This is dispersed camping in a national forest. 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). Its VERY easy access, any size rig could fit in here. 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. Kofa is an ideal place for RV boondocking in Arizona. Dont worry. Arizona Map. Several sites are large enough for RVs and trailers. 15 mi If you can tough out the crowds for a night or two, then youre in for a real treat. Most campsites are spacious and flat, although the access roads can be quite rough. USA, *Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Although the Superstition Wilderness itself is in Tonto National Forest, the dispersed camping on Peralta Road is actually on Arizona State Trust Land. Call the Lake Havasu Field Office for more information: (928) 505-1200. Safer, but Be prepared to be awoken. Badger Creek Overlook is exposed. Check with Clifton District Ranger's Office to ensure availability of campsites. Lots of cacti (cholla and saguaro), many evenings with coyotes howling nearby, and unfortunately a fair amount of trash left by campers. 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 This area can accommodate even the biggest RVs and trailers. Apache Trail, 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 further you drive in, the more likely you are to find a private campsite. 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. Cellular reception is strong for most providers. Many of the dispersed campsites here are located just feet from the rim itself. Badger Creek Overlook is part of the Bureau of Land Management. more. Campfires are prohibited from March 1 - May 25 without authorization from . black river az dispersed campingfast growing firewood trees australia black river az dispersed camping Men university of virginia track and field coaches Camping is only allowed at designated campsites in Bald Eagle State Forest. 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 trauma ever again!! Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. 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. A communications expert and licensed ham radio operator, he retired from the U.S. Navy in 2004 as a CWO3 after 24 years, holds a BS degree, and now runs Truck Camper Adventure full-time. The existing Apache Trail in Arizona is a 120 mile circle route through the Superstition Mountains. Cheveron?) Sep 14, 2020 - Apache Trail Dispersed Camping in Tonto National Forest, Apache Junction Arizona. * 70 Dispersed Sites Elevation: 7740 feet Reservations: Reservations not accepted. Trash everywhere, actually smelled like urine, and some people definitely staying past the 14 day limit. Accesss to the area is via the Apache Trail National Forest Scenic Byway, a scenic mountain road. Stunning views. There are piles of horse poop and sometimes a lot of hay on the ground, but the area is not Its not nearly as scenic as Edge of the World, but its much more easily accessible. Even though it was very busy, we thought there were at least three different places we could have stayed in our 33' motorhome. Would not recommend for rigs over 24ft. The campsites along Crystal Hill Road are another good bet. There were probably about 15 rigs while we were here and a fair amount of 'turnover'. There are some nice trails right out of this boondocking spot or Lost Dutchman State Park is just 2 miles up the road. Since these are even deeper in the forest, you can expect them to be even quieter and more private than Harshaw Road, although border patrol vehicles are still a common sight. Cell reception? 87/Beeline Hwy. When going #2, dig a 6-8" deep cathole and cover it when done. Clearly this area is used by people staying more than the 14 day limit. 9 tenths of a mile past mile marker 202 on st. rt. Its one of my all-time favorite places to relax with the truck camper and take photographs. Some trash and generator noise but lots of room between sites. 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. Had an awesome moonrise with silhouettes of the saguaro on the hill in front of it. We tried to get reservations for next year but everything was already booked for the next year. There are biking and hiking trails, and the park itself is lovely for a walk. Since the creek can fill quickly after a rain, two large, single-lane bridges have been constructed to provide year-round access. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. 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. They will be here patrolling overnight for a few weeks to clean things up as complaints have mounted. Cell signal is great, which is rare for boondocking. Luckily, the crowds tend to congregate between mile one and two after the turn-off from Highway 95. 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!! 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. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing. This is my second time here. Apache Trail Boondock (Open in Google Maps) Little Green Valley (Open in Google Maps) Tortilla Flat Dispersed Camping (Open in Google Maps) Why You'll Love It. The views are spectacular, its too bad this area is being abused. 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. My only gripe is you must pay the Grand Canyon entrance fee ($30 per vehicle) to access these campsites via Desert View Road. Clearly this area is used by people staying more than the 14 day limit. Craggy Wash boasts great desert views of the surrounding hills and mountains. ), its only open from October 1 to March 31. Just when we finally fell asleep, the local sheriff paid a visit, and we had to provide license and info. 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. Unfortunately, theres a lot of trash and human waste left behind by other visitors. Well, later that evening, I realized that my poor dog was totally STONED (and not in a good, mellow kind of way!!). 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. For free camping near Phoenix, dispersed camping near the Superstition Wilderness is likely your best bet. and a decent price on diesel, especially with any Kroger card (Fred Meyer, Smiths, etc.). more. I only stealth camp when I cant find anywhere else to stay, although many other campers use this method on a regular or even nightly basis. This is an excellent spot for birding as well as seeing wildflowers in spring. 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. Visit in the off season or on a weekday during summer to beat (most) of the crowds. Dispersed camping and boondocking are allowed throughout the entire refuge, although my favorite campsites are those along Palm Canyon Road. more. I will preface this by saying that we didnt camp here, and thank goodness for that. A fellow camper said the weekend was noisy with partying. The dirt access roads are maintained year-round. Very hilly terrain so having blocks will be helpful but there are flat spots to be found. Not only with other recreationalists, but also with work vehicles driving to and from the areas still active mines. When they are here, navigating or finding a spot can be tricky if not impossible. If possible, sending a scout vehicle in first is a good idea. Youre out relaxing and enjoying your favorite, secluded spot with your family and then it happensTwo trucks pulling toy haulers stop [read more]. Youll have to work to find a level spot. 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. But, drive into the park just a few miles, and youre sure to find privacy. Terms of Use, Three Mile Wash Shoreline Area- Apache Trail, Tonto National Forest- Tonto Basin Ranger District. Last but not least on our list of the best dispersed camping in Arizona is Harshaw Road. The views of the Colorado River from the cliffs above are hard to beat. 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! Hackamore Rd is not maintained and is basically a dirt bike track. Schnebly Hill Road is part of Coconino National Forest. Class A busses probably wouldn't make it. The majority of the campsites are on the righthand (south) side of the road if youre heading in from Highway 181. more. As per the other reviews, it was crowded, even on a rainy Sunday evening. The views here are spectacular. And, if you still have questions, Im here to help. Turn left and continue to site. The dispersed campsites here are spacious and mostly level. . Its a quiet, peaceful area with great scenery and lots of wildlife (be careful with food storage as bears frequent the area). Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! Yeah, that sucks, but sometimes that can be a good thing when one is trying to escape work. 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). We went to sleep to coyotes howling and woke to birds singing. Call the Arizona State Land Department for more information: (602) 364-2753, For more information on the Superstition Wilderness, call the Mesa Ranger District of Tonto National Forest: (480) 610-3300. 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. We were there to check out the area and bike some of the trails behind the dispersed camping as we had to bike. Thats not to mention the abundance of border patrol vehicles which drive through the area at all hours, including the middle of the night. Much of the surrounding area is BLM land. All the spots near the rim full? Wanderland Travelers would stay here again. This is a great place to rest for the night on a road trip, especially since the nearby Walmart doesnt allow overnight RV parking. After Badger Creek Overlook, my favorite place to camp near Vermillion Cliffs is Stateline Campground, a small campground on the border between Utah and Arizona. Theres lots of cholla, so keep an eye on your dogs. There is no shade and it gets hot especially during the summer. 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 Michel and Sabina Robitaille of Ontario, Canada are making that popular dream a reality. Expect minor washboarding, but nothing too serious. Download from Although most states in the American West have an abundance of dispersed camping options, Arizona just might have the most and, also, the best. We have a class b van and did ok with deft maneuvering. Cell service is strong thanks to a nearby cellular tower. Know that the rim-side campsites are exposed to the elements. 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