Top Free Dispersed Camping near Catalina, AZ
Planning a dispersed camping trip near Catalina? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Catalina, AZ (16)
1. Cactus Forest Dispersed Site
10 Reviews•42 Photos•88 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- WiFi
- Alcohol
2. Mount Bigelow Dispersed
3 Reviews•5 Photos•136 SavesYou may camp outside of developed areas across most of the Coronado National Forest at no charge. We recommend that you stop in to one of our five ranger stations to pick up a free travel management map so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted.
Potable water, restrooms, and other amenities are not available at dispersed sites. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas.
The Coronado National Forest has a 14-day stay limit on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
3. BLM Ironwood Forest National Monument - Reservation Road Dispersed Camping
7 Reviews•29 Photos•61 SavesThis Ironwood Forest National Monument (map: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2020-12/AZ_IronwoodForestNM-508.pdf) is made up of 129,000 acres and contains a significant system of cultural and historical sites covering a 5,000-year period. Possessing one of the richest stands of ironwood in the Sonoran Desert, the monument also encompasses several desert mountain ranges including the Silver Bell, Waterman, and Sawtooth, with desert valleys in between. Elevation ranges from 1,800 to 4,261 feet. Three areas within the monument, the Los Robles Archeological District, the Mission of Santa Ana del Chiquiburitac and the Cocoraque Butte Archeological District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The monument is a travel corridor for illegal immigrants traveling from Mexico. All suspected illegal activities should be reported to BLM or local law enforcement authorities. Stay safe by avoiding contact with persons exhibiting suspicious behavior or engaged in dangerous activities. Drive with caution and look for fast-moving vehicles and pedestrians on back roads. Some roads are rugged: high clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended in those areas.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
4. Cactus Forest Dispersed - High Clearance
3 Reviews•11 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
5. Reddington Pass Dispersed
3 Reviews•12 Photos•44 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
6. Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp
1 Review•1 Photo•14 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
7. AZ State Land North Pump Station Road Dispersed
3 Reviews•10 Photos•11 SavesA Recreational Permit allows the authorized permittee limited privileges to use State Trust land for some recreation. Recreation under this permit is limited to: geocaching, hiking, horseback riding, picnics, bicycling, photography, sightseeing and bird watching. Overnight camping is restricted to no more than 14 cumulative days per year. Remote-controlled aircraft (drones) may be operated on State Trust land with a Recreational Permit and in conjunction with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
$20 / night
9. Ragged Top Rd Dispersed
1 Review•2 Photos•18 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
10. Ironwood Forest BLM Aqua Blanca dispersed camp
1 Review•11 Photos•11 SavesThis Ironwood Forest National Monument is made up of 129,000 acres and contains a significant system of cultural and historical sites covering a 5,000-year period. Possessing one of the richest stands of ironwood in the Sonoran Desert, the monument also encompasses several desert mountain ranges including the Silver Bell, Waterman, and Sawtooth, with desert valleys in between. Elevation ranges from 1,800 to 4,261 feet. Three areas within the monument, the Los Robles Archeological District, the Mission of Santa Ana del Chiquiburitac and the Cocoraque Butte Archeological District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The monument is a travel corridor for illegal immigrants traveling from Mexico. All suspected illegal activities should be reported to BLM or local law enforcement authorities. Stay safe by avoiding contact with persons exhibiting suspicious behavior or engaged in dangerous activities. Drive with caution and look for fast-moving vehicles and pedestrians on back roads. Some roads are rugged: high clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended in those areas.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
Showing results 1-10 of 16 campgrounds
Recent Dispersed Reviews In Catalina
109 Reviews of 16 Catalina Campgrounds
Cass G.
Guide
Reddington Pass Dispersed
Rough Road, Off Grid
I’ve camped at Redington Pass a few times throughout the years. It’s a fun trail if you like a challenge of off roading. I wouldn’t recommend larger trailers or RVs to travel too far up the trail, we’ve seen them get stuck trying to turn around. The road is rough but if you don’t mind driving slow over the holes and bumps then no big deal.
Easy to find, follow Tanque Verde Rd all the way East until it turns into Redington Road, this then leads to a dirt road with TONS of dispersed camping pull offs with established fire rings. The further east you travel on the pass the less people you have to camp next to. The camping sites closer to the entrance get packed on the weekends.
The further you go you’ll run out of service, no bathrooms, no water hook ups, nothing, just dispersed wild camping!
- jjeffrey O.
Scout
Ironwood Dispersed
Animals in the forest
I want to know if there are any dangerous animals in such mountains and forests. My group of friends and I are planning to come here to explore among us.
- J
Josh P.Scout
Mount Bigelow Dispersed
Well kept and secluded
Awesome views, secluded spots. Just make sure you have 4wd and go all the way to the back
- DDynamical Thunder D.Scout
Mount Bigelow Dispersed
Beautiful and friendly
Very crowded on the weekend but the crowd is friendly and respectful. Great way to escape the summer heat of Tucson! Bring your hats and gloves!
- TTeri G.Guide
Cactus Forest - Park Link Road - S. Cattle Tanks Road BLM dispersed
Remote, Private, and free but accessible.
Remote, private, and free but accessible. Not a standard RV parking lot campground but rather several campsites with ample space between them for privacy, along an unpaved sandy road, just off a quiet paved back road. About 20-30min from gas stations, water, food, etc. It has no facilities or even pit toilets. Exactly what I wanted. This campground is aptly named as it is quite literally in the middle of a Saguaro cactus forest 🌵 along with many other different cactus species and wildlife. This location is tranquil and wild. I couldn't think of a better way to immerse yourself in the middle of this national park than this campground. It's a tight drive in if you go past the 2-3 RV sites at the beginning of the east side. I have a 2015 Toyota Tacoma with a roof top tent pulling a 12x6 enclosed trailer with standard wheels. My trailer made it through without scratches and at no point did I even think about four-wheel drive. A larger camper I couldn't speak for. It is quite sandy and has some mogul sections where the water flows have washed some of the trail away but overall an easy drive.
Disclosures and warnings:
There are three sides to this campground. The east side, west side, and North end. The West side is the most trailer friendly and most visited as it is where the GPS leads you. However, it gets worse the deeper you go in after roughly 10-15 sites. The east side you could probably manage a trailer for the first 2-3 sites. After that there would be no where to turn around and it gets rough off-road quick, like deep dried up sandy river bed crossings (month of May) and is more exposed to the sun with slightly less cacti than the west side. The North end is the most private and remote of the other two and the quietest. However, it is nothing short of a four-wheel drive off-road trail. I would not recommend anything other than off road vehicles in the north end and the sites are small, just for tents or 1 vehicle.
There are almost no rocks to worry about on the way in but the cacti here are more than capable of creating flat tires so take care to avoid pieces that have fallen onto the road. Especially the Jumping Cholla cacti! They are the worst things you will come across in this campground and are everywhere, easily the most dominant species of cactus in this area. They have evolved to break apart into spiny segments when they make contact with someone or something to propagate. Sometimes if the wind blows strong enough they cover the ground around their base with a mound of their spined segments. These segments often roll or blow into the roadways. The spines are hard as stone and sometimes over 2 in long. They have evolved special reversed barbs that you can't see with your eyes on every main spine. They go into anything except metal, including Kevlar reinforced tire sidewalls like a knife through hot butter and then hook in and don't come out unless you rip them out. I rode my adventure bike through the campground to explore, lost my footing in the sand and fell against one of these. I had 3-4 segments stuck to my arm. I spent 10 to 15 minutes ripping these segments out of my arm, pulling my skin away from my body about an inch before they will rip out. Don't make the same mistake as me.
GUNS! In my opinion the biggest downside to this campground is the almost constant gunfire all day long as there is a public shooting area on the south west side of the campground. If you are in the west side and you are looking southwest, there is a tiny little mountain ridgeline about a half mile away. All around the base of that ridgeline people are allowed to pull up and shoot at targets on the hill side. The locals show up as the sun just comes over the trees around 5:00 a.m. and they don't stop until the sun sets almost everyday of the week. They do however, quit at night so you can sleep.
If you camp here you are IN THE desert. During the day is fine. You will likely only run into swarms of flies. At night however, is a different story. ESPECIALLY If you decide to have a fire on a cold night or set up a lantern near the ground while making dinner. I stayed here for 9 days straight and I came across 6 rattlesnakes (mostly sidewinders), more camel spiders than I can count (at least 5+ per night), 3 brown recluse spiders, packs of coyotes rolling through at night and early morning (watch your pets), and 2 killer bee swarms in the trees. All within the campground boundaries, so just be ready for rugged camping.
- TTimberScout
Ironwood Dispersed
Beautiful night
Easy to find- road isn’t too bad. Was quiet, breezy- and just what we were looking for.
- Ericka C.
Traveler
Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp
Small site not far from amenities
Great easy little spot that is highly used so make sure you plan ahead. Not all sites have fire circle and if you don’t have a toilet there are only a few bushes tall enough. Works for a quick one nighter.
- JJennifer M.Guide
BLM Ironwood Forest National Monument - Reservation Road Dispersed Camping
Way better then Snyder Hill
It was well worth the short drive over here to compare it with Snyder Hill. Go through the gate and there are plenty of spaces without being on top other people.
Roads are a little sandy so I’d be careful on them when wet.
- DDwight H.Scout
Redington Pass - Dispersed Camping
When I was 19, I spent two weeks camping and hiking through canyon on foot.
We parked car on dirt road above canyon. We were only ones for a week. Then other young group showed up.
Henry E.Traveler
Ragged Top Rd Dispersed
Peacefully Quiet, Awesome Views
Great raised up spot that allows for a full vista of the surrounding mountains and thousands of saguaros. Not a single person drove past the site during the weekend. Overlooks the Pinal County Airport and plane graveyard (this can be seen on the drive in, or with binoculars directly from the site). Adequately lifted 4x4 needed to reach.
- Danny T.Guide
Cactus Forest Dispersed Site
Very pretty. Little noisy
January Rv 24 ft Cell service. Att 2 and o 3 bars. Able to stream
This is a beautiful spot. The spots are a little close together.
Not good for dogs really cus of cholla cactus everywhere. Watch where you walk and be sire to check shoes before entering your home for the night.
There is an outdoor shooting range close enough to Hear semi auto’s all day and as late as 10:45 pm. They were at it again at 8 am. Not sure if it is some military training area or what. That gets a bit old. It’s a good distance away so it’s not real loud, just present Road is good to drive big rv or 5th wheel no lroblem
- TTyler E.Traveler
Reddington Pass Dispersed
Camping at reddington pass
Great spot to go camping! The trail into the campground was great, you will need a 4x4 in certain spots, but mostly it’s a smooth ride. At night the view of the stars was beautiful since there was hardly any light pollution. 10/10 recommended
Sarah M.GuideBLM Ironwood Forest National Monument - Reservation Road Dispersed Camping
Open space, close to Saguaro NP!
I would come back here again! There’s several spots and it’s literally next to Saguaro NP! It was a little muddy, but there were paths around the mud. Very private and nice.
- JJohn R.
LegendCactus Forest - Park Link Road - S. Cattle Tanks Road BLM dispersed
Beauty and gunfire.
Beautiful desert spot. Lots of gun fire during the day. Fantastic desert sunsets 🌇.
Harriet D.TravelerBLM Ironwood Forest National Monument - Reservation Road Dispersed Camping
Muddy!
If you don't have a 4WD vehicle, you may want to look elsewhere. As of writing this, the road is extremely muddy and worn down, so you won't be able to get far in a low-clearance vehicle. I was still able to stop and set up my tent for the night, but it was not a nice spot.
As other people have said, it's behind a closed gate but you're fine to go through. Road condition aside, it is flat and pretty easy to find a level spot for your tent or trailer.
- HHeidi R.Scout
Cactus Forest Dispersed - High Clearance
Beautiful spot
Just off of 1-10. Roads are smooth and woke up feeling like we were in the national park.
- SScott L.Scout
Snyder Hill BLM east
Closed
We were there 10/27/23 and the area is closed.
Jozi A.TravelerMount Bigelow Dispersed
Awesome views on Mount Bigelow Rd!
Great spots along this road for dispersed camping. Saw some wild life like deer and turkey. Only downside is that the road is narrow so if your pulling anything wide just be cautious. Other than that I highly recommend camping here when your at Mt. Lemmon.
- SSamuel J.Traveler
BLM Ironwood Forest National Monument - Reservation Road Dispersed Camping
Nice.
Easy to find navigate to. There is a closed gate at the entrance, you’re allowed to open it, just close it behind you. Not a ton of spaces to set up camp but very peaceful and quiet. Mountain View’s in the distance and 15 minutes from Saguaro NP. Great cell service with ATT.
- ssophiaTraveler
Cactus Forest - Park Link Road - S. Cattle Tanks Road BLM dispersed
Convenient + peaceful
Not that far of a drive from a highway exit, I was pleasantly surprised by the peaceful seclusion. Lots of pull outs for you to park and the road wasn’t so bad (I do have a high clearance jeep so idk what it would be like for everyone….).
- JJim H.Scout
Cactus Forest Dispersed - High Clearance
Small but sweet
Narrow Road in will scratch your vehicle, but it is quiet and the sides are level. Beautiful desert convenient to the interstate. Being near Tucson, planes and cars are sometimes audible, but a great overnight stop. If you’re on the road, I need a good place to camp.
- FFern B.Guide
Ironwood Dispersed
Peaceful Desert Camping
About 40 minutes away from Saguaro NP. Absolutely beautiful. Arrived late in the afternoon on a Saturday night. Only a couple of other campers, plenty of sites available. Dirt roads, but easily accessible in a mini van. Fires allowed.
Monte W.LegendCactus Forest Dispersed Site
Quiet and peaceful
Really nice dispersed camp sites along a dirt road. The directions are accurate and bring you to two dirt roads off of Cattle Tank Road. I went East and there were about a dozen sites, mostly sites for tents and small RV’s. After about a mile the road gets a little rougher and narrow. I didn’t notice any existing sites after a mile or so down the dirt road. The sites were well spread out and very clean. I brought wood for a fire and was able to find some wood around the area to burn as well. Very dark sky with lots of stars. I explored the other dirt road West from Cattle Tank Road and the sites were larger and more suitable for larger RV’s.
Sierra N.GuideCactus Forest - Park Link Road - S. Cattle Tanks Road BLM dispersed
Saguaro Cactus Wonderland
If you want saguaros this is the perfect place for you. Awesome dispersed camping. Watch out for jumping chollas and keep your furry friends close. But breathtaking view all around you!
- Sierra N.Guide
Reddington Pass Dispersed
Sleep off the road in cactus or crawl into the mountains to tuck yourself in
40 mile scenic drive on a 4x4 road, dispersed camping along the way. Extremely popular view to park off the road in the saguaros. But I’d recommend cactus forest north of Tucson in blm land if you want that. Farther in you hit the mountains. We stayed off an off roading rock crawler trail. Def the path less taken. Super quiet and relaxing.
- JJohn R.Legend
Ironwood Dispersed
Good night spot.
Easy access to a few spots off road. Not to busy. Nice sunsets.
- Sierra N.Guide
Cactus Forest Dispersed Site
True Cactus Living
Wonderful dispersed camping with beautiful desert cactus, including the Saguaros. Nice and peaceful with desert wildlife, birds and coyotes singing. If you want to be away from the crowds go further down the road. Watch out for jumping cholla cactus and you’ll be just fine. There is a shooting area down the road, a highway in the distance, and some helicopters/planes noise wise. Well worth the hour drive out of town.
Guide to Catalina
Camping near Catalina, Arizona, offers a unique blend of stunning desert landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
What to do:
- Hiking: The area is home to several trails, including those near Picacho Peak State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "I enjoyed my stay here for 2 days. Had a great time hiking the Sunset Trail to Picacho Peak."
- Exploring Caves: Visit the nearby Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground for a chance to tour stunning caves. A reviewer noted, "The campground has paved roads, showers, dump station, water & electric hookups and the usual campsite set-up."
- Wildlife Watching: The desert is alive with wildlife. One camper at Cactus Forest Dispersed shared, "I came across a Diamond Back Rattle Snake about 4 feet from our picnic bench."
What campers like:
- Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Gilbert Ray Campground said, "Gilbert Ray campground integrates the beautiful desert environment seamlessly with the campsites."
- Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. A camper at Cactus Forest Dispersed mentioned, "Remote, private, and free but accessible. Not a standard RV parking lot campground but rather several campsites with ample space between them."
- Clean Facilities: Campgrounds like Catalina State Park Campground are noted for their cleanliness. One reviewer stated, "Showers and bathrooms well maintained."
What you should know:
- Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads. A camper at Picacho Peak State Park Campground noted, "You can hear road noise from I-10, but you get used to it."
- Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Snyder Hill BLM Camping Area remarked, "There are no facilities or even pit toilets."
- Wildlife Caution: Be aware of local wildlife. One camper at Cactus Forest Dispersed warned, "Watch out for jumping chollas and keep your furry friends close."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Tucson - Lazydays KOA, which offers amenities like a pool and playground. A reviewer said, "The staff was great and the customer service was great."
- Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One camper at Rose Canyon Campground mentioned, "Cool little lake, with river that was flowing when we were there in May."
- Pack Snacks and Games: Keep kids entertained with snacks and games. A visitor at Gilbert Ray Campground suggested, "We reserved ahead of time... it was straightforward."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Tucson - Lazydays KOA noted, "We maneuvered to get our 10’ sewer hose to fit between our two dump valves."
- Use Online Reservations: Many campgrounds fill up quickly. A visitor at Catalina State Park Campground mentioned, "It has however gotten... EXTREMELY HARD to reserve a site."
- Be Prepared for Dust: Dust can be an issue in some areas. A camper at BLM Ironwood Forest National Monument - Pipeline Rd Dispersed camping shared, "There are lots of flat open sites... but enough space to be a little ways away from others."
Camping near Catalina, Arizona, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty of options for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Catalina, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Catalina, AZ is Cactus Forest Dispersed Site with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Catalina, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Catalina, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.