apache trail dispersed camping

Would not recommend for rigs over 24ft. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. There is ample dispersed camping in Coronado National Forest, including throughout the rest of the Chiricahua Mountains area. YMMV. 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. Edge of the World is part of Coconino National Forest. Consistently busy area with campers and horse trailers. The recreation area is apart of the Tonto National Forest- Tonto Basin Ranger Districtand encompasses over 500,000 acres and includes numerous recreational opportunities located along the shores of Roosevelt Lake. Youre out relaxing and enjoying your favorite, secluded spot with your family and then it happensTwo trucks pulling toy haulers stop [read more]. 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 BLM access road is a bit bumpy, but doable in all vehicles. Fish Creek Canyon has two established sites where you can boondock. *Learn more: [Boondocking 101](https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/)*. Safer, but Be prepared to be awoken. Exploring behind the main road also had several areas that had a large amount of trash left behind and people possibly living in their vehicles or tents. And, if you still have questions, Im here to help. Mike, Thanks for the write up. close to the traffic circle; we inquired inside and were able to fill water bladders no problem. The only saving grace for this site is the view of the Superstition Mountains. Camping areas are spread out, but only the ones right off the road are accessible to large rigs. One thing very frustrating was the number of trucks and recreation vehicles speeding through the roads at all hours of the day and night. Park Link Camping Row is an easy trail that primarily runs parallel to Park Link Drive. If you want a quiet, relaxed camping experience soaking in the views of the Superstitions, this is NOT your place! 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). (Not sure to rate noise 1 for bad/noisy or 5 for loud?) Black bears frequent the area. The location is great! 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. The easiest access is via the South Entrance to the national park. East of Phoenix, Arizona, is the historic Apache Trail which travels through the Superstition Mountains region. Fair amount of trash around which is disappointing. So incredible. Apache Trail, Just take it slow and youll arrive in one piece in almost any vehicle, although RVs and trailers should probably avoid camping here. more. Reservations and permits are required and can be made online or over the phone. This is dispersed camping in a national forest. But, drive into the park just a few miles, and youre sure to find privacy. Both are also part of the Coconino National Forest. We've never boondocked with such close neighbors as the busyness and limited space here requires; I think that plus the bad weather contributed to a community dynamic that we really enjoyed. Please select a reason for flagging this item: 2023 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved. Sep 14, 2020 - Apache Trail Dispersed Camping in Tonto National Forest, Apache Junction Arizona. The area is enclosed in barbed wire fence. Enjoy! * 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-tra 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 . Horse trailers pull in around 10am and out again around 3-4pm (at least this time of year). The drive into these free campsites starts in Patagonia, a quaint town with a rich mining history known for its fantastic birding opportunities. Honestly, theres very little negative to say about dispersed camping here. The road is well-maintained (aside from moderate washboarding) to this point. Unfortunately, all too many visitors leave behind trash and dont properly dispose of human waste make sure youre not one of them! 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 Lost Dutchman Museum (inside the gift shop) is well worth $5 (kids free). Pinery Canyon Road is hands down my favorite place for free camping in southeast Arizona. Rim Road and Old Rim Road are located in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. more. 85119 Today, Stronghold Canyon offers several hiking trails, a plethora of dispersed . Jump to the free campsite you want to know more about: Or, browse our Arizona dispersed camping map to find a dispersed campsite near you. It covers roughly 665,000 acres, a mixture of open desert and the rugged Kofa Mountains. Beautiful Vermillion Cliffs (including The Wave in Coyote Buttes North) is just a short drive away. Turn here north onto Peralta Road and continue past the small neighborhood area until you pass a sign declaring your entrance onto Arizona State Trust Land. The exception is near the borders of the park, just off Highway 95. We have a class b van and did ok with deft maneuvering. The first several campsites are quite spacious and include a large dirt parking lot bordered by trees. He also does some RV consulting, repairs, and inspections on the side. All content is copyright of Mello Mike and Truck Camper Adventure 2011-2022. Please select a reason for flagging this item: 2023 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved. Dispersed tent camping to left of campground's entrance is possible. Middlemarch Pass winds through the Dragoon Mountains and provides access between Tombstone and Pearce. These dispersed campsites are located about 15 minutes south of Marble Canyon on BLM land just off of Highway 89A. We have a class b van and did ok with deft maneuvering. 188 for 33 miles to its junction with State Hwy. Lots of cacti (cholla and saguaro), many evenings with coyotes howling nearby, and unfortunately a fair amount of trash left by campers. 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. Unfortunately, the creek is actually a wash and flows only during rain storms, but the amount of rain is enough to water the abundant Arizona Sycamore and Cottonwood trees that line the creek. White Mountains Links . The best campsites are located near a small stream about 5 miles after turning onto Pinery Canyon Road from Highway 181. While much of the forest is open to dispersed camping, there are also designated sites for dispersed camping. Thats not to mention the abundance of border patrol vehicles which drive through the area at all hours, including the middle of the night. 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 Tortilla Flats Campground - Apache Junction, Arizona Campers awake to a scenic backdrop of rugged bluffs, saguaro cactus and desert skies. Nearby Tortilla Campground isnt free (it costs $20 per night), but its a peaceful and scenic place to camp. 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. Arizona Map. I'm really not a drama queen but the stay that we had on Hackamore Road was by far our worst camping experience to date! Do not attempt at night! The campsites are all private. Its VERY easy access, any size rig could fit in here. Expect wind while camping here. Youll notice a bit of traffic (including some ATVs), but this is minimal, especially compared to other popular Arizona dispersed camping locations. The Chiricahua Apache, led by the famous chief Cochise, utilized this area to evade US Cavalry in the mid-19th century. 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). Go-Arizona. The closest towns are 30+mins away, but the drive to Carlsbad Caverns was worth it for the scenery and experience. The dispersed campsites on Peralta Road are on Arizona State Trust Land. 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). Reservations and permits are required and can be made online or over the phone. They were nice, but obvs gave us a scare given the time of night. We have a 34ft class A with a tow dolly and had no issues. Its worth a shot unless you have very low clearance or a big rig. I will preface this by saying that we didnt camp here, and thank goodness for that. Theres lots of cholla, so keep an eye on your dogs. Trail Maps Filter by Elevation Join Roadpass Pro GPS: 33.8635, -112.1476 View on Google Maps It was kind of crowded, but thats to be expected at this time of year in AZ. There is no shade and it gets hot especially during the summer. The best campsites look out over the Colorado River (near the start of the Grand Canyon). There are a lot of hiking trails in this area (the Big Loop Trail is my favorite). Look at a map, know before you go. Camping information for West Fork Campground in Arizona's White Mountains in the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. 88, and drive past historic Roosevelt Dam (unpaved) for 3 miles to Three Mile Wash Recreation Site. Lots of traffic surprisingly! 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. It has equally good views, although the road in is rougher and narrower. Schnebly Hill Road is popular so its often busy and noisy. There are piles of horse poop and sometimes a lot of hay on the ground, but the area is not Lots of campsites yet plenty of privacy. more. Primitive camping in the desert with The US Army cut this pass to facilitate rapid movement between Fort Bowie and the San Pedro Valley in an effort to quell the Chiricahua Apache in the late 19th century. Craggy Wash is crowded. 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. Offers a pool, Steaming Hot Jacuzz If possible, sending a scout vehicle in first is a good idea. 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. Have you written a blog post about Apache Trail Dispersed Camping? You wont even find a fire ring though there was evidence of a recent campfire where we were camped. Learn more: Boondocking 101, Campendium users haven't asked any questions about Hackamore Road Dispersed Camping, Looked like a really run down trailer park I thought people were only supposed to be there for 14 days not 14 years, This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com, Aside from the views of the Superstition Mountains, this is a terrible spot. Related Post: The Best Dispersed Campsites in Colorado. Turn right onto State Hwy. Few camping experiences are more exhilarating than sleeping under the stars. 70 Dispersed Sites Elevation: 7740 feet Reservations: Reservations not accepted. 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