Top Free Dispersed Camping near Kearny, AZ

Looking for the best dispersed camping near Kearny? Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Kearny, including photos, reviews, and tips. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Kearny, AZ (30)

Showing results 1-10 of 30 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Kearny

126 Reviews of 30 Kearny Campgrounds


  • e
    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.
    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

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cactus Forest - Park Link Road - S. Cattle Tanks Road BLM dispersed
    May. 3, 2024

    Cactus Forest - Park Link Road - S. Cattle Tanks Road BLM dispersed

    Remote, Private, and free but accessible.

    Remote, private, and free but accessible. Not a standard RV parking lot campground but rather several campsites with ample space between them for privacy, along an unpaved sandy road, just off a quiet paved back road. About 20-30min from gas stations, water, food, etc. It has no facilities or even pit toilets. Exactly what I wanted. This campground is aptly named as it is quite literally in the middle of a Saguaro cactus forest 🌵 along with many other different cactus species and wildlife. This location is tranquil and wild. I couldn't think of a better way to immerse yourself in the middle of this national park than this campground. It's a tight drive in if you go past the 2-3 RV sites at the beginning of the east side. I have a 2015 Toyota Tacoma with a roof top tent pulling a 12x6 enclosed trailer with standard wheels. My trailer made it through without scratches and at no point did I even think about four-wheel drive. A larger camper I couldn't speak for. It is quite sandy and has some mogul sections where the water flows have washed some of the trail away but overall an easy drive.

    Disclosures and warnings:

    There are three sides to this campground. The east side, west side, and North end. The West side is the most trailer friendly and most visited as it is where the GPS leads you. However, it gets worse the deeper you go in after roughly 10-15 sites. The east side you could probably manage a trailer for the first 2-3 sites. After that there would be no where to turn around and it gets rough off-road quick, like deep dried up sandy river bed crossings (month of May) and is more exposed to the sun with slightly less cacti than the west side. The North end is the most private and remote of the other two and the quietest. However, it is nothing short of a four-wheel drive off-road trail. I would not recommend anything other than off road vehicles in the north end and the sites are small, just for tents or 1 vehicle.

    There are almost no rocks to worry about on the way in but the cacti here are more than capable of creating flat tires so take care to avoid pieces that have fallen onto the road. Especially the Jumping Cholla cacti! They are the worst things you will come across in this campground and are everywhere, easily the most dominant species of cactus in this area. They have evolved to break apart into spiny segments when they make contact with someone or something to propagate. Sometimes if the wind blows strong enough they cover the ground around their base with a mound of their spined segments. These segments often roll or blow into the roadways. The spines are hard as stone and sometimes over 2 in long. They have evolved special reversed barbs that you can't see with your eyes on every main spine. They go into anything except metal, including Kevlar reinforced tire sidewalls like a knife through hot butter and then hook in and don't come out unless you rip them out. I rode my adventure bike through the campground to explore, lost my footing in the sand and fell against one of these. I had 3-4 segments stuck to my arm. I spent 10 to 15 minutes ripping these segments out of my arm, pulling my skin away from my body about an inch before they will rip out. Don't make the same mistake as me.

    GUNS! In my opinion the biggest downside to this campground is the almost constant gunfire all day long as there is a public shooting area on the south west side of the campground. If you are in the west side and you are looking southwest, there is a tiny little mountain ridgeline about a half mile away. All around the base of that ridgeline people are allowed to pull up and shoot at targets on the hill side. The locals show up as the sun just comes over the trees around 5:00 a.m. and they don't stop until the sun sets almost everyday of the week. They do however, quit at night so you can sleep.

    If you camp here you are IN THE desert. During the day is fine. You will likely only run into swarms of flies. At night however, is a different story. ESPECIALLY If you decide to have a fire on a cold night or set up a lantern near the ground while making dinner. I stayed here for 9 days straight and I came across 6 rattlesnakes (mostly sidewinders), more camel spiders than I can count (at least 5+ per night), 3 brown recluse spiders, packs of coyotes rolling through at night and early morning (watch your pets), and 2 killer bee swarms in the trees. All within the campground boundaries, so just be ready for rugged camping.

  • Ericka C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp
    Apr. 2, 2024

    Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp

    Small site not far from amenities

    Great easy little spot that is highly used so make sure you plan ahead. Not all sites have fire circle and if you don’t have a toilet there are only a few bushes tall enough. Works for a quick one nighter.

  • 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

  • S
    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.

  • Danny T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cactus Forest Dispersed Site
    Jan. 26, 2024

    Cactus Forest Dispersed Site

    Very pretty. Little noisy

    January Rv 24 ft Cell service. Att 2 and o 3 bars. Able to stream

    This is a beautiful spot. The spots are a little close together.

    Not good for dogs really cus of cholla cactus everywhere. Watch where you walk and be sire to check shoes before entering your home for the night.

    There is an outdoor shooting range close enough to Hear semi auto’s all day and as late as 10:45 pm. They were at it again at 8 am. Not sure if it is some military training area or what. That gets a bit old. It’s a good distance away so it’s not real loud, just present Road is good to drive big rv or 5th wheel no lroblem

  • J
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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



Guide to Kearny

Camping near Kearny, Arizona, offers a mix of stunning desert landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to hike, bike, or just relax under the stars, there are some great spots to check out.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: There are numerous trails around the area. At Lost Dutchman State Park Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Lace up your boots and conquer one of the park's diverse hiking trails. From challenging climbs to scenic strolls, there's a path for every level."
  • Off-Roading: If you enjoy off-roading, the park is a fantastic spot. Another camper shared, "Dust off your UTVs and get ready for a blast! The washboard washes offer thrilling rides for off-road enthusiasts."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Gilbert Ray Campground noted, "You really feel like you’re in the desert. Quiet and relaxing."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views. One happy camper at Catalina State Park Campground said, "The campsite is surrounded by stunning desert landscapes, with majestic saguaro cacti and rugged mountains providing a picturesque backdrop."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Picacho Peak State Park Campground mentioned, "Great hot showers. Clean facilities."
  • Spacious Campsites: Campers enjoy the space between sites. One visitor at Usery Mountain Regional Park noted, "The sites are level and well spaced, making it a comfortable stay."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Gilbert Ray Campground, lack showers and water hookups. A camper pointed out, "Sites have electric hook-ups and there is a bathroom, but no site water hook-ups and no showers."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of local wildlife. A camper at Cactus Forest Dispersed warned, "I came across 6 rattlesnakes... and packs of coyotes rolling through at night."
  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A visitor at Picacho Peak State Park Campground mentioned, "You can see and hear the traffic on I-10 about a half mile to the east."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with amenities. One parent at Tucson - Lazydays KOA said, "There are so many offerings including two pools, a hot tub, and a fitness center."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities for kids. A camper at Burnt Corral Campground noted, "The lake with the mountains in the background is breathtaking. We went kayaking and just relaxed on the shore."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep everyone happy with snacks. A family at Rose Canyon Campground mentioned, "It is downhill when hiking to the lake so be prepared for the uphill trek on the way back."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Tucson - Lazydays KOA shared, "We maneuvered to get our 10’ sewer hose to fit between our two dump valves."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with full hookups. One camper at Usery Mountain Regional Park said, "The facilities were clean and well kept."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Some areas have spotty service. A visitor at Cactus Forest Dispersed noted, "Phone service for Verizon and ATT are not good, but they do offer wifi."

Camping near Kearny, Arizona, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful desert scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Kearny, AZ is Superstition Mountain AZ state trust dispersed with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 30 dispersed camping locations near Kearny, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.