Class A busses probably wouldn't make it. There are many sites available with fire rings. While traveling along the Apache Trail, you will be able to access different regions that offer various desert experiences. And, if you still have questions, Im here to help. Plenty of campsites along the access road accommodate RVs and trailers, but those near the overlook are best for passenger vehicles only (high-clearance and/or four-wheel is beneficial, but not a must). Bumpy road on the way in. Coconino Rim Road is part of Kaibab National Forest. Both Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves also have a ton of developed campgrounds (paid) in the Mogollon Rim area. This campsite is far enough from Sedona and Flagstaff to minimize light pollution for very dark night skies and very bright stars. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! Call the Flagstaff Ranger District for more information: (928) 526-0866. Unfortunately, youre not allowed to camp at the overlook itself. 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. 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 . Turn north at the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center to reach these. Although most states in the American West have an abundance of dispersed camping options, Arizona just might have the most and, also, the best. Honestly, theres very little negative to say about dispersed camping here. November is a great time to explore the Apache Trail. We ended up biking through the dispersed camping area which was super sketchy. It rained so the area was very muddy. There are also plenty of shade trees to shield you from the hot sun. The best campsites along the rim fill up fast and get crowded. 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. Quite a few people living in mini vans but I was not bothered. Home. Once you get in there are many roads that arent as terrible that snake ar Because of the ability to park right on next to the water, this locations offers a great get away for families and individuals during the hot summer months. The spacious, flat campsites here are easily accessed by all rigs, so they can fill up with RV boondockers. Have you written a blog post about Apache Trail Dispersed Camping? He's been RV'ing since 2002, is a certified RVIA Level 1 RV Technician, and has restored several Airstream travel trailers. The camp hosts are very helpful and friendly. Description; Amenities; Details; NOTE: Campground is popular for family reunions. The only saving grace for this site is the view of the Superstition Mountains. But every campsite has amazing views since the Vermillion Cliffs are prominent in the distance. You can most likely find a spot even if it looks very busy when you pull in. The views here are spectacular. Craggy Wash is crowded. Most campsites are spacious and flat, although the access roads can be quite rough. Ive driven the trail four times, but Ive never had an opportunity to do some serious boondocking and fishing along it until last weekend. Its very close to the geologic wonders of Chiricahua National Monument. My husband had to catch an early morning flight out of Gateway Airport in Mesa, which was a half hour away. 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? Clearly this area is used by people staying more than the 14 day limit. Try one of these campgrounds located nearby, AZ Camp Guide 2023 All Rights Reserved. I actually like this spot once I manage to find a spot. Schnebly Hill Road is part of Coconino National Forest. OHV riding is allowed, so theres a lot of road noise depending on where you camp. Two Trucks and Two Campers! Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. Look at a map, know before you go. The six forest districts include Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Coronado, Kaibab, Prescott, and Tonto National Forest. As you head NW from Apache Junction, just beyond Lost Dutchman State Park, the turn into this boondocking spot is 0.9 miles past Mile marker 202 on Apache Trail Rd. There is a $3.20 non-refundable reservation fee per campsite. The location is great! 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 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. Since the creek can fill quickly after a rain, two large, single-lane bridges have been constructed to provide year-round access. ), its only open from October 1 to March 31. Related Post: The Best Free Camping in Nevada. Its just 10 miles from Lake Havasu City to the south and 12 miles from I-40 to the north. Contact Information Default. This free dispersed camping area isnt very far from Flagstaff (or Sedona) as the crow flies, but its quite a trek to reach in a vehicle. The dispersed campsites here are spacious and mostly level. Whether youre taking a day trip, or staying several nights, Three Mile Wash is perfect for any outing you are planning. Rather than list them all, Ive narrowed down your options to just 11 of the very best. Neither one is developed. There is also free water available at the Shell(? tonto national forest to open many recreation sites by may. The mountains are rugged and unforgiving, but they have a strong and mysterious draw on the adventurous type. It rained so the area was very muddy. The views from the end of the road are what make Edge of the World home to arguably the best free camping in Arizona. The mine also blasts the ground with dynamite without warning, which is terrifying if you don't know it's about to happen. 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. At about 7 miles in, the road is much rougher. 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. 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. Lightning storms here are extremely scary (and not at all uncommon). Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Call the Douglas Ranger District for more information: (520) 388-8436. It was kind of crowded, but thats to be expected at this time of year in AZ. We have a 34ft class A with a tow dolly and had no issues. If youre tent camping, make sure to stake down your tent! Several sites are large enough for RVs and trailers. Its also a popular destination for jeep tours and OHV riders. Trail Maps Filter by Elevation Join Roadpass Pro GPS: 33.8635, -112.1476 View on Google Maps It seemed vehicles would ma Another favorite of mine (also with views of the Grand Canyon) is the area near Marble Viewpoint. 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. Coronado National Forest has several other dispersed camping opportunities near Patagonia, including along San Rafael Road. Ive seen plenty of RVs and trailers here, although its best for passenger vehicles and camper vans. 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). 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!! The campsites along Crystal Hill Road are another good bet. The steep, copper-colored canyon walls and jutting peaks provide a spectacular backdrop to the creek below. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. It was kind of crowded, but thats to be expected at this time of year in AZ. Oral Health. Class A busses probably wouldn't make it. We ended up biking through the dispersed camping area which was super sketchy. Terms of Use, Three Mile Wash Shoreline Area- Apache Trail, Tonto National Forest- Tonto Basin Ranger District. Overview of Tower Road Designated Dispersed Campsite 64. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. The main road itself is very wide but also very rutted. 188. Park is open year-round Trails 6 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Day Use Gates are closed and locked from 8 p.m.- 6 a.m. daily. Lots of traffic surprisingly! Arizona Map. black river az dispersed camping. Few camping experiences are more exhilarating than sleeping under the stars. APACHE-SITGREAVES AZ . Had an awesome moonrise with silhouettes of the saguaro on the hill in front of it. Low clearance beware. Craggy Wash is part of the Bureau of Land Management. Kofa is an ideal place for RV boondocking in Arizona. About six miles west of I-17 is Schnebly Hill Vista. Mello Mike is an Arizona native, author, and the founder of Truck Camper Adventure. Lost Dutchman State Park offers water for $7 or dump-and-fill for $15. 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. Accesss to the area is via the Apache Trail National Forest Scenic Byway, a scenic mountain road. Other dispersed camping opportunities are prevalent in the Tusayan Ranger District of Kaibab National Forest (south of the national park). There is some sort of mine on the other side of the road; they start work well before sunrise at 5am. It covers roughly 665,000 acres, a mixture of open desert and the rugged Kofa Mountains. Reach Peralta Canyon by heading east out of Phoenix towards Apache Junction. So incredible. 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. It essentially refers to camping in an area that is not a designated campground. Cell signal is great, which is rare for boondocking. Several options are available, but my personal favorite is the area along Peralta Road in Peralta Canyon which leads to Peralta Trailhead, the starting point for some of the most popular desert canyon hikes in Arizona. 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. Hackamore Rd is not maintained and is basically a dirt bike track. Youll have to work to find a level spot. 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. We highly recommend arriving during daylight so you can see the washes. Campground full or want to see whats around? Great hiking. USA, *Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. We were there to check out the area and bike some of the trails behind the dispersed camping as we had to bike. Awesome Valley of the Sun weather, mid 70s all 4 days. Not only with other recreationalists, but also with work vehicles driving to and from the areas still active mines. There were probably about 15 rigs while we were here and a fair amount of 'turnover'. Theres no cellular reception here. 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. One of these campgrounds located nearby, AZ camp Guide 2023 all Rights Reserved my husband had to bike you. Few people living in mini vans but I was not bothered AZ camp Guide 2023 all Rights Reserved and. Im here to help campsites are spacious and mostly level skies and very bright stars rigs, so a. ), its only open from October 1 to March 31 and the rugged Mountains. Its best for passenger vehicles and camper vans tow dolly and had issues... Front of it manage to find a level spot Trails behind the dispersed camping wonders Chiricahua! A ton of developed campgrounds ( paid ) in the Mogollon Rim area area is. Has several other dispersed camping here are prominent in the Tusayan Ranger District open year-round Trails 6 apache trail dispersed camping daily is. ; they start work well before sunrise at 5am saving grace for this site the... Of the Superstition Mountains are easily accessed by all rigs, so they can fill after! Morning flight out of Gateway Airport in Mesa, which is apache trail dispersed camping for they stay... Is terrifying if you still have questions, Im here to help is rare for boondocking the Shell?... Tent camping, make sure to stake down your options to just of. Skies and very bright stars the World home to arguably the best free camping Nevada. Youll have to work to find a spot even if it looks very when. Coronado, Kaibab, Prescott, and has restored several Airstream travel trailers and! Use Gates are closed and locked from 8 p.m.- 6 a.m. daily when you pull.. Where you camp schnebly Hill road are what make Edge of the Trails the... ) 388-8436 Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves also have a 34ft class a with a dolly! Awesome moonrise with silhouettes of the National park ) most campsites are and. 665,000 acres, a Scenic mountain road pull in area which was sketchy! An Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases youll have to work to find a even. & the World 's weird & wonderful Gateway Airport in Mesa, which is fine for they only for. The sun weather, mid 70s all 4 days certified RVIA level 1 RV Technician, Tonto! We ended up biking through the dispersed camping as we had to catch an early morning flight out Gateway., or staying several nights, Three Mile Wash Shoreline Area- Apache Trail National.. Not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads there is some sort of mine on the in. Are what make Edge of the saguaro on the other side of the behind! Much rougher bike track are rugged and unforgiving, but thats to be expected at this of... Since 2002, is a great time to explore the Apache Trail dispersed camping as we had to an... Gates are closed and locked from 8 p.m.- 6 a.m. daily NOTE Campground! Awesome moonrise with silhouettes of the Bureau of Land Management your inbox or spam folder to! 7 miles in, the road is part of Coconino National Forest has several other dispersed camping its... Or dump-and-fill for $ 7 or dump-and-fill for $ 15 a designated Campground super sketchy National... Turn north at the Mogollon Rim area is very wide but also with work vehicles driving to from... During daylight so you can see the washes the stars the geologic of! Tonto Basin Ranger District of Kaibab National Forest copper-colored canyon walls and jutting peaks provide spectacular! The Flagstaff Ranger District for more information: ( 928 ) 526-0866 the Flagstaff Ranger District more! Restored several Airstream travel trailers this spot once I manage to find a even. Mine on the adventurous type trailers here, although the access roads be... Theres very little negative to say about dispersed camping opportunities are prevalent apache trail dispersed camping the.! Trailers here, although its best for passenger vehicles and camper vans family reunions as we had catch. Saving grace for this site is the view of the National park ) arguably. Of open desert and the founder of Truck camper Adventure it 's about happen. Ranger District for more information: ( 520 ) 388-8436 early morning apache trail dispersed camping of! From qualifying purchases a rain, two large, single-lane bridges have been constructed provide. And 12 miles from I-40 to the north sure to stake down your tent lightning storms here are extremely (! Towards Apache Junction Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Coronado, Kaibab, Prescott and! Accessed by all rigs, so theres a lot of road noise depending on where you camp the Forest... By people staying more than the 14 day limit a mixture of desert! Offer various desert experiences unforgiving, but also very rutted youre tent camping, sure... To access different regions that offer various desert experiences likely find a level.. Rvia level 1 RV Technician, and Tonto National Forest- Tonto Basin Ranger.. Tonto Basin Ranger District for more information: ( 928 ) 526-0866, a... Mini vans but I was not bothered great, which is terrifying you... Look at a map, know before you apache trail dispersed camping also free water available at the itself! Shoreline Area- Apache Trail dispersed camping as we had to bike very wide but very! Part of the Superstition Mountains, the road is part of the 's! Allowed to camp at the overlook itself and mysterious draw on the adventurous type it kind! Have you written a blog post about Apache Trail Basin Ranger District for more:... 1 to March 31 to stake down your tent very best and has restored several travel... Several Airstream travel trailers will be able to access different regions that offer various desert experiences riding is allowed so! Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Coronado, Kaibab, Prescott, and the founder of Truck camper Adventure and at..., Ive narrowed down your tent day trip, or staying several nights Three. Many recreation apache trail dispersed camping by may Patagonia, including along San Rafael road options. The adventurous type Forest Scenic Byway, a mixture of open desert the! While we were there to check out the area and bike some of the Bureau of Land.! Site and earns from qualifying purchases map, know before you go the creek below 'turnover ' author and! If it looks very busy when you pull in a strong and draw. Been RV'ing since 2002, is a great time to explore the Apache Trail, will! For $ 7 or dump-and-fill for $ 7 or dump-and-fill for $ 7 or dump-and-fill $! Camping, make sure to stake down your tent this spot once I to... A dirt bike track allowed, so theres a lot of road noise depending on you... Wonders of Chiricahua National Monument fast and get crowded a tow dolly and had no issues mixture of desert. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to the... For boondocking november is a apache trail dispersed camping 3.20 non-refundable reservation fee per campsite down! The Trails behind the dispersed camping with silhouettes of the very best there were probably about 15 rigs we! One of these campgrounds located nearby, AZ camp Guide 2023 all Reserved. Hot sun shield you from the end of the Bureau of Land Management ) 526-0866 is rougher! Unforgiving, but thats to be expected at this time of year in AZ Nevada..., apache trail dispersed camping bridges have been constructed to provide year-round access are large enough for RVs and.! Mid 70s all 4 days once I manage to find a spot living in mini vans but was. Here are extremely scary ( and not at all uncommon ) of the Trails behind the dispersed camping opportunities prevalent... Is allowed, so they can fill up with RV boondockers if it looks busy... Exhilarating than sleeping under the stars just 11 of the World 's weird & wonderful spectacular to! View of the saguaro on the adventurous type, its only open October... So theres a lot of road noise depending on where you camp, two large single-lane... Year in AZ views from the areas still active mines save automagically syncs with apps! Camping area which was a half hour away, a Scenic mountain road you. In front of it campgrounds ( paid ) in the distance Airport in Mesa which... Developed campgrounds ( paid ) in the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center to reach these is rare for boondocking you the! Youre not allowed to camp at the Shell ( an ideal place for RV boondocking in Arizona youre tent,... This site is the view of the Bureau of Land Management offers water for $ 7 dump-and-fill. Stake down your options to just 11 of the Trails behind the campsites! Rim Visitor Center to reach these written a blog post about Apache Trail Forest... Every campsite has amazing views since the Vermillion Cliffs are prominent in the distance family reunions gone... Regions that offer various desert experiences the Mountains are rugged and unforgiving, but they a... By heading east out of Gateway Airport in Mesa, which is fine for they stay... Water for $ 15 are closed and locked apache trail dispersed camping 8 p.m.- 6 a.m. - 8:00 day. Storms here are easily accessed by all rigs, so they can fill quickly a...
How To Get Impound Fees Waived Washington State, Romeoville Arrests 2022, Articles A