Want to go dispersed camping near Duncan? The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your Arizona camping adventure.
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.
The Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a popular rockhounding area located near the town of Duncan in eastern Arizona. Please follow all rules and regulations.
The majority of campgrounds on the Gila National Forest are primitive and offer dispersed camping. You may camp outside of developed campgrounds anywhere on the Forest at no charge. The Gila National Forest implemented Travel Management and we recommend you stop in to one of our six ranger stations and pick up travel management maps so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted. Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. 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 Gila National Forest has a 14-day stay limit, in any 30 day period, on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.
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
Guide
This is a Gila National Forest Access Road just west of the Continental Divide on highway 90. It has multiple fairly level and easily accessible boondocking sites. It's far enough from the highway to be quiet. The only real drawback is the Cattle droppings here and there. We spent the night, so can't comment on other activities in the area, but there are roads and trails leading out of the location and into the Forest.
Traveler
Stopped here to spend the night in July because it was cooler (~7500 ft elevation), free, quiet and beautiful. It's just a place to camp in the National Forest. No amenities.
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.
Ranger
Amazing views. A bit sandy of a drive. You have to open and close a gate but it is not locked. Quite, no lights nearby, dispersed camping at its best. Just a few cows. I would camp here again. We made it up in a long bed crew an Chevy 2500. Some camp sites at the bottom. But if you go up to the dead end keep to the left. Site is not to level but throw a couple of rocks under the tires and you can level out. Drive up is a little bit narrow with cactus close to the road. I would not think you need 4x4 but maybe something more then a car would be better. If wet I would think it may get a bit squishy, but with it dry a stock suv would make it just fine. Camped next to a rock face. Just beautiful!
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.
Traveler
There’s several campsites around the trail head. I found a great secluded spot along a rough back road area, my express van with chunky tires was able to clear the bumps in the roadway. Cell service is excellent for Verizon even wandering around the trails back here.
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.
Scout4-5 dispersed spots on road 4242d before reaching the summit on bear mountain road (where the coordinates take you to). A narrow, rocky road with some low-hanging trees. Our sprinter made it but it was tight. The best spot was where the road dead-ends. Lots of shelter but not a ton of sunlight.
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.
TravelerEasy to find, no rough roads, clean and quiet campsite. There were about 10 other campers when I was here. Would definitely stay here again
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.
GuideRight off the road, 4 campsites. The last one is a little more open and we will def be coming back. Pretty stars, and 2 bars of service for Verizon. Please remember to clean up after yourself! Unfortunately there was a lot of old glass, among other trash. Also be careful on the road, it’s 30, but people fly down it not thinking of others on the road. It is a tight squeeze to get a truck back there, Tacoma, but we got tucked in just fine. Also there’s a woodsy sign leading into the forest! Cool to see an iconic owl!
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.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Duncan, Arizona, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots for those looking to escape into the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Duncan, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Duncan, AZ is Happy Camp Trail with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 20 dispersed camping locations near Duncan, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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