Playa Dispersed Campsite sits on expansive alkali flats roughly 5 miles southwest of Bowie, Arizona, at an elevation of 3,700 feet. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and mild winters that attract migratory birds. Camping conditions remain firm and level throughout most of the year, with spring and fall offering the most moderate temperatures.
What to do
Bird watching at Willcox Playa: $0 entrance fee. During winter months, the nearby Willcox Playa Wildlife Area hosts thousands of sandhill cranes. According to one visitor at Playa Dispersed Campsite, "Got here about 6 PM and the lagoon was filled with cranes. Got amazing pictures of them. In the morning the lagoon was empty. You must have to get here during certain migrations."
Visit Mount Graham: 45-minute drive. The mountain offers a welcome escape from desert heat. A camper at Riverview Campground shared, "Went and checked out campsite. Was certainly hot. Little bit of walk to river but not bad. The Bonita creek drive is gorgeous and provides creek water you can get in. Was a beautiful escape and very green post rain."
Try the local dining scene: under $15 per meal. The small towns near camping areas offer unique dining experiences. A reviewer at Willcox-Cochise KOA noted, "Cafe has a full menu and it was clean and well run." Another mentioned, "We had dinner at Isabella's South Of The Border. Food wasn't as great as the reviews but decent for the area."
What campers like
Swimming and non-motorized water recreation: best May-September. Local lakes provide respite from the heat without noise from motorized boats. A visitor to Gila Campground — Roper Lake State Park recalled, "Waking up early to watch waterfowl on the lake at sunrise is going to be one of my most memorable camping experiences."
Night skies for stargazing: optimum viewing October-April. The area's dark skies attract astronomy enthusiasts. A camper described Playa Dispersed Campsite as having "Wide open skies, peaceful surroundings, and incredible sunrises made for a perfect desert camping experience. The solitude was just what we needed, and the stars at night were unbelievable."
Clean facilities and amenities: available year-round. The established campgrounds maintain high standards. A visitor to Gila Campground remarked, "The facilities are immaculately clean. I mean the cleanest campground restrooms I've ever seen. We stayed in a cabin and it was nice and quiet."
What you should know
Highway noise affects some locations: significant near I-10. Some glamping locations close to Bowie, Arizona sit near major roadways. A camper at Willcox-Cochise KOA warned, "Lots of road noise. This campground is located right next to a highway and on an exit. There is constant road noise from the highway. If you are parked next to the highway you are approx 12 feet from the actual highway road itself."
Limited cell service in remote areas: prepare accordingly. Coverage varies significantly between providers. According to a visitor at Rusty's RV Ranch, "AT&T was about four bars of 4g and Verizon is one bar of 4g, not very good. Bring supplies because the closest place for decent shopping is Douglas, AZ about 55 miles south."
Weather extremes: summer heat and winter cold. Temperatures fluctuate dramatically between seasons. A camper at Gila Campground noted, "We visited in November, so temperatures ranged from the 80s during the day down to the 40s in the night."
Tips for camping with families
Secure campsites with shade structures: essential May-September. Some sites offer built-in protection from the sun. A visitor at Sycamore Campground mentioned, "The campground is situated right next to a mountain stream that is cool to explore. It's a little tough to get to but it's worth it. Not very many sites though so it may fill up on weekends."
Look for recreation spaces: available at established campgrounds. Dedicated areas for children help keep them entertained. A reviewer at Willcox-Cochise KOA observed, "Small play area for the kids, level gravel parking, not cluttered, good place for the night."
Book cabins for luxury glamping: prices start around $60/night. For families wanting upscale accommodations close to Bowie, cabins provide comfort with privacy. A visitor to Roper Lake State Park shared, "For starters the staff here is very friendly. The facilities are immaculately clean. We stayed in a cabin and it was nice and quiet. We will definitely stay here again."
Tips from RVers
Reserve level sites: gravel predominates in the region. Most RV parks maintain gravel surfaces that require minimal leveling. A camper at Lordsburg KOA noted, "We travel with our fifth wheel and a utility trailer aka triple tow. It's hard to find Rv parks that can accommodate 60 plus feet rigs. The staff is very friendly and there's plenty of space to navigate to the site."
Check road conditions to dispersed sites: some require high clearance. Access roads vary in quality throughout the region. A visitor to Riverview Campground advised, "The road in turns to dirt for a brief minute, then back to paved. It winds and there are some tight turns. You turn off the pavement to dirt the last 1/4 mile. Wouldn't take anything over 35' 5th wheel."
Be prepared for primitive conditions at some locations: limited hookups. Facilities range from full-service to bare-bones. A camper at Playa Dispersed Campsite explained, "Easy access for our RV, and the ground was level and firm. Huge thanks to the BLM for keeping places like this free and accessible."
