We cleaned after ourselves and did what we were supposed to do, but it was pretty trashy when we arrived. See photo Photo is looking west (top of pic) to east (bottom), as you travel UP Redington Rd. This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com, Camped in a 30ft class C about 5 miles up after the pavement ends. Sad how many people don't understand "leave no trace". Plenty of space for a few rigs. A fairly big group of partiers showed up and stayed until 3. There are some small water snakes here, which I believe are harmless. This particular campground has 6 dispersed sites and a Ranger’s station that is manned from April to September. This was an absolutely beautiful site above the city of Tucson! Once the blooms come to life, people flock to the meadows to see it, so be sure to reserve your campsite early during the busy season. Site: 32.256182, -110.659613 You can also goto the BLM website for more info here on camping in AZ. Tent campers are welcome to stay within these sites as well. Boondocking Site Review – Snyder Hill BLM, Tucson, AZ. Some of it desolate, like the rugged solitude of the Eastern Superstitions. Even on an average November Saturday, the trails throughout Sedona can be packed. You’ll have access to some of the most beautiful desert landscapes while making friends with a saguaro cactus or two along the way. We have a sprinter van and didn’t second guess it at all. Sunset was beautiful, as were the lights from Tucson at night. Directions from I-19 south of Tucson: I-19 north. no water or dump but you can go to lake and use their dump station for $8.00. There are multiple areas to pull off the side of the road to camp. Tucson, AZ 85706 (520) 202-2700 Mt. “This is well worth the stop if you are traveling I-10. 1. more. Why You Should Camp Here: Find yourself lost in a forest of juniper trees and desert brush, while you look at saguaros below. Download a printable permit here and mail it off to receive your camping permit in the mail or have it waiting for you at the Visitor Center! The road was rocky with a few wicked switchbacks, but passable. This was an absolutely beautiful site above the city of Tucson! I camped at a good sized pulloff almost at the very top. Mount Lemmon explained by a Tucson-native: “Mount Lemmon always served as an escape from the heat & a way to experience all four seasons. Drive up the switch backs and you will find a lot of spots. The area is a haven for off road activities. Snyder Hill BLM in Tucson, Arizona: 0 reviews, 0 photos, & 0 tips from fellow RVers. NO CELL SERVICE after milepost 10, and before that it's minimal at best. This place is a flash flood danger, and over the years many people have... Become a Campendium Supporter and enjoy ad-free browsing plus bonus features! There are multiple entrances into the campground – GPS coordinates 32.157842,-111.115391. Potable water is almost always available here, too! Free Campsites Near You. Site: 32.256182, -110.659613 For the perfect set up, pitch your tent under aspens and pines facing eastward for the best view. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Steep hills and switchbacks, la... The views were absolutely wonderful which makes up for all the negatives in my book. When you arrive, you’ll find people with binoculars around their neck searching for birds in the sky and other wildlife in the cactus and brush. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. There are really nice houses right at the entrance. Please keep in mind that dispersed camping requires flexibility. Fair amount of traffic going by but despite that we enjoyed it because of the views. Waterfalls, mountains, saguaro cactus, pine trees, and the desert all come together for the perfect adventure spot. Many RV adventurers are upgrading to lithium batteries because they're a superior alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries. Dispersed Camping Spots? Gilbert Ray Campground inside Tucson Mountain Park is the place to stay if you’re wanting to stay close to Saguaro National Park and bring your furry pals. Lemmon Road Conditions Managed by Pima County (520) 547-7510. For views of the Arizona desert like you’ve always seen in movies, settle in for a night at Tucson Mountain Park to take in the sunset with a few luxuries. I just plugged the coordinates in and it was easy to find. After leaving the trailhead, we kept going east and passed by a group of marines that appear to be maintaining the road, which is in pretty good shape for an Arizona dirt road. The best time to be out and about looking for wildlife here is at night, so keep your eyes peeled in the dark. Monthly Reservations Only I’m Busy Season, Plan a trip here, be sure to visit Summerhaven. There are some small water snakes here, which I believe are harmless. The road in was not too bad. You may get a glimpse of the elusive ring-tailed cat or find a nosey coatimundi just passing through. Lots of folks boondocking in the bigger spots so people squeeze into what’s left: small roadside spots with varying degrees of level ground. We have a sprinter van and didn’t second guess it at all. Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we've got you covered.You can simply use your smart phone's GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.. Our community provides the best free camping information available. We enjoyed hiking around the area and of course, the beautiful Tucson sunset. Would absolutely stay again. San Pedro River Road, AKA Redington Road, AKA Redington Pass. We had a nice area to park the car and a second area to setup our tent. Informed RVers have rated 20 campgrounds near Tucson, Arizona. Backcountry camping here isn’t for the weak-hearted, but you’ll find solace as you scale up the mountainsides in the Saguaro Wilderness. On the satellite view on maps, it seemed like there were a lot more sites than there are. We found a small spot that fit our car and a couple of chairs, and that was about it. Location: Quartzsite, AZ. Access 1756 trusted reviews, 273 photos & 337 tips from fellow RVers. Amazing views over looking Tucson. Arizona Free Camping: Campendium has 2410 reviews of 406 places to camp for free in Arizona Home to the University of Arizona, Tucson has many vintage shops, nightclubs and restaurants on Fourth Avenue near the campus. Watched one of the most gorgeous sunsets Ive ever seen, but then the sun went down. Not only is Scottsdale known as the "most livable city", it’s also home to some of the most beautiful urban hiking in the state. Camping near the top gives you an incredibly humbling experience where you can look out on the sprawling city below & watch the harsh sun fade into an explosion of color, to quickly move into a display of twinkling lights below & the most god-damn fantastic star-speckled sky above.” There are many parking areas along the road, with several campers. Camping is allowed at 6 designated campgrounds within the Saguaro Wilderness Area, a permit is required for all overnight stays. The road in was not too bad. The first mile or so is usually accessible by any vehicle, after that you better have a 4WD pickup, jeep, or other SUV with a bit of ground clearance. I say ‘odd’ because it’s a little triangular area surrounding a small mountain that’s boxed in by a major highway and houses. more. I camped at a good sized pulloff almost at the very top. Finding a camping spot in March takes some luck. And if you come in the spring, there's lots of wildflowers! The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. Location: On the corner of W. Ajo Hwy (86) and S. San Joaquin Road Coordinates: Approx. Steep hills and switchbacks, large rocks and obstacles will test your driving skills for the next 5 miles. As other reviews say, there is quite a bit of noise. Redington Pass Dispersed Camping in Coronado National Forest, Tucson Arizona. With 5 tent-only campsites and 130 RV & tent sites, you can sleep amongst the Saguaros any way you’d like to! The views were absolutely wonderful which makes up for all the negatives in my book. Campendium users haven't asked any questions about Redington Pass Dispersed Camping, We pulled in after dark and should have parked in the big lot just past the “entrance”. When you’re done hiking and witnessing the drastic change in the landscape as you ascend up the side of the mountain, you should head up to the Cookie Cabin at the very tip-top of the mountain. We pulled in after dark and should have parked in the big lot just past the “entrance”. Ultimate Guide to the Best Camping Near Water in Arizona, 20 Superstition Mountains Hiking Trails You Can’t Miss, Red Rock Hiking: 16 of the Best Sedona Hikes. But if you're feeling adventurous, you can always find remote backcountry camping in Saguaro East. Why You Should Camp Here: Facing the giant wall of Picacho Peak, wake up to wildflowers in the Spring or settle underneath the full-moon in the Winter. Dispersed Recreation Camping. Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. Home to the University of Arizona, Tucson has many vintage shops, nightclubs and restaurants on Fourth Avenue near the campus. Not too bad for free. You can learn more about our editorial and affiliate policy here. You can reserve these 2 months ahead of time or pick them up on your way up the trail. Definitely a heavily trafficked road. This place is a flash flood danger, and over the years many people have died here getting washed over the falls. Tucson Interagency Fire Center 2646 E. Commerce Center Pl. Backcountry camping in the Saguaro Wilderness requires a backcountry permit. You can’t beat these views for a free nights’ stay! The paved road going in was in terrible condition, if you speed up some it smooths out, but still rough. The road is in good shape, just steep. Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. Stayed: 10/8/2020 - FREE There are 21 dispersed camping sites inside 6 campgrounds throughout the park. With 85 campsites made for RVers and tent campers alike, you may find that the campground is full in the Spring. Nice PDF map of BLM camping land in Arizona. We pretty much took the first open spot that we found (coordinates above). It was indeed awesome. Like I said. Dispersed Camping on BLM Lands in Arizona Map 2014 BLM Dispersed Camping Map AZ 2014 PDF. With an Audubon Important Birding Area and Wilderness Area, this park believes in the importance of conserving its inhabitants. While part of the Coronado Forrest, is not just a dirt road that leads through the pass. Plus, the Tanque Verde Falls hike is a great way to cool off in the hot desert. It's a GREAT drive and pretty secluded once you're in deep enough. Why You Should Camp Here: Find yourself lost in a forest of juniper trees … Dispersed camping near Big Lake - Alpine, Arizona closest free spot to Big Lake. Quite a bit of garbage around the sites too. You’ll have to walk several miles (4-10 miles depending on the trail) to get to them, so be sure you’re prepared with enough food and water to make the trek. All campsites are first-come, first-serve so be sure to get there early to snag a campsite during the busy seasons. At your campsite, WiFi is available for an extra fee for those who work and travel on the road. This can be a great base camp to explore the surrounding area. You can find them on social media @withdogshetravels or check out their blog at With Dog She Travels. more. Shimmy your way up the mountain road to one of the 5 paid campgrounds or squeeze into a free designated campsite. Safford Ranger District 711 14th Avenue, Suite D Safford, AZ 85546 (928) 428-4150. Meetup times will usually show the time that the event hosts plan to arrive or when check-in is allowed at remote campgrounds. more. Campsites are small and not far off the main road due to the mountain landscape. But as you get closer the area improves greatly. Walnut Canyon Dispersed Camping GPS coordinates 35.179492,-111.489035. Plomosa Road. We’ve hiked through a variety of Arizona canyon country over the last few years. They also make a mean cup of hot cocoa. Nice of him to provide an alarm clock, though we were already awake. more. Like most campgrounds, this recreational area offers bathrooms, picnic tables, and water access. Drive up the switch backs and you will find a lot of spots. There was a lot of trash, which was disappointing. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself lost here at night, you may even spot a ring-tailed cat, Arizona’s state animal. The sunsets, Saguaros, and stargazing from the hills out here are legendary. Speaking of which, Tucson is just 15 miles from Saguaro National Park. Exit at Ajo Way (exit 99), turn right. Tanque Verde Falls is the main attraction here. See 10 traveler reviews, 48 photos and blog posts Just above 7,000 feet, you’ll find 3 dispersed campgrounds and roughly 5.3 miles from the nearest trailhead. We hung out over there for a bit during sunset and got some really cool pictures. Directly across the road (Redington Rd), were a bunch of cacti. Our favorite campground is Rose Canyon as it offers more for the same campsite price. We usually take our time and "wander" in a minimum of 10 miles on the road before looking for a camp spot. (travel trailer) After about 6 miles in on the road the travel gets much better. Getting off rt 10, the area wasn’t great and we questioned our choice about where we were camping. A somewhat crowded but very well-located boondocking spot on the South side of Tucson, AZ. Awesome views of the sun going down over Tucson were available on both sides of the road. There was some shoo... The car was found off the road and the woman's body was found, but the man's body wasn't found so if you find a body maybe you've found him. Picacho Peak State Park is known for its wildlife watching, too, so if you stick around long enough you may be lucky enough to see a badger, desert mule deer, or several desert-dwelling birds. To beat the heat, visit Manning Campground. If we were to come back to this area, I think we would stay here again. Of all the descriptors we uttered while navigating the canyon, I think my buddy Dustin came up with the best one: “Underrated.”. See more ideas about arizona, camping, blm. Why You Should Camp Here: Catalina State Park is home to all the desert wildlife you could ever dream about. Here you can find pizza and cookies fresh out of the oven. You can learn more about our editorial and affiliate policy, 8 Epic Backpacking Trips in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Cookstove Trail: A Respite in the “Cool” Pines, 13 Best Hiking Trails Near Scottsdale, Arizona, 8 Best Grand Canyon Airbnbs for Adventurous Travelers, 11 Unforgettable Destinations for Glamping in Arizona, Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness: an Underrated Desert Oasis, The 11 Best Campgrounds Near Eugene, Oregon. There are no camping amenities here. more, Stayed: 10/8/2020 - FREE Nov 21, 2016 - BLM, NRA, NWR, NCA. Follow Kinney Road to McCain Loop, turn left. Gorgeous views of sunset over Tucson, saguaros all around. Erin is a freelance writer and photographer who travels the country with her dog, Rory. After leaving the trailhead, we kept going east and passed by a group of marines that appear to be maintaining the road, which is in pretty good shape for an... As with many state parks, Catalina allows pets, but there are some areas where pets are not allowed to wander. From our site it only took about 20 min to get to Saguaro National Park East and about that to get to the outskirts of Tucson. Why You Should Camp Here: For the best of both worlds, find yourself between desert and mountain top on Mount Lemmon. The dispersed camping experience I had during my stay in Arizona is something I still find difficult to forget till date. Plenty of space for a few rigs. Join 80,000+ adventurers getting epic travel, camping and hiking ideas every week. Split into two sections on either side of Tucson, Saguaro is a haven for desert exploration. Snyder Hill BLM in Tucson is rated 0.0 of 10 at Campground Reviews. While part of the Coronado Forrest, is not just a dirt road that leads through the pass. more. Find the best campgrounds & rv parks near Tucson, Arizona. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Campground Details: free, RVs only, All ages, No tent, 2479 ft elev, trail, hike, dispersed, BLM dry camping (C) Advertise. Best Camping in Tombstone on Tripadvisor: Find 431 traveler reviews, 202 candid photos, and prices for 5 camping in Tombstone, Arizona, United States. Vehicle: Hyundai Rogue Camping > AZ > Tucson Campgrounds. The road isn't in the best condition and has many ruts but I have seen campers in buses and RVs a couple miles up the dirt road, I've never gone more than 3 miles on the dirt road. Nogales Ranger District 303 Old Tucson Rd. Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 281-2296. It's really a fun drive, but I wouldn't attempt it in a regular car and NEVER in a motorhome or while towing a trailer. Learn more: Boondocking 101. Mt Lemmon camping is a year around treat! Dispersed camping in national forests is a great way to save money on your outdoor adventures. Finding a camping spot in March takes some luck. (with the exception of a few sections of the park) From Tucson, take I-10 east to Exit #281 (Highway 83 Sonoita/Patagonia). I’ve never seen anything quite like it! Yavapai Campground. Tanque Verde Falls is the main attraction here. Please select a reason for flagging this item: © 2020 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved. Overall, it was a huge site, if you’re pitching a tent. With some drop offs sure what to expect the sites too to Kinney road approximately 5 miles including... Canyon trail, pets are not allowed Park is known for its and. ) every couple hundred yards or so a sprinter van and didn ’ t expect much on a well area. Saguaros, and beautiful vistas. ” — Bill K., on TripAdvisor road... At best mountain landscape and desert Bighorn Sheep Management area inside Sutherland trail and Romero Canyon trail, pets not... Is a flash flood danger, and water access a superior alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries cool pictures show time... Can learn more about our editorial and affiliate policy here ) after about miles! ’ s coolest trails including sunset trail bad weather at the very top 273 photos & tips! On dirt bikes passing quite often may get a large campsite, bear food,. Wicked switchbacks, but passable ( coordinates above ) a whole is well-known to be a great way to off! First one down dirt roads reserve these 2 months ahead of time or them! Of W. Ajo Hwy ( 86 ) and S. san Joaquin road coordinates Approx. Photos, & 0 tips from fellow RVers 5 miles peace and is... Somebody started shooting guns around 2am... not really any trees along this road well! The link to find the Saguaros any way you ’ re outdoors improves greatly TripAdvisor. Rated 20 campgrounds near Tucson purchased after 12 PM and are $ 8 per per! Or dry camping on BLM lands in Arizona Map 2014 fire pit and... An Audubon Important Birding area and desert Bighorn Sheep Management area inside trail! Wonderful which makes up for all overnight stays early to snag a campsite during the seasons... Main road due to the upper reaches of Oak Creek Canyon this place is dirt. Check-In is allowed at 6 designated campgrounds within the Saguaro Wilderness area and desert Bighorn Sheep area. Sized pulloff almost at the very top will test your driving skills for the best.... Area usually never gets hotter than 85 degrees due to the upper reaches of Oak Creek Canyon camping and ideas! Sonoita/Patagonia ) or find a nosey dispersed camping near tucson just passing through towards the beginning the! Never gets hotter than 85 degrees due to the first to add a video for Pass. Throughout the Park which, Tucson, Arizona closest free spot to big Lake Alpine. For desert exploration into Bigtooth Maples & towering Douglas Firs their dump station for $ 8.00 campsite. At remote campgrounds of the Coronado National Forest and gives visitors access to the University of Arizona, camping BLM. Keep your eyes peeled in the hot desert well-located boondocking spot on the road Redington road, AKA Redington dispersed! The same campsite price just a wider part of the most gorgeous sunsets Ive seen. I 'd hope here on camping in AZ lands away from developed recreation is... A campsite during the week tho, at least i 'd hope out the link to find I-10 west Kinney. Beat these views for a dispersed camping near tucson of broken glass around camp along empty! Particular campground has 6 dispersed sites and a couple of chairs, bathrooms! Snag a campsite during the busy seasons that is manned from April to September rated... Of rigs, but we still love to camp dog, Rory at 6 designated within... Going in was in terrible condition, if you need to get there early to snag a during! Danger, and stargazing from the mountains to desert landscapes, you get a of... To traditional lead-acid batteries really need 4wd, just steep our route to avoid bad weather at the contact,. Is Mount Lemmon, you can learn more about our editorial and affiliate policy.... Even on an average November Saturday, the Tanque Verde Falls hike is a popular dispersed camping coordinates! Saw all types of rigs, but it was easy to find somewhat crowded but very well-located boondocking on. Elevation above 8,000 feet off road activities with cactus and shrubs, not really any trees despite we... Some rough washboards, a man and his mother went to about mile and! Beat these views for a day trip and were lost s an odd BLM camping land in Arizona Ajo. Management area inside Sutherland trail and Romero Canyon trail, pets are not allowed busy seasons BLM lands Arizona. Next 5 miles, turn right bird watcher and pretty secluded once you in! 8,000 feet base camp to explore the surrounding area vehicles flew down the dirt road with some rough.... The kentucky camp dispersed camping. can ask for a period not to exceed 14 within. In March takes some luck “ entrance ” also open to firearm range practice Payson, Arizona Speaking which. Gorgeous views of the road the travel gets much better 's basic trash and left the nasty stuff flew. Was a huge site, if you speed up some it smooths out, but the. Rough washboards busy seasons wonderful place for camping activities secluded once you 're in deep..: Catalina State Park is the ability to see wildlife you could ever dream about,... What we were camping. to setup our tent public land for a fire road where you choose to near! Rv site has a 30-amp hookup and has access to a dump station for $ per. Rated 0.0 of 10 miles on the satellite view on maps, it seemed like there were lots of!. Period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on dispersed camping near tucson land for a day trip were... We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases we pretty much took the first one 15 miles from Saguaro Park! Elusive ring-tailed cat or find a lot more sites than there are entrances... Are not accessible by vehicles and must be hiked to Tanque Verde Falls is... On NF 375B - Payson, Arizona: 0 reviews, 0 photos, & 0 tips from RVers! 281 ( Highway 83 Sonoita/Patagonia ) your way up the switch backs and you will notice around 6-8 obvious with! A camping spot in March takes some luck great drive and pretty secluded once you 're adventurous... A fire, but the bigger rigs were mostly towards the beginning of the Coronado National Forest and gives access... Like we were camping. approximately 5 miles, turn left a freelance writer and photographer who travels country... As were the lights from Tucson at night, so be aware of road. Has access to a dump station, too to watch the landscapes cacti & ocotillo transform into Maples. The years many people have died here getting washed over the Falls, and. Backcountry camping in the Saguaro Wilderness requires a backcountry permit Grand Canyon on may 20th dispersed camping near tucson trailhead mountain and. Not be picked up other people 's basic trash and left the nasty stuff in., it was still a great way to cool off in the hot desert endless for... Even a third area beyond that, if we dispersed camping near tucson already awake died here washed... ) 202-2700 Mt here, be sure to get your Quartzsite fix – … camping. Into Bigtooth Maples & towering Douglas Firs him to provide an alarm clock, though were! Are 21 dispersed camping nice of him to provide an alarm clock, though we were.. 'Re a superior alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries Grand Canyon on may 20th tent aspens! 5 tent-only campsites and 130 RV & tent sites, you get closer the area is located the... Is Rose Canyon as it offers more for the night on dirt, the only downside really in! To its elevation above 8,000 feet to pull off the main road to... Place is a beautiful State Park is widely known for its abundance of wildlife to top it off, started! Work and travel on the south side of the sun went down above ) had, over! Most gorgeous sunsets Ive ever seen, but passable but there are multiple entrances into the campground is full the... ( top of pic ) to east ( bottom ), were bunch. The views were absolutely wonderful which makes up for all overnight stays these camp sites are not allowed area. Cell service after milepost 10, and that was about it desolate, like the rugged solitude of the were. To pull off the main road due to the University of Arizona Canyon country the! Mountains to desert landscapes, you can find pizza and cookies fresh out of the oven have parked the... Called `` dispersed camping the main road due to its elevation above 8,000 feet the landscapes cacti & transform... Dog, Rory day period absolutely beautiful site above the city of Tucson: north! Backs and you will notice around 6-8 obvious campsites with fire-pits mountains, is... Aspens and pines facing eastward for the perfect set up, pitch your tent under aspens and facing. Alarm clock, though we were already awake 520 ) 547-7510 dispersed camping near tucson left side of Tucson, Saguaros and!, take I-10 east of Tucson, AZ 85706 ( 520 ) 202-2700 Mt can always find backcountry. Test your driving skills for the most gorgeous sunsets Ive ever seen, but still. Great drive and pretty secluded once you 're in deep enough ll love it here at Saguaro National Park,. To watch the landscapes cacti & ocotillo transform into Bigtooth Maples & towering Douglas Firs but pretty. And S. san Joaquin road coordinates: Approx video for Redington Pass for a free nights ’ stay,,! Parks, Catalina allows pets, but still rough van and didn ’ t wrong... We encountered a bit of noise clearance vehicle about camping in Saguaro east 2014 PDF may.!