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Best Dispersed Camping near Mayer, AZ

490 Reviews

Several dispersed camping options exist near Mayer, Arizona on public lands. Bloody Basin Road offers free primitive sites in the Agua Fria National Monument with drive-in access suitable for big rigs. Mayer Dispersed provides flat dirt and light gravel sites with easy vehicle access for tents and RVs. Senator Highway hosts numerous dispersed sites approximately 20 minutes from Prescott at around 7000 feet elevation, offering mountain views but requiring higher clearance vehicles in some areas.

Most dispersed sites around Mayer follow the standard 14-day camping limit. No amenities are provided—campers must bring their own water and pack out all trash. A review mentioned, "If you find the right campsite you can look out over the mountains into the valley." Cell service varies by location, with Mayer Dispersed offering 4G Verizon coverage while other areas have limited or no connectivity. Fire rings are available at established sites, though seasonal fire restrictions commonly apply. The dirt roads accessing these areas can become challenging during winter months or after precipitation.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Mayer, Arizona (117)

    1. Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping

    20 Reviews
    Cordes Junction, AZ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 580-5500

    "Drove a mini van on the road, wasn’t too washed out or anything. A sedan could definitely drive to many of the spots. Many campsites available, beautiful scenery!"

    "The Bloody Bath access road was an easy drive (F250 SD with a truck camper). Washboards were easy to navigate but watch your speed on the down hill turns."

    2. Senator Hwy Dispersed Camp Site

    10 Reviews
    Prescott National Forest, AZ
    11 miles
    Website

    "I lucked out and got the last spot, unfortunately it was relatively close to the road and there was some traffic during the day. There are several roads to drive down and find a spot."

    "The spots here are really nice but if you go camping in the winter season you definitely need four wheel drive."

    3. Enchanted Forest Trail Campsites

    6 Reviews
    Prescott National Forest, AZ
    9 miles

    "I would not bring a travel trailer or larger rv in but tent or van camping spots. Nice trees and trails. Verizon is doable even with the tall pines. Quiet considering the closeness of the campsites"

    "We drove to the end and then came back and took a left up a hill next to another campsite! It was a great site and clean. We were presently surprised!"

    4. FDR80 Sundance Road Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Prescott National Forest, AZ
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 443-8000

    "The first few campsites on Sundance Road were hard to distinguish from the Senator Highway dispersed sites. We stayed in site 5 which was pretty small and nestled between two hills."

    "Okay so I prefer free camp spots and places that are quiet and tucked away. This place is great. It’s not too far off the paved road but the road does get a bit bumpy once you’re off the paved road."

    5. Prescott Basin - Ponderosa Park Road Dispersed Camping

    9 Reviews
    Prescott National Forest, AZ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 443-8000

    "Lots laying around to burn. Bring water and food but Prescott is like 3miles away"

    "Moderate privacy, amenities close in downtown Prescott, no water power or bathrooms so be prepared. Very relaxed and peaceful area."

    6. Prescott Basin Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Prescott National Forest, AZ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 443-8000

    "There’s no amazing view but I had no idea there were such forested places in a state like Arizona. I picked up wood at a gas station but there was plenty of brush lying around to burn."

    "Mostly secluded which is my preference Shared by boon-dockers"

    7. FDR79 Trittle Mountain Road Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Prescott National Forest, AZ
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 443-8000

    "Perhaps other sites might have better luck, but for working remote we had to change plans. The road in wasn’t too bad for us, but I could see it being challenging with a sedan or a camper."

    "Lots of shade but area of sun to charge my batteries. Minimal cell service, but I'm from Colorado and I have Xfinity. I'm pretty sure they use Verizon towers."

    8. Flower Pot USFS Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Camp Verde, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 567-4121

    "A couple of ATVs riding around as well.
    There's some hiking available on the various forest service roads. Be sure to close gates behind you as there are free roaming cattle all over."

    "PROS: close to the 17 and good Verizon service, peaceful setting, bright and gorgeous stars at night, lots of firewood to gather from surrounding juniper trees."

    9. FDR 373 Thumb Butte Loop

    10 Reviews
    Prescott National Forest, AZ
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 443-8000

    "Found a nice spot (#16) with some shade, level ground, and a pretty forest setting. Plenty of room for a large vehicle with room to turn around."

    "Its kind of the perfect dispersed situation. It’s easy to get to, there’s around 20 spots in the area. Road is bumpy but passable by basically any car. Sites were super clean and well spaced out."

    10. Mayer Dispersed

    1 Review
    Mayer, AZ
    4 miles

    "Super easy access. I am in a 20 foot long Van with an 11 foot trailer attached. Site is flat dirt/light gravel.

    I am here to ride a dirt bike from Colorado it's nice to be close to an OHV trails."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Mayer, AZ

305 Photos of 117 Mayer Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Mayer, AZ

490 Reviews of 117 Mayer Campgrounds

  • J
    Jul. 21, 2022

    FS 609 - Dispersed Camping

    Perfect Getaway

    I was very skeptical about visiting this campsite at first, because I felt the information that I could find online was minimal. After visiting, however, I would definitely recommend this campsite to anyone. It was spacious enough to spread out from other campers. It was lovely to be right in the middle of the forest. I'd recommend driving further in to be away from the noise of the highway. I saw some reviews saying the gate was closed, but it was open when we were there in July 2022. Important things to note: This campground is located in the Coconino National Forest, please follow their rules and fire restrictions. No reservations are necessary for this campground. We found service to be a little spotty, but not impossible. Dogs are allowed. The turn in was pretty subtle, so definitely keep an eye out for it and use Google Maps over Apple Maps, because Apple Maps has no idea where this site is! All in all, I would visit again!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 13, 2024

    Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping

    Great spot to pull in

    Drove a mini van on the road, wasn’t too washed out or anything. A sedan could definitely drive to many of the spots. Many campsites available, beautiful scenery! Please help keep this place clean by leaving no trace!

  • Gillian C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2021

    West Clear Creek Dispersed Camping

    Pretty Dispersed Camping

    Standard dispersed camping along many off-road trails. Quiet and clean with no amenities. Fire restrictions in the summer. The West Clear Creek trailhead is nearby, so light vehicle trafiic for the trail. Tons of available spaces with privacy. No cell service.

  • The Wanderer
    Dec. 31, 2023

    Maddock Road Dispersed - AZ State Trust Land

    72 thousand FREE acres

    That's right, this is AZ, State Trust land, AKA: FREE camping and parking land—72,000 acres of open dispersed, rough, rugged, off-the-grid life. I've parked here in my converted Skoolie of 36 feet for two years. I DO purchase the $ 15-a-year permit and I DO display it. But in 2 years, I've not seen even one "official" vehicle and have never been asked to see my permit or how long I have parked. It is messy, I like to clean it up at times, please help and please remember, this is your land so do not trash it to the point that we will be kicked off. I've watched this happen all over northern AZ and it does not need to happen here. Pack it in and pack it out. Leave no trace. There are garbage cans 1 mile from this land. A new gas station/convenience store has been erected a mile from Maddock Road. Although Maddock Road is no longer an access point to the lands, there are plenty of other access points. The new gas station has diesel, water dispensing, propane dispensing, and all the conveniences anyone would need. It is a paradise in Winter, believe that. In summer, it is hotter than the dickens. I bounce from Flag to this location yearly, it works well for us nomads.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 5, 2022

    Ghost Town Road BLM Camping

    Nice little area with great sunsets.

    This is a relatively small BLM dispersed camping area. There’s maybe 20 sites depending on the the type of vehicle you drive. There are definitely some high clearance vehicle only areas but we were able to find a nice spot in our Winnebago next to the base of the hills. There are no services here, it is strictly dry camping. There is s cemetery right next to the area, a little weird but they didn’t make much noise. There are plenty of hills to hike around on and there are some old mines in the area but be cautious, there are arsenic warning signs in some and it appears some mining is still going on. Great sunsets and star filled nights.

  • RGR D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 25, 2025

    Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping

    Great Rest Overnight

    The Bloody Bath access road was an easy drive (F250 SD with a truck camper). Washboards were easy to navigate but watch your speed on the down hill turns. We initially selected the site closest to Bloody Bath Road but decided to move further back to a site about a 1/4 mile in. The road (trail) back to the final site was a bit washed out (dry) with some deep ruts but again easily navigated in our truck. A 2WD Van or a SUV could easily access the site. The site was quiet. The biggest bummer was the amount of trash and empty beer cans strewn around the site. Real bummer.

  • Toree M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 2, 2023

    FR689 Dispersed Camping

    Quiet, scenic, easy to locate

    We are in a 34 footer! The drive, while do-able, is not necessarily preferable in something 20+ feet long. Narrow dirt road, closer to one lane than two, and no guard rails. We just took it slow and that worked fine for us! It has been pretty quiet (even compared to other BLM sites we’ve visited this month). It’s also January which absolutely plays into the noise/traffic level! It’s chilly but nothing a sleeping bag can’t help! Really pretty walks, and hikes, and lots of room for our pups and kiddos to play. Super easy to navigate, which is always a big plus! We’re camping almost exactly where the pin is dropped. We’ve been able to visit Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and just come back here at night to camp so location isn’t bad either.

  • Monte W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2023

    Schnebly Hill Rd, Fox Borough Dam

    Nice area

    I took I 17 as the directions stated. Lots of spots that had existing fire rings. I used my propane fire pit since there were fire restrictions. If you drive down Schnebly hill road there a plenty of sites. After about 6 miles on a dirt road you will reach the schnebly hill overlook. The road gets a lot rougher from here. I didn’t go further from here. The site we stayed at wasn’t far from the exit on I17. The sky was beautiful. I would definitely stay here again.

  • H
    Oct. 12, 2022

    Schnebly Hill Dispersed Camping

    West side entrance- quite an adventure!

    We opted to come up Schnebly Hill Rd from the west side (downtown Sedona). If you take this approach, a 4x4 with high clearance is a must. Bonus if you have some off-roading experience. There were some pretty gnarly rock patches that required some skill to traverse safely (thanks to my husband!) We camped at two different spots along the road on consecutive nights. Both nights were relatively quiet with only a few vehicles passing. Secluded, quiet, beautiful, flat - overall the perfect dispersed camping spots! If you drive in from the I-17 side, the spots get really sweet about 5-6 miles in. Not suitable for RVs but perfect for RTT or tent camping

Guide to Mayer

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Mayer, Arizona, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, these spots offer a perfect escape for adventurers and nature lovers alike.

Scenic Views and Hiking Trails for Dispersed Campers

  • The FDR 373 Thumb Butte Loop provides access to breathtaking views and numerous hiking trails, making it an ideal location for those who love to explore the great outdoors.
  • At Senator Hwy Dispersed Camp Site, you can enjoy stunning evening sunsets and a variety of nearby hiking options, perfect for a day of adventure.
  • For a unique experience, check out Flower Pot USFS Dispersed, where you can find wide-open spaces and trails that lead to beautiful scenery.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Mayer, Arizona

Wildlife Watching and Nature Exploration While Free Camping Near Mayer

  • The Woodchute Wilderness is a great spot for wildlife enthusiasts, offering opportunities to see various animals in their natural habitat while enjoying the tranquility of the forest.
  • At Copper Basin Campsites, you can experience the beauty of the stars at night, making it a perfect location for stargazing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
  • For those who appreciate a bit of adventure, C101 Wolf Creek Road Dispersed Camping offers scenic views and the chance to spot local wildlife while navigating through the rugged terrain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Mayer, AZ?

Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near Mayer, Arizona. Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping offers beautiful scenery with many accessible campsites—even sedans can reach numerous spots along this road. Maddock Road Dispersed - AZ State Trust Land provides free camping across 72,000 acres of open land with a required $15 annual permit. Additional nearby options include Ghost Town Road BLM Camping and FS 609 Dispersed Camping, both offering spacious sites with existing fire rings. Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles to help keep these areas pristine for future campers.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Mayer, Arizona?

Dispersed camping regulations near Mayer vary by land management agency. On West Clear Creek Dispersed Camping, seasonal fire restrictions apply during summer months. For Old Airstrip Camping & Staging Area, BLM enforces a two-week stay limit. Arizona State Trust Land requires a $15 annual permit that must be displayed. Always use established fire rings when available and observe current fire restrictions. Most areas follow Leave No Trace principles, requiring you to pack out all trash. Some areas have specific vehicle restrictions, so check with land management agencies before traveling. No facilities or services are typically available, so come prepared with all necessary supplies including water.

Are there any dispersed camping spots in Mayer that allow RVs or trailers?

Yes, several dispersed camping areas near Mayer accommodate RVs and trailers. FR689 Dispersed Camping can accommodate larger rigs including 34-foot RVs, though the narrow dirt roads require careful navigation. Ghost Town Road BLM Camping offers approximately 20 sites with spaces suitable for larger vehicles like Winnebagos, particularly at the base of hills. For higher clearance RVs, Schnebly Hill Dispersed Camping provides options, though the western approach from Sedona requires 4x4 capability. Most areas have no hookups or services, so come prepared for self-contained camping with adequate water, waste capacity, and power.

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