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Best Dispersed Camping near Gold Canyon, AZ

145 Reviews

Searching for a dispersed campsite near Gold Canyon? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Gold Canyon, AZ (48)

Showing results 1-10 of 48 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Gold Canyon

145 Reviews of 48 Gold Canyon Campgrounds

  • Enzo M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - West Entrance
    Nov. 4, 2024

    Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - West Entrance

    Bulldog Canyon (all entrances) is an OHV Sport area first, Camp spot second

    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.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Peralta Canyon / Gold Canyon Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Peralta Canyon / Gold Canyon Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Dispersed camping not allowed currently

    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.

  • Jim A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Saguaro Cove
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Saguaro Cove

    Remote Camping

    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.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Picket Post
    May. 22, 2024

    Picket Post

    Quick Night

    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

  • Patrick C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Box Bar Road Dispersed
    May. 1, 2024

    Box Bar Road Dispersed

    Fun spot

    This is a great spot and easy to get to. Lots of shaded areas. You can camp next to your car , wich there might be campers running generators, or you can hike towards the river and set up camp to get away from that. Close to the river with several walk in spots to play in.

  • Jacquelyn I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Box Bar Road Dispersed
    Apr. 27, 2024

    Box Bar Road Dispersed

    Easy Drive In

    We don’t have an offroad car, so it is always nice when the gravel road is well managed. No heart aches getting in and finding an open area to camp. I was pleasently surprised at the many little nooks of privacy that you could set up camp. Outhouses are well maintained. Bring your own water though and you do need to pay ahead of time, there are no pay boxes on site.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed
    Mar. 10, 2024

    Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed

    Enjoyed tent camping

    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

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Schoolhouse Point Dispersed
    Mar. 2, 2024

    Schoolhouse Point Dispersed

    Free Lakeside camping

    Pretty, 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

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site Near Tonto National Forest
    Feb. 6, 2024

    Dispersed Site Near Tonto National Forest

    Area Closed now due to "homeless problems"

    I 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Apache Trail North Camp
    Jan. 9, 2024

    Apache Trail North Camp

    Superstition Dispersed

    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.

  • Jordan S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hackamore Road Dispersed
    Jan. 6, 2024

    Hackamore Road Dispersed

    Love / Hate

    I 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.

  • Harriet D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Superstition Mountains -- Dispersed Sites along Hwy 88
    Dec. 16, 2023

    Superstition Mountains -- Dispersed Sites along Hwy 88

    Not great for tent campers!

    Beautiful 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.

  • Harriet D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Peralta Canyon / Gold Canyon Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
    Dec. 16, 2023

    Peralta Canyon / Gold Canyon Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Nice camping spot!

    Had a nice time tent camping here for 2 days in November. Some notes:

    • Would recommend a vehicle with decent clearance for bad road patches, but you might be able to find an area suitable for smaller cars. 
    • There were sometimes loud ATV/UTV riders along the road, especially on Friday night, but it wasn't horrible. Some trash around. Only critters we had trouble with were people's dogs, but we always put away our food/trash at night. 
    • Decent tree/shrub coverage for doing your business. Not a bad idea to bring tweezers since there's a lot of cacti.
    • Nice views and close to Peralta Regional Park, which has hiking trails, bathrooms, and picnic areas (no water!) for a small day use fee.
    • Somewhat windy, could get chilly. Low elevation so it's not bad. Not much shade.
    • I got occasional T-Mobile service but mostly no cell service for anyone.
    • There's a Water & Ice shop in Apache Junction that we found helpful to use. The Basha's in town is expensive, so I recommend stopping elsewhere for groceries/firewood.

    Be considerate to campers and wildlife, please! Clean up after yourself and put out your fire completely. Have fun!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed
    Dec. 9, 2023

    Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed

    Has its good, has its bad

    Close-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

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gold Canyon, AZ?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gold Canyon, AZ is Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance with a 3.8-star rating from 25 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gold Canyon, AZ?

    TheDyrt.com has all 48 dispersed camping locations near Gold Canyon, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.