Best Dispersed Camping near Hereford, AZ

Recent Dispersed Reviews near Hereford, Arizona

76 Reviews of 34 Hereford Campgrounds

• 

  Ollie

  Traveler

  

  Feb. 20, 2024

  Harshaw Ave - Coronado National Forest

  Oliver’s Truck Camping Experience

  I enjoyed this camp site overall. It was only 10 minutes away from Patagonia and it had lots of dry firewood. The downside is there is no water source and also road noise. I was there Friday night through Monday morning and heard road noice throughout the night except for Sunday night.

  I would recommend exploring above where the pin is because there is more free dispersed camping that will be quieter and more remote.

• 

  Lindsay S.

  Scout

  

  Feb. 16, 2021

  Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon

  Camping alternate to Hershaw

  After seeing the dispersed camping, my partner and I knew there must be something better and more secluded. About a 1/4 mile before the dispersed camping there is a national forest access road on the right. You’ll see a forest fire prevention sign at the entrance. 4x4 only no trailers. 3 or 4 dispersed sites. Beautiful hike up 4x4 road. Border patrol active. Close to Arizona’s trail trailhead. Great place to stay and see Patagonia.

• 

  Deborah C.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 14, 2021

  Dragoon Mountains

  Beautiful Views and nice campsites

  Boondockers paradise. Beautiful views and spacious campsites. USFS Coronado National Forest controlled. Ranger came by a day after we arrived and checked in with us. 14 day limit on staying here and it seems like it is enforced.

  Had two Canyon Towhees come visit us every morning.

  Some traffic as it is a popular rock climbing area especially on Friday and Saturday. Middlemarch Road is wide but very washboard-y. Took us about 45 minutes to go 10 miles. We found a nice spot on FR 687. We got water at the Stampede RV park in Tombstone. The other RV parks didn't allow us to fill. About 45 minutes to Sierra Vista for supplies. Will definitely stay here again.

• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 23, 2019

  Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon

  Easy Access to Patagonia

  Just a few miles up Harshaw Rd. (just outside of the adorable village of Patagonia), you will find a variety of free camping options with no services, just National Forest land available to both RVers and tent campers.  There are streams running throughout the area, but the water simply isn’t drinkable even with filtering and leaves a sticky white mineral residue on everything it touches; thank goodness there is a reverse osmosis filling machine in the village of Patagonia, right in front of the bakery.  The backroads in this area are great for hiking or mountain biking, you can choose from relatively flat to crazy steep with amazing views.

  The village of Patagonia is colorful and fun, and has a nice market with a great produce selection for its size, a small bakery, a launderette, a gas station, and a few cleverly named restaurants. Also, be sure to check out the Paton Center for Hummingbirds (a birdwatcher’s paradise) -- it’s free! The locals are super friendly.

  Note: You will see Border Patrol both hanging out in hidden spots and zooming down the roads through this area, appearing to be in hot pursuit.  But we never saw a single “situation” that warranted their presence.

• 

  Molly S.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 18, 2024

  Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon

  Perfect spot near biking and town

  This dispersed camping area was a lot more secluded and quieter than I expected. My friend and I were looking to camp overnight before going on a gravel bike ride in the area. 

  Harshaw Road was already along the bike route, so this was an ideal location. Bonus that this is pretty close to Patagonia which came in handy when we couldn't make coffee in the morning.

  We drove a little further than the GPS marker to find a camping spot that was tucked in from the main road. There were plenty of spots for a large group with rock fire pits. As someone mentioned, there was an area further back that was clearly the bathroom spot. 

  Assume that this spot could get full in the shoulder seasons, but again was pleasantly surprised to be the only ones there.

• 

  Rachelle J.

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 2, 2021

  Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area - Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

  Secluded

  Dispersed camping. No amenities. The spots at the cieneguita camp are full Everytime we have camped at the preserve but there is plenty of open area to pick a spot. We camped just past the cieneguita sites tucked back in the mesquite thicket. The dirt at the spot we camped at was so fine it was like talcum powder so everything was covered in dirt in no time BUT it’s camping. You can hear periodic gunfire as this is BLM but people appear to be shooting in areas that are away from campers and towards hillsides. Super quiet otherwise and great skies without light pollution for looking at stars. Pretty cool spot.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 5, 2021

  Road Canyon Camping Area

  FREE camping in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area/BLM

  Dispersed camping, no amenities, but FREE. 

  Easy drive in on partially washboarded flat gravel road (E Yucca Farm Rd). The dirt road into Road Canyon is manageable, just drive with caution. Area is wide open and quiet with multiple spots. Did not see many people during our stay here, just a few hikers and ATV’ers, and one trailer camping down the road. As you are driving in there are several decent spots to pull off and camp. There are stone fire rings that people have made and the area is free from left litter.

  Further down the dirt road you come upon a “no trespassing” sign indicating that it is State Trust land and that a permit is required to go any further, and to call 602-542-2119. Arizona Trust Land Permit is $20/year for family of 4, $15/year individual. 

  Saw some antelope on our way out but no other wildlife. There are free range cattle but did not see any. Nice quiet place to let the dogs run free.

  There are other camping areas further up the main road. 

  Good Verizon and AT&T reception

• 

  Jamie P.

  Ranger

  

  Apr. 25, 2021

  Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area - Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

  A real Arizona gem of a dispersed camp spot

  This area is also called Empire Ranch. The ranch is 44,000 acres boastes lots of wildlife elk, antelope, coyotes, kangaroo rats, and roadrunners. The ranch house can be toured along with several bunkhouse and barns. Several western movies have been shot on the ranch and lots of the scenery looks familiar from these said movies. John Wayne Frank, Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sam Elliott are some of the actors in these movies. Water can be acquired at the camp host and gift shop area at the ranch house. The ranch has an airport which all the large Class A Class Cs and goose neck campers usually camp because the campsites are on the air strip area and requires very little backing. A true gem of a dispersed camping area.

• R

  Rachel

  Scout

  

  Feb. 28, 2021

  Dragoon Mountains

  Great spot.

  Beautiful rock backdrops and views with lots of trails. There is much dispersed camping and although the area can be quite busy, there's lots of space and privacy can be had. The area is nice and clean for all the use it gets - folks doing a good job of packing it in and packing it out :)

• S

  Stuart K.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 16, 2023

  La Cienegas National Conservation Area Dispersed

  BLM land beautiful open space

  Open space for boondocking. Historic ranch house open for visiting. Saw many birds and few other campers. Public bathroom at ranch headquarters and water . A mountain biking riding area - gravel roads and cattle in fields.

• 

  Cass G.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 26, 2024

  Scotia Canyon - Coronado National Forest

  One on my favorites

  This is site is always a fun time, i’ve been camping along this dirt road so many times and now make it a yearly visit. All of these photos are different years. For greener grass I recommend going any month before late August! All photos taken with dry grass is October various years. Tons of dispersed camping sites and pull offs along the dirt road once you pass Parker Canyon Lake area. Good hiking in the area, tons of wildlife. Watch out for rattlesnakes and javelina especially if you have dogs with you! Most of the sites have fire rings already established so you don’t have to do much work. I’d rate it 11/10!

• L

  Liz M.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 11, 2022

  The Lake - Dispersed Camping

  Dispersed Bliss

  This was the perfect place to have my first dispersed camping experience. I tried following Google Maps to the gate however the dirt road it had me try was no longer accessible by car as it was very overgrown. I returned back on the road and continued for about 1/4 mile and found the accessible main dirt road. The gate was closed, please close it once you get your car inside. You must have a Public Lands Trust permit which I did not realize until I got to the gate. Getting one was super easy. $20 for a full year permit and $1 online convenience fee. Once I secured the permit, it was time to explore and find my home for the evening. The road is easy to navigate (yellow ribbons on the bushes just in case) and not maintained. Texture is mostly washed rocks with nothing too technical. High clearance vehicle is required and 4x4 suggested. I saw Pond 2 (0.5 miles from the gate) off to my right and decided to take a look instead of going to Pond 1 (1.5 miles from the gate) immediately. I found a spot that would work for me. Fires are allowed (always check BLM for up to date fire restrictions!!) I still cleared a 10 foot radius around my hand built fire ring as there was dried grasses around. No trash service, no water. Surprised to see 2 porta-potties at the gate but I can't say what state they were in as I did not use them. Come and enjoy the solitude and epic sunsets

• 

  Char P.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 3, 2021

  Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon

  Nice and convenient to town

  First time taking our 30’ travel trailer out. Selected Patagonia because it’s close to home base and there was dispersed camping available. Traveled on a weekday and arrived early. Found a site tucked back enough from the road so road noise wasn’t a issue. After we unhooked we explored further down the road. Hook a right and drive all the way to the mine entrance. You’ll pass numerous campsites along both sides of the road to pick from. Total dry camping but wooded and peaceful. We enjoyed hiking and exploring the charming town of Patagonia. Returning on Saturday we noticed lots of traffic headed to Patagonia (boats, off road vehicles, rvs, etc). Patagonia is popular with Tucson residents for recreation.

  We visited again in April and stayed in a larger site on the road closer to the mine entrance. Liked our larger site an had it to ourselves for a night. During a hike went up a well worn path to discover an area campers had been using as their bathroom. Lots of wipes with rocks placed on top. Yuck! Later a big group of campers arrived pulling a pop up. The next morning we saw some of them trooping up the hill to the “bathroom” spot. Not much to say except pack it out people or dig a hole and bury.

• C

  Chasity M.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 12, 2024

  Tombstone Camp on Forest Road 687

  Peaceful and Quiet

  Take Middle March road on left off of highway 80. Campsite is 10 miles on the left. The first .5 miles is paved, the other 9.5 miles is primitive (embedded rock, loose gravel, and about 75%washboard). You’ll cross a few cattle guards and dry river beds. Plenty of camping spots with fire rings.

• G

  George K.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 23, 2020

  Dragoon Mountains

  Worth the bumpy ride

  Another app calls this Forest rd 687, probably because where all the camping sites are. Coming from Tombstone you travel on N Middlemarch rd which is 10 miles of dirt washboard and just plain bumpy for 10 miles until FR 687 comes up as you Y to the left. FR 687 is not exactly smooth either and not that wide (maybe 1 1/2 vehicle), but your basically there. From the cattle guard you just went through I would say 2-3 miles of established sites even for the bigger rigs and if your smaller or tent camping, just past the next cattle guard and it goes on and on. It would be hard not to find a site with a beautiful view of the Dragoon Mtn ridge, even from within your rig. Of course that would be after you dust off all the windows. Your roughly at 5000’ so winter camping be prepared for snow on occasion. It also can be a little breezy. I’m up here at the end of December and their calling for snow next week. Plenty of hiking, mtn bike, horseback riding and rock climbing. The locals love it up here too, so there is some traffic. Other than that it is pretty quiet and peaceful. This is all dispersed camping so come well equipped, because if you forget anything the closest town with supplies is Sierra Vista or Benson.

• 

  Heather K.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 24, 2021

  Maternity Well Dispersed Campsite

  Great spot!

  This is a huge group campsite with a few fire rings and plenty of space to spread out. It can be reserved during certain times of the year so be sure to check out the BLM site. Otherwise it’s free and in a great spot just off the highway and near Empire Ranch. You should definitely bring bikes to ride along some of the trails and go check out the Old Empire Ranch buildings two miles further down the road.

• M

  Michael R.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 14, 2024

  Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area - Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

  La Cienaguita

  I first came upon this area three years ago and have come back every year since. It is isolated, camp sites are well spaced and the scenery is great. There is no highway noise and the night time stars are brilliant. It is free range for cattle so you may wake up several mornings to see them in 'your backyard'. There are Coues deer (a small whitetail), pronghorns (get up early to see them), a prairie dog town, coyotes can be heard many nights, and all kinds of birds.

  Empire Ranch has a great but small museum, with trails around it for walking, nice restrooms, free water for filling your RV, and a rich history. If La Cieneguita campground is full (only eight sites) There are other areas with La Cienagas National Conservation Area for camping including a large former small airport on the other side of Empire Ranch.

• A

  Allup E.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 4, 2023

  Upper Juniper Flats Road

  Outstanding Views

  Road is very steep in places. 4 wheel drive would be necessary if road is wet or raining, otherwise passenger car and truck passable. Camping spots are at the edges which makes for fantastic sunrises and sunsets

• 

  Karylee H.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 18, 2020

  Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area - Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

  Las Amigas BLM campground outside of Sonoita.

  Really nice area flat. BLM Numbered campsites, but you can also go to the end of that campground and there's a fence you can go through and there's camping out that way also. Watch out for potholes. Two weeks camping permitted. No services good Verizon

• 

  Becbecandbunny O.

  Ranger

  

  Nov. 25, 2021

  Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area - Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

  Tranquility

  We spent two nights at this amazing campsite. This campground offers 7 official and several unofficial sites that are scattered to assure privacy. Campground is primitive with no toilets or water so come prepared. Gorgeous 360 views of nearby mountains. Easy road access for low clearance vehicle although this could change in the rainy season. We camped in our tent but sites are roomy enough for vans and RVs. Make sure you check out the Empire Ranch Foundation, which is about 2 miles from campsite. They offer free self guided tour of the cattle ranch that was located there.

  Cell coverage for TMobile was spotty.

• 

  Kelly B.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 29, 2023

  Empire Ranch Area Dispersed Camping

  Incredible views, peaceful and remote

  This place is unreal. It reminds me of African plains. It's a higher elevation grassland that makes you feel like you're anywhere but in Arizona. The area is large. Roads are well-kept. It used to be a huge ranch and now it's owned by the BLM. Cows roam, so be aware. So do antelope and deer.

  There's no shade to speak of. You can visit the old ranch headquarters and somtimes there's a doula there to give you a tour. It's interesting for the history.

  You can get water at the headquarters and they have bathrooms there, but you cannot stay there overnight.

  Just south of this area is Sonoita, famous for its wineries. You can hit some of the wineries or breweries and do some tasting.

  The area is just stunning, and the elevation is higher than Tucson so if you're looking for some cooler temps, you'll find them here.

• 

  Heather K.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 27, 2021

  Upper Juniper Flats Road

  Great dispersed spot near Bisbee

  This is a dispersed spot. Room for two rigs. Great view but it’s a bit windy at night. You can also go up the steep hill around the corner and find more dispersed spots further up the road. During hunting season there is a bit of traffic on this road.

• 

  Joan D.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 2, 2024

  AZT/ Parker Trailhead Dispersed

  Not really a Campsite

  We stayed here in late August to hike the AZ Trail, but it isn't really a campsite. We set up a tiny tent in the tall grass, but there isn't a designated place to set-up camp, fire pit, etc. Also, it might get busy with cars during the more popular hiking seasons because it is a starting point for both passage 1 and 2 of the Arizona Trail. That being said, it worked for us for one night. It had a nice view of the lake.

• 

  Dave B.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 14, 2025

  Dragoon Mountains

  Peace and Solitude

  Washboard road first 10 miles. Then rough sandy road 5 more miles to the area. Many secluded spots. Good service with Verizon.

• L

  Livvy

  Scout

  

  Oct. 30, 2022

  Dragoon Mountains

  Lovely

  We found a nice secluded spot among the rocks. Pretty popular place, most spots along the road were occupied but seemed like there were a couple open. Rangers stopped by mid day.

• 

  Kevin C.

  Ranger

  

  Feb. 2, 2025

  Miller Canyon Road

  Quiet and Secluded

  Drove in for a one night stay. Last 0.4 miles were rough. Road did not appear to have been maintained since the last rain which was last year.

  There were a series of small campsites along the road starting where Google Maps said we had arrived. We went another .2 miles further and found a larger spot with an awesomely large fire pit.

  There is a lot of traffic on the Sunday we we re there. Don't know if they are looking for a camp site or day hikers.

  Overall this is better than most desert camping options if your vehicle can make it up bad roads.

• h

  holly C.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 10, 2024

  Harshaw Ave - Coronado National Forest

  Nice camp sites right on the road

  Nice camp sites right along on the side of the road. Loose cows. Site worked for a night.