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Anyone know of restrictions for dispersed camping around woods canyon lake? I’d like to load up the kayaks and do some minimalist camping on the north side of the lake with my son. I’ve camped along FR300 a bunch, but it was years ago, and for some reason I remember restrictions about dispersed camping near the lake, but I can’t seem to find anything now. Would appreciate any help.
Anyone have any paranormal/supernatural experiences that they want to tell for my podcast?
My husband and I will be visiting Phoenix for an event on the Saturday of memorial day weekend. We're staying in Phoenix that night, and want to spend Sunday night camping if we can. We currently have a hotel booked in Sedona but I'm realizing it'll be a madhouse during the holiday weekend and I'd rather camp instead.
Looking for recommendations for a forested area to camp near Phoenix. Ideally something with pretty trees and lots of shade. I'd prefer an established campground that allows advanced booking, if that exists. 1-3 hours from Phoenix is fine, including the Flagstaff area.
I'm aware it's probably too late but I figured I'd ask anyway!
I’m looking for recs of a place to camp that has a lake or some type of swimming where I can use my new paddle board! I don’t mind driving to the lake area if the camping is close by but bonus points if there is a camp ground walking distance! I’d prefer a reservation and not first come first serve . TIA
Hi, I'm thinking of camping at any of the Mogollon Rim area campgrounds near Woods Canyon lake in May.
It looks there are many to choose from: Aspen, Mogollon, Spillway, Crook, Rim Campground, and Sinkhole campground. However all of these appear to be first come first serve on recreation.gov
Anyone know if these are competitive/hard to get on a weekend in May? I'd be going up either Friday morning or evening.
I just moved to Tucson recently for work and am looking for a camping spot with the bare amenities like water or a bathroom nearby not a major need. I'm also brining along a couple friends who haven't done much camping ever just trying to get out of the main city for a weekend enjoy some nature.
Greetings fellow campers. I’m curious about a high elevation campsite in the trees for rim-overlook-hammocking with a fire pit on the Mogollan Rim, AZ but….the kicker is, 2WD accessible. Is this at all possible?
TIA!
Hi, new to camping so bear with me but can you really just setup anywhere in dispersed camping in AZ? How do I find this dispersed camping? Any areas to avoid since I have kids? Thank you in advance!
Camping at Roosevelt Lake this weekend. Anything to do around the lake besides boating or the Tonto National Monument?
I want to get out and do some overnight camping in the lower elevations before daytime temps get too much warmer. This week's forecast looks gorgeous!
I want to try and stay within about 90 minutes of Phoenix proper. I'll have my young son with me, so an established campground is a bonus, but I could be talked into somewhere cool that's off the beaten path. I've looked up a couple places already but wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth, as well. Thanks!
I want to go camping at Aspen Campground in April but its only First come First Serve. Does anyone know how quickly those sell out? Id hate to pack up and drive up there to be turned away. Thanks for any advice. 🙂
I was planning on spending some time exploring and dispersed camping in the Page/Vermillion Cliffs area. Thing is, I only have a 2WD minivan (which I've driving down many a rough road, but never roads requiring 4x4). I've done quite a bit of research on hiking trails, but it seems almost all require 4x4/high clearance to access the trailheads. I am not interested in paying for any organized tours. Should I just plan on exploring a different area OR are there nice trails in the Vermillion Cliffs area that don't require 4x4 that, for some reason, I am just not finding in my research? Thanks!
I think this would be the perfect community to ask!: Where would be some good foraging spots for unique rocks, branches etc that I can use as ingredients for some terrariums?
I figure that perhaps somewhere near a river might offer both large rocks and unique wood.
I’m hoping for something within an hour of phoenix. This is an outing i’m planning with my family for each person to make their own terrarium. Any pins, or coordinates would help greatly. Thank you!
Is it possible to find a secluded place to camp on the Rim? Hubby and I want to camp but do not want the possibility of anyone near us. Any suggestions? Thinking of going in March.
Hey everyone,
My wife and I are thinking of camping the end of December into the new year. I did have one question though, which is a large reason for us even going camping. Are fire works allowed on camp grounds? We will be going camping at the White Tank mountains camp ground. We will be taking our two dogs and the last thing I want to do is freak them out being near fire works they can’t escape from
Hiya, looking to go camping ( a plus if we are able to fish too) however, we don’t have the greatest winter cars. We’ll be taking a mustang so definitely not the best for driving on snow… please tell me there’s some options!
Trying to find some relatively accessible (4x4 truck with chains) snow camping spots in Arizona to try out this winter.
Hi! I’ve been camping in Sedona many times as I frequent FR 525 a lot, but I’ve always noticed that it’s illegal to have campfires there, bummer especially since it’s getting cold. I know that “building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove other than in a developed campsite or picnic area is prohibited.” But does anyone know any dispersed camping spots or campsites with designated areas to burn? Thanks 🤙
I just moved to Tucson and am looking for good camping spots where I can also do some fishing. I can use either my Jeep Gladiator with RTT, or if the site allows I also a small off road camper. Thanks in advance!
Anybody go camping up near flagstaff and Sedona or near show low. Want to get out of this heat even though is getting a little chilly. Preferably a dispersed site away from all the busy. Also somewhere I can go fishing. Thanks in advance.
Hey everyone!
I've lived in AZ for 35 years and have never camped in the desert. So, I'm going to give it a shot. Does anyone know of some pretty dispersed sites good for a 20 foot travel trailer?
Thank you in advance!
Back over the winter I posted in this sub and got a lot of great advice that made my trip a success! Sharing my experience to hopefully help the next person wanting to explore this awesome National Park. The environmental diversity due to the Sky Island effect of the Rincons soaring above Tucson really blew me away.
In March I spent 6 days and covered nearly 60 miles, hitting all of Saguaro's backcountry campsites except 1. As you all know, it was a big snow year for the Grand Canyon State (more on this impact later), therefore water access was a non-issue for my trip. I'd expect that to be much different during drier times of the year.
Video Trip Report: https://youtu.be/qEVhG_mAL4M
Day 1 ~11M: Cactus Forest North --> Douglas Spring
Saguaro National Park started out exactly as I expected - full of Saguaros! Little did I know I wouldn't see another Saguaro between Day 1 and Day 6. The climb from the cactus forest up to Douglas Spring wasn't too bad. The environment starting shifting dramatically, away from the statuesque Saguaros to a desert grassland. From the Douglas Spring campsite I could see the snow-covered peaks that I would be attempting to reach on Day 2.
Day 2 ~10M: Douglas Spring --> Manning Camp
The biggest climbing day of the trip, I started off a little nervous because a storm overnight had deposited more snow up high. The ecosystems changed rapidly as I gained elevation leaving the grassland behind to eventually reach thick forests. Ascending to Manning Camp took me through one of my favorite parts of the whole trip - the snowy conifer forests with babbling brooks cutting through the white cover. As soon as I made it to Manning Camp a brutal wintry mix of sleet, snow & hail started falling.
Day 3 ~10M: Manning Camp --> Happy Valley
I woke up to my tent frozen completely solid coated in ice from the wintry mix. Fortunately I had a lighter inside and used it to melt the zippers enough to escape. I decided to let things thaw out a little bit and day hiked across the fresh snow to the Spud Rock vicinity seeing many fresh animal tracks along the way. Returning to pack up my slightly less frozen tent I then set out on the toughest part of my journey. I had some horrible post-holing to make it to Heartbreak Ridge. I was happy to finally reach the cozy Happy Valley campsite for the night after a challenging day.
Day 4 ~9M: Happy Valley --> Grass Shack
About half of this day was retracing my steps back up Heartbreak Ridge before breaking into new ground. The Devil's Bathtub area was another cool ecosystem in the Rincons. It looked like an awesome place for potential camping but the Park has not set up a campground here (camping only allowed in the 6 designated areas). There were some massive waterfalls in the distance as I continued on towards Grass Shack. Arizona Trail thru hikers abounded during this stretch.
Day 5 ~6M: Grass Shack --> Juniper Basin
I was looking forward to this nice short day. The highlight was certainly the ridge hiking up to Tanque Verde Peak and the 360-degree view from the top. This was probably my favorite vista of the trek but I'm still not positive on how exactly to pronounce "Tanque Verde". I really liked the camping area around Juniper Basin it was calm and pretty - yet another varied ecosystem in the Park.
Day 6 ~11M: Juniper Basin --> Cactus Forest North
After not seeing a Saguaro in Saguaro National Park since Day 1 today would deliver me back to these mighty desert sentinels. I headed down from Juniper Basin to return to the land of cacti. I had a short roadwalk as the Park trail system does not connect between the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail and the Cactus Forest Trail. Lime Falls was flowing just enough to make the detour worth it. After finishing I stopped by the Park store to pick up a souvenir mug for my friends in Tucson who were letting me stay with them.
All in all I greatly enjoyed my time exploring this unique treasure! It was much different than I expected going into the hike but perhaps my favorite aspect was the incredibly varied ecosystems throughout the Rincon Mountains and Cactus Forest. I hope this write-up helps anyone looking to do their own adventure here - my video trip report contains even more details!
Video Trip Report: https://youtu.be/qEVhG_mAL4M
I've lived in AZ for close to 40 years and never camped in the desert. You couldn't force me to put a tent up next to a cactus.
I recently bought a travel trailer and would like to break my desert cherry.
Does anyone know of any relatively secluded areas around lake pleasant I could park and enjoy the desert night skies and scenery? I'm familiar with the BLM land everywhere north, just not closer to home.
Thanks everyone! I've enjoyed lurking over the years!
Happy camping!