The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Lakeside, AZ

66 Reviews

Several free dispersed camping options surround Lakeside, Arizona in the adjacent national forest land. Rim Road receives perfect 5-star ratings, offering expansive primitive sites with firewood availability. Dutch's Tank provides big-rig friendly camping with open views and primitive campsites approximately 20 miles from supplies. National Forest Road 117C features mountain-top camping with rocky, rutted sections that become muddy after snowmelt, requiring careful navigation.

The higher elevation areas deliver cooler temperatures, with Beehive Spring Camp situated at 9,200 feet becoming notably cold at night, even in September. A review mentioned "logging trucks noisy during the day" at Beehive Spring, though the site offers diverse tree cover beyond just ponderosa pine. Dispersed campers must be self-contained, as none of these sites provide drinking water, toilets, or hookups. Most areas permit campfires when no fire restrictions are in place, and the 14-day camping limit applies throughout the backcountry areas. Concho Lake offers an alternative with basic amenities including picnic tables, trash service and pit toilets, though reviews indicate varying cleanliness.

Map showing campgrounds near Lakeside, ArizonaExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Lakeside, Arizona (20)

    1. Timber Mesa Trailhead

    3 Reviews
    Lakeside, AZ
    2 miles

    "Easy to get to, close to town, clearly marked trails and roadways. Hiking views were spectacular."

    2. Concho lake

    11 Reviews
    Vernon, AZ
    28 miles

    "Nice spot along the highway. You can hear vehicles but in a van, barely heard it. There’s prairie dogs and bunnies galore, which was a nice bonus. Clean porti potties and decent AT&T signal."

    "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."

    3. Arizona

    Be the first to review!
    Show Low, AZ
    9 miles

    4. Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    35 Reviews
    Woodruff, AZ
    44 miles
    +1 (928) 524-3500

    "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."

    "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."

    5. National Forest Road 117C

    2 Reviews
    Greer, AZ
    26 miles

    6. Carnero Spring Road

    1 Review
    Greer, AZ
    25 miles

    "Camped in the clearing by the lake. Some traffic came through but not bothersome. No amenities, must be self-contained."

    7. Beehive Spring Camp

    1 Review
    Greer, AZ
    25 miles

    "Logging tucks noisy during the day. At 9200 ft elevation got cold at night in September."

    8. Dutch's Tank

    3 Reviews
    Heber-Overgaard, AZ
    34 miles

    "Nice place, wide open views, easy access for Truck/rv. Almost no vz internet. Very clean, very little trash. Good dispersed camping. C20 miles to food/supplies."

    "Would bring the family back for some boondocking in our camper. Despite being the first spot closest to the road, so few cars pass here I rarely noticed."

    9. Rim Road

    6 Reviews
    Forest Lakes, AZ
    46 miles

    "We came up from Phoenix to get away from city life for 48 hours and this place is beautiful. We just got here and I have at least some reception because I’m doing the review from the site."

    "We showed late on Friday eve and were still able to get a great spot for tent camping. Pretty quiet and close to town."

    10. Grover Spring Canyon Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Clay Springs, AZ
    25 miles
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 20 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Lakeside Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Lakeside, AZ

40 Photos of 20 Lakeside Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Lakeside, AZ

66 Reviews of 20 Lakeside Campgrounds

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 4, 2025

    Rim Road

    Beautiful Escape

    We came up from Phoenix to get away from city life for 48 hours and this place is beautiful. We just got here and I have at least some reception because I’m doing the review from the site. Was it easy to get to, right off the highway, we drove back about a mile into the woods and there was tons of places to camp. Granted it’s early January so that could have something to do with all the open spots. There’s no facilities of any kind. We’re totally Boondocking it with our RV no hook ups just the water we brought and a generator, but I couldn’t be happier so quiet.

    Oh yeah. If you are checking the weather, it’s closer to Heber than Payson. Payson low tonight expected to be 37, but Heber is expected to get to 24. Brrrrr

  • j
    Mar. 30, 2022

    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.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 21, 2022

    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.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2022

    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.

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Concho lake

    Good one night stay

    Stayed one day on my way to Reno. Nice spot along the highway. You can hear vehicles but in a van, barely heard it. There’s prairie dogs and bunnies galore, which was a nice bonus. Clean porti potties and decent AT&T signal. I only checked out one loop but place has as least 10 spots. Some have cement pads and fire rings. No picnic tables that I saw.

  • Bob & Ramona F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 15, 2021

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    What do you want for FREE?

    Located just before south entrance. FREE ("Boondock") camping on East side. Electric (no water) for $15 on West side. We picked East as Solar gives us all the A/C we need! Gift shops to explore on both sides. SEVERAL abandoned cars in front of shops to "chum for patrons".... Great place to stage before a day of exploring. Not sure I'd stay more than 2 nites but a night before and nite after visiting the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert is perfect! Just make sure to spend some $ at the gift shop if you stay for free.

  • Irene L.
    Oct. 1, 2017

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Touristy but right next to Petrified Forest National Park

    The Petrified Forest National Park does not have its own car camping campground (there are only backcountry backpacking sites, requiring permits, gear, walking, skills, etc). This rather touristy campground is right outside the National Park. It is pretty basic and incredibly it is totally free. It does have electric hookups for a small fee, The sites are large and out in the open with no shade...dismal in the hot AZ sun! There’s a teepee village you can also use, would be a big hit for kids. The gift shop has some snacks and lots of interesting geological trinkets. At night it is beautifully dark.

  • Rene F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Lots of spots with slabs to the left looking at building.

    Was going to stay the night before, but needed a real bed. So I stopped this morning. It is tight next to south entrance of Petrified national forest.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 14, 2022

    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

Guide to Lakeside

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Lakeside, Arizona, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations to choose from, you can enjoy the great outdoors while soaking in the stunning landscapes.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Lakeside, Arizona

  • Many areas, like Timber Mesa Trailhead, allow campfires, making it perfect for cozy evenings under the stars.
  • Be prepared for a lack of amenities; for instance, Concho Lake has no drinking water or toilets, so bring your own supplies.
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife; campers at Beehive Spring Camp have reported sightings of various animals, adding excitement to your stay.

Scenic hiking trails for dispersed campers

  • The trails near Carnero Spring Road are well-marked and provide easy access to breathtaking views, perfect for hiking enthusiasts.
  • Campers at National Forest Road 117C enjoy solitude on maintained roads, making it an ideal spot for peaceful hikes.
  • The area around Fish Creek Camp offers diverse terrain, allowing for a variety of hiking experiences.

Dispersed campers should check out Concho Lake

  • Concho Lake features multiple sites with concrete pads and trash cans, making it a convenient choice for those looking for a mix of comfort and nature.
  • The site is known for its windy conditions, which can be refreshing during hot days, especially in the summer months.
  • Campers have noted the presence of cattle grazing nearby, adding to the rustic charm of the area.

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 Timber Mesa Trailhead with a 3-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 20 dispersed camping locations near Lakeside, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring