot me a line: jake@campnado.com, See Also: My Favorite Camping Gear for 2022, Best Free Campsites Near Grand Canyon National Park, dispersed camping in Coronado National Forest, blacktop boondocking in a store parking lot, New Mexicos Best Free Dispersed Campsites. It seemed vehicles would ma He currently rolls in a 4WD Ram 3500 outfitted with a SherpTek truck bed with a Bundutec Roadrunner mounted on top. Once you get in there are many roads that arent as terrible that snake around all over the place. Theres lots of cholla, so keep an eye on your dogs. Theodore Roosevelt Lakewas formed by the construction of theTheodore Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River in 1911, making it the oldest artificial reservoir in Arizona. Phone Number. Go-Arizona. Call the Black Mesa Ranger District (Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests) for more information: (928) 535-7300, Or, call the Mogollon Rim Ranger District (Coconino) for more information: (928) 477-2255. After planning this trip for a [read more], Most of us who enjoy boondocking have been there at one time or another. Kofa is an ideal place for RV boondocking in Arizona. Just note that its only accessible from late spring to late fall due to its high elevation. 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. Fair amount of trash around which is disappointing. Dispersed camping and boondocking are allowed throughout the entire refuge, although my favorite campsites are those along Palm Canyon Road. Very hilly terrain so having blocks will be helpful but there are flat spots to be found. Please select a reason for flagging this item: 2023 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved. Camping a bit away from the rim helps minimize wind. However, we found a spot, and surprisingly, it was level. One thing very frustrating was the number of trucks and recreation vehicles speeding through the roads at all hours of the day and night. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. The area is regularly patrolled by Forest Service Rangers I felt plenty safe leaving my tent behind to explore the national park. Call the North Kaibab Ranger District for more information: (928) 660-2443, Get Directions to Saddle Mountain Overlook. Loy Butte Road (FR 525) and Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) are two other free dispersed campsites near Sedona that I love. Sunset and sunrise here is very special. Being 200 ft away from the trail and campsite provides you privacy and is good backcountry etiquette. Countless hiking trails wind their way through the Saddle Mountain area and lookout points abound. Arizona is a wonderful place to explore with countless free camping opportunities. Dont worry. Expect minor washboarding, but nothing too serious. Apache Trail Dispersed Camping Apache Trail Apache Junction, Arizona 85119 USA (480) 610-3300 Hours not available Problem with this listing? With North Americas Signup for Roadpass Pro to get premium access to all of these great road travel apps. Small area right off the road. Miles of hiking, 44, and horseback riding trails. 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). If you are into mud and rough, rutted roads, you will be in pig heaven here!! more. Just take it slow and youll arrive in one piece in almost any vehicle, although RVs and trailers should probably avoid camping here. Other dispersed camping opportunities are prevalent in the Tusayan Ranger District of Kaibab National Forest (south of the national park). Plus, its just a short walk into Tortilla Flat to get an ice cream. Apparently, there have been issues of late. Its decent for RVs and trailers. We drove the entire length of the Apache Trail and ended up at the Spring Creek RV park for long hot showers after the dusty ride. Craggy Wash is part of the Bureau of Land Management. Whats Better Than One Truck and Camper? Eve Not impressed, but it got the job done. Although not as popular as other lakes located near Phoenix, the reservoir and surrounding area is now a major center for fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and general vacationing. The expansive grounds are interesting and free to walk. Once in near the overlook, the road is much narrower and quite a bit rougher. For such a beautiful area, its relatively uncrowded here. This is my first review on this website and unfortunately it is going to be an extremely negative one because it was an extremely negative experience. Several campers were definitely not obeying 14 day limits and appeared to be living in this location. 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. Apache Trail Dispersed Area Campground 4.0 - 1 Review Mesa, Arizona Claim this business Information Open All year Sites Total: 5 Amenities Tents Pictures Reviews February 13, 2019 - reviewed by Joseph Elliott A Lot More Than 5 Site And Beautiful Sc Lots of space to camp, however it's mostly tent camping. To make matters even worse (which I wasn't sure was even possible!! Being rainy, there was some mud and soft areas where people drove, but This campsite is far enough from Sedona and Flagstaff to minimize light pollution for very dark night skies and very bright stars. So by the time the OHVs stop, you have a few hours to sleep before the constant beeping if trucks. Youll have to work to find a level spot. Reservations and permits are required and can be made online or over the phone. Call the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge offices for more information: (928) 783-7861. Have you written a blog post about Hackamore Road Dispersed Camping? you dont mind rubbish left everywhere, barking dogs, two generators left running all night and couples fighting all through the night. 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. We were there to check out the area and bike some of the trails behind the dispersed camping as we had to bike. This is my second time here. But, drive into the park just a few miles, and youre sure to find privacy. Fish Creek Canyon has two established sites where you can boondock. 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. The view was great- the neighbors didnt seem to bother us much (other than to borrow some fuel), however the danger of quad riding on the trails with larger side by sides running up on us from blind corners and the possibility of puncturing our tires is a great deterrent to camp out here again. From Mesa: Take State Hwy. Dispersed Campsite along See Canyon Trail Dispersed Camping is also known as boondocking, dry camping, and wild camping. If you use your a/c great, windows open, youll be eating dust with the traffic! Cell service is spotty, but you should pick up at least a bar or two. Neither one is developed. Three Mile Wash Shoreline Area, located 3 miles south of Roosevelt Dam on the south shoreline of Apache Lake, offers shoreline dispersed camping. This area can accommodate even the biggest RVs and trailers. Breathtaking scenery and several historical sites can be found scattered along this trail! 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. First of all, I want to say that the views were PHENOMENAL!! Lightning storms here are extremely scary (and not at all uncommon). The Mogollon Rim, an escarpment, extends for roughly 200 miles with countless dispersed camping opportunities atop the high cliffs, many with expansive views of the forests thousands of feet below. Not only with other recreationalists, but also with work vehicles driving to and from the areas still active mines. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The gravel road is usually in decent shape, aside from minor washboarding (the campsites themselves can get rutted after a heavy rain). 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. 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