Best Dispersed Camping near Lake Havasu City, AZ

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!

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

I 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.

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!

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!

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.

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 :)

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.

Pulled 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.

We 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.

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!

Great boondocking site. Pack it in, pack it out. Use it but don’t loose it.

They 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!

This 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.

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.

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

This 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;)

Free/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.

Going 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.

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!!