Best Dispersed Camping near Portal, AZ

Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Portal? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Portal just for you.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Portal, AZ (13)

Showing results 1-10 of 13 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Portal

44 Reviews of 13 Portal Campgrounds


  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Granite Gap
    Apr. 14, 2024

    Granite Gap

    Extreme solitude

    First off do not use Google maps. It will not take you to the right place. Use the built-in location found in DYRT. After you turn off I 10 on the left to travel approximately 10 miles the site will be on your right hand side. Follow the road to the left as you go through the gate. The site is very well-maintained. There are only a handful of sites available, but when I was there, I was the only one.

  • Dean E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from West Hunt Road
    Feb. 21, 2024

    West Hunt Road

    By Cochise Stronghold trailhead

    Road in is bad but not horrible. Lots of sites and many open on Wednesday in late February. Great views and clean. 1.5 miles to campground and trailhead.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Granite Gap
    Jan. 28, 2024

    Granite Gap

    Classic New Mexi o

    Great spot. Rocks and cactus and sunrises. Narrow sandy road, but manageable for smaller RV.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from West Turkey Creek Dispersed
    Jan. 10, 2024

    West Turkey Creek Dispersed

    Gorgeous

    The drive up is beautiful, the road isn’t maintained, but in pretty good condition. I stopped right after the cattle guard. There is another site going up about .5 mile in the left. Couldn’t see good enough in the dark. The creek was flowing and quite a few animals at dawn and dusk. Not a lot of traffic, and a trail right up the road to hike or follow the creek. The last campers left it so nice I was able to add decorations.

  • Mary B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Dec. 27, 2023

    Happy Camp Trail

    Serene Dispersed Camping Location

    A beautiful, serene location not too far from I-10 and Fort Bowie. We arrived at around 10pm in our Sprinter van and found a quiet location. The campsites are far apart and you travel on compacted dirt road to get there. The father you go, the more space you have. It will be quite bumpy if you do not have an AWD or 4x4.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Granite Gap
    Dec. 25, 2023

    Granite Gap

    Beautiful! Quite! Amazing!

    Amazing views. A bit sandy of a drive. You have to open and close a gate but it is not locked. Quite, no lights nearby, dispersed camping at its best. Just a few cows. I would camp here again. We made it up in a long bed crew an Chevy 2500. Some camp sites at the bottom. But if you go up to the dead end keep to the left. Site is not to level but throw a couple of rocks under the tires and you can level out. Drive up is a little bit narrow with cactus close to the road. I would not think you need 4x4 but maybe something more then a car would be better. If wet I would think it may get a bit squishy, but with it dry a stock suv would make it just fine. Camped next to a rock face. Just beautiful!

  • Remington R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from West Hunt Road
    Nov. 21, 2023

    West Hunt Road

    Nice...

    Road going in is horrible, washboard the whole way... it's a beautiful little camping area, no bathrooms and no water... I have T-mobile. I didn't get a signal at all, but I have a T-mobile internet modem, and it got a good signal... Beautiful views of the mountains whare I was parked I watched people free climb up than back down, I don't recommend that it was extremely steep...

  • Berton M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Oct. 30, 2023

    Happy Camp Trail

    Great Boondocking off the I-10

    This is a wonderful place to boondock if you are driving the I-10 or visiting Fort Bowie Nation Historic Park. The dirt road is easily passable for most vehicles. Ver quiet. Decent cell signal with T-Mobile.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Indian Bread Rocks
    Oct. 17, 2023

    Indian Bread Rocks

    Nice dispersed camping area

    Happy Camp Canyon is in fairly good condition. There is a trailhead parking area that is posted as no camping but about 50 yards further down there is a clearing with fire rings. We ended up sharing the spot with some cattle for a while.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Sep. 4, 2023

    Happy Camp Trail

    Great spot for a quick camp spot

    Overall the stay was great. My only complaint would be the bugs that were swarming in the morning. They only swarm certain plants and we happened to be by one so we had bugs EVERYWHERE. But it wasn’t a big deal. We just quickly packed up and went and ate breakfast at the picnic area right down the road and explored the granite rocks for a while.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Wilcox Playa Viewing Area - Dispersed Camping
    Apr. 1, 2023

    Wilcox Playa Viewing Area - Dispersed Camping

    Nice little place to stop overnight

    Came in early on a Friday afternoon to find the parking area vacant. Signage is clear: camping is only allowed in the designated area. No amenities, not even a dumpster or a pit toilet. Towards dusk a van pulled in. They were very quiet. But the parking lot is right on a paved 55 Mph Highway with quite a bit of traffic into the night, no trains or planes. Big rigs could easily get in and out of here but after three or four RVs it would be too crowded. No migrating waterfall here at the end of March, just a lot of mourning doves, ravens, and a couple of cows. Not bad for free. This is a state wildlife viewing area but no mention of any required permits

  • Haley L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Feb. 25, 2023

    Happy Camp Trail

    Great Spot

    We got there far later than we should have (10:30pm) but were able to find a little space. It was, of course, difficult to navigate in the dark. The entrance was sooner than GPS showed but not too difficult to find. Sadly, we only saw hoof prints. No cows.

  • Aliza  N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Dec. 17, 2022

    Happy Camp Trail

    Top notch dispersed camping area

    We really enjoyed our time here! The cows were great to watch and we got some great video of them! The road in was dirt and washboard here and there but overall could be easily passed by most any car. GPS coords were pretty accurate as well. Once you are off the main road the sand can be pretty deep and some of the turns pretty tight so scope it out if your in a bigger rig, before heading in. Lots of spots on the left in the first loops and on a spur to the right near some cool rocks. Not many people around when we were here and was nice and quiet.

  • Monte W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pinery Canyon Road Dispersed Camping - Coronado National Forest
    Nov. 26, 2022

    Pinery Canyon Road Dispersed Camping - Coronado National Forest

    Awesome dispersed sites

    Drove about 40 minutes down pinery canyon road. Roads weren’t terrible but had a few washboard spots. Several sites located off the main road. Plenty of wood to collect for the fire. It was pretty cold at night in late November but there was plenty of space between sites that my generator wasn’t offensive to others. Very clean site too.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Nov. 26, 2022

    Happy Camp Trail

    Easy access exploring and beautiful spot

    This has been our favorite campsite of our road trip so far. Noteworthy mentions: It is off the beaten path. It’s free. There are free roaming cattle There are endless rocks to explore and climb. It will keep your attention for days. Not many people here. Campfires allowed. Would recommend a 4x4 to get to further sites. Awesome remnants of Native American activity. You’re right next to where you wanna be. Thumbs up.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Oct. 24, 2022

    Happy Camp Trail

    Great time here

    Directions from Dyrt were spot on. As others have said If you have a Big rig park by the day use area and SCOUT it out! After the first few sites the road becomes real sandy in places and not anywhere to turn big rigs around without it being sketchy. We stayed about a mile in on the left next to some huge rocks, nice firepit, no trash, no shade. Will be here two weeks. Met some ranchers moving some of their cattle other than them saw nobody. My dogs loved it. I was just concerned about keeping them safe from rattlesnakes. Have seen at least one every day. One was HUGE @ 5' western diamondback but very beautiful red brick color. Just be very aware as this is their home we're just visiting.

  • Morgan T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Jun. 19, 2022

    Happy Camp Trail

    Cows!

    This site was pretty easy to get to and at the foothills were beautiful and well-maintained. Didn’t use the restroom because there was a giant spider and there wasn’t TP, but it was there. People left rock fire pits, which we also didn’t use, but it’s nice they were there. Woke up to see cows hanging around and got to see a baby cow and mom, which was so sweet.

  • Cameron M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    May. 26, 2022

    Happy Camp Trail

    Cool scenic spot, lots of critters

    Stayed here on our way to New Mexico. It was a beautiful spot, very scenic. The dirt was soft as sand, and the area was cleaner than most. The only negative was their was tons of wasps at our site, not sure about the others. They didn’t mess with us but they were annoying like flies.

  • Alura E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Mar. 30, 2022

    Happy Camp Trail

    Definitely scout out if you have a big rig

    This area is beautiful and dispersed. A lot of campers so scout out your site before you pull in, we pulled in with our 24 ft TT and it was a little tight to turn around.

    -Youtube: Likely Lost

  • Albert V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pinery Canyon Road Dispersed Camping - Coronado National Forest
    Mar. 30, 2022

    Pinery Canyon Road Dispersed Camping - Coronado National Forest

    Great spot to visit Chiricahua NM

    I spent one night here. It was very quiet and secluded, and the dirt road is in great condition. There's tons of spots and the trees give a little cover. I rained on and off at night, but I feel the tree foliage kept a lot of water from dripping down onto the tent.

  • Jeffrey F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Feb. 18, 2022

    Happy Camp Trail

    Rock and Cows!!

    Beautiful mountainous rocks are your backdrop intermingled with cows and a nice view of the valley. Easy to find and pretty smooth road in, some wash boarding, and near the top it levels out. Probably about 10 other units in the area when I pulled in with my truck and teardrop trailer. Several cows in very close proximity out grazing in the area added a nice ambiance.

  • Scott B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Jan. 16, 2022

    Happy Camp Trail

    Beautiful desert views!

    Popular boondocking site 8 miles south of I-10 ar Bowie. Easy to find, level dirt road with only a bit of washboard in places. Pit toiletat the day use area. Beautiful views of the giant bolders that are prevalent in this area. There were 12-15 RVs of all types spread out widely along a single dirt road. I had 3 solid bars of AT&T. Very quiet at night. There is no light pollution so stargazing would have been awesome if not for the waxing moon. Enjoyed hiking around the area. Be careful as some of the cactus will scratch you badly if you're not careful. Only con was there was no toilet paper in the pit toilet. Recommend!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Round Mountain Rockhound Area - Dispersed
    Jan. 9, 2022

    Round Mountain Rockhound Area - Dispersed

    Difficult to access but great rocks!

    So if you are into rocks this really is a great place to check out. Be prepared as the drive in is difficult and long. Larger RVs are not recommended as the road has many steep washouts and ruts. The main dirt road leading into the area has bad washboard bumps. There is also an active cattle ranch in the area so be careful with any pets. You’ll find a logbook on the way in. Once there you’ll find plenty of places to park but don’t count on it being level. There are also lots of sharp rocks so watch your tires. There are no facilities here. The views are amazing especially at night. The wind never did stop. You got to really like rocks!

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Happy Camp Trail
    Jan. 3, 2022

    Happy Camp Trail

    It's Beautiful Clark

    Great experience here. This place is clean, other than all the cow 💩. Lol. Beautiful rock structures and great hiking.



Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Portal, AZ is Happy Camp Trail with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Portal, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.