Best Dispersed Camping near Gila Bend, AZ
Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Gila Bend? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Arizona camping adventure.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Gila Bend, AZ (19)
1. Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
Tonopah, Arizona18 Reviews•54 Photos•128 SavesApproximate location. Many sites for primitive camping off W. Courthouse Rd. and W. Salome Rd.
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
2. BLM - North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness
Gila Bend, Arizona4 Reviews•7 Photos•36 SavesThis 63,200-acre wilderness lies in southwestern Maricopa County, 12 miles east of Gila Bend and 20 miles southwest of Phoenix, Arizona. It contains a 10-mile section of the Maricopa Mountains, a low-elevation (1,000 to 2,813 feet) Sonoran Desert range, and extensive surrounding desert plains. The North Maricopa Mountains are a jumble of long ridges and isolated peaks, separated by bajadas and washes. Vegetation includes saguaro, cholla, ocotillo and other Sonoran Desert plant species. Desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, coyotes, bobcat, fox, deer, Gambel's quail and raptors inhabit the wilderness.
The wilderness provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation, including hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, camping, wildlife observation and photography. The Margie's Cove and Brittlebush Trails take you through the heart of the North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area
Stanfield, Arizona8 Reviews•41 Photos•62 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
4. North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area
Gila Bend, Arizona1 Review•28 SavesThis 63,200-acre wilderness lies in southwestern Maricopa County, 12 miles east of Gila Bend and 20 miles southwest of Phoenix, Arizona. It contains a 10-mile section of the Maricopa Mountains, a low-elevation (1,000 to 2,813 feet) Sonoran Desert range, and extensive surrounding desert plains. The North Maricopa Mountains are a jumble of long ridges and isolated peaks, separated by bajadas and washes. Vegetation includes saguaro, cholla, ocotillo and other Sonoran Desert plant species. Desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, coyotes, bobcat, fox, deer, Gambel's quail and raptors inhabit the wilderness. The wilderness provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation, including hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, camping, wildlife observation and photography. The Margie's Cove and Brittlebush Trails take you through the heart of the North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness.
- Dispersed
5. Sonoran Monument Dispersed Camping
Goodyear, Arizona2 Reviews•2 Photos•29 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
6. BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - BLM road #8032 access
Gila Bend, Arizona1 Review•13 Photos•5 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
8. BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - BLM road 8035 access
Gila Bend, Arizona1 Review•14 Photos•4 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
9. BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - BLM Rd #8029 dispersed camping
Gila Bend, Arizona1 Review•17 Photos•8 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
10. Vekol Valley Road
Stanfield, Arizona2 Reviews•9 Photos•24 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Gila Bend
68 Reviews of 19 Gila Bend Campgrounds
- L
Lacey W.
Scout
State land trust/Inspiration Point
Closed
Coordinates led to a cattle guard that is fenced closed. No access to the site. You could park next to the road though.
Roy G.
Traveler
Vekol Valley Road
Very Convenient
This place is right off the highway. Plenty of level places to park. We drive a van but I think most sizes of RV would have no trouble here. Lots of room to turn around. Pretty view of the mountains. There's highway noise but we were all alone.
- JJohnTraveler
Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
Quiet and beautiful stop over
Camped for one night on my way from NM to LA. Arrived at night and it was easy to find. Awoke to a beautiful sunrise at the foot of the mountains. Great rock hunting too! This will be my regular camping spot form now on when traveling the same route.
- BBrent T.Traveler
State land trust/Inspiration Point
Weekdays are best
State land trust, good spot for a few nights. Gunshots in the distance, but no incidents/casualties lol. Pulled my 31ft TT back into a spot for a week. Close 10 min drive to stores like WinCo and Safeway and gas stations. Quite weekdays, loud weekends due to motor vehicles breaking the rules. (Not a ohv area but treated as such)
- SSarah E.Scout
Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
Saddle Mountain
Great place to Boondock up to 2 weeks.
- mmike J.Traveler
Sonoran Monument Dispersed Camping
Good overnight stop
Beautiful view, a little close to the interstate but quiet enough to sleep. I will stop here again
- JJennifer M.
Guide
BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area
Very nice camping area
Lots of spaces, easy to find off the interstate.
- JJennifer M.Guide
Vekol Valley Road
Nice place to stop
Easy to find an spot and lots of space for privacy. Got a rainbow
matthew H.Traveler
Ajo BLM Dispersed
Beauty, ease, quiet
Fairly easy approach with my overcab camper setup, and family of 4. beautiful saguaro and ocotillo country, yotes yipping at night, owls, wrens and a ton of wildlife. Maybe be careful of pckrats and leave your hood propped up with a light. Otherwise one of our favorite dispersed camp sites ever!! LOTS of space to explore. 
- mmike J.Traveler
Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
Nice and quiet
This was just an overnight stop. You can get right up next to the mountain if you want. Very rocky though. I made it with a 35' skoolie. Just go slow. It was fairly busy.
- WWeston S.Scout
Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
Great camping site
Saddle Mountain is fun to hike but strenuous. The area is quiet and easy to get to. RV and pet friendly.
- Danny T.Guide
Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
Great spot. Great views
January Rv 23 fr Cell. Att. 3 bars
This is a great spot that is easy to get to. You can see lots of lights from a refinery or factory of some sort but it didn’t really distract. The 10 fwy is only a few miles away and you can see it but if you are facing the mountains it feels more remote. Take the road further in. Most rv’s or big rigs can get pretty close to the mountain before the road becomes too tough. There are several roads that cut into the camping area from the main highway so you do t have to take the one that the directions here send you to. We were able to stream tv with good cell reception on att. I went on my dirt bike for the r into the mountains Very cool spot.
Kaye S.TravelerBLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area
Peaceful Sonoran Hideaway
We stayed just one night in our 17 foot R-Pod hauled by our Ford Tundra. Our site wasn't 3 black water tanks roughly 3 miles out.
Gorgeous views. Nice land to hike around. We bushwhacked 2 mile loop Southeast to a big wash.
Definitely will come here again when we have more time.
- Danny T.Guide
BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area
Nice spot. Few issues
January visit Rv 23ft Easy to find.
Good cell service Overall it’s a decent spot with a few issues. Several of the spots were trash dumps. We were able to find other spots that were clean though. Spots are just off the road so you’re not real far away from the other campers but we really didn’t hear a thing from anyone. That said , there is a military base close by and jets fly over a few times a day and are real loud. We didn’t mind this but some people may. We also had a couple of helicopters dj a low pass one evening.
The mountains around the area are very pretty.This spot is not real remote so you are close to the freeway and will hear some trucks occasionally.
There are signs warning of illegal immigrants and that but we didn’t see or hear of any issues.Update to this review. We didn’t go as far down the road due to some standing water etc. however , go further down the road to find the better spots that are more remote. Most rvs and big rigs can make it really far down this road There is a few private property signs. Go past those TK the next set of camp sites.
- Jordan S.Traveler
Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
Rock Solid Camping
Love this Saddle Mtn Campsite! The pin location is accurate but it looks there are multiple different access routes. We really enjoyed it here because you can pull up within 50-100 yards from Saddle mountain and camp right below it. So cool.
We tent camped for about 5 days here, the crowd was minimal, felt very safe. Plenty of trails to walk, can explore the mountain and there are petroglyphs here. We only found a couple, but didn’t look too hard.
Overall loved this place, easy access, safe, fun and some cool views!
Erika M.Guide
BLM - North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness
Great spot for a overnight spot to stop
As many of the other reviewers noted, it’s great for an easy overnight stop. I don’t see it as a place you’d want to “camp” but easily accessible from the highway. Yes you can hear the traffic but it is quiet enough. There was no one else there when we camped.
Jeremy F.ScoutNorth Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area
Good times
Spacious and wild this is true nature
- RRuediger G.Traveler
Ajo Regional Park - Roping Arena Camping Area
Great place for visiting Ajo
We stayed in a 40' motorhome for a couple of nights. Easy access even for bigger rigs. Huge spaces to find a spot. The area was pretty clean - only one trashy-looking camper. No amenities at all! Short drive into town for gas, food, and restaurant. Verizon & T-mobile worked great.
Jamie C.
RangerSaddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)
Clean, Quiet & Easy to get to
Not too far from I-10, easy to get to from highway. Used Google Maps. Pilot truck stop right off the exit with a few taco stands/trucks. Many roads to get on the BLM land, some more rocky than others. We had a big rock lodged between our 2 back dually tires, but suspect that doesn’t happen often. Some days it was a little windy and with the winds from the west it brought black flies. We had 8-10 flies hang in the van with us after we opened the door a few times. Other than that, plenty of sites very spaced out and neat walking trail up the mountain.
Toree M.GuideBLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area
Easy to find / good for big rigs
We stayed the full 14 days! Pros - very easy to locate, seemingly plenty of space (while some spots have neighbors and some do not), tons of geodes and other cool rocks, tons of space to walk and explore, and it is fairly quiet. Cons - border patrol everywhere, some days there were literally 10+ patrol cars riding around, close to the main road so you do hear trucks, Military planes fly through a few times a day - just little things to note in terms of noise level and activity. We felt very safe here, and would absolutely stay again!
- TT R.Scout
BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area
Beautiful, Open and Peaceful
Make sure you have your own water and self-contained rig but this space is beautiful. Tons of room. Beautiful scenery and sunsets. Just make sure you stay off the private property on the east side of road!
- BBeckyGuide
Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed
Room between sites
Nice area with room between campers yet still opportunity to say hi and wave as you walk by. Some noisy atvs but not overwhelming. Close proximity to Ajo with plenty to do there. We will come back. The further back you go, you will loose cell signal completely.
- MMichelle B.Scout
Darby Wells Rd BLM Dispersed
Beautiful and quiet
First time camping near Ajo. We turned onto the scenic loop drive off Darby Wells Road and quickly found a large flat spot down off the road. Very little traffic and no neighbors. A new favorite!
Gordy Y.Scout
Buckeye Hills BLM - CLOSED
Great location
Kinda busy, but quiet at night. Had to be a little careful driving in, but I came in my Prius and had no problem at all.
- LeRoy Gloria R.Traveler
Ajo Regional Park - Roping Arena Camping Area
Great place
Stayed a couple of nights 
- EEric F.Scout
Buckeye Hills BLM - CLOSED
Easy access free camping
Arrived before sunset and found ample spaces available for a free and secure overnight in our van.
- Wayne H.Ranger
BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area
Great
Had a great time here. Quiet and peaceful.
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
- For a quick overnight stop, consider the Sonoran Monument Dispersed Camping, which offers beautiful views and a quiet atmosphere despite being close to the interstate.
- Be prepared for limited facilities; many spots, like the BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Road #8030 Access, do not provide water or restrooms, so plan accordingly.
- If you're traveling with a larger vehicle, ensure you have high clearance, especially in areas like the BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - BLM road #8032 access, where rough terrain can be challenging.
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 Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ) with a 4.6-star rating from 18 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.