My husband had to catch an early morning flight out of Gateway Airport in Mesa, which was a half hour away. There are piles of horse poop and sometimes a lot of hay on the ground, but the area is not When they are here, navigating or finding a spot can be tricky if not impossible. I cant say anything negative about this dispersed camping area. Menu. Know that the rim-side campsites are exposed to the elements. Sunset and sunrise here is very special. 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. While traveling along the Apache Trail, you will be able to access different regions that offer various desert experiences. The mountains are rugged and unforgiving, but they have a strong and mysterious draw on the adventurous type. black river az dispersed campingfast growing firewood trees australia black river az dispersed camping Men university of virginia track and field coaches Hackamore Rd is not maintained and is basically a dirt bike track. . black river az dispersed camping; February 26, 2023 . The mountain views are beautiful and the stars are bright at night. Harshaw Road is quite busy. Several are large enough for even the biggest RVs. 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. 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. Low clearance beware. Apache Trail Dispersed Camping Apache Trail Apache Junction, Arizona 85119 USA (480) 610-3300 Hours not available Problem with this listing? Poll Results: Biggest Boondocking Pet Peeve? Just take it slow and youll arrive in one piece in almost any vehicle, although RVs and trailers should probably avoid camping here. There were a number of larger to smaller RVs and some tents. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. About Explore the vast Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests known for its jaw-dropping mountain country in east-central Arizona. All the spots near the rim full? Nearby are views of mountains with abundant wildlife. 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. For nearly 10 millennia, the Tonto Basin has provided, and continues to provide, a home to many diverse people. 87/Beeline Hwy. more. Its not nearly as scenic as Edge of the World, but its much more easily accessible. you dont mind rubbish left everywhere, barking dogs, two generators left running all night and couples fighting all through the night. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species. Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. Ive seen plenty of RVs and trailers here, although its best for passenger vehicles and camper vans. 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 best campsites look out over the Colorado River (near the start of the Grand Canyon). Overall it seems there is a good bit of turnover. It covers roughly 665,000 acres, a mixture of open desert and the rugged Kofa Mountains. There is a $3.20 non-refundable reservation fee per campsite. Saddle Mountain Overlook is part of Kaibab National Forest. Arizona is a wonderful place to explore with countless free camping opportunities. Luckily, the crowds tend to congregate between mile one and two after the turn-off from Highway 95. Most campsites are spacious and flat, although the access roads can be quite rough. Not only are these campsites the most level, but theyre also the most spacious with plenty of room for even the biggest rigs (but keep your eyes peeled so you dont get stuck in soft sand). Black bears frequent the area. The gravel road is usually in decent shape, aside from minor washboarding (the campsites themselves can get rutted after a heavy rain). more. 188 for 33 miles to its junction with State Hwy. The campsites along Crystal Hill Road are another good bet. There is some sort of mine on the other side of the road; they start work well before sunrise at 5am. Wish we could give it more than 1 star, but theres just nothing good here. Get it with Truck Camper Adventure's weekly newsletter. Camp at Saddle Mountain Overlook for the Grand Canyon views. The steep, copper-colored canyon walls and jutting peaks provide a spectacular backdrop to the creek below. Awesome Valley of the Sun weather, mid 70s all 4 days. It seemed vehicles would make the same loop over and over again. Just make sure you take Woody Mountain Road and youll arrive at the correct spot. Harshaw Road is part of Coronado National Forest. Tent camping isn't permitted. The existing Apache Trail in Arizona is a 120 mile circle route through the Superstition Mountains. If youre looking for free camping in nearby states, our guide to finding free campsites will help you find the best free camping near you anywhere in the United States. Ive seen low-clearance 2WD vehicles (including a Prius) make the drive, but high-clearance and/or 4WD is very helpful. I love the mix of trees for shade and open areas to charge my devices with my solar panels. So by the time the OH A Tonto National Forest Daily Pass ($6 per night) or interagency pass is required for campground entry. 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. Turn right onto State Hwy. Its a quiet, peaceful area with great scenery and lots of wildlife (be careful with food storage as bears frequent the area). The high elevation makes for cooler temperatures in summertime (and theres shade trees). are located west of Highway 83 along Gardner Canyon Road as it winds its way towards Gardner Canyon and the Gardner Trail. Good location for both city and mountain exploration which is why we We highly recommend arriving during daylight so you can see the washes. The dispersed campsites on Peralta Road are on Arizona State Trust Land. Its here that the campsites first appear. The dispersed campsites here are spacious and mostly level. 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?) more. Schnebly Hill Road is popular so its often busy and noisy. Not down in this deep canyon, though you will find AT&T 3G service further east near the Apache Lake Marina and AT&T 4G service at the end of the trail at Roosevelt Lake. 188. Peralta Road dispersed camping isnt the quietest. Last but not least on our list of the best dispersed camping in Arizona is Harshaw Road. Youll notice a bit of traffic (including some ATVs), but this is minimal, especially compared to other popular Arizona dispersed camping locations. Terms of Use, Three Mile Wash Shoreline Area- Apache Trail, Tonto National Forest- Tonto Basin Ranger District. 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 were a few different "homeless" groups here while we were. We were there to check out the area and bike some of the trails behind the dispersed camping as we had to bike. If youre tent camping, make sure to stake down your tent! Sep 14, 2020 - Apache Trail Dispersed Camping in Tonto National Forest, Apache Junction Arizona. There were probably about 15 rigs while we were here and a fair amount of 'turnover'. Many of the dispersed campsites here are located just feet from the rim itself. The Best RV Campgrounds for Stargazing Adventures. This boondock site is sandy gravel with dips and hills, and no marked sites; you just park wherever. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge doesnt get too many visitors, so you can expect privacy and solitude. 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. We were very close to the road though, so there was a fair amount of traffic noise. Apparently, there have been issues of late. black river az dispersed camping. 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. 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. At about 7 miles in, the road is much rougher. He currently rolls in a 4WD Ram 3500 outfitted with a SherpTek truck bed with a Bundutec Roadrunner mounted on top. more. more. They were nice, but obvs gave us a scare given the time of night. The main dispersed camping area is located on the . The Superstition Wilderness has a ton of additional camping options, including dispersed camping and boondocking as well as backpacking. The beautiful views and quiet forest atmosphere always make me happy I stopped here for a night. 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. Coconino Rim Road has fantastic access to Grand Canyon lookout points, including Grandview Point and Moran Point. Campground full or want to see whats around? The mine also blasts the ground with dynamite without warning, which is terrifying if you don't know it's about to happen. APACHE-SITGREAVES AZ . But you have the homeless camping there with their kids swinging from the trees, very trashy area and deep holes and with this last storm there was water everywhere. 85119 While we were here there were at least five other fifth wheels and class A's in the 38-40 foot range, plus a skoolie. 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. East of Phoenix, Arizona, is the historic Apache Trail which travels through the Superstition Mountains region. Theres no cellular reception here. 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?) Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. Drops up to 200 feet are common, so keep children and pets close. Although these are the best spots (for views, at least), remember to be alert. 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