Crown King, AZ is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Crown King, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"Drove a mini van on the road, wasn’t too washed out or anything. A sedan could definitely drive to many of the spots. Many campsites available, beautiful scenery!"
"The Bloody Bath access road was an easy drive (F250 SD with a truck camper). Washboards were easy to navigate but watch your speed on the down hill turns."
"Two week stay limit, but that's pretty standard for BLM properties. There's no facilities so be prepared. Good level land and plenty of room."
"Really cool cactus variations all around, you can hear coyotes. And there are wild burros in the area you can def hear them and during the week it's likely you will see them!"
"Nice open campsite approximately 2 miles from Crown King on Senators Hwy. Lovely forest with boulders and views. One of my very favorite camps."
"Secluded dispersed camping in the woods just outside of the town Crown King. 4x4 is recommended, campsites are not accessible when snowfall has occurred."
"I lucked out and got the last spot, unfortunately it was relatively close to the road and there was some traffic during the day. There are several roads to drive down and find a spot."
"The spots here are really nice but if you go camping in the winter season you definitely need four wheel drive."
"Great little spot for some dispersed camping. It is fun to hike and explore agua fria National Monument nearby."
"Great little site for RV camping while waiting to find out if the forest service is going to get control of the fire up south prescott."
"The first few campsites on Sundance Road were hard to distinguish from the Senator Highway dispersed sites. We stayed in site 5 which was pretty small and nestled between two hills."
"Okay so I prefer free camp spots and places that are quiet and tucked away. This place is great. It’s not too far off the paved road but the road does get a bit bumpy once you’re off the paved road."
"Lots laying around to burn. Bring water and food but Prescott is like 3miles away"
"Moderate privacy, amenities close in downtown Prescott, no water power or bathrooms so be prepared. Very relaxed and peaceful area."
"Super easy access. I am in a 20 foot long Van with an 11 foot trailer attached.
Site is flat dirt/light gravel.
I am here to ride a dirt bike from Colorado it's nice to be close to an OHV trails."
"Perhaps other sites might have better luck, but for working remote we had to change plans. The road in wasn’t too bad for us, but I could see it being challenging with a sedan or a camper."
"Lots of shade but area of sun to charge my batteries. Minimal cell service, but I'm from Colorado and I have Xfinity. I'm pretty sure they use Verizon towers."
GuideNice open campsite approximately 2 miles from Crown King on Senators Hwy. Lovely forest with boulders and views. One of my very favorite camps.
ScoutDrove a mini van on the road, wasn’t too washed out or anything. A sedan could definitely drive to many of the spots. Many campsites available, beautiful scenery! Please help keep this place clean by leaving no trace!
TravelerThat'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. I've parked here in my converted Skoolie of 36 feet for two years. I DO purchase the $ 15-a-year permit and I DO display it. But in 2 years, I've not seen even one "official" vehicle and have never been asked to see my permit or how long I have parked. It is messy, I like to clean it up at times, please help and please remember, this is your land so do not trash it to the point that we will be kicked off. I've watched this happen all over northern AZ and it does not need to happen here. Pack it in and pack it out. Leave no trace. There are garbage cans 1 mile from this land. A new gas station/convenience store has been erected a mile from Maddock Road. Although Maddock Road is no longer an access point to the lands, there are plenty of other access points. The new gas station has diesel, water dispensing, propane dispensing, and all the conveniences anyone would need. It is a paradise in Winter, believe that. In summer, it is hotter than the dickens. I bounce from Flag to this location yearly, it works well for us nomads.
GuideThis is a relatively small BLM dispersed camping area. There’s maybe 20 sites depending on the the type of vehicle you drive. There are definitely some high clearance vehicle only areas but we were able to find a nice spot in our Winnebago next to the base of the hills. There are no services here, it is strictly dry camping. There is s cemetery right next to the area, a little weird but they didn’t make much noise. There are plenty of hills to hike around on and there are some old mines in the area but be cautious, there are arsenic warning signs in some and it appears some mining is still going on. Great sunsets and star filled nights.
ScoutThe Bloody Bath access road was an easy drive (F250 SD with a truck camper). Washboards were easy to navigate but watch your speed on the down hill turns. We initially selected the site closest to Bloody Bath Road but decided to move further back to a site about a 1/4 mile in. The road (trail) back to the final site was a bit washed out (dry) with some deep ruts but again easily navigated in our truck. A 2WD Van or a SUV could easily access the site. The site was quiet. The biggest bummer was the amount of trash and empty beer cans strewn around the site. Real bummer.
LegendThis is a FREE BLM camping area.
There are multiple places to pull off along Vulture Mine Rd that have dirt roads that you can take further back. We made a couple of attempts in our 26 ft Class C and almost got stuck and had to back out so be aware that some of the roads look good then suddenly become impassable with no turn around. We ended up near the Vulture Peak trailhead with an easy pull off and a view of the peak (33.880550,-112.820176).
There is no water or garbage so pack in and pack out and pack out more than you brought in if you feel inclined. There is a pit toilet bathroom at the trailhead entrance. This is also an ATV area so watch out while hiking because most thought they had the right of way.
There is good hiking to the peak and across the street there is another access to hike in. There is some road noise but it is not too bad., overall a quiet place. This is a trailhead so there is a lot of day use traffic of vehicles, ATVs and hikers but the nights were quiet and pleasant. Chollas are everywhere and we constantly had to pick them out of our dogs so be aware. We did not see any wildlife except some birds but heard coyotes every night.
Note: There is a nice spot about 3 spots in that has an old table and a couple of broken chairs sitting in it. No one came into that spot while we were there for 7 days so though it looks like someone is saving a spot, but I think unfortunately someone just left a bunch of junk there.
Decent Verizon and AT&T coverage.
GuideWe are in a 34 footer! The drive, while do-able, is not necessarily preferable in something 20+ feet long. Narrow dirt road, closer to one lane than two, and no guard rails. We just took it slow and that worked fine for us! It has been pretty quiet (even compared to other BLM sites we’ve visited this month). It’s also January which absolutely plays into the noise/traffic level! It’s chilly but nothing a sleeping bag can’t help! Really pretty walks, and hikes, and lots of room for our pups and kiddos to play. Super easy to navigate, which is always a big plus! We’re camping almost exactly where the pin is dropped. We’ve been able to visit Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and just come back here at night to camp so location isn’t bad either.
GuideThe road in is a little rough, but ok. Two week stay limit, but that's pretty standard for BLM properties. There's no facilities so be prepared. Good level land and plenty of room. Wild burros wander through occasionally, and coyotes make their presence known as well. Fantastic views and quiet atmosphere, so far. Been here two nights and plan to stay for at least another week.
TravelerCamped in my Subaru. Good spot for quick over night camping or short-term stay. Limited to no shade. Dirt road easily accessible. . Please pick up your trash. Do not leave toilet paper under a rock, next to a bush or dig in it in the dirt (put it in a trash bag!!! - PACK IN PACK OUT!!!
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Crown King, Arizona, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots that cater to different camping styles and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Crown King for dispersed camping in Arizona?
Crown King offers dispersed camping in the Bradshaw Mountains of central Arizona, about 85 miles north of Phoenix. One popular area is Dispersed camping near Crown King, located approximately 2 miles from the small mountain town of Crown King along Senators Highway. The area features lovely forest with boulders and mountain views. Several forest roads in the vicinity provide access to dispersed camping options in the Prescott National Forest.
Do I need a 4x4 vehicle to reach Crown King dispersed camping areas?
While 4WD is recommended for some areas, not all Crown King dispersed camping spots require 4x4 capability. Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping can be accessed even in a minivan or sedan when conditions are good, though the road has washboard sections. For FR689 Dispersed Camping, the narrow dirt road can be challenging for larger vehicles but is manageable when taken slowly. Road conditions can change quickly with weather, so checking recent conditions before departure is always advisable.
What are the rules for dispersed camping near Crown King?
Dispersed camping near Crown King follows typical Forest Service regulations: camp at least 100-200 feet from water sources, stay in previously used sites where possible, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Most areas have a 14-day stay limit. At Old Airstrip Camping & Staging Area, BLM enforces a two-week maximum stay. For camping on Maddock Road Dispersed - AZ State Trust Land, you must purchase and display a $15 annual permit. Remember to pack out all waste and trash, including toilet paper, as there are no facilities in these areas.
Is Crown King dispersed camping available year-round?
Crown King dispersed camping is generally available year-round, but seasonal considerations are important. The area's elevation (around 6,000 feet) means winters can bring snow and below-freezing temperatures, making access more challenging. Summer offers pleasant temperatures compared to Phoenix but can bring monsoon storms (July-September). FR121 Dispersed Camping provides good accessibility during dry periods but offers limited shade for summer heat. Senator Hwy Dispersed Camp Site provides good forest cover for summer camping. Spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable camping conditions with moderate temperatures.
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