Top Free Dispersed Camping near Lakeside, AZ
Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Lakeside? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Arizona excursion.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Lakeside, AZ (18)
1. Concho lake
Vernon, Arizona10 Reviews•17 Photos•131 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Market
2. Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Woodruff, Arizona25 Reviews•69 Photos•214 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Trash
- Picnic Table
3. Timber Mesa Trailhead
Lakeside, Arizona1 Review•23 Photos•18 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
6. Rim Road
Forest Lakes, Arizona4 Reviews•4 Photos•93 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Firewood Available
- Alcohol
8. FR738 Dispersed Camping
Forest Lakes, Arizona2 Reviews•19 Photos•51 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
10. Dispersed camping near FR117 near Greer
Be the first to review!Greer, Arizona•4 SavesRemember to LNT in dispersed areas and respect any "no camping" signs you may find.
- Pets
- RVs
- Tents
- Dispersed
Showing results 1-10 of 18 campgrounds
Recent Dispersed Reviews In Lakeside
47 Reviews of 18 Lakeside Campgrounds
Rim Road
Great time here
We showed late on Friday eve and were still able to get a great spot for tent camping. Pretty quiet and close to town.
FR738 Dispersed Camping
Gorgeous camping right on the rim
Along with this site, there are many dispersed camping sites right on the side of the rim with great views that you can see miles out. Great for tent camping but also big enough for campers and RVs
Timber Mesa Trailhead
Awesome spot
Easy to get to, close to town, clearly marked trails and roadways. Hiking views were spectacular.
Concho lake
Concho Pronto
Great, great free camping. ~20 sites, most official sites have concrete pads & trashcans but a few more primitive spots just have driveways & rock campfire rings. Great Verizon Service. WINDY. Pretty, too.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Safe with amenities
Easy to find and park, lots of campervans and RVs set up, slabs, picnic tables , seemed like 30 watt power outlets but didn't work when I tried to plug in (makes sense, it's free!) Store opens in the am with bathrooms, big dumpster, beautiful stars
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Great free spot
Located right outside the park. It’s free!!!
Concho lake
Peaceful and quiet
Stayed here for a couple nights towards the end of May. There were a few other people camping while I was here but it was very quiet. I would estimate there are about 10 sites. Most appeared to have garbage cans. There were two port o potty’s that were not too bad. There were lots of cattle free range grazing around the lake. I was able to find fire wood around for a fire but it was a little challenging finding larger pieces of wood, I would probably bring some wood of my own if I ever returned. Overall it was a great place to stay for free especially since there aren’t lots of campsites in this area. Directions were accurate.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Free
Great for a night belote pétrifiés Forest
Concho lake
Nice.
Freedom.
Concho lake
Nice.
Freedom.
Rim Road
Favorite place to camp
Forest Road 300, or Rim Road, has beautiful views and so many places to camp! We go several times a year and never camp in the same place twice! You can camp in groups or in smaller clusters. There are places to get away from the main roads and places near the roads for those with toys.
The further from the toys and noisy people, the better for us. We go to connect nature and recharge from the bustle of the city.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Free, right outside NP entrance
Free, what more you want?
Concho lake
Mixed emotions.
Reviews say this place is clean but it is Disgusting. The porta potties aren’t even worth trying to use and there was garbage EVERYWHERE. I would still almost give it 4 stars because when I was there it was nearly empty, but the one other person who was there blasted loud music all day and night and was clearly on drugs. Not great, not bad. Would I stay here again? Yeah I guess so. Definitely a mixed bag.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Quiet and Safe and Quirky
Running with the Route 66 theme, this area is really cool! Sleep amongst the dinosaurs and teepees and cruise the rock shop in the morning! Located at the entrance of the Petrified Forest, this is a quiet spot at night. There were four other campers and each of us had a picnic table. We were on the gift shop side but the museum across the street also has spot and theirs have electricity (they have locks on them but I think you go into the museum before 5pm to have them open them and pay for the electric?).
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Easy spot near the NP
Dirt lot with about 20 spots for RVs, trailers, campervans, or any other self contained camper. They don't allow tent camping because there are no bathrooms available. Dumpster was in the lot for trash. Reading other reviews they mentioned no electric, at this site, but there are boxes next to each campground with 30amp outlets. My camper doesn't use shore power, so I wasn't able to test the boxes. Attached a photo of what the outlet looks like if anyone wants to give it a try. There are paid sites across the road specifically for anyone who needs an electric hook up.
Overall was quiet, but we also went on a day in December and there was noone else at the campground.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Close to park
This is very close to park. Quiet place to stay. Picnic tables. No electric. There is a campground across the street that has electric.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Decent free spot
A free spots a free spot! There were about 8-10 spots to pull in to with picnic tables. Only one bar Verizon and att. We got there around 6 and got the last picnic table spot. Dumpster onsite which is nice! Right outside the petrified forest entrance so great if you are going there.
Upper Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping Area
Very crowded
Visited in May on a Friday afternoon, there were no spots available. All of the sites are also close together, I wouldn't consider it dispersed camping. Drove down the dirt road 20min each way and had to find somewhere else
FR738 Dispersed Camping
Beautiful campground
I tried camping nearby and everywhere was full. This site had at least 5 or 6 spots open and most sites have an overlook. The road to the sites was not bad at all. Can come from north or south on FR738, there were a few bumpy sections but no clearance needed. No official hiking trails nearby.
Rim Road
One of my go-to’s
There are al lot of dispersed camping sites here. Most of them are very easy to get to even with big rv’s or trailers. Maintained roads all the way through. A lot of areas to explore. The lake just 6ish miles from the highway has always provided me with a super fun and productive fishing experience year after year. If your new to camping or even need a spot to sleep passing through I highly recommend this area.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Love Places Like This!
This is an old dirt lot with several sites for overnight RV parking, which the gift shop allows for free for a night as long as you are self-contained. No tent camping or sleeping in your car allowed (because there are no restrooms available).
Each spot has a picnic table and a few have a shade structure as well.
The other side of the street has more sites available for $15/night and they include power hookups. No other amenities available here.
These lots are just outside the Petrified Forest NP south entrance and it’s so convenient to stay here if you’re going to be visiting the park. We stopped at the gift shop to make sure we were good to park here for the night and also to make an obligatory “thank you” purchase. They have lots of jewelry, petrified wood pieces (ranging from cheap to crazy expensive for the large polished pieces), clothing, gifts, stickers, etc. They also sell beer for $3/can but all they have is Budweiser.
Good-ish cell reception here. AT&T had 3G, Verizon had LTE, and T-Mobile was roaming as always.
FR 170 mile marker 1
I’m Spoiled
Roads are very good but they have done lots of work all over. It looks like a work in progress. Very clean and safe. No fantastic views but next time there might be. As I said, I have been spoiled. Plenty of room for a couple of “As” here and I saw several other places. Fire ring.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Great place to Boondock and close to the entrance!
What a wonderful place to stay for a few days and close to the Petrified Forest! Plus it is FREE!
It's not much but if you are Boondocking for a few days or just wanna stay overnight, this is a great place to stay! I'd say get there before 5pm-ish as it starts to fill up due to people leaving the park. There a few spots that have covered picnic tables and the rest are out in the open. It's a gravel/dirt base for the most part and leveling is pretty easy!
FYI, there are NO hookups of any kind here. So be prepared ahead of time. The associated campground across the street has "electric only" for$15, if you need it.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Can’t beat the price!
Right outside the South Gate of the Petrified Forest National Park. They offer free camping with no hookups for self contained rigs. Water is available at city hall if needed. They even have a dumpster so getting rid of trash is easy.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Two gift shops, two campgrounds
There are two gift shops with camping areas here. The Petrified Forest Gift Shop on the left heading into the park, has 10 sites with 30amp electricity and a picnic table. $15.98/night. The Crystal Forest Museum on the right has free RV camping. Each site has a picnic table. The owner of the Petrified Forest Gift Shop just purchased the Crystal Forest Museum (which is still closed) and is still allowing free camping on that property. Fires are not allowed in either campground.
Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
Close to Petrified Forest NP with no frills
This is simply a place to park overnight that allows for great access to the national park. The owner was a bit short when I checked with her about the spot, but other than that, no issues. There's no power, water, or anything else, so you'll need to be self-contained. They do have covered picnic tables at each of the spots, which was nice. I'd recommend this to anyone visiting the park!
Concho lake
Beautiful clean spot
Stopped here prior to visiting the petrified forest. What a clean, quiet, gem. The lake was frozen over which made for tons of fun for us throwing rocks and listening to the ripple. I’d say there is at least 10 spots. Port-o-potty there and trash so please continue to keep this clean free site just that way!
Guide to Lakeside
Camping near Lakeside, Arizona, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor fun. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
What to do:
- Fishing: Many campers love to cast a line. At Hawley Lake Apache Indian Res, one reviewer said, "Fishing was on point this Labor Day holiday." The lake is stocked with trout, making it a great spot for anglers.
- Hiking: Explore the trails around Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground. A visitor mentioned, "Three reservoirs nearby to hike to or fish at," highlighting the area's natural beauty.
- Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. At Hon-Dah RV Park, someone noted, "Wild horses venture through the camp in the evening!" It’s a unique experience to see these animals up close.
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Lyman Lake State Park Campground stated, "Bathrooms and showers are super clean and well maintained."
- Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. One camper at Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground said, "The grounds are gorgeous, lots of space around the lake."
- Friendly Staff: Campers often mention helpful hosts. At Show Low Lake Campground, a visitor shared, "The hosts are incredible," which adds to the welcoming atmosphere.
What you should know:
- Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Big Lake Campground advised, "Reserve a camp site online."
- Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty reception. One camper at Concho Lake mentioned, "Great Verizon Service. WINDY," indicating that while some service is available, it can be inconsistent.
- Weather Variability: The weather can change quickly in the mountains. A visitor at Hawley Lake Apache Indian Res noted, "It gets into the 40s-50s at night," so pack accordingly.
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities. At Lyman Lake State Park Campground, a reviewer said, "The park was practically empty," making it a peaceful spot for families.
- Plan Activities: Keep kids entertained with fishing and hiking. One parent at Show Low Lake Campground mentioned, "Plenty of wide open space for my kids to explore!"
- Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can make outings easier. A camper at Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground suggested, "Be sure to get your fishing license and permits in town," indicating the need for planning ahead.
Tips from RVers:
- Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups. A reviewer at Venture In RV Resort noted, "The RV spots are good size. Great hookups and a very quiet place."
- Be Mindful of Space: Some RV parks can feel crowded. One visitor at Hon-Dah RV Park mentioned, "Spots are pretty close together," so be prepared for close quarters.
- Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of local attractions. A camper at Elk Horn RV Park said, "Great location between Show Low and Pinetop with Highway access," making it easy to explore the area.
Camping around Lakeside, AZ, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're fishing, hiking, or just relaxing, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Lakeside, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Lakeside, AZ is Concho lake with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Lakeside, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Lakeside, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.