Dispersed camping near Cibecue, Arizona primarily occurs on the eastern portion of the Mogollon Rim at elevations ranging from 7,200-7,900 feet. Summer temperatures typically average 75-85°F during days and drop to 45-55°F at night, making it significantly cooler than Phoenix or Tucson. Forest roads in this region often become impassable after heavy monsoon rains, which typically occur from mid-July through August.
What to do
Fishing at nearby lakes: Bear Canyon Lake offers good trout fishing opportunities throughout the summer season. "The lake was relaxing. Saturday saw many more people enjoying the water," reports a camper at Bear Canyon Lake and Camping Area. Access requires some effort as "the hike down to the lake from the west side was pretty tough."
Wildlife viewing: The forests around primitive camping near Cibecue provide opportunities to spot deer, elk, and wild turkeys. A camper at Reynolds Creek Dispersed notes, "Deer, elk, rabbits, birds, plenty of fun little spiders everywhere... Coyote howling at dusk." Some lucky visitors have even spotted wild horses, with one camper at Old Rim Road reporting, "We saw wild horses and tons of space for biking."
Off-roading adventures: Many forest roads double as off-road recreation areas. Dutch's Tank offers particularly good terrain for motorized recreation. "In the back of this area is a huge ATV/Moto-x like course. Great hills and tracks!!" shares an enthusiastic visitor to the area.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Unlike developed campgrounds, dispersed sites on Forest Road 171 offer ample space between neighbors. "Many large group sites with beautiful views over the mogollon rim. Very separated and private feeling," explains a camper at Old Rim Road/ Forest Road 171 Dispersed.
Cooler temperatures: The rim's elevation provides relief from lower desert heat. "I wanted to get out of the southern Arizona heat. This place did just that," reports a visitor at Old Rim Road Dispersed Site, adding that it offers "Great views and perfect summer weather."
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote location means minimal light pollution. A camper at Dutch's Tank appreciated the "Easy Access, Dark and Secluded" nature of the area, noting "Despite being the first spot closest to the road, so few cars pass here I rarely noticed."
What you should know
Road conditions vary substantially: Many forest roads become challenging after weather events. A camper at Reynolds Creek warns, "Water washes away road and rocks are unstable for non 4 wheel drive vehicles." For some areas, timing is everything: "It was early spring and some areas were very soft so use caution with a heavy vehicle," notes a visitor to Rim Road.
Limited facilities: Most primitive camping near Cibecue lacks basic amenities. "There is a picnic table and fire pit at each site... No toilets or hookups," explains a camper at Valentine Ridge Campground. The few available restrooms are minimally maintained: "The bathroom is very simple... I've always seen it stocked with toilet paper but the floor is normally dirty."
Weekend crowds: Popular areas fill quickly during peak seasons. A visitor to Upper Canyon Creek reports, "Visited in May on a Friday afternoon, there were no spots available." Similarly, at Bear Canyon Lake, "By Friday night, you couldn't find much open. Got there around lunch and we still had plenty of room."
Tips for camping with families
Bring entertainment: With few developed facilities, family activities require planning. As one Bear Canyon Lake visitor suggests, the area has "great hiking" but limited other facilities, so bring games and activities for children.
Check for safety hazards: Some sites have terrain issues that might challenge young children. "There is no 'beach' area per se. It's quite rocky but for the nimble it's not too bad," reports a Bear Canyon Lake camper. Similarly, trails can be challenging with "a short but very steep hike" to the lake.
Consider noise levels: Some areas experience significant nighttime activity. "Loud music was being played all night and people would rev their ATVs a lot throughout the night as well," warns a Larson Ridge Camping Area camper, adding that "people would also shoot their guns so be careful for stray ricochets."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Several dispersed areas accommodate big rigs well. "Plenty of room for big rigs (40'+). I brought my 37' Motorhome and had no problem finding a big enough site," reports an Old Rim Road camper. Similar experiences are reported at Dutch's Tank: "Nice place, wide open views, easy access for Truck/rv."
Check turning radius needs: Some forest roads have tight turns. "This campground was very pretty and we enjoyed staying here. It is about 8 miles down a fairly well kept dirt road but with the switchbacks and hills it take about 30 mins from highway 260," explains a Valentine Ridge visitor who successfully navigated with a vehicle.
Level sites can be limited: Finding flat parking requires early arrival. A camper at Rim Road suggests "We pulled onto Rim Road to (FR300) and travelled app. 1 mile to find a quiet and pretty camp spot. We were in a 25' class C motor home and the road was bumpy but passable."
