Best Dispersed Camping near Ajo, AZ

Recent Dispersed Reviews near Ajo, Arizona

54 Reviews of 15 Ajo Campgrounds

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 22, 2022

  BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Road #8042 Dispersed Camping Area

  Overlander High Clearance only

  This BLM dispersed camping area access is about MP 147.5 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 8. This is a two track road that leaves the highway and goes thru a gate, and EXTREME CAUTION is advised slowing down and leaving the freeway due to no off ramp or signs here to alert traffic behind you. Not recommended for RVs or TTs due to the risky access off the interstate. Best suited for Overlander types and high clearance trucks/vans. This area was a pleasant surprise and the access road #8042a is best due to good gravel surface and interesting camping areas. Suggest going on #8042a for 1.2 miles to the abandoned windmill/tank area. There is a large rock borrow pit midway if you are a shooter. This windmill area is behind a ridge from I 8 and reduces the highway truck noise.

  Free dispersed camping, no water. Info kiosk at pin location. Note that this area is isolated with little traffic and other campers and would not advise solo camping due to warnings about illegal smuggling. Go with buddies and go heavy.

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 19, 2022

  Sonoran Desert National Monument Camp

  Free dispersed BLM exit #140

  This is a free dispersed camping area in the BLM Sonoran National Monument. Take Interstate 8, Exit #140 and take gravel road to south. The gravel road is rough washboard first section, then gets narrower and just rough. Camping areas seem to be just within less than a mile of the Interstate so truck noise will be an issue. No services for 30 mi back to Gila Bend or 20 mi back to Stanfield. No water, trash, tables. Cell signal is excellent on all carriers. This area is more difficult to access with a TT or RV due to the rougher narrow roads, compared to the Vekol Rd camping area at exit #144.

• 

  Larry B.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 21, 2020

  Gunsight Wash BLM Dispersed camping area

  Nice and clean large open spaces for RV

  This is a very nice place for FREE camping on BLM land. Lots of room and it does go farther back from the highway. Just be careful of some areas may wash out when it rains. A little difficult to find, but look at your odometer when leaving Aho, it will be 13 miles on your right going south. A few miles further you will be at the Organ Pipe National Park. Some very nice scenic drives there.

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 18, 2022

  BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area

  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.

• M

  Michelle B.

  Scout

  

  Feb. 18, 2023

  Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed

  Beautiful and quiet

  First time camping near Ajo. We turned onto the scenic loop drive off Darby Wells Road and quickly found a large flat spot down off the road. Very little traffic and no neighbors. A new favorite!

• M

  Michael W.

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 4, 2025

  Vekol Valley Road

  Great views!

  We chose to keep going until we hit actual BLM land, maybe one mile from the highway. The views were phenomenal and very little noise. The moon and stars were beautiful too.

  It looked like there was BLM land on the North side of I8, which we’ll check out the next time we pass through here.

  Even though the road is a little bumpy, any rig and trailer can make it!

• 

  Larry B.

  Legend

  

  Feb. 23, 2021

  Gunsight Wash BLM Dispersed camping area

  Back Again

  I have found that this is a nice location. If you want to visit in this area, it is very conveniently located about three miles from the Organ Pipe National Park. There is a campground in the park. It offers paved parking and barbecue grills, but it still dry camping. Since this is free I find it a lot better for dry camping. It is close to a town called Why, that has gas, and a restaurant called Grannies that has the best burritos this area has to offer. Can also get ice and propane at the gas station there. I chose to Camp close to the road, because I don't mind the noise from traffic, I feel it is a little soothing at times personally. The BLM area goes back several miles and if you don't mind driving in a little farther in, it is much quieter. I really like this area BLM land and I'm sure to come here again and again.

• 

  Vanessa M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 26, 2021

  Ajo BLM Dispersed

  Calm and isolated

  It is absolutely amazing here. Plenty of space for disperse, primitive camping. This seems like a popular place for primitive camping, but it is so easy to find a quiet private spot. The Ajo MTB trails are here and there is OHV.

• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 25, 2021

  Gunsight Wash BLM Dispersed camping area

  Great Campsite near Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

  Within just 20 miles of the Organ Pipe National Monument, Gunsight Wash allows dispersed camping up to 14 days. There are enough flat parking areas scattered throughout the BLM area to accommodate hundreds of rigs. You should be able to find a quiet spot, though it's unlikely that you'll have the place all to yourself. 

  As with most dispersed camping areas managed by the BLM, there are no services for bathroom, water, or trash. There is a day-use rest area across the highway, but please do not dump your trash there (AZDOT will charge the BLM to dispose of this trash, and that will mean that the BLM will have to start charging us -- so be a good neighbor and dispose of your stuff in the nearby town of Why). 

  The main road between Why and Sonoyta (Mexico) is very busy during the days. 

  However, the border crossing is closed at night so being parked near the pavement isn't going to keep you awake all night. However, we found that getting further away made the hanging out around camp more pleasant.

  There are many hiking and biking opportunities available just a short drive away into the National Monument. The Visitor's Center is also worth a visit, and the NPS campground is super cute and offers all the usual amenities of developed campground in the NPS. The town of Why is within 2 miles of the Gunsight Wash turn off, which offers a gas station and convenience store. Further up the road lies Ajo, AZ, which has more in the way of restaurants and grocery stores.

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 26, 2020

  Gunsight Wash BLM Dispersed camping area

  Convenient blm free dispersed camping

  Free BLM dispersed camping between Why AZ and Organ Pipe Nat Monument. Turnoff is just past mp #55 heading south from Why, right turn off hwy just past the concrete bridge over gunsight wash. Entrance is a bit back to right over a cattleguard. Hwy road noise can be an issue so the farther west into the area the less road noise. Cell service for Verizon and Tmobile was 4 bars lte..however ATT was nothing. Why AZ has gas, ice, restrooms. Filtered water is across hwy at community center kiosk..five gals $1. Note that the Border Patrol has a checkpoint at mp 57.5 just before Organ Pipe boundary.

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 30, 2022

  BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - BLM road 8035 access

  Overlander access only

  This is a two track road that leaves Interstate 8 at about MP 124. There are no signs and EXTREME CAUTION is advised trying to access these BLM roads from the freeway without an exit ramp. No TTs or RVs are recommended. Road goes thru a gate out into the flat desert. Dispersed camping areas are scattered around but since this is close to Gila Bend there is evidence of dumping in this area. Cell service is good. No water, toilets, tables, fire rings or trash bins.

• 

  matthew H.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 13, 2024

  Ajo BLM Dispersed

  Beauty, ease, quiet

  Fairly easy approach with my overcab camper setup, and family of 4. beautiful saguaro and ocotillo country, yotes yipping at night, owls, wrens and a ton of wildlife. Maybe be careful of pckrats and leave your hood propped up with a light. Otherwise one of our favorite dispersed camp sites ever!! LOTS of space to explore. 

• 

  Mike S.

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 3, 2021

  Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed

  Great dispersed camping. The farther from the highway, the better it gets.

  Great dispersed camping 🏕. The farther from the highway, the better it gets.

• 

  Kevin C.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 10, 2025

  BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area

  Nice desert campspot

  Basic boondocking in the desert. Lots of room and others campers keep their distance.

  Beautiful views of mountains with lots of birds.

  The road in is about two miles of dirt road. Not too bumpy and appropriate for most cars and trailers. No end of room to turn around.

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 2, 2022

  Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed

  Scenic area but poor cell

  This is a dispersed BLM area behind the old copper mine tailings and a wide washboard dusty road goes back into the area. Scenic Sonoran desert vegetation due to the cactus diversity but some areas have been trashed by past use during the mining days. Cell signal was mixed to poor, only TMobile worked barely for me. Close to Ajo but no water, trash, or tables. Access road can be dusty and washboard.

• M

  Mike

  Scout

  

  Mar. 17, 2021

  Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed

  Good free dispersed boondocking

  Stayed here for three nights with the wife and kids in a tear drop type camper. It has a good amount of spots that are flat. We have never camped in the desert before, but it is still too cold for the woods. We enjoyed it and it really piqued our interest in desert camping. We did a short overland hike with no trail. We didn't see any hiking trails, so be careful you don't get lost. Ajo is real close and it has a couple little stores, gas stations, and like two restaurants. It does have a museum that was closed citing Covid. The mine museum was still open and very interesting. It even interested the three kids (6, 8, 11 years old). 

  On our last night I saw bombing practice at the Goldwater bombing range. Just aerial flares and flashes from FAR away. I was surprised by it. It was NOT detrimental to our stay. 

  May be our fall/spring camping spot.

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 28, 2022

  BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - BLM road #8032 access

  Overlander types recommended

  This two- track BLM road leaves from the westbound lanes of Interstate 8. EXTREME CAUTION is advised and TTs and RVs are not recommended for these unmarked two tracks along the Interstate.

  You go thru a gate and this area is to west of the wilderness area and is not restricted by the wilderness buffer road issues. The road splits in a couple tens and there are several camp spots along the way, but best to get farther away from the freeway truck noise. On the map this #8032 roads goes all the way to hwy 238 between Gila Bend and Maricopa. No facilities, no water. Cell signal was couple weak bars but ok for txt email.

• 

  Chris J.

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 26, 2021

  Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed

  Good flat campsites.

  Darby wells Rd. Has some good dispersed campsites right off the road. With flat cleared out areas. There isn’t a lot of traffic along the road either. So I would recommend this for an overnight.

• 

  Larry B.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 21, 2020

  Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed

  Nice Area

  Just visiting/passing through. Nice view nearby of the copper mine. The town of Ajo is very much worth a visit. Also make sure to visit the Ajo Museum.

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 28, 2022

  BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Road #8030 Access

  Overlander only recommended

  BLM road #8030 leaves Interstate 8 in westbound lanes. No signage at the freeway, EXTREME CAUTION is advised trying to access these unmarked two track roads from the Interstate hwy. There is a gate to go thru then you pass a couple v- shaped wash dips that would restrict TTs and RVs, hence the recommendation that Overlander truck types would be best here. The road goes past an abandoned corrals/tank and then at the y split you are going to go left and into the wilderness cherry-stem road. This road buffer is only about 50 ft wide so not really good for finding campsites. The road gets rougher and crosses many sandy washes so high clearance 4x4 is a good idea. Cell service was not good here, must be in a hole from the antenna at Freeman road and the cell towers at Gila Bend. Going to the end of the cherry stem #8030 road will likely end at another ranch structure/corral with camping sites (I was not able to get that far in my truck safely).

  No water or any other amenities, and with limited cell signal would recommend access with a buddy vehicle for backup.

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 23, 2022

  BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - BLM Rd #8029 dispersed camping

  Overlander High clearance only!

  This BLM road just leaves the Interstate in the west bound lanes..there is a 4" drop off from pavement and then a steep short dip. NO RVS OR TRAILERS OR LONG WHEEL BASE VANS recommended! The BLM road goes into the wilderness as a "cherry- stem" and vehicles are allowed. However the wilderness buffer along the road looks to be only about 50 ft total so very limited camping until you get into the Big Horn pond area (3.5-4 miles). Road is rocky high clearance and sandy in spots and gets rougher as you go in farther. 4x4 is nice to have.

  Note that the exit from the interstate is very risky and EXTREME Caution is advised...check your rear before you slow down to lv the interstate pavement. Same risk when you return to the pavement...extreme caution is advised as the interstate traffic cannot see you and do not expect vehicles from the side access.

  Great cell signal and a cool primitive road bounded by wilderness makes this road an Overlander dream camping area, imo.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 21, 2021

  Ajo BLM Dispersed

  Close to Town, Lots of Space

  Managed by Lower Sonoran BLM Field Office 

  Very quiet so much glass and old rusted tin cans, possibly from when mining was active here. Lots and lots of shards of broken glass, it’s part of the landscape almost.  There are open mine pits, some fenced off, some not so be careful especially if you let your pets run free. Constant sound of planes overhead from the nearby AFB, with occasional low flying jets. Overall a nice place if you can get past all the broken glass, some areas worse than others. 

  Not too many chollas but there are some road in. Alley Rd was flat and level, some washboarding, ok for any rig just take it slow. Coming off of Alley Rd to pull out spots could be tricky for bigger rigs. There were a few nice looking spots that we didn’t attempt in our 26ft Class C because the road up was too steep.  Deep dip on Alley Rd coming in, about 1.8 miles from where the paved road ends, we scraped our bike hitch both coming and going. At around 32.355867,-112.884902. Any rigs longer than about 26ft probably can’t make it further in than this spot if coming in from the north, or you can enter from the other side of the loop and come in that way.

  Good verizon 4bars on 4GLTE, ATT had 2-3 bars on 3G, very slow.

• B

  Becky

  Guide

  

  Feb. 23, 2023

  Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed

  Room between sites

  Nice area with room between campers yet still opportunity to say hi and wave as you walk by. Some noisy atvs but not overwhelming. Close proximity to Ajo with plenty to do there. We will come back. The further back you go, you will loose cell signal completely.

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 20, 2022

  BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Road #8011 Overlander Dispersed camping

  Tough exit to find from I8

  This is an obscure BLM road #8011 that just leaves I8 to south from the east bound lanes. There is a old bldg that you can look for to turn at. No camping by the old bldg. An unlocked gate takes you on a narrow gravel road about 1/4 mile to another flat area by some old bldgs, this seems to be where the best camping sites are. There is a wide deep sand wash crossing that keeps most from going farther. This area is best for 4x4 Overlander types,. TTs not so much. Hwy noise is an issue. Cell service is very good.

• 

  Vanessa M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 27, 2021

  Gunsight Wash BLM Dispersed camping area

  Desert camping

  Primitive and far from civilization. Right next to highway 85, so there is a lot of traffic noise. Since this is dispersed there are not any facilities, but surprisingly there is little privacy. Several RVs,but no hook ups. Very close to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 2, 2022

  Ajo Regional Park - Roping Arena Camping Area

  Rundown and neglected!

  This camping area is next to the County roping arena. There was some kind of grid RV area in distant past but now the entire area is neglected and rundown. There are a couple derelict RV trailer camps and some trashy campers that need to be booted out. This is a free 14d area and seems the County will come by and issue you a free permit. Cell signal is very good but no water, no trash, no tables and the old toilet by the arena is locked. Overall just a neglected Pima County park resource.

• 

  Val W.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 30, 2021

  Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed

  Excellent boondocking

  We were on a transit from Phoenix to northern Nevada and decided a little detour through Ajo would be nice. In spite of the warnings about sketchy activity at Darby Well, we gave it a go. We had to go farther down the road than we planned to find a site that we felt we could navigate in our rig. The roadside berms closer in were bigger than we wanted to attempt. 

  We found a good, level spot with neighbors reasonably spread out and walking distance to the well so we decided to stay a couple of nights instead of our original plan of just one since we had enough cell signal to get some work done, the area was quiet, and the neighbors respectful. 

  The wind the first night was hefty and kept us huddled inside. Picture two adults, large dog, and a motorcycle in a tiny toy hauler! But by morning it easy to enjoy working and exploring outside. And, obviously, being a desert with no large trees around and lots of sun, we were able to keep our action up and running with solar power. 

  While there, we did see a huge caravan of border patrol vehicles come and go but we had no issues or negative encounters at all. We did, however, have a Colorado Cane Toad hop through our site. Imagine our surprise when my partner said“That rock just jumped!” I was able to break out my biggie zoom lens and get some shots without disturbing it.

  [Side note: On our way into town, we did the walking tour which is very engaging if you’re into history and understanding the places you travel through. There is RV parking in town behind the main square but you’ll have to watch your clearance if you want to pull out through the square. We were too tall so we had to maneuver around a bit to get back out.]