Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance, near [Tonto National Forest](https://thedyrt.com/camping/arizona/near/tonto-national-forest), Arizona, offers a rugged outdoor experience for those looking to escape into nature. This area is perfect for campers who enjoy a more primitive setting, with no designated sites and a chance to find your own slice of wilderness.

Visitors have noted the stunning scenery, especially the sunsets and unique cacti that dot the landscape. The area is popular for off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails, and many campers recommend getting a $6 permit for easier access to the trails and campsites. As one camper mentioned, “It’s beautiful out here,” highlighting the natural beauty that surrounds you.

While amenities are limited—there's no drinking water or trash disposal—this location allows for campfires and pets, making it a great spot for those who want to enjoy a more laid-back camping experience. Just be prepared for some rough roads; a four-wheel-drive vehicle is often necessary to navigate the terrain beyond the first couple of miles. 

If you're up for an adventure and don’t mind a bit of dust from OHV traffic, Bulldog Canyon is a solid choice for a weekend getaway. Just remember to leave no trace and help keep this beautiful area open for future campers.

NO CAMPING First 2 miles and 300 feet on either side of the road/trail VEHICLES MUST STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS - but past those designated no camping zones, camping is allowed unless otherwise posted. Must have a permit.

This space is very large so it may be best to divide it by the access points. The point I'll be using is Access #3- Forest Road (FR) 10, south entrance: This access point is reached from Apache Junction. From Mesa: Travel 15 miles east on the Superstition Freeway (US 60) to the Idaho Street exit. Follow Idaho Street north 4½ miles to McKellips. Turn right on McKellips and travel ½ mile to the Wolverine Pass Road and turn left. Follow it for 7/8 mile and turn right on Tonto Road. Travel north on Tonto Road for ¼ mile to Cactus and turn left. Follow Cactus to McDowell Road and follow it to FR 10 gate.

Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance

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Fort Mcdowell

The Best Camping Near Fort Mcdowell, Arizona

This "campground" is in the middle of cactus, dirt, and things that stab you. The only real redeeming quality is the view. If you come out here for an amazing sunrise or sunset you will not be disappointed. However, it's worth throwing out that this is the desert and that it's hot during the day, cool at night, and full of things that will sting/bite you. Personally, I wouldn't bring my toddler out here for the plant life. In this particular situation I wouldn't bring my toddler out here because of the trash/abuse. When we were scoping spots there was trash EVERYWHERE. PLUS. the camping needs to be roadisde (or from an established pull out) which means very little privacy from the road. If you do camp here you MUST have the Bulldog Permit. The road will vary (especially on the recent weather/rain).

Great Views but Very Little Shade

We had a lot of fun! Very secluded but easy to get to!

VERY NICE

We came, we made a fire, we cooked and rapped!

Absolutely loved our time at this site and we had such a great time bonding with friends!

Fun. Free. Great little spots to camp. Peaceful.

Amazing

We went for a quick overnight stay not too far from home for Questival with Cotopaxi. A lot of space to set up camp. My only concern was we heard cars passing throughout the night.

Lots of fun! 

I have camped at every dispersed camping place within 150 miles of Phoenix. 99 percent are over run by noisy, disrespectful ATV AND DIRT BIKE riders. If they see people camping they like to rev their engines really loud and create big dust flumes to show how nasty they really are. Last year I never saw a dirt bike or ATV in blue point, but this year there's been a lot. Come on guys and gals you have control of every single other spot this was just one place the family could go and have some peace and quiet. NOT THIS YEAR!!! the ATV'S AND dirt bikes have been tearing down the roads making sure they really rev their engines and creat dust when they go by campers. Just be jerks. But besides that, compared to any other place, this is the quietest. Don't park near the gate, the sound from the road can get really loud. 6 am every morning a helicopter comes overhead it's extremely loud, just so you know. Make sure you go to the Tonto national Forest Mesa ranger station and get a permit for bulldog canyon on Ingram street in Mesa. You need the gate combination codes to open the gate and be in there. The rangers do come through and check your permit and ID's to make sure you are the one on the permit. Ive only seen coyotes and wild horses in there.the horses actually came up to my window, it was awesome.you can have fires, but there's no water or toilets. Try to stay away on Friday and Saturday nights. Allot of kids go there to drink and party. One more thing, if you open the gate, close and lock it! I have seen people call the rangers and tell and the rangers came down and took the person's permit away.enjoy!

Blue point access to bulldog canyon

Probably one of the closest places to camp on the east valley of the Phoenix area. This place is most used by OHVs so it can get noisy on the weekends. I’ve also seen spots  that people use for shooting. This area is just for dispersed camping, no services, cell phone coverage is good with Verizon.  


Bulldog Canyon 

I use the north entrance off Bush highway. I've camped here 5 or 6 times. No water or bathrooms. Leave no trace. You need a permit and gate code. Most ATVers but not loud during the week. Ive had wild horses walk by. Love it there.

Great place, close to civilization yet remote 

FYI the entrance that this references is actually further west than shown on the map. Less than a mile west of the bridge over Salt River at Pebble Beach.

I love Bulldog Canyon but some spots get overrun with quads and side by sides. Fun place for four wheeling but if you want to camp I would recommend getting into Bulldog from one of the south east entrances off the 88. If you follow the trails back far enough you reach beautiful canyons and lots of sandstone and lava rock formations. 4x4 is definitely necessary if you want to go very far but I did it in a 95 Cherokee without a lift so it’s not too rough. This is pack in pack out camping, find a spot wherever you can.
Make sure to get a permit in advance, you can get one in person at the ranger station off Higley day of or online if you have a few days to wait. 
You can definitely get to feeling like you’re in the middle of nowhere pretty quick here with the winding canyons.

Further east the better

Easy to get a permit from the ranger station. Just email your name, address, phone number and driver's license number to sm.fs.mesa_ohs@usda.gov and you'll get your permit within 2 days for free. I love that it's not far out of town but an easy place to forget you live in town. I've seen all types of vehicles out there. Better to have a 4 wheel drive  with decent clearance for some of the trails. Most camp spots aren't too deep in so it's easiest to access. 

Love this place! 

This is a nice area if you like to off road. We take our trailer out for the weekend to get out of the city. It’s an hour from Tempe/ Phoenix. Nice and quite except for an occasional rider passing by. Awesome area to catch a sunset. Stores are about 15 mins away if you needed something. Permit system is online now. Super cheap and easy. The area is gated off and you need to permit to open the gate. 

Great place to get away 

It's only 30 mins from my door to the camp site. Found a nice pull off from the main road with a good fire ring and set up the tent. ATVs are all around so it can get noisy and dusty but never was it unbearable. It's a great getaway very close to town. 

Quick weekend getaway

Sandy &amp; rocky road, but nice when you get back in there. 

Bulldog Canyon N. Entrance ~ Dispersed Camping.  

I showed up today October 9 at 11pm to spend the night and all of the roads are closed. The main parking lot is open but none of the roads to the dispersed dirt areas are accessible. I am unsure if you are allowed to park and walk to camp. No one is here.

Currently Closed

After you see the entrance, there will be a gate. It’s not closed!! Continue through :)

The gate isn’t closed 

14 day stay with $6 permit. Beautiful location with 10+ spots. 

Great location

Totally worth registering for the 6$ permit! Gives you combi does to all the locks in the area. It’s beautiful out here. Pretty passable dirt road (our G20 camper van had no problems). Sunsets were so so pretty and for us Washingtonians, camping in the desert amongst the saguaros was 👌🏼. Still a pretty busy area mid week in Feb. We had to drive a ways in to find a site but arrived right as the sun was setting so I imagine most folks were already set up for the night. 

Amazing views! 

Easy to moderate trails throughout the area.  Lots of dispersed camping and miles of trails.  Heavy UTV use has made some of the trails even more challenging.  Lots of fun.

Large area for dispersed camping 

This is a nice, clean spot close to town and lots of outdoor activities! We saw some of the most beautiful sunsets and cacti here. The road is a little sketchy but was passable in our 19’ trailer. The first half mile or so of road has lots and lots of campsites, but if you have 4x4 I recommend continuing on for more private campsites. This is a pretty popular place and when we were here, a large section was closed so nearly every campsite was filled. Most of the neighbors were nice, respectful and quiet, but there were several irresponsible dog owners. Be prepared for lots of OHV traffic Thursday-Sunday kicking up dust. As always, leave it better than you found it and help to keep places like this open!!

Nice spot near the highway and town!

Closed

The road is in the worst condition, we have a 25ft RV and was impossible to get through, the road even damage our rig we had to turn back and get out of there. 

Worst road

they change the rules you're not allowed to camp anywhere within 1 mile of the entrance which means if you have an RV you are unable to Camp because the roads past 1-mile they're all sandy washes and you need a four-wheel-drive you can thank all the people who don't follow the rules when camping

Impassable and camping restricted now

Main gate to access area is closed. May be other points of entry but was pitch dark &amp; could find.

No Camping - Gate Closed

OHV trails. Available with easy to purchase $6 permit that provides the lock code. Camping permitted only after the first Two miles. 4x4 required to get past the first 2 miles.

Beautiful area, 4X4 needed

Permit required for the gate code. Camping available 2 miles in. Need a 4x4. It's definitely worth the hastle as these spots are beautiful and clean. A lot of OHV so it kicks up dust. 

My favorite area

Our first night we campednat the 2nd or 3rd campsite which wasn't too difficult to get to. Big rocks and ruts but no biggie. The next morning we woke up to a forest ranger saying we had to camp 2 miles from the road. We took our 30 foot camper the 2 miles and boy was it insane off roading for a travel trailer! Dont recommend it as my tire exploded a week later probably from the abuse. The 2 miles rule seems like it is a new rule and they say it's to stop erosion but it seems to stop campers. Because there's only 2 camp spots past 2 miles deep but tons of other awesome campsites on the way. They also just changed the price from $6 for 6 monthes to $80 for the year

Beautiful, price just went up to $80 a year for a pass. but have to camp 2 miles down a ohv 

It was a fun dirt road. You might be able to get back there without 4x4 but certainly it is strongly recommended. Very rough road and about a 2 mile drive.

4x4 would be useful 

Stunning views on the way, on Bush Highway! Would've loved to camp and go out on our UTV--but, as other reviewers have mentioned, you have to drive at least 2 miles in before camping is allowed. We unhooked from our motorhome (43 ft), drove the truck in to scope it out, and turned around 1/3 mile in. Rather than a road, the drive is on UTV trails and I'm not sure the truck would've made it further with the narrow trails. Great for UTVing, not so much for camping if you're an RV or motorhome camper. 

Photos of Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance

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