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Dispersed Camping near Show Low, AZ

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    Several free dispersed camping areas surround Show Low, Arizona within the adjacent national forest. Timber Mesa Trailhead offers tent camping with fire rings and clearly marked trails. While roadway noise is noticeable at night, the site provides easy access to hiking with "spectacular" views. National Forest Road 117C provides more remote high-elevation camping on a maintained forest road, though access becomes difficult after snowmelt when the road turns "muddy, rocky and rutted."

    Concho Lake, approximately 25 miles east of Show Low, features about 10 primitive sites with concrete pads, trash receptacles, and portable toilets. The lake area attracts wildlife including prairie dogs and rabbits, though recent visitors note the lake itself is often dried up and "highway is visible and audible." Dutch's Tank, located northeast of Show Low, offers spacious dispersed sites with "easy access" for larger vehicles including RVs and trailers. The area features minimal traffic, wide open views, and an ATV course with "great hills and tracks" in the back section. Most dispersed sites enforce the standard 14-day camping limit and lack amenities such as water or electric hookups.

    Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Show Low (30)

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      1. Timber Mesa Trailhead

      2.5(4)7mi from Show Low

      "Easy to get to, close to town, clearly marked trails and roadways. Hiking views were spectacular."

      2. Concho lake

      4.2(13)25mi from Show Low

      "Nice spot along the highway. You can hear vehicles but in a van, barely heard it. There’s prairie dogs and bunnies galore, which was a nice bonus. Clean porti potties and decent AT&T signal."

      "Great, great free camping. ~20 sites, most official sites have concrete pads & trashcans but a few more primitive spots just have driveways & rock campfire rings. Great Verizon Service."

      3. Brown Creek Campground

      5.0(1)15mi from Show LowRVs, Tents

      "Plenty of trees and shade. Very secluded but the roads on the way in from both Show Low and McNary were in decent shape. This is a hunting area so we did see quite a few people hunting."

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      4. Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

      4.1(40)36mi from Show Low

      "Good place to dispersed camp on private property. Concrete pads, some with picnic tables. Safe and quiet."

      "Right outside the South Gate of the Petrified Forest National Park. They offer free camping with no hookups for self contained rigs. Water is available at city hall if needed."

      5. Arizona

      Be the first to review1mi from Show Low

      6. Grover Spring Canyon Camp

      5.0(1)19mi from Show Low

      "Boondocking @ it's Finest 🤟a Fire pit, a level place to park & Oh Yeah Amazing Views & If Your Lucky Wild Horses will come & visit, & listen to the Elk by the campfire."

      7. Dutch's Tank

      4.3(3)28mi from Show LowRVs, Tents

      "Nice place, wide open views, easy access for Truck/rv. Almost no vz internet. Very clean, very little trash. Good dispersed camping. C20 miles to food/supplies."

      "Would bring the family back for some boondocking in our camper. Despite being the first spot closest to the road, so few cars pass here I rarely noticed."

      8. Fish Creek Camp

      4.8(4)34mi from Show LowTents

      "No trash or bathrooms. No cell service."

      "Nice secluded sites for dispersed camping. Pretty level."

      9. Dispersed camping near FR117 near Greer

      5.0(2)31mi from Show LowRVs, Tents

      "The cows from a nearby farm roam and graze through the BLM land day and night, which was interesting! They were very curious about me."

      "BLM land so camping where I want. Middle of March n the pond 125 yards away has frogs singing for love. There's coyote n grey wolves."

      10. National Forest Road 117C

      4.0(2)31mi from Show Low
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    Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Show Low, AZ

    53 Photos of 30 Show Low Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Dispersed Camping Reviews near Show Low, AZ

    103 Reviews of 30 Show Low Campgrounds

    • K
      Oct. 28, 2026

      Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

      The shop generously lets people without hookups stay for free. There are some hookup sites but I’m not sure if they are free – I suspect they are not. It’s a dirt parking lot with some concrete pads, where you can stay for free for three days. If you’re in a van or something small smaller, you could also park in front of the store. I’m here in late. October and the place is pretty full at 5:30. It appears to be right outside the entrance to petrified forest national Park

    • Icy B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 21, 2026

      Larson Ridge Camping Area

      It's Good

      Good spot. Seems well taken care of. Not many people here although its a Sunday night. Saw a spot with a sign that said camp here so thats where I stayed LOL

    • bThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 9, 2026

      Dispersed camping near FR117 near Greer

      FR 117A in Eager

      I turned off 117 onto 117A and then into the grass in a wide open area. There are several wide open areas with great views. The cows from a nearby farm roam and graze through the BLM land day and night, which was interesting! They were very curious about me. It was so quiet and peaceful but this whole area seems popular. I had to drive 4-5 miles from highway 260 to find a spot.
      Caution about weather- if it storms or rains the road gets muddy and puddles form. I got stuck in the mud the morning after a storm but managed to escape thankfully. Check the weather!

    • Ray K.
      Aug. 28, 2026

      Timber Mesa Trailhead

      it looked like the city dump

      All of the campsites were strewn with shell casings, broken bottles, and trash.  The access in was filled with very deep ruts.

    • Eric C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 23, 2026

      Rim Road

      Nice flat

      Quiet and lots of spots along rim road. Pack in and pack out stores nearby.

    • DThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 25, 2026

      Fish Creek Camp

      Great spot

      We traveled here in may and the roads were easily accessible with our travel trailer. The spots were well spaced out and easily accessible. It was clean. Only downside is neither my fiancé or me had cell service almost anywhere unless we went into town.

    • Brandi S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 11, 2026

      Fish Creek Camp

      Flat and shady!

      We stopped for a night and we were almost totally alone! Hand built fire pits, no tables. No trash or bathrooms. No cell service.

    • CarolThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jun. 8, 2026

      Concho lake

      Good free camping for a couple of days

      This is a small camp ground that was clean when I visited in June. The lake is a reservoir and for my visit, didn’t have water in. There was a small herd

      of less than twenty free range cows enjoying the dry lake. There are many prairie dogs that I found amusing to watch scampering in and out of holes. There was a coyote and quite a few birds. Although the site is located near traffic, once inside my RV I could not hear it. I like the fact that some of the sites have cement pads and trash cans. I saw no other amenities, such as a porta potty. The area was windy with trees helping to provide some privacy between each campsite. Great Verizon service. Not much hiking except for walking around the lake. I did see a path located outside the entrance that was good for running or walking along side the road. Most sites I saw had large rocks for a potential camp fire. Great place if you are looking just for a quiet location. The maximum nights allowed is seven days and no permit is allowed.

      I am giving it a rating of three because of the location and lack of hiking trails.

      There is a community and a general store across the road from the lake.

    Guide to Show Low

    Dispersed camping near Show Low, Arizona offers access to high-elevation forests typically ranging from 6,000-8,000 feet above sea level. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest surrounding this eastern Arizona town provides numerous primitive camping options with varying seasonal access. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during day and 50-60°F at night, while winter brings frequent snow closures to higher elevation sites.

    What to do

    Wildlife viewing at Carnero Spring Road: This area features a clearing by a small lake where campers report seeing diverse wildlife. One camper noted, "Some traffic came through but not bothersome. No amenities, must be self-contained."

    High-elevation hiking at Beehive Spring Camp: Located at 9,200 feet elevation, this site offers hiking through diverse forest types. A visitor mentioned, "Nice couple of sites with a variety of trees not just Ponderosa Pine," though they warned about "logging trucks noisy during the day."

    ATV riding at Dutch's Tank: The back section of this area features extensive off-road opportunities. A camper enthusiastically shared, "In the back of this area is a huge ATV/Moto-x like course. Great hills and tracks!!"

    What campers like

    Dark skies at Dutch's Tank: This area provides excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. A camper described it as having "Easy Access, Dark and Secluded" and noted despite being near a road "so few cars pass here I rarely noticed."

    Cool summer temperatures at National Forest Road 117C: The high elevation provides relief from Arizona heat. One visitor shared, "Only a couple logging trucks on a very nice maintained road. All alone on a mountain top!! Me and my dog are living the life!"

    Wildlife encounters at Concho Lake: Located about 25 miles from Show Low, this area offers wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper observed, "There's prairie dogs and bunnies galore, which was a nice bonus. Clean porti potties and decent AT&T signal."

    What you should know

    Seasonal road conditions on National Forest Road 117C: This area becomes difficult to access during certain times. A camper warned, "Don't try to make it to the shared coordinates soon after a snow melt. Grateful for our GoTreads. Road is rocky and rutted in places but there are camp spots 2wd can access if one takes it slow."

    Hunting season impacts: During fall hunting seasons, many dispersed camping areas see increased traffic and competition for sites.

    Concho Lake water levels: The water level at Concho Lake fluctuates significantly. A camper reported, "The lake is now more marsh with abundant bird life. A gas station / convenience store is across the street. Good Verizon!"

    Tips for camping with families

    Convenience store access at Concho Lake: Families can access basic supplies without a long drive. A camper mentioned, "Decent, safe overnight. Dirt lot with turnouts with shrubs and pines offering decent privacy and quiet. There are cement pads for vans or smaller RVs in some spots, and fire pits."

    Winter activities at Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts: This area offers snow play opportunities during winter months. A visitor noted, "Cute gift shops, lots to buy if your into that kind of thing. The rv park looked flat and decently maintained."

    Group camping options on Rim Road: This area accommodates larger family gatherings. A regular visitor explained, "You can camp in groups or in smaller clusters. There are places to get away from the main roads and places near the roads for those with toys."

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection at Rim Road: This area offers numerous options for larger vehicles. An RVer advised, "There are a lot of dispersed camping sites here. Most of them are very easy to get to even with big rv's or trailers. Maintained roads all the way through."

    RV-friendly spaces at Dutch's Tank: This area accommodates larger rigs with easy access. A camper reported, "Nice place, wide open views, easy access for Truck/rv. Almost no vz internet. Very clean, very little trash. Good dispersed camping."

    Generator use considerations: Most dispersed camping areas near Show Low have no noise restrictions, but respecting quiet hours (typically 10 PM - 6 AM) is standard practice for generator use.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where can I find dispersed camping areas near Show Low, Arizona?

    Several excellent dispersed camping areas surround Show Low in Arizona's beautiful White Mountains. Rim Road offers numerous dispersed sites about a mile into the woods off the highway, providing a perfect escape from city life with good cell reception in some areas. Another popular option is Upper Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping Area, though sites tend to fill up quickly on weekends, especially during summer months. These areas typically feature established fire rings, and many sites are numbered. When searching for dispersed camping, look for Forest Service roads that branch off main highways - many offer designated dispersed camping areas within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

    Do I need permits for dispersed camping around Show Low, Arizona?

    Most dispersed camping areas around Show Low don't require specific permits, but you should always check current regulations before your trip. Old Rim Road Dispersed Site features nearly 50 numbered sites with fire rings that don't require permits for use, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Be aware that the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest generally limits dispersed camping to 14 consecutive days within a 30-day period. While permits aren't typically needed, you should carry a valid recreation pass if parking in designated fee areas. During fire season (typically May-July), additional restrictions may be implemented that affect where and how you can camp, so check with the local ranger district office before your trip.

    What are the dispersed camping options in the White Mountains near Show Low?

    The White Mountains region near Show Low offers numerous dispersed camping options within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Beehive Spring Camp and Grover Spring Canyon Camp provide drive-in access to beautiful forest settings. Many dispersed sites in the White Mountains feature stunning views, particularly those along forest roads that follow ridgelines. Most areas have established fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions are common during drier months. Sites are typically spaced well apart for privacy, though proximity varies by location. The White Mountains offer camping at various elevations, providing options for escaping summer heat or finding milder conditions during shoulder seasons. Most dispersed sites in this region lack facilities, so come prepared with water and pack-out waste management plans.

    Is free camping available in Show Low, AZ and where are the best spots?

    Yes, free camping is readily available near Show Low. Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts offers completely free overnight stays for self-contained RVs and campers (no tent camping allowed) with convenient amenities like dumpsters for trash disposal. While not directly in Show Low, it makes an excellent basecamp for exploring the region. Another free option is Concho Lake, which features multiple camping spots along the highway with portable toilets and decent cell signal. Many spots include fire rings and some have shade structures. The free dispersed camping areas throughout the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early, especially during peak summer weekends, is recommended.

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