The western end of the trail accesses a popular target shooting area along Desert Peak Mountain. Edge of the World is hands down one of the most amazing places to camp in Arizona, free or paid. Its VERY easy access, any size rig could fit in here. 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. 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 . Pumphouse Wash is another good spot for free camping near Flagstaff. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. East of Phoenix, Arizona, is the historic Apache Trail which travels through the Superstition Mountains region. Dirt roads are numerous with dispersed camping allowed throughout the entire area. Would not recommend for rigs over 24ft. It was named the Apache Trail after the Native American Indians who originally used this trail to migrate through the Superstition Mountains for over 1,000 years. Camping is only allowed at designated campsites in Bald Eagle State Forest. The campground has access to recreational opportunities at nearby Bear Canyon Lake, as well as numerous other activities and exploration opportunities along the Mogollon Rim. Truck Camper Adventure is an emagazine offering truck camper news, reviews, travel tips, and more. It covers roughly 665,000 acres, a mixture of open desert and the rugged Kofa Mountains. Lots of hiking trails are located nearby (Wave Cave Trail is a short, sweet, and popular option). 15 mi Heavy rains (3 inches in 24 hours) caused significant pooling in the lower areas of the campground which is, as reported, really just an extra-large horse-trail trailhead. Today, Im going to share my favorite free campsites in Arizona. Chippewa County Forest Except for designated campgrounds and areas with no camping signs, you can camp for up to 14 days anywhere in Chippewa County Forest. Learn more: Boondocking 101, Campendium users haven't asked any questions about Apache Trail Dispersed Camping, I will preface this by saying that we didnt camp here, and thank goodness for that. Wanderland Travelers would stay here again. The mountain views are beautiful and the stars are bright at night. more. Had an awesome moonrise with silhouettes of the saguaro on the hill in front of it. The location is great! Breathtaking scenery and several historical sites can be found scattered along this trail! Park Link Camping Row is an easy trail that primarily runs parallel to Park Link Drive. Mike, Thanks for the write up. FYI No facilities. We were very close to the road though, so there was a fair amount of traffic noise. Three Mile Wash Shoreline Area, located 3 miles south of Roosevelt Dam on the south shoreline of Apache Lake, offers shoreline dispersed camping. You can most likely find a spot even if it looks very busy when you pull in. 188 for 33 miles to its junction with State Hwy. The roads arent in the best shape, but expect nothing worse than moderate washboarding at least until youre about 7 miles in. Apache Trail Dispersed Camping Tonto National Forest Write a Review Apache Trail Apache Junction, AZ 85119 480-610-3300 Official Website GPS: 33.4864, -111.4675 Add Photos View 23 Photos Overview Q&A Cell Service Reviews (9) Amenities Overview of Apache Trail Dispersed Camping 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. Parking Pets Allowed Restrooms Wifi Wheelchair Accessible Credit Cards Accepted Affiliation National forest Lowest Nightly Rate 0 Max Stay 14 Fifty Amp Full Hookup Pull Through Tent Sites Campground Camping Areas Alpine Ranger District Alpine Divide Campground Blue Crossing Campground East Fork Recreation Area Aspen Campground - East Fork Black River Buffalo Crossing Campground Deer Creek Campground Diamond Rock Campground Coconino Rim Road has fantastic access to Grand Canyon lookout points, including Grandview Point and Moran Point. The best campsites look out over the Colorado River (near the start of the Grand Canyon). And, dont forget to climb up the nearby Grandview Lookout Tower (you can also use this tower as a destination on Google Maps to find the dispersed campsites). 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. Lightning storms here are extremely scary (and not at all uncommon). This area can accommodate even the biggest RVs and trailers. Just know that dispersed camping isnt allowed here you must camp in one of the roughly 100 designated campsites (which are still completely free). Awesome Valley of the Sun weather, mid 70s all 4 days. Both Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves also have a ton of developed campgrounds (paid) in the Mogollon Rim area. Camp at Saddle Mountain Overlook for the Grand Canyon views. Its also a popular destination for jeep tours and OHV riders. Lone Tree, another BLM dispersed camping area, is located just off Highway 95, about 4 miles north of the turnoff for Craggy Wash. Because its so convenient and can fit RVs of all sizes, it tends to get crowded here as well. 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. Few camping experiences are more exhilarating than sleeping under the stars. Gross, I know!! Just northeast of Payson is another one of my favorite places for dispersed camping in Arizona. Nearly always there would be "room for one more" if you just need a place to overnight and aren't too picky. 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. Most campsites are spacious and flat, although the access roads can be quite rough. 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. Mogollon Rim is just two hours from Phoenix so it gets very busy. Badger Creek Overlook is exposed. From Apache Junction: Drive north on State Hwy. Class A busses probably wouldn't make it. 88 are unpaved) to Three Mile Wash Recreation Site. Laundry, propane (Metro Lift had best price when we were here; gas station's nearby was almost double it), Costco and Winco are all within reach. FR 9354 Camping Area is a newly created dispersed camping area located along FR 9354, in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. About six miles west of I-17 is Schnebly Hill Vista. Expect wind while camping here. more. 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. black river az dispersed camping owner of mcdonald's 2022. st germain in tokyo cocktail; peter gurian cape cod; plumbing convention las vegas 2023; famous drag queen names; pagkain sa boracay island; The campsites are all private. 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. Its a quiet, peaceful area with great scenery and lots of wildlife (be careful with food storage as bears frequent the area). We just pulled in for a quick overnight stay and so grateful that was all. Pulled in and the place was trashed. Lots of horse trailers which is fine for they only stay for a few hours and then gone. The North Kaibab Ranger District offers countless dispersed camping opportunities. It was kind of crowded, but thats to be expected at this time of year in AZ. As per the other reviews, it was crowded, even on a rainy Sunday evening. Description; Amenities; Details; Although it gets a little busy during the day, its surprisingly uncrowded here at night. 188. Much of the surrounding area is BLM land. Powered by WordPress. The drive into these free campsites starts in Patagonia, a quaint town with a rich mining history known for its fantastic birding opportunities. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! 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. Call the Douglas Ranger District for more information: (520) 388-8436. Quite a few people living in mini vans but I was not bothered. Junction City - Schreiner Park Campground, Upper Teton View - Toppings Lake Dispersed Campsites 8-16, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground, Video: Where to Camp in Quartzsite, Arizona. If you want a quiet, relaxed camping experience soaking in the views of the Superstitions, this is NOT your place! Sep 14, 2020 - Apache Trail Dispersed Camping in Tonto National Forest, Apache Junction Arizona. At about 7 miles in, the road is much rougher. The area is regularly patrolled by Forest Service Rangers I felt plenty safe leaving my tent behind to explore the national park. The views are spectacular, its too bad this area is being abused. 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 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). Wish we could give it more than 1 star, but theres just nothing good 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. Horse trailers pull in around 10am and out again around 3-4pm (at least this time of year). Lakes for fishing. Since the creek can fill quickly after a rain, two large, single-lane bridges have been constructed to provide year-round access. 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. Rigs of all sizes are welcome here. Would not recommend for rigs over 24ft. There are fire rings, but we ended up making our own because someone had left tons of trash laying around (shame). White Mountains Links . Class A busses probably wouldn't make it. Few camping experiences are more exhilarating than sleeping under the stars. Beautiful Vermillion Cliffs (including The Wave in Coyote Buttes North) is just a short drive away. Tortilla Flats Campground - Apache Junction, Arizona Campers awake to a scenic backdrop of rugged bluffs, saguaro cactus and desert skies. Overall it seems there is a good bit of turnover. Several small, developed national forest campgrounds are also available for a small fee. Arizona is a wonderful place to explore with countless free camping opportunities. The campsites are decently spaced apart, so youre in for a quiet and peaceful night without many close neighbors. Yeah, that sucks, but sometimes that can be a good thing when one is trying to escape work. Visitor Center/Park Store Monday-Sunday: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. (starting Nov. 1) (Summer hours may vary) Thanksgiving - 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Christmas Eve - 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Christmas Day - closed Park Entrance Fee Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults): $10 It seemed vehicles would make the same loop over and over again. RVs and trailers should avoid traveling beyond this point. We needed to be close to Mesa to see family so this was one of our only free options but I would gladly pay $30 a night to never have to go thru this Aside from the views of the Superstition Mountains, this is a terrible spot. Campfires are prohibited from March 1 - May 25 without authorization from . Michel and Sabina Robitaille of Ontario, Canada are making that popular dream a reality. Chase P. recommends March 31, 2022 Apache Park and Trail Great Views, Great Location! Oral Health. You must camp within 50 feet of a designated campsite, usually marked with a Camp Here post. This boondock site is sandy gravel with dips and hills, and no marked sites; you just park wherever. Three Mile Wash Shoreline Area, located3 miles south of Roosevelt Dam on the south shoreline of Apache Lake, offers shoreline dispersed camping. Campground full or want to see whats around? TMO signal 2-3 bars depending on where you camp. Just make sure you take Woody Mountain Road and youll arrive at the correct spot. There are a lot of hiking trails in this area (the Big Loop Trail is my favorite). and a decent price on diesel, especially with any Kroger card (Fred Meyer, Smiths, etc.). Small area right off the road. 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. Overview of Tower Road Designated Dispersed Campsite 64. The exception is near the borders of the park, just off Highway 95. Look at a map, know before you go. We have a class b van and did ok with deft maneuvering. Junction City - Schreiner Park Campground, Upper Teton View - Toppings Lake Dispersed Campsites 8-16, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground, Video: Where to Camp in Quartzsite, Arizona. 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. Countless dispersed campsites are available, most with decent shade. It essentially refers to camping in an area that is not a designated campground. A short hike will bring you to the edge of the canyon. The closest towns are 30+mins away, but the drive to Carlsbad Caverns was worth it for the scenery and experience. La Posa LTVA and Midland LTVA are located near Quartzsite while Imperial Dam LTVA is located near Yuma. For free camping near Phoenix, dispersed camping near the Superstition Wilderness is likely your best bet. Lost Dutchman State Park offers water for $7 or dump-and-fill for $15. However, part of the Mogollon Rim is located in Coconino National Forest (north and slightly west of Payson). Apache Park and Trail Camping on a Huge Ranch in West TX Great place to stay if you're looking for a lively host in the middle of the desert! Accesss to the area is via the Apache Trail National Forest Scenic Byway, a scenic mountain road. Although there are options closer to town, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is my favorite place for boondocking near Quartzsite. Kofa is an ideal place for RV boondocking in Arizona. And during Christmas of all times!! If possible, sending a scout vehicle in first is a good idea. $4,890 Deposit: $500 Select Download Brochure Ask A Question Itinerary Day 2 & 3 Its here that the campsites first appear. 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?) Overview of Oxbow Designated Dispersed Campsite 25. Camping areas are spread out, but only the ones right off the road are accessible to large rigs. Luckily, the crowds tend to congregate between mile one and two after the turn-off from Highway 95. Do not attempt at night! Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! Its located about 45 minutes away from Wilcox in Coronado National Forest. There is a $3.20 non-refundable reservation fee per campsite. more. You can reach the area without first entering the national park via Forest Service roads east of Tusayan, but the drive in is very long. He currently rolls in a 4WD Ram 3500 outfitted with a SherpTek truck bed with a Bundutec Roadrunner mounted on top. The area itself is beautiful. Drops up to 200 feet are common, so keep children and pets close. Many of the dispersed camping areas can be found on Google Maps and are named after the forest road theyre located on. Plus, its just a short walk into Tortilla Flat to get an ice cream. Herb Martyr Campground is one of my favorites. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. NOTE: Campground is popular for family reunions. 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). These dispersed campsites are located about 15 minutes south of Marble Canyon on BLM land just off of Highway 89A. Just when we finally fell asleep, the local sheriff paid a visit, and we had to provide license and info. USA, *Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Although these are the best spots (for views, at least), remember to be alert. Stunning views. Enjoy your trip safely in a comfortable and luxury maxi-van that seats 15 guests Gratuity Guide gratuity Available options Single supplement $896 6 left Accommodation is based on double occupancy, a single supplement for a tent and Bear Mountain Lodge is available. Rather than list them all, Ive narrowed down your options to just 11 of the very best. Offers a pool, Steaming Hot Jacuzz 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. Know that the rim-side campsites are exposed to the elements. Another favorite of mine (also with views of the Grand Canyon) is the area near Marble Viewpoint. Youre out relaxing and enjoying your favorite, secluded spot with your family and then it happensTwo trucks pulling toy haulers stop [read more]. The Mogollon Rim is part of Coconino National Forest and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. You wont even find a fire ring though there was evidence of a recent campfire where we were camped. Tennis Has Met Its Match: Play Pickleball at These 45 RV Campgrounds, 18 Campgrounds Where You Can Stay Cool This Summer. California condors also live here. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge doesnt get too many visitors, so you can expect privacy and solitude. Whats Better Than One Truck and Camper? Unfortunately, youre not allowed to camp at the overlook itself. black river az dispersed camping; February 26, 2023 . However, not all campsites in the Phoenix area are created equal so you'll want to come prepared with an idea of where you'll camp. Contact Information Default. OHV riding is allowed, so theres a lot of road noise depending on where you camp. As per the other reviews, it was crowded, even on a rainy Sunday evening. more. November is a great time to explore the Apache Trail. Kofa is conveniently located off of Highway 95 between Quartzsite and Yuma. Avoid camping around the ruins of old homes and buildings, brush piles and other natural features with lots of cracks and crevices that snakes and spiders love to hide in. Fair amount of trash around which is disappointing. 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