Planning a dispersed camping trip near Douglas? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Arizona camping adventure.
Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources. Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days (12 months in Alaska). Campsite Selection Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked. Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before. Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.
Part of the Douglas Ranger District
There are officially four campsites at Whitewater Draw. Parking is on a gravel surface and a metal pipe barrier loosely encloses a picnic table within the greater open space. A tent easily fits within this barrier, and a 35ft Class A, plus tow vehicle, can comfortably park within the designated site.
The Hereford Trailhead provides access to the San Pedro Trail to the San Pedro House along Highway 90 to the north, approximately 9.5 miles away, and to Waters Road to the south, approximately 3.5 miles. The Hereford trailhead includes improved parking, a picnic shelter and tables, and a toilet. The trail is available for non-motorized travel, including hiking, bicycling and equestrian riding.
The trail to the north crosses under the Hereford Road Bridge, and follows a historic road along the scenic San Pedro River valley, and passes several historic farm fields that are now turning into sacaton grassland and mesquite bosque. The trail passes by the Miller Backcountry Camp approximately 6 miles north of Hereford. The camp has is primitive, with tent pads, fireplaces, and a toilet.
The trail south also follows the river valley, and crosses historic farm fields also revegetating to native plant communities. The trail passes by an artesian about a mile south of the trailhead, where an aquatic habitat refugia is maintained.
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.
Guide
Boondockers paradise. Beautiful views and spacious campsites. USFS Coronado National Forest controlled. Ranger came by a day after we arrived and checked in with us. 14 day limit on staying here and it seems like it is enforced.
Had two Canyon Towhees come visit us every morning.
Some traffic as it is a popular rock climbing area especially on Friday and Saturday. Middlemarch Road is wide but very washboard-y. Took us about 45 minutes to go 10 miles. We found a nice spot on FR 687. We got water at the Stampede RV park in Tombstone. The other RV parks didn't allow us to fill. About 45 minutes to Sierra Vista for supplies. Will definitely stay here again.
ScoutBeautiful rock backdrops and views with lots of trails. There is much dispersed camping and although the area can be quite busy, there's lots of space and privacy can be had. The area is nice and clean for all the use it gets - folks doing a good job of packing it in and packing it out :)
Legend
If the campground at the national monument is full, head up Piney Canyon Rd. and you will find a number of free spots for both tent camping and RV’s just off the main road inside the boundary of the national forest. Most sites are tree covered, but we found one with an open sunny space for our solar panel. Our site was right next to a very clean flowing stream, which provided not only a nice soundtrack but also a filterable water source. Most of the sites seemed to have established fire pits, with ours being the monster of all fire pits we’ve ever seen. These are dispersed sites, so no potable water, picnic tables, or toilets are available, so come prepared with what you need to be comfortable. Also note that the road into the forest is not maintained well and is full of washboards for about a mile or so, and many washes cross this road, so pay close attention to rain in the forecast as you could get stuck on the other side of one of these washes for an indefinite period of time.
The closest grocery store and gas station is in Willcox, which is about 40 minutes away. There are also a number of wineries in the area, as this is 1 of the 3 Arizona wine regions.
Note: There is no cell service anywhere along this road, your best bet for an LTE connection is at the top of the monument’s road (Sugarloaf Mountain or Echo Canyon parking lots) or the guest wifi network at the visitor’s center.
Guide
Take Middle March road on left off of highway 80. Campsite is 10 miles on the left. The first .5 miles is paved, the other 9.5 miles is primitive (embedded rock, loose gravel, and about 75%washboard). You’ll cross a few cattle guards and dry river beds. Plenty of camping spots with fire rings.
GuideMy favorite camp spots. I’ve visited the monument multiple times and i love this area. Some spots are closer together to allow for bigger groups but most are semi secluded. Never disappoints and have camped here in every weather which the trees protect at least somewhat.
GuideAnother app calls this Forest rd 687, probably because where all the camping sites are. Coming from Tombstone you travel on N Middlemarch rd which is 10 miles of dirt washboard and just plain bumpy for 10 miles until FR 687 comes up as you Y to the left. FR 687 is not exactly smooth either and not that wide (maybe 1 1/2 vehicle), but your basically there. From the cattle guard you just went through I would say 2-3 miles of established sites even for the bigger rigs and if your smaller or tent camping, just past the next cattle guard and it goes on and on. It would be hard not to find a site with a beautiful view of the Dragoon Mtn ridge, even from within your rig. Of course that would be after you dust off all the windows. Your roughly at 5000’ so winter camping be prepared for snow on occasion. It also can be a little breezy. I’m up here at the end of December and their calling for snow next week. Plenty of hiking, mtn bike, horseback riding and rock climbing. The locals love it up here too, so there is some traffic. Other than that it is pretty quiet and peaceful. This is all dispersed camping so come well equipped, because if you forget anything the closest town with supplies is Sierra Vista or Benson.
Scout
Road is very steep in places. 4 wheel drive would be necessary if road is wet or raining, otherwise passenger car and truck passable. Camping spots are at the edges which makes for fantastic sunrises and sunsets
Guide
This dispersed campground is on the Pinery Scenic Route#42 on an all dirt road just before the incline up the mountain. It is a large campsite that can hold a group if necessary. There are no facilities or drinking water but there was a large fire ring available. You are tucked on the side of a hill and covered by trees for a nice shady spot to camp.
RangerThis is a dispersed spot. Room for two rigs. Great view but it’s a bit windy at night. You can also go up the steep hill around the corner and find more dispersed spots further up the road. During hunting season there is a bit of traffic on this road.
GuideWashboard road first 10 miles. Then rough sandy road 5 more miles to the area. Many secluded spots. Good service with Verizon.
ScoutWe found a nice secluded spot among the rocks. Pretty popular place, most spots along the road were occupied but seemed like there were a couple open. Rangers stopped by mid day.
GuideI spent one night here. It was very quiet and secluded, and the dirt road is in great condition. There's tons of spots and the trees give a little cover. I rained on and off at night, but I feel the tree foliage kept a lot of water from dripping down onto the tent.
Ranger
This is a fantastic spot! Turkey creek flows right next to the campground and offers fantastic hikes along it's banks. There are multiple small waterfalls and pools to splash in. There are several dispersed areas offering a bit more privacy both below and above the official campground. This little out of the way spot has never been busy during our multiple visits. Plan to stay more than one night because you'll be sad to leave.
Ranger
Drove in for a one night stay. Last 0.4 miles were rough. Road did not appear to have been maintained since the last rain which was last year.
There were a series of small campsites along the road starting where Google Maps said we had arrived. We went another .2 miles further and found a larger spot with an awesomely large fire pit.
There is a lot of traffic on the Sunday we we re there. Don't know if they are looking for a camp site or day hikers.
Overall this is better than most desert camping options if your vehicle can make it up bad roads.
TravelerYour best bet if you are looking to visit Chiricahua National Monument and Bonita is full. This is the closest in proximity from what I could tell. Obviously no bathrooms, but Chiricahua visitor center does have a bathroom. It’s not practical for every bathroom use, but maybe worth it to poop 😅 otherwise, good dispersed sites. They don’t start for a mile or two after entering Coronado NF. Sites on the right side of the road tend to have more shade then on the left. Sites have rock fire pits and good shade. We heard turkeys, had a nightly skunk visitor who was pretty un-afraid of humans and definitely was looking for food. We locked food in covered truck bed to prevent too many visitors.
Traveler
Road going in is horrible, washboard the whole way... it's a beautiful little camping area, no bathrooms and no water... I have T-mobile. I didn't get a signal at all, but I have a T-mobile internet modem, and it got a good signal... Beautiful views of the mountains whare I was parked I watched people free climb up than back down, I don't recommend that it was extremely steep...
LegendReally lovely spot outside Bisbee. We stayed here on our way to Las Cruces and really enjoyed the views. It was cccold and windy but worth it. Road is it great shape. Sites are right off the dirt road. Not many folks around when we were here so had lots of privacy.
GuideFrom sunset to sunrise it was absolutely an awesome spot to stay. Many spots, with or without shade. Great access roads with no issues for any vehicles.
ScoutThis site offers great views of the surrounding valley and some of Bisbee! Nice and quite at night and privacy doesn’t seem like an issue. The road up is in good shape and accessible by vehicles even without 4X4 for the majority of the road, I believe it may get a little sketchy deeper in. Only issue with this site is wind, there is definitely constant wind.
RangerNice views looking down in to Bisbee surrounded by mountains. Close to road, several small pullouts great for vans or smaller camera.
TravelerThe road up is well maintained gravel/dirt road. We made it up easily in our Transit. The wind is a bit crazy and it's cold, but it's January for gosh sakes! The views are stunning and there are several spots along Juniper Flats Rd.
ScoutIt’s great. It is what I enjoy about camping. No light or sound pollution. And it’s beautiful.
GuideThe drive up is beautiful, the road isn’t maintained, but in pretty good condition. I stopped right after the cattle guard. There is another site going up about .5 mile in the left. Couldn’t see good enough in the dark. The creek was flowing and quite a few animals at dawn and dusk. Not a lot of traffic, and a trail right up the road to hike or follow the creek. The last campers left it so nice I was able to add decorations.
ScoutNot very busy beautiful area clean camp grounds
Guide
We were able to easily get our RV there and tour Tombstone during the day. Quiet…close to road but road isn’t busy. It’s basically just a parking lot at a trailhead. It will do if you are looking for a quick spot to lay your head. There were other campers…we felt safe there.
Traveler
I when up ash canyon rd in my 32ft motorhome. There are a lot of new built homes for quite always going up. The road narrows to one lane even for snaller cars. I wasn't sure if I could even turn around. Then to my right was a half circle with fire ring. It was tight. I pulled in. It was getting dark so I justification pulled slides out and stater. Starting about 5am I could hear cars going up the hill. E Everyore stopped in road road and was just starting in disbelief. I didn't feel welcome. I did stay another two nights. That's why I don't think this is still a spot. Someone in smaller rig should look passed where I went incase there up further. Something cool must be up the road lots of cats went up there for hours at a time. Hope to see a future update from fellow wonder Peace Out.
GuideLimited amount of spots along this road due to some areas being private property. At the end of the road is entry to the wilderness and a trail.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Douglas, Arizona, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, these locations offer the perfect escape for adventurers.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Douglas, AZ is Upper Juniper Flats Road with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
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