Top Free Dispersed Camping near Picacho, AZ

Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Picacho? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Picacho's most popular destinations.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Picacho, AZ (21)

Showing results 1-10 of 21 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Picacho

131 Reviews of 21 Picacho Campgrounds


  • e
    Camper-submitted photo from Peralta Canyon / Gold Canyon Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Peralta Canyon / Gold Canyon Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Dispersed camping not allowed currently

    September 21, 2024: We’ve dispersed camped here many times in last three years, took a trip out there today and every dispersed access point is plowed up with very deep trenches not allowing vehicles or rigs to access. Sad affair with squatters taking advantage and leaving trash, there was not a soul in sight. Maybe they’ll reopen it later when it cools down.

  • j
    Camper-submitted photo from Ironwood Dispersed
    Jul. 12, 2024

    Ironwood Dispersed

    Animals in the forest

    I want to know if there are any dangerous animals in such mountains and forests. My group of friends and I are planning to come here to explore among us.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Picket Post
    May. 22, 2024

    Picket Post

    Quick Night

    Good place to pull off in a pinch for free. You do hear road noise. Close to Arizona Trail, where it crosses 60 so you can hike both directions if you decide to, or take the trail up to the top of the mountain. Very beautiful area

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cactus Forest - Park Link Road - S. Cattle Tanks Road BLM dispersed
    May. 3, 2024

    Cactus Forest - Park Link Road - S. Cattle Tanks Road BLM dispersed

    Remote, Private, and free but accessible.

    Remote, private, and free but accessible. Not a standard RV parking lot campground but rather several campsites with ample space between them for privacy, along an unpaved sandy road, just off a quiet paved back road. About 20-30min from gas stations, water, food, etc. It has no facilities or even pit toilets. Exactly what I wanted. This campground is aptly named as it is quite literally in the middle of a Saguaro cactus forest 🌵 along with many other different cactus species and wildlife. This location is tranquil and wild. I couldn't think of a better way to immerse yourself in the middle of this national park than this campground. It's a tight drive in if you go past the 2-3 RV sites at the beginning of the east side. I have a 2015 Toyota Tacoma with a roof top tent pulling a 12x6 enclosed trailer with standard wheels. My trailer made it through without scratches and at no point did I even think about four-wheel drive. A larger camper I couldn't speak for. It is quite sandy and has some mogul sections where the water flows have washed some of the trail away but overall an easy drive.

    Disclosures and warnings:

    There are three sides to this campground. The east side, west side, and North end. The West side is the most trailer friendly and most visited as it is where the GPS leads you. However, it gets worse the deeper you go in after roughly 10-15 sites. The east side you could probably manage a trailer for the first 2-3 sites. After that there would be no where to turn around and it gets rough off-road quick, like deep dried up sandy river bed crossings (month of May) and is more exposed to the sun with slightly less cacti than the west side. The North end is the most private and remote of the other two and the quietest. However, it is nothing short of a four-wheel drive off-road trail. I would not recommend anything other than off road vehicles in the north end and the sites are small, just for tents or 1 vehicle.

    There are almost no rocks to worry about on the way in but the cacti here are more than capable of creating flat tires so take care to avoid pieces that have fallen onto the road. Especially the Jumping Cholla cacti! They are the worst things you will come across in this campground and are everywhere, easily the most dominant species of cactus in this area. They have evolved to break apart into spiny segments when they make contact with someone or something to propagate. Sometimes if the wind blows strong enough they cover the ground around their base with a mound of their spined segments. These segments often roll or blow into the roadways. The spines are hard as stone and sometimes over 2 in long. They have evolved special reversed barbs that you can't see with your eyes on every main spine. They go into anything except metal, including Kevlar reinforced tire sidewalls like a knife through hot butter and then hook in and don't come out unless you rip them out. I rode my adventure bike through the campground to explore, lost my footing in the sand and fell against one of these. I had 3-4 segments stuck to my arm. I spent 10 to 15 minutes ripping these segments out of my arm, pulling my skin away from my body about an inch before they will rip out. Don't make the same mistake as me.

    GUNS! In my opinion the biggest downside to this campground is the almost constant gunfire all day long as there is a public shooting area on the south west side of the campground. If you are in the west side and you are looking southwest, there is a tiny little mountain ridgeline about a half mile away. All around the base of that ridgeline people are allowed to pull up and shoot at targets on the hill side. The locals show up as the sun just comes over the trees around 5:00 a.m. and they don't stop until the sun sets almost everyday of the week. They do however, quit at night so you can sleep.

    If you camp here you are IN THE desert. During the day is fine. You will likely only run into swarms of flies. At night however, is a different story. ESPECIALLY If you decide to have a fire on a cold night or set up a lantern near the ground while making dinner. I stayed here for 9 days straight and I came across 6 rattlesnakes (mostly sidewinders), more camel spiders than I can count (at least 5+ per night), 3 brown recluse spiders, packs of coyotes rolling through at night and early morning (watch your pets), and 2 killer bee swarms in the trees. All within the campground boundaries, so just be ready for rugged camping.

  • Ericka C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp
    Apr. 2, 2024

    Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp

    Small site not far from amenities

    Great easy little spot that is highly used so make sure you plan ahead. Not all sites have fire circle and if you don’t have a toilet there are only a few bushes tall enough. Works for a quick one nighter.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed
    Mar. 10, 2024

    Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed

    Enjoyed tent camping

    I’ve never been out here. Got a state land trust family pass for the area just in case we needed it. The cottonwood canyon rd is dirt/gravel and it is very flat and not washboarded. Cars can drive in. Just be aware that many of the pull offs from the road have dips or hills but there are also plenty of flat pull offs that lower ground clearance vehicles can pass. For tent camping finding a spot without a lot of sharp rocks and prickles from the various cacti can be a little challenging but it’s totally doable. Use caution when walking about between the cacti. Lots of prickles you can’t see well on the ground. Be extra careful if you have dogs. Probably want to have tweezers or pliers with you to remove the spines. We came out when it was covered in grass but I can imagine it might get pretty dusty if there isn’t any grass. There’s basically no shade to speak of but plenty of bushes/cacti etc for privacy. Very easy to find spots away from other campers on the weekend. There’s lots of gunfire and explosions in the distance during the day and at night. Many ATVs/OHVs driving up and down the main road at night. It got pretty much silent at about 11pm. There are probably a lot of places a decent way from the main road that may be quieter but there are no signs anywhere so you just kind of have to pull off and drive around. Camp was raided by quail early in the morning and we had some cows visit but they didn’t come too close. All in all pretty cool area will definitely come back

  • Henry E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Ragged Top Rd Dispersed
    Feb. 11, 2024

    Ragged Top Rd Dispersed

    Peacefully Quiet, Awesome Views

    Great raised up spot that allows for a full vista of the surrounding mountains and thousands of saguaros. Not a single person drove past the site during the weekend. Overlooks the Pinal County Airport and plane graveyard (this can be seen on the drive in, or with binoculars directly from the site). Adequately lifted 4x4 needed to reach.

  • Danny T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cactus Forest Dispersed Site
    Jan. 26, 2024

    Cactus Forest Dispersed Site

    Very pretty. Little noisy

    January Rv 24 ft Cell service. Att 2 and o 3 bars. Able to stream

    This is a beautiful spot. The spots are a little close together.

    Not good for dogs really cus of cholla cactus everywhere. Watch where you walk and be sire to check shoes before entering your home for the night.

    There is an outdoor shooting range close enough to Hear semi auto’s all day and as late as 10:45 pm. They were at it again at 8 am. Not sure if it is some military training area or what. That gets a bit old. It’s a good distance away so it’s not real loud, just present Road is good to drive big rv or 5th wheel no lroblem

  • Danny T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area
    Jan. 24, 2024

    BLM Sonoran Desert National Monument - Vekol Road Dispersed Camping Area

    Nice spot. Few issues

    January visit Rv 23ft Easy to find.
    Good cell service Overall it’s a decent spot with a few issues. Several of the spots were trash dumps. We were able to find other spots that were clean though. Spots are just off the road so you’re not real far away from the other campers but we really didn’t hear a thing from anyone. That said , there is a military base close by and jets fly over a few times a day and are real loud. We didn’t mind this but some people may. We also had a couple of helicopters dj a low pass one evening.
    The mountains around the area are very pretty.

    This spot is not real remote so you are close to the freeway and will hear some trucks occasionally.
    There are signs warning of illegal immigrants and that but we didn’t see or hear of any issues.

    Update to this review. We didn’t go as far down the road due to some standing water etc. however , go further down the road to find the better spots that are more remote. Most rvs and big rigs can make it really far down this road There is a few private property signs. Go past those TK the next set of camp sites.

  • Harriet D.
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Ironwood Forest National Monument - Reservation Road Dispersed Camping
    Dec. 29, 2023

    BLM Ironwood Forest National Monument - Reservation Road Dispersed Camping

    Muddy!

    If you don't have a 4WD vehicle, you may want to look elsewhere. As of writing this, the road is extremely muddy and worn down, so you won't be able to get far in a low-clearance vehicle. I was still able to stop and set up my tent for the night, but it was not a nice spot. 

    As other people have said, it's behind a closed gate but you're fine to go through. Road condition aside, it is flat and pretty easy to find a level spot for your tent or trailer.

  • Harriet D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Peralta Canyon / Gold Canyon Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
    Dec. 16, 2023

    Peralta Canyon / Gold Canyon Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Nice camping spot!

    Had a nice time tent camping here for 2 days in November. Some notes:

    • Would recommend a vehicle with decent clearance for bad road patches, but you might be able to find an area suitable for smaller cars. 
    • There were sometimes loud ATV/UTV riders along the road, especially on Friday night, but it wasn't horrible. Some trash around. Only critters we had trouble with were people's dogs, but we always put away our food/trash at night. 
    • Decent tree/shrub coverage for doing your business. Not a bad idea to bring tweezers since there's a lot of cacti.
    • Nice views and close to Peralta Regional Park, which has hiking trails, bathrooms, and picnic areas (no water!) for a small day use fee.
    • Somewhat windy, could get chilly. Low elevation so it's not bad. Not much shade.
    • I got occasional T-Mobile service but mostly no cell service for anyone.
    • There's a Water & Ice shop in Apache Junction that we found helpful to use. The Basha's in town is expensive, so I recommend stopping elsewhere for groceries/firewood.

    Be considerate to campers and wildlife, please! Clean up after yourself and put out your fire completely. Have fun!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed
    Dec. 9, 2023

    Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed

    Has its good, has its bad

    Close-ish to get to, plenty of spots, plenty of fire pits, great place to get out to and sleep under the stars!

    That said, there were tons of people near us, a ton of people driving razors and rangers, camps were playing loud music all night, and people were shooting pistols and rifles till 4am. Probably possibility any time you come on a weekend.

    Definitely better place to go for RV/Trailer camping



Guide to Picacho

Camping near Picacho, Arizona, offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning desert landscapes and iconic saguaro cacti. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet place to unwind, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are several trails nearby, including the Sunset Trail at Picacho Peak State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "I enjoyed my stay here for 2 days. Had a great time hiking the Sunset Trail to Picacho Peak."
  • Wildlife Watching: The area is rich in wildlife. A visitor at Cactus Forest Dispersed noted, "Wonderful dispersed camping with beautiful desert cactus, including the Saguaros."
  • Stargazing: The clear desert skies make for excellent stargazing. A camper at Cactus Forest Dispersed Site shared, "Very dark sky with lots of stars."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Picacho Peak State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "Great views and epic sunsets."
  • Privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites at Cactus Forest Dispersed. A visitor remarked, "Remote, private, and free but accessible."
  • Clean Facilities: Campers at Picacho-Tucson NW KOA enjoyed the cleanliness, with one stating, "Clean bathrooms/showers."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Cactus Forest Dispersed, lack facilities like water and toilets. A camper warned, "There are no facilities or even pit toilets."
  • Noise Levels: Campers at Cactus Forest Dispersed mentioned hearing gunfire from a nearby shooting area. One noted, "Beautiful desert spot. Lots of gunfire during the day."
  • Seasonal Closures: Picacho Peak State Park Campground is only open from September to May due to the heat. A reviewer mentioned, "The campground is only open September thru May."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Watch for Cacti: The area is filled with cacti, so be cautious, especially with kids. A parent at Cactus Forest Dispersed advised, "Watch where you walk and be sure to check shoes before entering your home for the night."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring along games or activities to keep kids entertained. One camper at Picacho-Tucson NW KOA mentioned, "The laundry was perfect although busy and a little small."
  • Check for Rules: Some campgrounds have specific rules for children. A family at Casa Grande RV Resort faced issues with management regarding children’s activities.

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Picacho, Arizona, offers a blend of adventure and relaxation, making it a great spot for families and RVers alike. Just be prepared for the unique desert environment and enjoy the stunning views!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Picacho, AZ?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Picacho, AZ is Cactus Forest Dispersed Site with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 21 dispersed camping locations near Picacho, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.