Dispersed camping sites around Mohave Valley span across desert terrain at elevations between 500-600 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F while winter nights can drop below 40°F. Road conditions vary significantly between sites, with some requiring higher clearance vehicles during wetter seasons.
What to do
Drone flying opportunities: At Craggy Wash, campers can explore unique aerial perspectives. "Cool spot to fly the drone, caves and weird stuff left behind by previous campers," notes David H.
Mountain climbing: The dispersed camping areas offer accessible hiking terrain for various skill levels. At Lone Tree Dispersed Camping, visitors enjoy "a great hike to the top of the rocky hill near the back of the area," according to Noah E.
Wildlife viewing: The Y Dispersed Campsite provides unique opportunities to see desert wildlife. "Burros frequent the area looking for food from travelers and often stand in the middle of the road. They also gather among the campers," reports Brad B.
What campers like
Proximity to supplies: Many dispersed camping areas maintain decent access to services despite their remote feel. Jeff R. notes about Craggy Wash, "Lots of room, good cell service and close to town."
Secluded camping options: While some sites get crowded, quieter spots can be found with minimal effort. Cassidy mentions, "I loved how we felt completely secluded while only being a few miles from town."
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. At Snaggletooth Primitive RV Camp, Erin notes, "The highlight was watching the sun set behind the mountains."
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Access roads require careful navigation. At Telephone Cove, Mike M. warns, "The road in is all dirt and there are a couple of washes that could cause trouble for longer trailers with low clearance."
Stay limits: Free camping near Mohave Valley typically enforces specific time restrictions. Steve M. notes, "Stay limit here is 7 days."
Crowding patterns: Camping areas experience significant seasonal population fluctuations. Jeffrey F. observes, "You need to go 1 mile up the road before you can camp. At the first spot there are lots of rigs and interesting characters."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly swimming spots: Some locations offer safer water access points. At Telephone Cove, Kiersten M. mentions, "Shallow water is great for kids and dogs."
Safety considerations: When camping with children, be aware of wildlife encounters. Laurie F. at The Y Dispersed Campsite cautions, "Just beware the coyotes are hunting your little dogs. An occasional Donkey will walk thru & your dog looks like there enemy."
Weekend planning: Family trips require timing adjustments for optimal experiences. Noah E. suggests, "Lots of OHV during the day and people run their generators at all hours, but I didn't have any issue sleeping."
Tips from RVers
Suitable locations for larger rigs: Some areas accommodate larger vehicles better than others. Kathy M. from Craggy Wash advises, "Road is very rough going in. Recommend high clearance vehicles."
Site selection strategy: RVers suggest specific location strategies for comfort. Shawn A. notes, "I like that it is on an upper hillside. Clean, no trash, quiet & civil while I was here."
Utility management: Without hookups, resource planning becomes essential. Josh F. from Telephone Cove explains, "Dirt road in was about 4 miles long from the highway but pretty well graded and easy to drive, big rig friendly."
