Best Dispersed Camping near Salt River, AZ

Salt River, AZ is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Salt River, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Salt River, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Salt River, Arizona (52)

    1. Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance

    27 Reviews
    Fort Mcdowell, AZ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 610-3300

    $10 - $80 / night

    "I use the north entrance off Bush highway. I've camped here 5 or 6 times. No water or bathrooms. Leave no trace. You need a permit and gate code. Most ATVers but not loud during the week."

    "Pretty passable dirt road (our G20 camper van had no problems). Sunsets were so so pretty and for us Washingtonians, camping in the desert amongst the saguaros was 👌🏼."

    2. Hackamore Road Dispersed

    11 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 580-5500

    "It's on BLM land, so you are out of the reach of the Arizona Land Permits.

    The road is a bit tricky."

    "It’s got great views of the mountains, TONS of awesome trails to walk/ride love the access to the little ghost town nearby."

    3. Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - West Entrance

    5 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 610-3300

    "Thanks to the efforts of the environaz- mentality of the last 40 years there are horribly few true sanctioned OHV areas for folks to legally use and enjoy offroad Motorsports, neither FREE or PAID.   "

    4. Box Bar Road Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Rio Verde, AZ
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 225-5200

    "Lots of shaded areas. You can camp next to your car , wich there might be campers running generators, or you can hike towards the river and set up camp to get away from that."

    "We don’t have an offroad car, so it is always nice when the gravel road is well managed. No heart aches getting in and finding an open area to camp."

    5. Dispersed Site Near Tonto National Forest

    4 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 580-5500

    "Site is close to road but also amenities like Cafe and restaurants. Has 5bar Tmobile service. 5 miles Walmart and just down road from Tonto national park."

    6. Peralta Road Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Gold Canyon, AZ
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 542-4631

    "Drive through the town of Gold Canyon AZ, and you quickly leave behind the sprawl of suburban Phoenix, but embrace the sprawling landscape of the Sonoran Desert which is brimming with life in the spring"

    "But around 9pm it quiets down. Sites are close to the road for the most part unless you have a high clearance vehicle. Lots of hiking in the area. Trail head at end of road gets very busy."

    7. Maddock Road Dispersed - AZ State Trust Land

    10 Reviews
    Peoria, AZ
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 542-4631

    "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."

    "Numerous campsites available in an area along State Road 74 and New River/Lake Pleasant Roads, at least 2 or 3000 acres with hundreds of establish campsites."

    8. Verde River Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Rio Verde, AZ
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 595-3300

    9. Saguaro Cove

    2 Reviews
    Tortilla Flat, AZ
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 610-3300

    "Takes a little 4 wheeling to get there or you can access it from the water.  Basic dispersed camping but gets a little warm during the summer months. "

    10. Dispersed Camping off hwy 74

    10 Reviews
    Peoria, AZ
    32 miles

    "Lower clearance rigs and vehicles need to stay closer to the main road. We have a 4x4 class C towing a Jeep so we went through some steep banked washes."

    "The campsite is good, quiet, easily accessible and I met some friendly neighbors. I love all the cacti as well. There is quite a bit of trash and glass around."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Salt River, AZ

220 Reviews of 52 Salt River Campgrounds



Guide to Salt River

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Salt River, Arizona, where nature lovers can enjoy stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. This area offers unique spots for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Dispersed campers should check out Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance

  • Accessing Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance requires a permit for the gate code, making it a more exclusive experience for campers willing to put in the effort.
  • The area is known for its beautiful and clean spots, although a 4x4 vehicle is necessary to navigate the terrain effectively.
  • Be prepared for some dust kicked up by off-highway vehicles (OHVs), as this area is popular for both camping and OHV activities.

Top activities while free camping near Salt River

  • Enjoy hiking and exploring the numerous trails around Hackamore Road Dispersed, which offers great views of the mountains and access to nearby ghost towns.
  • For those who appreciate a bit of adventure, the road leading to Box Bar Road Dispersed is well-managed, making it accessible for non-off-road vehicles while still providing a sense of seclusion.
  • Campers can find excellent cell service at Hackamore Road Dispersed, allowing for connectivity while enjoying the great outdoors.

Scenic spots for dispersed campers

  • The Verde River Dispersed Camping area features beautiful river views and is perfect for those looking to relax by the water while enjoying the natural surroundings.
  • For a more remote experience, Saguaro Cove offers stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere, although it requires some off-roading to access.
  • Campers at Old Corral can enjoy a unique experience as this spot is often mistaken for a museum, providing a quirky backdrop to your camping adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Salt River, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Salt River, AZ is Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance with a 3.8-star rating from 27 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 52 dispersed camping locations near Salt River, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.