Dispersed camping near Dewey, Arizona offers varied terrain between 4,500-7,000 feet elevation throughout the Prescott National Forest. The camping season extends year-round, though winter temperatures at higher elevations can drop below freezing. Forest roads accessing most sites receive minimal maintenance, creating changing conditions after seasonal weather events.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: At FDR 373 Thumb Butte Loop, campers can access hiking directly from their sites. "We hiked from Copper Basin road along the Prescott Circle Trail and camped the night at one of the Thumb Butte dispersed camping sites," reports one visitor. Another camper at Site 8 noted it was "Very secluded with a hiking trail right off of it."
Mountain biking: The forest roads near Enchanted Forest Trail Campsites provide excellent mountain biking opportunities. One camper mentions, "Mountain biking trails are pretty sweet. Well-groomed and challenging. Better trails than Thumb Butte. Lots of variation with mountain lanes covered with shade and wide open."
Wildlife watching: Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the Prescott National Forest dispersed camping areas. "Quiet during the winter season at least and plenty of wildlife," reports one camper at Senator Highway. Another mentions, "We did see a small herd of deer on my run while visiting" at Thumb Butte Loop.
What campers like
Night sky viewing: The lack of light pollution makes Dewey-area dispersed camping ideal for stargazing. A camper at Senator Hwy Dispersed Camp Site shared, "The night sky was amazing, nearby hiking trails and plenty to explore." Another camper at Trittle Mountain Road noted clear views of constellations on cloudless nights.
Cell service for remote work: Several Dewey-area dispersed sites offer adequate connectivity. At Flower Pot USFS Dispersed, a camper reported "Great Verizon service. ATT service was fairly weak." Another visitor confirmed, "Full Verizon signal. Would happily stay here again." This makes these sites suitable for digital nomads needing connectivity.
Weather relief: The higher elevation provides cooler temperatures during summer months. "We came early May and stayed at site 14. It was 60s in the daytime and mid 30s at night," notes a Thumb Butte Loop camper. Another visitor mentions, "Came here to avoid the heat in Phx and it was still warm but nothing like the valley. And cooler at night which was wonderful."
What you should know
Site availability challenges: The more accessible dispersed sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. At FDR79 Trittle Mountain Road Dispersed Camping, a reviewer observed, "Trittle Mountain Road advertises 16 campsites BUT most of them are clustered in groups of 2 or 3 and we found that a lot of the people occupying them would intentionally take up all of the spots for 1 RV/group."
Road conditions vary significantly: Forest roads accessing dispersed camping require careful navigation. "The dirt road was bumpy but very drivable. Lots of available places to pull off and camp," reports one camper. Another notes, "We came through Jerome and took 89A S all the way through. If you get to Potatoe Patch campground you are very close, but make a left off 89A South to get to these spots."
Trash management issues: Pack-out discipline varies widely at dispersed sites. "Unfortunately there was quite a bit of trash at the campsite, left by previous occupants," notes one camper. Another shares, "Campsite was semi-clean, spent some time picking up trash esp. broken glass," highlighting the need to bring trash bags and pack out all waste.
Tips for camping with families
Best family-friendly sites: The North Mingus Mountain area offers more level sites and fewer hazards. A visitor to North Mingus Mountain Basecamp reports, "Many free campsites to choose from, primitive roads are ok enough for my Corolla to navigate. One of the few free campgrounds I've been to that was actually clean. Quiet and respectful neighbors spaced out very nicely."
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly, requiring appropriate gear. "If you plan to tent camp," warns one camper at Senator Highway, "This wonderful spot gives amazing evening and sunset views... I would point out that when I went the wind was pretty strong at night. This spot can get pretty gusty."
Wildlife awareness: Prepare food storage systems to prevent wildlife encounters. One camper at Trittle Mountain Road warns, "Do be careful with your food and trash totes. Javelina got into mine on the second night, so for the rest of my stay, everything was in the van and it was a little unpleasant."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Arrive early to secure suitable dispersed sites for larger vehicles. A visitor to Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping notes, "The area was fairly busy when I was there so had to drive in a couple miles more than I wanted. Sites are nicely spaced though so it's not like some areas where everyone is in a big lot."
Road assessment: High-clearance vehicles fare better on most forest roads to Dewey-area dispersed sites. "The dirt road was a bit washboard but very manageable by any vehicle," reports one camper at Bloody Basin Road. Another at Trittle Mountain Road cautions, "For free camping there aren't very high expectations but this would be really difficult to get back too if you are in a big rig or don't have a lot of clearance. The road isn't well maintained."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling for comfortable RV camping. "A lot of the spaces were uneven or had rough washes/entrances," notes one camper. Another shares, "We stayed one nite at site 5 in our 24ft Mercedez Sprinter. It's not super level but decent space to maneuver to find your favorite orientation."
