Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area, near Elgin, Arizona, is a fantastic spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This location offers a peaceful retreat with well-spaced sites that provide a sense of privacy and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Visitors rave about the wildlife here, with sightings of Coues deer, pronghorns, and even prairie dogs being common. The night sky is another highlight, with campers enjoying brilliant stargazing opportunities away from city lights. One camper noted, “The scenery is great. There is no highway noise and the nighttime stars are brilliant.”

While the area is primitive, meaning no toilets or drinking water, it’s free to camp and allows for campfires, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a more rugged experience. The nearby Empire Ranch offers a small museum and trails, plus a chance to fill up on water, which is a nice perk for those staying longer.

For those who love to hike, the trails around the ranch provide a great way to explore the area. Just be prepared for some wind and the occasional moo from the local cattle. As one happy camper put it, “It’s a great space to walk the dogs around here.” Whether you're camping in a tent or a van, Cieneguita is a solid choice for a peaceful getaway.

Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area - Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

Sonoita is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Sonoita is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Sonoita, AZ. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Sonoita

The Best Camping Near Sonoita, Arizona

Really nice area flat. BLM Numbered campsites, but you can also go to the end of that campground and there's a fence you can go through and there's camping out that way also.  Watch out for potholes. Two weeks camping permitted. No services good Verizon

Las Amigas BLM campground outside of Sonoita.

It is peaceful. Occasionally you will end up with cows surrounding you. Happened to me. This campground is allowed up to 14 days, BUT that is every 6 months. Not the normal 30 days. I’ve stayed there many times in the past 4 years, they keep track. 

Free but there are limits

Dispersed camping. No amenities. The spots at the cieneguita camp are full Everytime we have camped at the preserve but there is plenty of open area to pick a spot. We camped just past the cieneguita sites tucked back in the mesquite thicket. The dirt at the spot we camped at was so fine it was like talcum powder so everything was covered in dirt in no time BUT it’s camping. You can hear periodic gunfire as this is BLM but people appear to be shooting in areas that are away from campers and towards hillsides. Super quiet otherwise and great skies without light pollution for looking at stars. Pretty cool spot.

Secluded

This area is also called Empire Ranch. The ranch is 44,000 acres boastes lots of wildlife elk, antelope, coyotes, kangaroo rats, and roadrunners. The ranch house can be toured along with several bunkhouse and barns. Several western movies have been shot on the ranch and lots of the scenery looks familiar from these said movies. John Wayne Frank, Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sam Elliott are some of the actors in these movies. Water can be acquired at the camp host and gift shop area at the ranch house. The ranch has an airport which all the large Class A Class Cs and goose neck campers usually camp because the campsites are on the air strip area and requires very little backing. A true gem of a dispersed camping area.


A real Arizona  gem of a dispersed camp spot

I pulled in pretty late at night, so wasn't sure what to expect. Nice big campsites, not a lot of privacy though. Almost all of them have mesquite trees with lots of dead branches that you are allowed to collect for firewood, which is super helpful!

  

This is an old cattle ranch, so it's pretty wide open with some nice views and rolling hills. No water or power at the sights, but there are restrooms near the entrance to the park.

  

Not a lot to do here, but great for an overnight when you're on a road trip! Definitely recommend.

Totally solid campsite, free so the price is right!

Stayed 5 nights, very peaceful, approx. 7 sites at Cieneguita CG, others at Oak Tree Canyon (not a real canyon) and the old Airstrip area. Clean vault toilets at the ranch house parking and potable water, approx. 2.3 miles from campsite. Other small pullout spots along some of the side ranch roads. Verizon 2-3 bars LTE. 

Peaceful

We spent two nights at this amazing campsite. This campground offers 7 official and several unofficial sites that are scattered to assure privacy. Campground is primitive with no toilets or water so come prepared.  Gorgeous 360 views of nearby mountains. Easy road access for low clearance vehicle although this could change in the rainy season. We camped in our tent but sites are roomy enough for vans and RVs.  Make sure you check out the Empire Ranch Foundation, which is about 2 miles from campsite. They offer free self guided tour of the cattle ranch that was located there. 

Cell coverage for TMobile was spotty. 

Tranquility

If you are looking for a place that is easy to get in and out of as well as peaceful and remote, this is it! There’s a few other campers here, but lost of space between sites so we can never hear them. Great space to walk the dogs around here. It’s gets a little windy at times and the cows can make a racket every so often, but we really like it here. Beautiful views of the mountains and decent cell service. There’s a place to fill water a couple miles away at Empire ranch though no place close to dump. Sites are big and each one has a turn around. 

Peaceful and beautiful 

Stayed two nights and was a great area. Ended up getting a spot near the main road but overall was very quite. Insane views and just a unique area. Empire Ranch had potable water to fill up and there are a ton of vineyards within 20 minutes. Was super windy one day but definitely coming back. 

Great spot!

The views are breathtaking.  It is off grid but so peaceful.  Definitely worth planning a trip.

Well kept secret

I was traveling from Tucson to Sonoita and had myself a nice overnight. I saw one other camper here, but never heard them. Pulled down the road then through the gate and went about a mile. Beautiful secluded space, bugs weren't too bad. LOTS of nature sounds, heard a pack of dogs, plenty of cows and (?) And the birds are everywhere! It's super awesome! I'm camping in my car, so I didn't find a normal site, just pulled off the road and set up my chair to kick back and enjoy a local craft beer before bed. 

Away from civilization with beautiful views

Cold in december....but still a awesome place

Beautiful surroundings.  Peaceful and quiet. 

Prairie dogs and pronghorn antelope are daily visitors. Too many birds to count. 

Great dispersed camping with plenty of wildlife to see.

I first came upon this area three years ago and have come back every year since. It is isolated, camp sites are well spaced and the scenery is great. There is no highway noise and the night time stars are brilliant. It is free range for cattle so you may wake up several mornings to see them in 'your backyard'. There are Coues deer (a small whitetail), pronghorns (get up early to see them), a prairie dog town, coyotes can be heard many nights, and all kinds of birds.

Empire Ranch has a great but small museum, with trails around it for walking, nice restrooms, free water for filling your RV, and a rich history. If La Cieneguita campground is full (only eight sites) There are other areas with La Cienagas National Conservation Area for camping including a large former small airport on the other side of Empire Ranch.

Photos of Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area - Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

Real photos from real campers