Looking for the best dispersed camping near Lake Havasu City? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find peaceful dispersed camping near Lake Havasu City. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Arizona excursion.
Welcome to the Arizona State Land Department Online Recreational Permit Portal! Please review the following information below to determine which type of permit is right for you. This landing page also contains other helpful information about the Permit, as well as the basic responsibilities of the permittee(s). The Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the page must be agreed to by the permittee(s) before proceeding to the Permit web form.
Individual Permit: An Individual Permit is $15 and grants a single person access to State Trust land for certain types of recreational activities including camping, bicycling, bird watching, GPS-based recreational activities (geocaching), hiking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle (OHV) usage, photography, picnicking, and sightseeing. Recreational Permits purchased online will be charged an additional $1 convenience fee. Alternatively, Recreational Permits may be purchased in person at the Arizona State Land Department Office, located at 1110 West Washington Street in Phoenix.
Family Permit: A Family Permit is $20 and grants a family unit (two adults and their children under 18 years of age) access to State Trust land for certain types of recreational activities including camping, bicycling, bird watching, GPS-based recreational activities (geocaching), hiking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle (OHV) usage, photography, picnicking, and sightseeing. Recreational Permits purchased online will be charged an additional $1 convenience fee. Alternatively, Recreational Permits may be purchased in person at the Arizona State Land Department Office, located at 1110 West Washington Street in Phoenix.
Small-Group Permit: A Small-Group Permit is $15 and grants up to 19 people access to State Trust land locations for five consecutive days for certain types of non-commercial recreational activities including camping, bicycling, bird watching, GPS-based recreational activities (geocaching), hiking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle (OHV) usage, photography, picnicking, and sightseeing. Recreational Permits purchased online will be charged an additional $1 convenience fee. Alternatively, Recreational Permits may be purchased in person at the Arizona State Land Department Office, located at 1110 West Washington Street, in Phoenix.
Large-Group Permit: A Large-group Permit is for a group larger than 20 people. Please submit a Public Inquiry here. Someone will get back to you with more information.
Responsibilities: Permittee(s) shall respect the land, and adhere to the Terms and Conditions of the Permit at all times. Permittee(s) shall comply with all federal, state, county, and municipal laws and ordinances, while on State Trust land. The Permittee(s) shall have the permit with them at all times while recreating on State Trust land and have readily available if stopped by law enforcement or any State Land Department staff. The Permittee(s) shall not remove natural products from or visit archaeological sites on State Trust land. The Permittee(s) shall not create or leave any trash on State Trust land, except for geocaches placed according to ASLD guidelines.
The Permittee(s) shall not discharge a firearm on State Trust land, except pursuant to lawful and licensed hunting. An ASLD Recreational Permit is not required for individuals with a valid hunting and/or fishing license whom are actively pursuing game or fish. To obtain a hunting or fishing license from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, please click here (https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml).
The Permittee(s) shall not participate in OHV usage on State Trust land without both an ASLD Recreational Permit and an OHV decal or license plate. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is the issuing agency for the OHV decal, certificates of title, registrations, and license plates. To obtain an Arizona OHV decal, please click here (http://servicearizona.com/offHighwayDecal?otherclick).
$15 - $20 / night
Snaggletooth Primitive Camp sits on the southwest corner of the Chemehuevi Mountains and serves as the staging area for backpackers. Due to its location just off of U.S. Highway 95, and in close proximity to the town of Needles, it is a popular spot for seasonal visitors looking for a place to stop for the night. However, due to the surrounding scenic qualities and the openness of the area, many visitors who may have only intended to stop for just one night find themselves staying for a week.
Arizona State Trust lands are different than "public lands" which are common within State Parks and Federal lands. State Parks and Federal lands are managed for the benefit and use of the public, while Arizona State Trust lands are managed for the benefit of the 13 Trust beneficiaries. The Land Department's Trust management responsibilities include requiring a permit or lease and charging a fee for the use of Trust land. Exceptions to this requirement are licensed hunters and anglers, actively pursuing game or fish, in season.
A Recreational Permit allows the authorized permittee limited privileges to use State Trust land for some recreation. Recreation under this permit is limited to: geocaching, hiking, horseback riding, picnics, bicycling, photography, sightseeing and bird watching. Overnight camping is restricted to no more than 14 cumulative days per year. Remote-controlled aircraft (drones) may be operated on State Trust land with a Recreational Permit and in conjunction with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
$15 - $20 / night
Traveler
Havasu BLM is Dispersed camping. Relatively flat, a lot of space to find a spot to park. Surfaces are hard packed generally with gravel base. Only 6 miles from Lake Havasu City makes for a great location. AT&T 4G signal 3 bars more or less. A great spot to lay over, bring your OHV to run around in the hills, or bring your boat and head to the lake!
Legend
This free BLM camping area is just north of Lake Havasu airport. Road is a dusty washboard gravel, first 1 mile no camping, then a couple miles of free dispersed camping. Craggy Wash is a narrow draw and camps are clustered along the main gravel roads. Cell signal is dependent on where you camp, have to have line of sight to the cell tower across hwy 95, otherwise no cell signal. No water, no trash dumpsters, no toilets, no designated sites. BLM site host was onsite during my visit to monitor the 14d limit.
Main negative is the significant trash that is scattered around in bushes, side cubbies etc, hence the two stars,...this place needs an organized cleanup with the BLM bringing in a big dumpster...imo
ScoutI just followed the GPS / Google Maps coordinates to go to the Craggy Wash dispersed camping area south of Lake Havasu City (was actually in Lake Havasu City when I searched for nearby dispersed camping sites via The Dyrt ...). Copied the coordinates provided on The Dyrt webpage, turned left off US 95 South where directed (& it was the correct road on the live map), but there is a locked gate there with big sign: "Private Property Keep Out.". So.....since it was only 4:10 pm PST (Dec. 28, 2024), I travelled on to Hi Jolly just above Quartzsite. I did leave the Google Maps app active as I turned back south on 95 just to see if the voice directions might provide an alternate entrance to Craggy Wash, but ....no.
Legend
It’s BLM land. So pack out what you pack in. Roads are rough but you can find some really nice places with a 4 x 4 regardless free camping not much else happening there but pretty views
Here are my star ratings based on my lifestyle and what I like. I'm also a mother, dog mama, and a wife so it's not just me it's my crew and i. 1 star- AUTOMATIC relocate… the property is no longer there, trashed or/and I could never have my children there and I wouldn't ever think about staying no matter what. 2 star- Not really my jam, and would NEVER go to again… It probably more of desert life and not really my style for sure…Being from Vegas I can't stand being in the desert and I love the Trees and the Green more than anything. 3 star- Would stay there again in a pinch, but not really my style, the reason its not is because not enough family things to do, the scenery, or the location… but I would go again and feel safe having my kiddos here but only if I needed to in a pinch. 4 star- a really good rating for sure, maybe needed some improvements, minor things like being on top of each other, not a lot of privacy, but honestly little cosmetic things that aren't anything to sweat and would be back again for sure. 5 star- MY FAVORITE… love the location, safety, the surroundings, big camp spots available to fit toys for my kids to play, hammocks to hang, our big family tent, cases of firewood, our suburban or RV, etcccccc….. I would not only come back but would live if I could!!! Anyway thanks for reading and enjoy every moment like it's your last! CHEERS!
Legend
This dispersed camping area which requires a ridiculously inexpensive online permit ($20 per year), was perfect for what we needed. Our closest neighbor was about ¼ mile away, and we had views and sunsets aplenty. There is access to the Lake Havasu, but only by OHV or on foot, we chose the latter.
The roads in from the highway are rough and rocky, but doable if you take it slow. Once again our 67 year old vintage camper did great getting to our spot, though we recommend parking and walking the roads before committing to the drive in.
There’s hiking opportunities right out your front door, and nothing but the highway or the lake to stop your progress. The nearby Cattail Cove State Park offers designated hiking trails through the rugged desert terrain.
Nothing in the way of services, so bring your own...but lots of space to be alone and private. And, with sun, sun, sun, the California/ Arizona skies are great for solar gathering, so bring out all your panels. Starlink internet worked well too.
Lake Havasu city is about 15 minutes up the road, and there you can find everything you might need in terms of services and supplies. Check out the world famous London Bridge while you’re there, too!
Legend
Halfway between Kingman and Bullhead City, on the western side of the pass, is this BLM land that will knock your socks off! Many places to pull over for a night or for a week or two along the road. No services, no water, no toilets, just beautiful open desert with quintessential AZ mountains. Closest towns with supplies are Kingman and Bullhead City, about 20-30 minutes from each.
Traveler
But the place I ended up is just BLM land off the highway. There's a turn off the highway, super easy to miss, and it immediately goes up a hill. There's a gate at the top that just says "please close gate - Bureau of Land Management" so I just went in. The road is very smooth and well worn as of this review, my prius had no problem. Not a single other soul in sight. The road sorta stops after the electricity thing (why am I blanking on what these are called?), but it looks like high clearance vehicles have gone through.
This spot is amazing. Free public land. There are only a few pull off spots. Very quiet and beautiful.
Please practice leave no trace etiquette! This spot is gorgeous, let's keep it that way :)
Legend
I don't care for densely populated campsites, but don't want to be off in the middle of nowhere alone either. Feel safer when there are some others near by.
That said, I started today at the Plomosa Road Campsite which had a host on site, required registration, but was free. Quite a lot of RV's there. Went 2 to 3 miles further and was in the BLM dispersed Camping area. It was much nicer, had good cell signal, but was flat and plain terrain. Continued abut another 10 miles on Plomosa Road and came across a historic marker called Quinn Pass, then continued about another two miles and found the perfect spot I was looking for. Very Scenic, dispersed campers, but not to many and good phone and internet coverage.
TravelerI stopped at Havasu BLM on a whim, and I don’t regret it! This is an old gravel quart, and it looks like it. That said there are BIG Class A coaches up here too. Lots of room, some fire rings but stones scattered everywhere to create your own if needed. 6.5 miles to Lake Havasu City make for a convenient location. GPS : 34°26’36”N 114°13’27” W 1,180 ft. Elevation
GuidePulled in here to see an old burnt out RV being towed away with the assistance of BLM officers. Did a lap around the camping area and it did not feel safe at all. Lots of homeless camping since this is really close to part of Lake Havasu City. Couple of campers looked broke down and stuck there long term. Lots of tent camping with vehicles (homeless).
Talked to one of the BLM officers on the way out and he recommended that I don't camp there. They have lots of issues with this place. He said the places South of town and further North were much safer.
GuideWe are on our second week here, having moved once in the wash to get better sun for our solar panels. The sun is weak here this time if year (Nov) and sets early. The other reviews covered the positives & some negatives. A pet peeve is that BLM only asks you take your trash & not camp on the first 1 mile of road which is restoration area. Despite this & a sign showing where the 1 mile ends & camping begins there are still people who insist on camping in the restoration area. Please just watch the signs & don't camp for a mile - not hard! Also, there doesn't seem to be any camp host nor any BLM rangers (we've been on various BLM land all year & seen no rangers & even when we had to call BLM twice at other locations the rangers called me & said they were too far away to help). A big issue at Craggy Wash is the many disrespectful ATVrs. I've watched them closely & those ATVs coming in on RVs seem generally respectful but the locals coming in from town on CanAms, etc, are worst. They drive outrageously fast & will run cars off the gravel road. The speed limit is 15 though most cars couldn't go that fast on the poor road. We've had some Jeeps go by very fast and many ATVrs doing at least 70. They even drive incredibly fast at night. So, you are going to get dusted out by them if you try to sit outside or eat outside. Heaven forbid your kid or dog wander into the road because they can't stop fast in the gravel even if they tried & some look like they'd just keep going even if they hit you. There are also a few sketchy folks car camping who act like they don't want to be seen, but the last thing they want is attention from bothering you. There has only been one deputy sheriff, who came by in daytime, in almost 2 weeks.
ScoutIt's two miles South of the SARA Park in Lake Havasu City. There are a couple of concrete pads available but previous long-term campers have left large piles of trash when they left. There's a dumpster at the entrance to the SARA Park just two miles down the road. Please use it.
TravelerLarge, wide open space. Very little privacy besides the topography of the land - setting up on the hill or heading farther back. We pitched a tent and made it fine in our honda civic. Road is quite bumpy with lots of menacing, medium sized rocks. Area looks like it could be residential, but no problem there besides a motorcycle revving further back late at night. Stunning views in the morning, worth a stop in a pinch. We took the second turn in coming out of Lake Havasu City (there are several turn ins). The first turn in road was smoother.
Legend
This BLM spur leaves hwy #62 at MP 138.0 at top of hill at boundary of the CRIT reservation. The rocky two track goes north and numerous campsites are available. Since this road spur is closest to Earp and Parker it is popular. Good cell signal and some noted OTA tv signal also. BLM free dispersed, 14d limit, no trash, water or toilets.
GuideGreat boondocking site. Pack it in, pack it out. Use it but don’t loose it.
Legend
This is not a campground or a good dispersed camping by any means. This is a 4 corners intersection with the CA fruit inspection station and a Chevron station with $5 plus gas. The barren dirt lot is just that and the sound of semi trucks would be awful as this is also a 4 way stop intersection. Trash is everywhere in the bushes. Great cell signal though!
LegendThey don’t have any hook ups no trash cans nothing so make sure you pack out what you pack in the good part is if you have aTVs it is the perfect place to go if you want free camping the perfect place to go nice quiet but dirty do it all the ATVs
Here are my star ratings based on my lifestyle and what I like. I'm also a mother, dog mama, and a wife so it's not just me it's my crew and i. 1 star- AUTOMATIC relocate… the property is no longer there, trashed or/and I could never have my children there and I wouldn't ever think about staying no matter what. 2 star- Not really my jam, and would NEVER go to again… It probably more of desert life and not really my style for sure…Being from Vegas I can't stand being in the desert and I love the Trees and the Green more than anything. 3 star- Would stay there again in a pinch, but not really my style, the reason its not is because not enough family things to do, the scenery, or the location… but I would go again and feel safe having my kiddos here but only if I needed to in a pinch. 4 star- a really good rating for sure, maybe needed some improvements, minor things like being on top of each other, not a lot of privacy, but honestly little cosmetic things that aren't anything to sweat and would be back again for sure. 5 star- MY FAVORITE… love the location, safety, the surroundings, big camp spots available to fit toys for my kids to play, hammocks to hang, our big family tent, cases of firewood, our suburban or RV, etcccccc….. I would not only come back but would live if I could!!! Anyway thanks for reading and enjoy every moment like it's your last! CHEERS!
Legend
This BLM road spur is across the hwy to the south from the other 139.0 north BLM dispersed area. However this site has much more open desert pavement fingers to camp on and access roads are better. Good cell and likely OTA tv, but no water, trash, restrooms or designated sites. Free BLM dispersed, 14d limit. This site is close to the boundary of the CRIT reservation lands.
LegendThis is a site that is in a dispersed camping area and is used be OHVs. It is on Buckwash Road off of Highway 68. Before you get to Bullhead City. When you turn off the highway be aware that crossing the cattle guard there is a major hole go driver side hard and you might miss it. There will be a staging area for OHVs and you head up the hill. We stopped at the top of the knoll on the left side. There was just enough room for our cabin and Jeep. No services. Amazing sunsets.
Legend
One of several BLM Spurs to north of Hwy 62 from Vidal Jct to Earp/Parker. This one is marked as the old wagon road. The turnoff is difficult to see in time so be careful for the fast moving semi traffic behind ya. Lots of campsites along the rocky two track dirt road for a mile or so and then ends at the water canal. Free dispersed, no toilets, trash, table, and no Shade!. Parker is nearest town with a Walmart, Safeway, gas, etc. Cell service is very good on all providers. Good views and sunsets. Hwy noise not too bad if you camp up by the canal. Three stars due to slow rocky road access
TravelerThis was our first overnight in our new overcab camper truck rig, family of four with two young girls. Drove back about 2 mi, lots of folks, finally found a quiet area with even a bit of kale overlook, on a short offshoot road Left of the main, and stayed a very peaceful night. Not a place to stay all day, but good for boondocking. All the campers seemed respectful and very friendly. “No bad days,” havasu style;)
Legend
Only 1.1 miles from Hwy 93, gravel road has been upgraded to a wide smooth surface. WARNING, past this flat area Signal road gets very steep and with wash dips and there is no easy turnaround for large RVs or TT for at least 3 miles. No tables, no trash, no water, just pure free dispersed. Cell signal is 5 bars on T-Mobile. Only 11 miles north of Burro Creek BLM CG.
RangerFree/dispersed only. Some nice private sites if you’re willing to drive in a few miles, otherwise it gets really crowded at the head of the road. There are a number of offshoots that lead to private, secluded spots, some with great views. It’s all close to town, hardware, gas, stores. Castle Rock access point to Lake Havasu and Colorado River is close by. No amenities whatsoever but there is decent cell service.
RangerGoing north just past the Walmart on 95, there is a road that will take you to Craggy Wash. there are signs posted so that you know when you have driven the mile and can start looking for a campsite. I like this site better than the next BLM north, Lone Tree, because there are hummingbirds and little white crowned sparrows in the shrubs to watch. Not as much wind either and it is FREE for 14 days. Fairly clean & less Razor traffic too. No highway noise at all. I had plenty of places to park my Big Girl 30 footer. Pretty level sites.
Legend
This site is along the Chambers Well Road ( no signage though), it is noted as BLM trail road #682. Go past the aqueduct ROW and camp on other side....road is a bit loose gravel due to use by trail types. Cell service very good. Hwy 62 noise is likely. This is close to Vidal Jct and there are other larger and quieter BLM dispersed areas farther east toward Parker, hence the two stars. Not sure on width of water utility ROW or if they care about camping but try to go as far as you can away from the water canal. Just stay away from the open water areas, watch your pets!!
GuideI ended up here after the place I had originally intended to stay didn't work out, and I am so glad I did. Yes, the front of this camping area, right off the highway, has a ton of trash. But it doesn't take much driving to get past it, and once you do you end up with a beautiful view of mountains and horizon. The highlight was watching the sun set behind the mountains.
The campground: The road leading back is dirt and gravel, and it does have some ruts and a few big dips. It was a jarring ride, but ultimately my crossover did fine. Some of the sites do have markers with numbers; I was back near marker #6 where I found a clean, flat gravel space to park for the night. There were only two other campers, both closer to the front, and we were all able to be very spaced out. The noise from the highway was minimal, just an occasional low rumble. I felt pretty comfortable traveling on my own there, but there is very little privacy because everything is so wide open. I think if someone had parked closer to me, I would have felt like everything I was doing was on display and would have been less comfortable.
The area: This place is right off of highway 95, and your closest gas/food is about 20 miles away (Needles, CA). Needles tends to have pretty pricey gas, so I recommend you have as close to a full tank before you head down or up 95.
Booking: Primitive camping on public land: no booking, no fee, no assigned spots.
Cell service: I have Verizon and this is maybe the best cell service I have ever had.
RangerIt's free, it's close to town. It's also BLM so the are no rules as far as quiet time, generator use, etc. Our neighbors were living there and ran their generator every morning at 3am. Glass & nails abound and there are no services like water and garbage. OHVs speed thru during the day. But... it's free. We climbed the little hill and found a little registry book. Definitely will stay here again.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where you can enjoy the great outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of options available, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Lake Havasu City, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Lake Havasu City, AZ is Craggy Wash - Dispersed Camping Area with a 3.6-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Lake Havasu City, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 dispersed camping locations near Lake Havasu City, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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