Where To Go Camping In The Arizona Desert?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. …
  • The Grand Canyon. …
  • Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. …
  • Gilbert Ray Campground, Tucson. …
  • Lake Havasu State Park. …
  • Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon. …
  • Chiricahua National Monument, Bonita Canyon Campground. …
  • Spillway Campground near Payson.

Can you just camp anywhere in Arizona?


Our excess of public land allows us to camp nearly anywhere in the state

. Not including private property, most areas are open for . With thousands of miles of backroads, the possibilities are endless.

Is camping allowed in Arizona during Covid 19?


Campgrounds and cabins are open

. Rangers will make contact when you arrive. We are following Arizona Department of Health and CDC guidelines for all cleaning procedures at , cabins, restrooms and public spaces.

Is camping allowed in Arizona right now?

Under those restrictions,

campfires are allowed, but they must be within a developed campsite

. The remainder of the state is under Stage II Fire Restrictions. No campfires are allowed, no smoking unless it's within a vehicle or building, and no welding or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

Can I camp on BLM land in AZ?


Camping is allowed on public lands in Arizona for no more than a period of 14 days within any period of 28 consecutive days, unless otherwise identified

.

Can you camp anywhere in Tonto National Forest?


You can easily camp for free in many parts of the Tonto National Forest

, once you know where those areas are located.

Can you camp on the side of the road in Arizona?

Arizona might be one of the best states in the United States for dispersed or free camping.

In several areas throughout Arizona, you can literally pull off the side of the road and pitch your tent for free

. For those looking for a cheap way to travel throughout Arizona, dispersed camping is the way to go.

Is Boondocking legal in Arizona?

Is Boondocking Legal in Arizona? Like anywhere,

boondocking is legal as long as you find the right places to camp

. Most Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land allows dispersed camping for up to 14 days. Unless otherwise noted, it's perfectly legal to camp on this public land for free.

Do you need a permit to camp in Arizona?


The only two areas where you need a permit to camp in Arizona is on State Trust Land and on Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

. Aside from that, permits are not needed to camp anywhere else in Arizona.

Are bathrooms open at Patagonia Lake?

Boat-in Camping Sites

12 boat-in campsites are available. Sites have a picnic table, fire-ring and are accessible by boat only.

Some sites have portable restrooms

. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m.

Is there an Arizona state park pass?


The Arizona State Parks Premium Annual Pass

provides non-commercial day-use access to all Arizona State Parks for the pass holder, and up to three additional adults in the same vehicle.

What is BLM land in Arizona?

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages and conserves

12.1 million acres of public land and 17.5 million subsurface acres

within Arizona. Through balanced management, we sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Are fires allowed in Payson?


The building of an open burning or recreational fire is prohibited within the Town of Payson as the town is under phase I fire restrictions

. This restriction does not apply to the safe use of outdoor charcoal, wood and gas fired grills used for cooking on private property of one and two-family dwellings.

Are fires allowed on Mt Lemmon?

MT. LEMMON, AZ (Tucson News Now) –

Mount Lemmon and the Coronado Nation Forest is under stage 2 fire restrictions

, but camp sites are filling up along Catalina Highway. The restrictions mean no camp fires, smoking, or open flames of any kind.

Can you have a fire in AZ?

1.

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove other than in a developed campsite or picnic area is prohibited

. Exemptions include persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off.

What is dry camping?

Dry camping, also known as boondocking, involves

camping in an RV, van or motorhome with no hookups (no electricity or water) outside of a traditional campground

. Dry campers set up camp on public lands as well as private places (with the permission of the owner), usually for free.

Where is the best boondocks in Arizona?

  • Schnebly Hill Road.
  • Edge of the World.
  • Coconino Rim Road.
  • Saddle Mountain Overlook.
  • Mogollon Rim Road.
  • Peralta Canyon.
  • Palm Canyon Road.
  • Pinery Canyon Road.

Where can I sleep in my car in Arizona?

Yes. ADOT welcomes travelers to sleep in their vehicles at

all Arizona Rest Areas

. One of the primary goals for a rest area is to promote safety, which is why ADOT uses the term, “Safety Rest Area”. You are not allowed to “camp” at a rest area, however.

Can you carry a gun in Tonto National Forest?

Possession of firearms.


The possession and unconcealed carry of a firearm on the national forest is not restricted by federal law or Forest Service regulations with the exception of “prohibited possessors,” such as convicted felons

(see 18 USC 922g and ARS 13-3101).

Do I need a permit to camp in Tonto National Forest?

Passes and Permits


Purchase of passes or permits is not required for boondocking (dispersed camping) inside Tonto National Forest

. Developed campgrounds, however, may require per-night fees, depending on the campground.

Is Tonto National Forest free?

The Tonto National Forest is approximately 2.8 million acres, and the number of areas that have fees associated with them is less than 1% of this total area. The other

99% of the Tonto National Forest is free to enjoy by the public

.

Can you camp off Schnebly Hill Road?

Also known as Forest Road 153 (FR153), Schnebly Hill Road is a 12-mile dirt road connecting Arizona's I-17 at Munds Park with SH-89A in Sedona.

The first 6-miles of the road from Munds Park in the east are filled with numerous camping opportunities, all of which are free, primitive, boondocking sites

.

Are you allowed to camp anywhere?

Ask landowners for permission to wild camp

Other national parks are clear in their guidance that, although they may include areas of common-access land,

wild camping is not one of the rights allowed

.

Where is the Boondock in Yuma?

The last few years we have been coming to the free Ogilby Road BLM 14-day dry camping spot just west of the Arizona/California border about 14 miles west of Yuma, AZ. It's a flat section of arid desert off of Ogilby RD (SR34) a few miles north of Interstate 8.

Is it legal to live in your car in Arizona?

Arizona.

You can sleep in your car in the daytime or nighttime at any Arizona rest stop, but you can't camp there

. (Click here to see a map of the state's rest areas.) You can be arrested for being intoxicated while sleeping in your vehicle.

Can you live in your RV in Arizona?


It is legal to live in an RV in Arizona as long as you are as long as you respect the laws and rules imposed by the city in which you are residing

. It is important to know that some campsites in Arizona offer full-time lots to rent for RV-ers and that in some places you can even park on your own land.

Why are there so many RVS in Quartzsite AZ?

It's a popular RV destination

due to the weather, free camping options, and trade show that comes to town every January

.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.