Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Globe? Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Globe's most popular destinations.
NO CAMPING First 2 miles and 300 feet on either side of the road/trail VEHICLES MUST STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS - but past those designated no camping zones, camping is allowed unless otherwise posted.
This space is very large so it may be best to divide it by the access points. The point I'll be using is Access #3- Forest Road (FR) 10, south entrance: This access point is reached from Apache Junction. From Mesa: Travel 15 miles east on the Superstition Freeway (US 60) to the Idaho Street exit. Follow Idaho Street north 4½ miles to McKellips. Turn right on McKellips and travel ½ mile to the Wolverine Pass Road and turn left. Follow it for 7/8 mile and turn right on Tonto Road. Travel north on Tonto Road for ¼ mile to Cactus and turn left. Follow Cactus to McDowell Road and follow it to FR 10 gate.
This site is set along the Upper Salt River, which allows for great water reaction activities. Nearby are impressive views of mountains, canyons, and wildlife. Because of its close proximity to the Salt River, HZ Wash allows fishing and non-motorized boating. There are plenty of dispersed campsites available at HZ Wash, which allows for an easy, quick escape during any time of the year for families or individuals. HZ Wash is not a developed site, but does allow for easy access to fun recreation.
Permits available online via the https://azland.my.salesforce-sites.com/recreationalpermit/
Scout
Thanks to the efforts of the environaz- mentality of the last 40 years there are horribly few true sanctioned OHV areas for folks to legally use and enjoy offroad Motorsports, neither FREE or PAID. So OHV owners have nearly zero options. Bulldog Canyon is one those tiny few chances for those OHVers. Campers need to be cognizant of this and respect the OHV'er, not demand OHV'ers respect THEM! If you are looking for a pure silent CAMPground, and are of the "get off my lawn" and or "man/woman shouts at clouds" type, look elsewhere. There are PLENTY of options for such inflexible campers to demand adherence to THEIR level of enjoyment. Bulldog isn't free, OHVers pay for the unlimited access - when allowed that access - to trails WITHOUT time/day/hour exceptions. So if you're a camper, bring some earplugs if the sounds of all-hours OHVers is disturbing to you. Bulldog Canyon is a fantastic area for those campers who enjoy the OHV. I no longer can use an OHV but I enjoy seeing these younger generations doing what mine and earlier gens once took for granted nearly everywhere unrestricted. Highly recommend Bdog Canyon for the fun-lovers and young-at-hearts. For the HOA-loving types, sincerely consider elsewhere for your benefit and those of others.
Traveler
Permit required for the gate code. Camping available 2 miles in. Need a 4x4. It's definitely worth the hastle as these spots are beautiful and clean. A lot of OHV so it kicks up dust.
Scout
The county has closed camping on Peralta road, signs are up, and trenches have been dug so no access is available.
Scout
September 21, 2024: We’ve dispersed camped here many times in last three years, took a trip out there today and every dispersed access point is plowed up with very deep trenches not allowing vehicles or rigs to access. Sad affair with squatters taking advantage and leaving trash, there was not a soul in sight. Maybe they’ll reopen it later when it cools down.
Traveler
Beautiful desert camping, lots of birds and wildlife. I heard coyotes in the middle of the night that woke me up, and was glad for a rooftop tent.
Traveler
Takes a little 4 wheeling to get there or you can access it from the water. Basic dispersed camping but gets a little warm during the summer months. Views are nice and its a nice pack it in, pack it out spot.
Ranger
Good place to pull off in a pinch for free. You do hear road noise. Close to Arizona Trail, where it crosses 60 so you can hike both directions if you decide to, or take the trail up to the top of the mountain. Very beautiful area
Traveler
If you can get past the shooting range, it’s very beautiful
Scout
The whole are is closed
Scout
I’ve never been out here. Got a state land trust family pass for the area just in case we needed it. The cottonwood canyon rd is dirt/gravel and it is very flat and not washboarded. Cars can drive in. Just be aware that many of the pull offs from the road have dips or hills but there are also plenty of flat pull offs that lower ground clearance vehicles can pass. For tent camping finding a spot without a lot of sharp rocks and prickles from the various cacti can be a little challenging but it’s totally doable. Use caution when walking about between the cacti. Lots of prickles you can’t see well on the ground. Be extra careful if you have dogs. Probably want to have tweezers or pliers with you to remove the spines. We came out when it was covered in grass but I can imagine it might get pretty dusty if there isn’t any grass. There’s basically no shade to speak of but plenty of bushes/cacti etc for privacy. Very easy to find spots away from other campers on the weekend. There’s lots of gunfire and explosions in the distance during the day and at night. Many ATVs/OHVs driving up and down the main road at night. It got pretty much silent at about 11pm. There are probably a lot of places a decent way from the main road that may be quieter but there are no signs anywhere so you just kind of have to pull off and drive around. Camp was raided by quail early in the morning and we had some cows visit but they didn’t come too close. All in all pretty cool area will definitely come back
Scout
Busy during the weekend. Get there early to get a good spot.
Great to go on hike or to lake after.
Went a second time and took a 4x4 trail to get a more isolated spot
TravelerPretty, dispersed camping near schoolhouse Point in Roosevelt lake. On the road down to the state campground there are two dispersed camping areas on the left easily visible on the left side, (the gps point may not be accurate, I made it after I left) if you pass both there's an easy turn around at the boat ramp even for big rigs. Some dips coming off the paved road but very easy access overall, might be tight for really big rigs. Probably 20+ sites at each of the two pull offs, most have fire rings and decent shade. Couple minutes drive to the boat ramp at schoolhouse Point which has bathrooms, dumpsters, and both drive in and walk-in lake access. Currently (as of 3/24) no potable water even at the paid campground at the end of the road, you can either pump from the lake if you have a filter or Tonto national monument about 10min up the road has a water spigot before the pay gate. 14 day limit per usual for national forests but a really lovely spot to call home for a while! Lots of great hiking nearby as well as swimming and boating on the lake
ScoutOHV trails. Available with easy to purchase $6 permit that provides the lock code. Camping permitted only after the first Two miles. 4x4 required to get past the first 2 miles.
ScoutGreat site - a bit of a drive in
Scout
Now closed and monitored
ScoutI live in the area and the BLM finally closed this area along with other areas nearby due to junk, abandoned vehicles, vicious dogs etc. It will become the Apache Junction and Goldfield Recreation area. Closed completely for 2 yr for vegetation restoration and when it reopens it will provide residents with OHV and Horse trails along with Staging areas.
GuideReally well maintained spots, great views, nice and quiet.
Traveler
There’s a hill north of this spot that we camped on. Some power lines in the way, but generally a great view. Not intense off reading or anything, but not suitable for trailers. Very exposed area so be ready for wind.
TravelerI have a love/hate relationship with this place. It’s got great views of the mountains, TONS of awesome trails to walk/ride love the access to the little ghost town nearby. The road in is just terrible & it’s very dirty (mostly on the main road) though, and people can be very noisy with their vehicles but that’s not too bad.
Overall I love camping here. We were here for a week last year, came back as our first spot on the trip this year and it was awesome again.
TravelerBeautiful area, but I would only recommend it for high clearance vehicles and people who are NOT tent camping. The ground is very rocky and we couldn't find a great place to get a tent staked down in the windy conditions, so we left. Minimal coverage from wind and sun or for bathroom use.
Keep in mind that AZ-88 is CLOSED to motor vehicles slightly after Tortilla Trailhead, so you cannot get to Roosevelt Lake easily from here. There are pit toilets at the road closure area and you can turn around easily there.
TravelerHad a nice time tent camping here for 2 days in November. Some notes:
Be considerate to campers and wildlife, please! Clean up after yourself and put out your fire completely. Have fun!
ScoutClose-ish to get to, plenty of spots, plenty of fire pits, great place to get out to and sleep under the stars!
That said, there were tons of people near us, a ton of people driving razors and rangers, camps were playing loud music all night, and people were shooting pistols and rifles till 4am. Probably possibility any time you come on a weekend.
Definitely better place to go for RV/Trailer camping
TravelerIt's an easy road getting out to plenty of spots that haven't filled up at all during weekdays or weekends. Could do with some cleaning up, but that's our job as dispersed campers
TravelerThis is a nice quiet spot with excellent cell service. It's on BLM land, so you are out of the reach of the Arizona Land Permits.
The road is a bit tricky. I got here pretty smooth on my RWD Xterra, so while 4WD isn't necessary, I wouldn't come out here without high clearance and decent suspension. Maybe tie down any loose items as well.
For extra clarification DO NOT go into Bulldog Canyon OHV (You need a permit in this part)! There is a right turn onto this trail right before the gate. Keep going until you see fire pits made of stone.
GuideThis would be the perfect camping spot if it weren’t for all of the inconsiderate people on dirt bikes, ATV’s and utility vehicles. They whiz by all hours of the day and night and will not hesitate to sit right next to your camper and shout as loud as they can to each other. A few nights ago, they were going up and down the road, shouting WOOHOO from 1:30am to 3:30am. I’m all for people having fun but people out here can’t seem to do it while being courteous and respectful of those around them. We’ve also had someone park right in our campsite and then left to walk their dog. If you want to get away from people, this isn’t the place to do it. Beautiful views though.
ScoutMain gate to access area is closed. May be other points of entry but was pitch dark & could find.
ScoutOHV trail to get to location was closed with a gate & sign confirming there is no longer any access. You can essentially hike 1 hr to the area but cannot overnight park in the recreational parking lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Globe, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Globe, AZ is Tonto National Forest Dispersed Camping at Lake Roosevelt with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Globe, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 37 dispersed camping locations near Globe, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
