The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Gila Bend, AZ

83 Reviews

Backcountry travelers seeking free camping near Gila Bend, Arizona will find several BLM-managed dispersed camping areas primarily within the Sonoran Desert National Monument. The Vekol Valley Road area offers primitive sites with direct access from Interstate 8, while other options include North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness, Freeman Road (Exit 140), and multiple numbered BLM roads (8030, 8032, 8035) providing access to the monument. Most sites are situated on flat, open desert terrain with minimal vegetation near the highway, though more scenic spots with saguaro cacti can be found by venturing farther into the monument on designated roads.

Many access roads require careful navigation and vehicle consideration. Several BLM roads exit directly from Interstate 8 without proper off-ramps, creating potentially hazardous entry and exit situations that are unsuitable for RVs or travel trailers. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for most areas, with 4WD necessary for roads deeper into the monument. The dispersed sites lack all amenities - no water, toilets, trash service, or designated fire rings are provided. Camping is generally permitted for up to 14 days. Cell service varies by location but tends to be strongest near Interstate 8, becoming weaker in more remote areas.

The desert landscape offers expansive mountain views and opportunities for rock collecting, wildlife observation, and stargazing. Proximity to Interstate 8 means truck noise affects many sites, though this diminishes with distance from the highway. Several visitors note security considerations, with border patrol presence common in the area. According to one camper, "The views are phenomenal and very little noise. The moon and stars were beautiful too." Another visitor shared their experience at Vekol Road: "We stayed the full 14 days! Tons of space to walk and explore, and it is fairly quiet." Weather conditions can change rapidly, with occasional high winds bringing dust and black flies, particularly when winds blow from the west.

Map showing campgrounds near Gila Bend, ArizonaExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Gila Bend, Arizona (19)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Gila Bend Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Gila Bend, AZ

60 Photos of 19 Gila Bend Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Gila Bend, AZ

83 Reviews of 19 Gila Bend Campgrounds

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 19, 2022

    Sonoran Desert National Monument Camp

    Free dispersed BLM exit #140

    This is a free dispersed camping area in the BLM Sonoran National Monument. Take Interstate 8, Exit #140 and take gravel road to south. The gravel road is rough washboard first section, then gets narrower and just rough. Camping areas seem to be just within less than a mile of the Interstate so truck noise will be an issue. No services for 30 mi back to Gila Bend or 20 mi back to Stanfield. No water, trash, tables. Cell signal is excellent on all carriers. This area is more difficult to access with a TT or RV due to the rougher narrow roads, compared to the Vekol Rd camping area at exit #144.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 18, 2022

    BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area

    Vekol Exit 144 free BLM dispersed

    This is free dispersed camping on the BLM Sonoran National Monument. At Interstate 8, Exit 144 go south. BLM starts in about .6 mile. Note that the gravel road then will pass thru some pvt land that the Dyrt does not show, before the BLM again at the road fork to the Vekol Ranch (2.1 miles in from hwy). See attached screenshot from the BLM monument map. Lots of sites scattered along the main graded gravel road. There is an info kiosk at junction of road going to the Vekol Ranch. Most of the campers seem to be in this area to avoid interstate truck noise. Excellent cell signal on all carriers. No water, marked sites, tables, fire rings or trash dumpsters. Nearest services are in Sanfield (poor), Maricopa (best) or Gila Bend (fuel, RV stuff) so come prepared. Maricopa has a Fry's Market and gas. Sanfield has a Family Dollar and Circle K gas. Gila Bend has most services but not a major food market. Not much Sonoran cactus vegetation by the kiosk sign in in this area, no cholla and very few Saguaros, area is just a wide flat creosote palo verde sandy plain.

    Update: if you go another mile or two south (uphill) on the main road you can camp at the #8007b and #8007c road spurs and #8045 spur. More Sonoran vegetation there and very scenic...lots of Saguaro cactus to camp with on flat open desert pavement. Farther away from the hwy noise is a plus!

    If you are concerned about potential safety issues from illegal smuggling warnings, then staying down close to BLMat the .6 mile mark is likely best.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 28, 2022

    BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - BLM road #8032 access

    Overlander types recommended

    This two- track BLM road leaves from the westbound lanes of Interstate 8. EXTREME CAUTION is advised and TTs and RVs are not recommended for these unmarked two tracks along the Interstate.

    You go thru a gate and this area is to west of the wilderness area and is not restricted by the wilderness buffer road issues. The road splits in a couple tens and there are several camp spots along the way, but best to get farther away from the freeway truck noise. On the map this #8032 roads goes all the way to hwy 238 between Gila Bend and Maricopa. No facilities, no water. Cell signal was couple weak bars but ok for txt email.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 22, 2022

    BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Road #8042 Dispersed Camping Area

    Overlander High Clearance only

    This BLM dispersed camping area access is about MP 147.5 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 8. This is a two track road that leaves the highway and goes thru a gate, and EXTREME CAUTION is advised slowing down and leaving the freeway due to no off ramp or signs here to alert traffic behind you. Not recommended for RVs or TTs due to the risky access off the interstate. Best suited for Overlander types and high clearance trucks/vans. This area was a pleasant surprise and the access road #8042a is best due to good gravel surface and interesting camping areas. Suggest going on #8042a for 1.2 miles to the abandoned windmill/tank area. There is a large rock borrow pit midway if you are a shooter. This windmill area is behind a ridge from I 8 and reduces the highway truck noise.

    Free dispersed camping, no water. Info kiosk at pin location. Note that this area is isolated with little traffic and other campers and would not advise solo camping due to warnings about illegal smuggling. Go with buddies and go heavy.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 28, 2022

    BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Road #8030 Access

    Overlander only recommended

    BLM road #8030 leaves Interstate 8 in westbound lanes. No signage at the freeway, EXTREME CAUTION is advised trying to access these unmarked two track roads from the Interstate hwy. There is a gate to go thru then you pass a couple v- shaped wash dips that would restrict TTs and RVs, hence the recommendation that Overlander truck types would be best here. The road goes past an abandoned corrals/tank and then at the y split you are going to go left and into the wilderness cherry-stem road. This road buffer is only about 50 ft wide so not really good for finding campsites. The road gets rougher and crosses many sandy washes so high clearance 4x4 is a good idea. Cell service was not good here, must be in a hole from the antenna at Freeman road and the cell towers at Gila Bend. Going to the end of the cherry stem #8030 road will likely end at another ranch structure/corral with camping sites (I was not able to get that far in my truck safely).

    No water or any other amenities, and with limited cell signal would recommend access with a buddy vehicle for backup.

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 30, 2022

    BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - BLM road 8035 access

    Overlander access only

    This is a two track road that leaves Interstate 8 at about MP 124. There are no signs and EXTREME CAUTION is advised trying to access these BLM roads from the freeway without an exit ramp. No TTs or RVs are recommended. Road goes thru a gate out into the flat desert. Dispersed camping areas are scattered around but since this is close to Gila Bend there is evidence of dumping in this area. Cell service is good. No water, toilets, tables, fire rings or trash bins.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 26, 2021

    Buckeye Hills BLM - CLOSED

    FREE but Dirty and Loud

    Managed by Lower Sonoran BLM Field Office. Free camping, but you have to love the sound of gunshots and love the view of trash everywhere. 

    There are multiple dirt roads you can take to find spots in Buckeye Hills that run adjacent to Powers Butte Wildlife Area where there is no camping allowed. We stayed here in different spots for 3 days while waiting for mail in Buckeye. The place is filthy! Shooting garbage and illegal dumping is common, in fact one night we woke up and just down the road was a new pile of some illegal dumping. 

    If you can get used to the constant gun fire, you’ll still have to put up with ATVs racing up and down the various roads. The dirt here is a fine deep powder in a lot of areas so there is lots of dust that gets kicked up when they race by, sometimes just back in forth right in front of where you are parked. 

    There is not really hiking or biking unless you want to dodge bullets or ATVs. There also appears to be a lot of long time“residents” in the area as well. There are no amenities here so pack in and pack out though it is obvious not many do. We picked up trash and about 7 lbs of casings around our spots we stayed in. Besides the noise and physical pollution there is also light pollution from Palo Verde and Buckeye. 

    1-2 bars Verizon& ATT, streaming with pauses for buffering

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2022

    Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed

    Scenic area but poor cell

    This is a dispersed BLM area behind the old copper mine tailings and a wide washboard dusty road goes back into the area. Scenic Sonoran desert vegetation due to the cactus diversity but some areas have been trashed by past use during the mining days. Cell signal was mixed to poor, only TMobile worked barely for me. Close to Ajo but no water, trash, or tables. Access road can be dusty and washboard.

  • Zach K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 23, 2022

    Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)

    Great location. Need good equipment if you need reliable internet for work.

    Stayed at the base of Saddle Mountain. Turned left on the dirt road around mile marker 13--as other reviewers stated, the dirt roads closer to you when coming from the east are very rocky--I had to take it VERY slow just driving my high-clearance truck. The dirt road I turned down while towing my 36 ft. 5th wheel was much smoother and allows you to get very close to the base of the mountain. The views are pretty and the mountain is right next to you.

    Any indicators of good cell service is deceptive--yes, you have "a lot of bars," but bars are not necessarily a good determiner of signal strength. I use both ATT and T-Mobile sim cards in an LTE router/modem combo. The cell towers closest to the campsites are to the NW, right on I-10, and they have VERY high latency. Even if you have good download/upload speeds, you can't do any streaming/video calls with latency in the 300+ millisecond range and Jitter in the 2k millisecond range. Unless you have a high dB LTE directional antenna to point toward a better tower to the NE (which I do, thankfully), closer to Buckeye/Phoenix, you will be out of luck if you need reliable LTE internet for remote work. 

    This is the only reason I didn't give the site 5 stars, since cell phones, tablets, and omni-directional antennas will always gravitate to the tower with the strongest signal, which is the one with high latency, in this case. If you don't need reliable internet to work on the road, this might not mean much to you, but if you do, keep this in mind.

Guide to Gila Bend

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Gila Bend, Arizona, where the vast desert landscape offers a unique escape into nature. With a variety of options available, campers can enjoy the tranquility of the wilderness while still being close to town amenities.

Dispersed campers should check out BLM - North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness

  • This area provides a spacious environment for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. Check out the BLM - North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness for a chance to experience true nature.
  • Campers can enjoy the freedom of setting up their site, but should be aware that there are no amenities like drinking water or toilets available.
  • The area is pet-friendly, making it a great choice for those who want to bring their furry companions along for the adventure.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Gila Bend, Arizona

North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area for dispersed campers

  • The North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area is a hidden gem for those seeking solitude and stunning desert landscapes.
  • With no permit required, this area allows for spontaneous camping adventures, making it perfect for those who prefer to explore on a whim.
  • The wilderness is rich with Sonoran vegetation, providing a picturesque backdrop for sunset photography and nature walks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gila Bend, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gila Bend, AZ is BLM - North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness with a 3.5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gila Bend, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 dispersed camping locations near Gila Bend, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring