Accessible via rough, rocky roads from Highway 95, this dispersed camping area on Arizona State Trust Land requires an annual permit that costs $17-20 per person and vehicle. The permit can be purchased online, making the daily cost less than five dollars for extended stays. Sites accommodate any rig size, though four-wheel drive capability allows access to more remote spots further from the highway.
Multiple camping locations spread across the terrain provide options for privacy levels and group sizes. Campers can position themselves a quarter-mile or more from neighbors, with open desert stretching toward Lake Havasu. The lake remains accessible only by off-highway vehicle or on foot from the camping areas. Highway noise carries to some sites, while others sit far enough back to minimize road sounds.
John R. notes the area offers "private, views, groups, high or low" positioning options. Cell service works adequately for most carriers, and solar panels perform well in the consistent Arizona sunshine. The location sits above potential flooding zones, unlike some nearby Bureau of Land Management sites that require driving through washes.
Lake Havasu City provides supplies and services fifteen minutes north on Highway 95. No water, trash service, or other amenities exist on-site, so campers must bring everything needed for dry camping. Cattail Cove State Park Campground offers designated hiking trails through the surrounding desert terrain for those wanting marked routes.
Description
Welcome to the Arizona State Land Department Online Recreational Permit Portal! Please review the following information below to determine which type of permit is right for you. This landing page also contains other helpful information about the Permit, as well as the basic responsibilities of the permittee(s). The Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the page must be agreed to by the permittee(s) before proceeding to the Permit web form.
Individual Permit: An Individual Permit is $15 and grants a single person access to State Trust land for certain types of recreational activities including camping, bicycling, bird watching, GPS-based recreational activities (geocaching), hiking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle (OHV) usage, photography, picnicking, and sightseeing. Recreational Permits purchased online will be charged an additional $1 convenience fee. Alternatively, Recreational Permits may be purchased in person at the Arizona State Land Department Office, located at 1110 West Washington Street in Phoenix.
Family Permit: A Family Permit is $20 and grants a family unit (two adults and their children under 18 years of age) access to State Trust land for certain types of recreational activities including camping, bicycling, bird watching, GPS-based recreational activities (geocaching), hiking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle (OHV) usage, photography, picnicking, and sightseeing. Recreational Permits purchased online will be charged an additional $1 convenience fee. Alternatively, Recreational Permits may be purchased in person at the Arizona State Land Department Office, located at 1110 West Washington Street in Phoenix.
Small-Group Permit: A Small-Group Permit is $15 and grants up to 19 people access to State Trust land locations for five consecutive days for certain types of non-commercial recreational activities including camping, bicycling, bird watching, GPS-based recreational activities (geocaching), hiking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle (OHV) usage, photography, picnicking, and sightseeing. Recreational Permits purchased online will be charged an additional $1 convenience fee. Alternatively, Recreational Permits may be purchased in person at the Arizona State Land Department Office, located at 1110 West Washington Street, in Phoenix.
Large-Group Permit: A Large-group Permit is for a group larger than 20 people. Please submit a Public Inquiry here. Someone will get back to you with more information.
Responsibilities: Permittee(s) shall respect the land, and adhere to the Terms and Conditions of the Permit at all times. Permittee(s) shall comply with all federal, state, county, and municipal laws and ordinances, while on State Trust land. The Permittee(s) shall have the permit with them at all times while recreating on State Trust land and have readily available if stopped by law enforcement or any State Land Department staff. The Permittee(s) shall not remove natural products from or visit archaeological sites on State Trust land. The Permittee(s) shall not create or leave any trash on State Trust land, except for geocaches placed according to ASLD guidelines.
The Permittee(s) shall not discharge a firearm on State Trust land, except pursuant to lawful and licensed hunting. An ASLD Recreational Permit is not required for individuals with a valid hunting and/or fishing license whom are actively pursuing game or fish. To obtain a hunting or fishing license from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, please click here (https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml).
The Permittee(s) shall not participate in OHV usage on State Trust land without both an ASLD Recreational Permit and an OHV decal or license plate. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is the issuing agency for the OHV decal, certificates of title, registrations, and license plates. To obtain an Arizona OHV decal, please click here (http://servicearizona.com/offHighwayDecal?otherclick).
Reservation Info
Permit Required: https://land.az.gov/applications-permits
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Dispersed CampingAZ State Land Recreational Area Dispersed Site is located in Arizona
Coordinates
34.33476523127595 N
114.13632261243964 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 2/16/26
Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 22 usersLast on 4/25/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/25/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 2/16/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 22 usersLast on 4/25/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/25/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
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.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if AZ State Land Recreational Area Dispersed Site needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 24 min from Lake Havasu City, AZ
- 2 hrs 13 min from Yuma, AZ
- 2 hrs 44 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 3 hrs 17 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
