Searching for a dispersed campsite near Central? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Central just for you.
You 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.
Please follow LNT principles when dispersed camping
This rockhound area makes a great day adventure for rock collectors. The principal attraction for rock collectors here is fire agate. Fire agate is a relatively new gemstone, only identified and formally recognized in the 1930s. It has the color play of precious opal with gem quality reds, greens, and blues. The desert regions of Arizona, southern California, and central Mexico are the only areas of the world where fire agate is known to occur. Although its origin is unknown, it is always associated with volcanic deposits. The site is open for digging by the public without fees or permits. Camping throughout the area is allowed for up to two weeks.
Guide
This is the first time I've ever stayed on BLM land. I parked at the 3rd spot in midday and stayed all night. I only saw about 6 vehicles go by the entire time I was here, but I couldn't see or hear anyone else aside from that. The view was nice from my spot. Had about 2 bars on average with AT&T
Traveler
Found a beautiful dispersed camping spot beneath the Aspens and Ponderosas on the north side of FR803 about a mile west of the Riggs Flat Lake Campground. There’s a great overlook to the east looking out toward Pima and Safford.
Guide
Very nice dispersed camping. Only three other RVs here. Great views of wide open spaces
LegendWildflowers at their peak. a full on superbloom of California poppies amidst cacti greeted us at this BLM spot just southeast of Mt. Graham. Lots of places to pull over for a night or for a week or two along Tanque Road, and almost no road noise since the highway is far enough away. Tanque Road is dirt but was doable for our vintage trailer for the first mile or so, but we've heard it gets sandy and harder to navigate the further in you get.
Well-positioned in between the Coronado National Forest and the Hot Well Dunes area. No services, no water, no toilets, just beautiful open desert. Come prepared with drinking water and please Leave No Trace.
Closest town is Safford, AZ about 30 minutes away, and has all that you need.
Traveler
Review of RV Boondocking at Cochise Lake Willcox, AZ
Cochise Lake is a fantastic boondocking spot with plenty of space, making it perfect for big rigs. It is easy to access, peaceful, and offers a great place to settle in for a night or more.
The real highlight, though, is the incredible experience with the sandhill cranes. You’re just feet away from hundreds of not thousands of these majestic birds. Watching them take flight at daybreak is absolutely breathtaking. Many return around 1 p.m., and sunset brings another spectacular show.
If you love birdwatching, wide-open spaces, and the beauty of nature, this spot is definitely worth a visit!
Legend
This is a wonderful place to boondock if you are driving the I-10 or visiting Fort Bowie Nation Historic Park. The dirt road is easily passable for most vehicles. Ver quiet. Decent cell signal with T-Mobile.
GuidePopular boondocking site 8 miles south of I-10 ar Bowie. Easy to find, level dirt road with only a bit of washboard in places. Pit toiletat the day use area. Beautiful views of the giant bolders that are prevalent in this area. There were 12-15 RVs of all types spread out widely along a single dirt road. I had 3 solid bars of AT&T. Very quiet at night. There is no light pollution so stargazing would have been awesome if not for the waxing moon. Enjoyed hiking around the area. Be careful as some of the cactus will scratch you badly if you're not careful. Only con was there was no toilet paper in the pit toilet. Recommend!
Legend
Millions of years ago, volcanic activity in the Southwest create lava rocks and fire agate. Inside the Rockhound area you can walk and collect fire agates right off the surface of the ground. It is the desert equivalent of searching for sea shells at the beach. It makes a fun day trip for families and rock enthusiasts. If rocks aren’t your thing, bring an ATV, 4x4, or dirt bike and enjoy miles of trails and dirt roads.
The Rockhound area can be accessed from the Black Hills Scenic Byway or the main access road. We had no issues finding it using Google Maps. We did take a 4x4 on this trip, but it isn’t necessary. Any vehicle that can handle a few miles of primitive/gravel road should be fine.
If you’re adventurous enough, spend the night in one of the dispersed camping sites. Just be prepared. There are no facilities or water available. The site only has a sign, a log book and a small trash can. The area is very rocky and I don’t recommend tent camping, but it would be feasible with some raking. There were 3 other groups camping while we were there and they were all sleeping in some type of camping vehicle. There aren’t any trees, so we experienced lots of high wind gusts. As a precaution, We took our awning down in the middle of the night, but our roof top tent was fine. Although this area is remote, you can see the lights from Safford,AZ at night. We didn’t have a fire, but they are permitted (as long as there isn’t a fire ban in effect). Some of the sites had camper-made fire rings/pits dug into the ground and surrounded by rocks.
GuideNice BLM camping location. Happy Camp Road is well maintained. Although it is a dirt road I’ve towed my trailer on much worse. Hiking is plentiful. I didn’t drive too far away from entrance as it seemed a little dicey for my trailer. Near the entrance there is about 5 or 6 spots that would work for larger rigs. I took one star off for the flies. I guess they can’t be helped since this is free range BLM.
RangerEasy access off 191. Shot gun shells, bullet casings, cigarrette butts, broken bottles, mild trash, wide open desert terrain with panorimic Mountain views. BLM free. No services. If this is your thing, go for it. Spent one night.
Guide
Beautiful & a must if you like isolation. Near Hot Wells with a tub.
GuideThis has been our favorite campsite of our road trip so far. Noteworthy mentions: It is off the beaten path. It’s free. There are free roaming cattle There are endless rocks to explore and climb. It will keep your attention for days. Not many people here. Campfires allowed. Would recommend a 4x4 to get to further sites. Awesome remnants of Native American activity. You’re right next to where you wanna be. Thumbs up.
LegendThis site is relatively easy to get to, considering how remote and alone and quiet it feels once here. We found a nice spot at 32.2437301, -109.5120963 in our 26 ft class C. Some sketchy parts of the road, rocky and narrow with some dips, but it can be done if you're careful.
BLM ranger and other law enforcement drove up the road about once per day, which was nice.
Drive through Bowie to get to Apache Pass Rd then a left on Happy Camp Canyon dirt road which is wide and flat but washboarded. Once you get to the recreation area, there is a picnic spot with tables and toilet but no camping is allowed in that area, you'll have to keep driving a bit further. There were a lot of campers when we stayed but we found a nice spot right off the dirt road with amazing views. Heard some gun shooting going on the first day but none following that. There are open range cattle roaming around so give them space and keep your animals leashed. On a hike one was walking right up to us so be aware.There were times on our hikes where you turn a corner and there are a few just standing there. The brush is high enough to hide some too so keep an eye out. This is BLM so the camping is FREE there is however a private property further up the dirt road (property is gated and fenced off). Spots are adequate for tents, smaller RVs or trailers.
Good place to hike, scramble up the rocks or mountain bike.
Good verizon and AT&T reception.
GuideThis area is beautiful and dispersed. A lot of campers so scout out your site before you pull in, we pulled in with our 24 ft TT and it was a little tight to turn around.
-Youtube: Likely Lost
Ranger
Not much for camping area, but it’s right on the creek and secluded and quiet. No toilets. No trash. Verizon in and out. 4x4 needed to exit. Road is a couple miles, rough, and one shallow water crossing.
Ranger
This is an overlook of the Gila Valley with a wall to keep people from driving off. Verizon works. It dead ends just past the wall. You could camp here in an RTT. There is a place further down that has a couple dispersed areas by the creek. Marijilda Ranch Road. It’s rough but worth the run. Pictures in this review are of that area.
RangerSpent two nights here at the exact place where Google Maps says you have arrived. Very secluded and quiet!
Our site was pretty much a gravelly level area. We were just above the dam.
There is absolutely nothing at this site to create shade or a wind block. Fortunately we had only light breezes at dawn and dusk. It can feel really cold in the morning before the sun comes up even at 40.
TravelerWas a little busy and the bulls can get aggressive in your campsite.
GuideA beautiful, serene location not too far from I-10 and Fort Bowie. We arrived at around 10pm in our Sprinter van and found a quiet location. The campsites are far apart and you travel on compacted dirt road to get there. The father you go, the more space you have. It will be quite bumpy if you do not have an AWD or 4x4.
TravelerThought I was going to see a crowd based on reviews. But nobody here but me. About 5 miles from I-10 to the South. Last 2 miles on dirt bit well maintained. Then you get to a bunch of connected dirt roads. At least 50 campsites off dirt roads. I met some cows on one dirt road and had a stare down. I lost and backed up. Expecting a super quiet night. Tucked into the boulders near the mountains. Very nice. Another clear moonlit night in southern AZ. I LOVE the desert. All sites are on loose dirt and there are many places for larger rigs. I tent camp so don’t need much room. I highly recommend this site. 3 hrs W of Las Cruces NM, 3 hrs from PHX.
GuideThis area has five to ten campsites suitable for small rigs (we pull a 17-ft trailer, wouldn't go much past 20ft). From the almost-ghost town of Bowie, AZ, take the Apache Pass Rd until you reach the Happy Camp Rd. This is a good gravel/dirt road that goes up to a public picnic area (no camping). Here take the turn-off to the right to continue on Happy Camp Road. Soon you will see turn-offs and side roads. We didn't explore the side roads but we did see a couple of small rigs a hundred yards or more from the road, so it is possible to find sites there. As you continue along the road it gets worse and you'll need decent clearance (there are also sites before the road gets a little dicey, closer to the picnic area. About a mile from the picnic area we backed into a site right below the rocks with a grand view of the plains below. We camped for two nights, saw no-one. In late September, 90s during the day and 60s at night.
This site is on the *other* side of the hills from the Chiricahua Monument. To get to the monument, you can either go back to Bowie, and then to Willcox, and back to the Chiricahuas, or you can take the Apache Pass Road (the one you turned off from to get to the campsite) over the hills, past the ruins of Fort Bowie (you will have to hike 1.5 miles to the actual ruins). Total time is probably the same either way.
We drove past the campgrounds near Portal AZ as we were exploring. In late September, they were all full and there were lots of ATVs buzzing around. Compare and contrast to our empty, quiet campground with neat-looking rocks and a fine view.
We had two bars of Verizon coverage and it was fast.
GuideNice Spot. Easy to find, and easy to find a spot. Big Rig friendly in the 1st area. Gets a little tighter the further down you go like most places. We stayed in the 1st area for stronger internet & less fuel consumption when we go to town. Diesel prices are stupid right now. We found a nice level unobstructed spot looking out at the snow capped peaks of Mt. Graham. Verizon via Visible 2-3 bars. ATT via Straight Talk 3-4. Haven't tried OTA channels. 4 Rigs in the 1st area, about a football field apart. Some overnighters, but most we talked to here 7-14 days. Minimal trash, but some. Pretty quiet and only about 8m to town, but it feels more remote. Free dump station at the Water Reclamation Plant in Safford, just sign in, dump, sign out. They also have water to rinse, not potable. Cute diner in town called Jerry's. Good burgers at JD's sports bar (loud though). Great RV repair shop (Trek RV) squeezed us in for a Furnace motor issue. This one gets added to the Will RETURN list.
RangerGreat spot to split up our drive. Super easy access and road in, the coordinates take you to one spot, but there is multiple here. It’s not far off the road but far enough to be peaceful and quiet! Amazing view of Mt. Graham!
TravelerAgree with all previous reviews. Good spot for a one night as my wife and I do a cross country ramble from California to Florida in a teardrop. Blessed with no wind and mild temps. Nice sunset behind Mount G. Plenty of spots even with a dozen or more RVs and vans.
Guide
Second time camping here. Great area to relax and enjoy the sunset. Far from other campers/camping sites. Loop is close to the main road. 4x4 is required to make the loop.
ScoutWe stopped here on our way further west. There were 2 other campers there, but we were able to find a great spot where they couldn’t be seen.
Plenty of sites, ours was 1.5 miles off 191. Easy to get to in our 26’ bus. Saw a handful of vehicles pass by, likely on there way to Hot Wells.
The Hot Wells Springs were closed due to Covid, so I assume that limited a lot of traffic through Tanque Road.
At times of the year, locals probably use this as their own shooting range, as I saw plenty of casings. YMMV. It was gorgeous and peaceful for our stay.
GuideVery little traffic. Decent Verizon & AT&T cell service. Cleaned up some trash to leave it better than I found it.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Central, Arizona, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Central, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Central, AZ is Haekel Rd Dispersed Camping with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Central, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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