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Dispersed Camping

BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area

8 Reviews

About

Bureau of Land Management

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Location

BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area is located in Arizona

Directions

The Sonoran Desert National Monument is in south central Arizona, 60 miles from Phoenix. Interstate 8 provides some access at the Vekol interchange (Exit 144) and the Freeman Interchange (Exit 140). Arizona Route 238 and the Maricopa Road afford access to the North Maricopa Mountains and the Butterfield Overland Stage Route.

Coordinates

32.81190013193814 N
112.25346198569689 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Available
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Good

Site Types

Dispersed

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Phone Service
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Contact

General Info

Jennifer M.

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 17, 2024

Very nice camping area

Lots of spaces, easy to find off the interstate.

Month of VisitApril

Kaye S.

Traveler

Reviewed Jan. 28, 2024

Peaceful Sonoran Hideaway

We stayed just one night in our 17 foot R-Pod hauled by our Ford Tundra. Our site wasn't 3 black water tanks roughly 3 miles out.

Gorgeous views. Nice land to hike around. We bushwhacked 2 mile loop Southeast to a big wash.

Definitely will come here again when we have more time.

SiteEast side of Verkol Road about 3 miles in

Month of VisitFebruary

(4) View All

Danny T.

Guide

Reviewed Jan. 24, 2024

Nice spot. Few issues

January visit Rv 23ft Easy to find.
Good cell service Overall it’s a decent spot with a few issues. Several of the spots were trash dumps. We were able to find other spots that were clean though. Spots are just off the road so you’re not real far away from the other campers but we really didn’t hear a thing from anyone. That said , there is a military base close by and jets fly over a few times a day and are real loud. We didn’t mind this but some people may. We also had a couple of helicopters dj a low pass one evening.
The mountains around the area are very pretty.

This spot is not real remote so you are close to the freeway and will hear some trucks occasionally.
There are signs warning of illegal immigrants and that but we didn’t see or hear of any issues.

Update to this review. We didn’t go as far down the road due to some standing water etc. however , go further down the road to find the better spots that are more remote. Most rvs and big rigs can make it really far down this road There is a few private property signs. Go past those TK the next set of camp sites.

Month of VisitFebruary

(9) View All

Toree M.

Guide

Reviewed Feb. 24, 2023

Easy to find / good for big rigs

We stayed the full 14 days! Pros - very easy to locate, seemingly plenty of space (while some spots have neighbors and some do not), tons of geodes and other cool rocks, tons of space to walk and explore, and it is fairly quiet. Cons - border patrol everywhere, some days there were literally 10+ patrol cars riding around, close to the main road so you do hear trucks, Military planes fly through a few times a day - just little things to note in terms of noise level and activity. We felt very safe here, and would absolutely stay again!

Month of VisitMarch

T R.

Scout

Reviewed Feb. 24, 2023

Beautiful, Open and Peaceful

Make sure you have your own water and self-contained rig but this space is beautiful. Tons of room. Beautiful scenery and sunsets. Just make sure you stay off the private property on the east side of road!

Month of VisitMarch

Wayne H.

Ranger

Reviewed Jan. 1, 2023

Great

Had a great time here. Quiet and peaceful.

Month of VisitJanuary

(10) View All

Jennifer S.

Scout

Reviewed Feb. 20, 2022

Easy access

Super easy access with lots of pull offs. Quiet and beautiful!

Siteabout 1.5 miles off the interstate

Month of VisitMarch

Greg L.

Legend

Reviewed Jan. 18, 2022

Vekol Exit 144 free BLM dispersed

This is free dispersed camping on the BLM Sonoran National Monument. At Interstate 8, Exit 144 go south. BLM starts in about .6 mile. Note that the gravel road then will pass thru some pvt land that the Dyrt does not show, before the BLM again at the road fork to the Vekol Ranch (2.1 miles in from hwy). See attached screenshot from the BLM monument map. Lots of sites scattered along the main graded gravel road. There is an info kiosk at junction of road going to the Vekol Ranch. Most of the campers seem to be in this area to avoid interstate truck noise. Excellent cell signal on all carriers. No water, marked sites, tables, fire rings or trash dumpsters. Nearest services are in Sanfield (poor), Maricopa (best) or Gila Bend (fuel, RV stuff) so come prepared. Maricopa has a Fry's Market and gas. Sanfield has a Family Dollar and Circle K gas. Gila Bend has most services but not a major food market. Not much Sonoran cactus vegetation by the kiosk sign in in this area, no cholla and very few Saguaros, area is just a wide flat creosote palo verde sandy plain.

Update: if you go another mile or two south (uphill) on the main road you can camp at the #8007b and #8007c road spurs and #8045 spur. More Sonoran vegetation there and very scenic...lots of Saguaro cactus to camp with on flat open desert pavement. Farther away from the hwy noise is a plus!

If you are concerned about potential safety issues from illegal smuggling warnings, then staying down close to BLMat the .6 mile mark is likely best.

Month of VisitFebruary

(17) View All