The Sonoran Desert surrounding Arlington, Arizona sits at approximately 900 feet elevation with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 110°F and winter lows averaging 45°F. Primitive camping areas in this region feature mainly creosote flats interrupted by rugged mountains. Roads accessing remote camping often deteriorate significantly after rain events, creating challenging conditions for non-4WD vehicles.
What to do
Hiking the Saddle Mountain trails: At Saddle Mountain BLM, trails range from moderate to difficult with steep terrain. "We road our E bikes all over and did some agate hunting with wonderful success!" reports one visitor who found gemstones while exploring the area.
Stargazing opportunities: The clear desert skies provide excellent night viewing conditions when city lights are distant. According to one camper at Saddle Mountain, "Stargazing is spectacular. You won't regret it!" The area's dark skies reveal thousands of stars typically obscured by urban light pollution.
Visit abandoned historical sites: Several old structures remain accessible near camping areas. A camper staying at BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument noted, "The Vekol ranch is awesome, if you're into abandoned homestead. Some trails for sxs also." These sites provide glimpses into the area's mining and ranching history.
What campers like
Mountain backdrop views: The desert landscape contrasts with surrounding peaks. One reviewer at Saddle Mountain BLM commented, "Amazing campsite setting nestled against the Saddle Mountains. Beautiful Sunsets & Sunrises."
Spacing between sites: Unlike crowded campgrounds, dispersed areas offer privacy. At Maddock Road Dispersed, one camper noted, "That's right, this is AZ, State Trust land, AKA: FREE camping and parking land—72,000 acres of open dispersed, rough, rugged, off-the-grid life."
Hot air balloon sightings: Morning views often include colorful balloons drifting across the landscape. A visitor camping off Highway 74 reported, "Awoke to WONDERFUL hot air balloons, cactus and mountains… after sunrise! What a sight!" These unexpected aerial displays add visual interest to morning routines.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Some areas require permits despite minimal enforcement. A camper at Dispersed Camping off Highway 74 advised, "Area is marked and needs permit as well. As a foreigner I can't buy the permit online since only US address can be entered."
Insect challenges: Depending on season, insects can become problematic. One camper warned, "Cons: Flies are horrendous out here, no matter what you try to do to keep them away or out it's almost impossible to do!"
Law enforcement presence: Border Patrol regularly patrols some camping areas. A camper at Vekol Road noted, "Border patrol everywhere, some days there were literally 10+ patrol cars riding around, close to the main road so you do hear trucks, Military planes fly through a few times a day."
Noise considerations: While remote, some areas experience significant noise. One camper reported about primitive camping near Vekol Road, "Military planes fly through a few times a day - just little things to note in terms of noise level and activity."
Tips for camping with families
Rock collecting opportunities: The desert contains numerous interesting specimens. One visitor to North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness mentioned the area is "Spacious and wild this is true nature," making it ideal for supervised exploration and rock hunting.
Weather preparation: Temperature swings from day to night can exceed 30 degrees. Pack layers and sufficient water. A camper noted, "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."
Avoid washes during rain: Flash flooding occurs rapidly in desert environments. One camper warned, "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."
Tips from RVers
Scout before committing: Road conditions deteriorate rapidly away from main access points. A camper at Boulders OHV Area advised, "The typical rumble strip dirt road to this point but easily doable." However, conditions change seasonally.
Level sites available: Many areas offer naturally flat camping spots. As one RVer noted, "Paid the $16 annual state land trust fee. Stayed a few nights. Was windy and dusty on our stay, but generally not much to complain about."
Cell service varies by location: Some areas maintain surprisingly good connectivity. According to one camper, "AT&T service, was able to work off hotspot from Tues-Friday with no incidence." However, service drops significantly in more remote locations and canyons.
