Dispersed camping spots near Arlington, Arizona include Saddle Mountain BLM, where campers can drive several miles on washboard roads to find secluded sites. The region sits in the Sonoran Desert at approximately 800-1,200 feet elevation, characterized by saguaro cacti, rocky terrain, and seasonal desert wildflowers that bloom after winter rains. Sites across this region fill quickly during winter months when temperatures average 65-75°F during the day.
What to do
Hiking in mountains and foothills: At White Tank Mountain Regional Park, visitors can access numerous trails directly from the campground. One camper noted that "Hiking trails are within walking distance of the campground, others you will need to drive to. Maricopa trail runs through the park."
Star-gazing sessions: The clear desert skies away from major light pollution make for excellent night viewing. At Skyline Regional Park, one visitor mentioned a "wildly popular star-gazing event while we were there" and others noted the park's location is "far enough from the freeway (2 miles) that it's quiet, and tucked into the foothills enough to block the city lights from Phoenix, so stargazing is quite nice."
Hot springs soaking: For a unique experience, El Dorado Hot Springs offers several private soaking pools. A visitor described their experience: "We had a soak in a private pool. I'm not sure how hot the other soaking areas are, but I would characterize ours, the Sunset, as pleasantly warm, but not hot."
Rock exploration: The Painted Rock Petroglyph Site provides a fascinating cultural stop. One camper shared that "The Petroglyphs are awesome but not much else going on here. Stay a night and see it all in 15 minutes."
What campers like
Space between sites: At Saddle Mountain BLM, campers appreciate the distance between camping areas. One reviewer mentioned "Amazing campsite setting nestled against the Saddle Mountains. Beautiful Sunsets & Sunrises. Stargazing is spectacular." Another noted, "Camping spots are spread out. You can see about 20 miles of I-10 from this area."
Clean facilities: The well-maintained bathrooms and shower areas receive consistent praise. A camper at Sonoran Desert RV Park noted "Very clean with friendly staff," while another mentioned "The laundry facility was larger than most CGs of this size and it was very clean."
Desert wildlife viewing: Visitors enjoy spotting native animals in their natural habitat. At White Tank Mountain, campers report seeing "birds, coyotes, reptiles, etc." One visitor mentioned specifically watching for "wildlife: desert birds, coyotes, and seasonal wildflower blooms."
Fruit trees: Some established sites offer unexpected greenery. At Destiny Phoenix RV Resorts, a camper shared: "Orange, lemon, and grapefruit trees everywhere. They have 2 fenced dog runs. Pretty pool and hot tub."
What you should know
Road conditions vary drastically: Many dispersed sites require careful driving. At BLM - North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness, one camper warned, "There are washers that could hang up many large and even midsize rigs. Beware of paths that seem fit for a two wheeled vehicle but were created by ATVs which can often climb into and out of these washes with no problem. I drove through one that almost ripped off the tail end of my 17 foot TT."
Cell service reliability: Coverage fluctuates throughout the area. A visitor at Skyline Regional Park reported "Cell phone connection was spotty (TMobile) at our campsite but connection was better in other areas of park," while at El Dorado Hot Springs, "AT&T coverage was quite good, with 2-3 Bars of 5GE service and speeds up to 17 MB/s."
Extreme temperature fluctuations: Desert nights can be surprisingly cold even when days are warm. One Saddle Mountain BLM camper wrote, "It was pretty hot, as would be expected here, but the breeze through the night was enough to keep us cooled off with the tent vents opened."
Reservation systems differ: Some sites require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. At Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, a camper noted: "Unfortunately, you need to reserve online as there is no way to pay at the park. I recommend stopping at a rest stop on I8 before you drive here as the cellphone reception is very poor."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly amenities: Several sites accommodate pets with dedicated areas. A visitor at Leaf Verde RV Resort shared: "Our RV GPS and Waze took us right to this very nice campground. The sites are gravel and close together but nice."
Accessible trails: Some parks offer trails suitable for all ages. At Skyline Regional Park, a camper noted "There is a short (.6 mile) ADA-accessible trail. Horseback riding and mountain biking are also activities although we saw neither in our two days at this park."
Cactus awareness: The desert environment requires extra caution with children and pets. One White Tank Mountain Regional Park visitor warned: "Our dog had an encounter with a stray cholla ball. This would be the only concern for those traveling with pets. There are quite a few loose even along trails."
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences. A White Tank Mountain camper mentioned "The park has an excellent nature center, great hiking, archaeology and good water/power hook-ups."
Tips from RVers
Parking and maneuvering: Site access varies widely across camping areas. At White Tank Mountain Regional Park, a camper advised: "Go slow, roads have big dips to allow water runoff."
Propane availability: Plan ahead for fuel needs. One Sonoran Desert RV Park visitor noted: "Behind the show/laundry/pool facility is where you drop off your propane tank for fills. They do not have a propane service that comes to the site."
Generator restrictions: Rules about power generation vary by location. A camper at BLM North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness mentioned: "This is pretty much like the reviews say, your basic BLM undeveloped dispersed camping area. One difference are the powerlines overhead that emit a cracking and rattling noise constantly."
Scouting recommendations: Pre-checking sites before bringing in large rigs is advised. At Saddle Mountain BLM, a visitor suggested: "Like any time your looking for a site, park in a safe place and search by either foot or in my case ebike. I have found the last couple roads in on the far west to be the smoothest, but they are also more populated."
