Dispersed camping areas near Superior, Arizona offer varied terrain across BLM and Arizona State Trust lands at elevations from 2,400-3,000 feet. Winter temperatures typically range from 40-70°F while summer months often exceed 100°F. Campsites frequently feature rugged, cactus-studded landscapes with exposed rocky terrain and minimal natural shade.
What to do
Explore desert trails: White Canyon Wilderness Dispersed provides access to numerous hiking paths through saguaro forests. "If you can get past the shooting range, it's very beautiful," notes Sarah E.
Mountain biking opportunities: The area around Superstition Mountain AZ state trust dispersed offers challenging terrain for mountain bikers. "Sites are spacious and well dispersed," according to Caiti, who found the trails suitable for moderate skill levels.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at rustic camping sites near Superior provide opportunities to spot desert wildlife. "Camp was raided by quail early in the morning and we had some cows visit but they didn't come too close," shares Sammy S. about camping at Cottonwood Canyon Rd.
Stargazing: Winter months offer exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Awesome views and great stars at night," reports Monte W. about camping at Tonto National Forest near Roosevelt Lake.
What campers like
Cell service availability: Unlike many remote areas, Tonto National Forest Dispersed Camping at Lake Roosevelt offers reasonable connectivity. "We have t-mobile service and although we had a few bars occasionally, the service was very minimal," notes Tanner P.
Seasonal wildflower displays: Spring months (March-April) transform the desert landscape with blooms. "We came out when it was covered in grass but I can imagine it might get pretty dusty if there isn't any grass," explains a camper at Cottonwood Canyon Road.
Privacy between sites: Gold Canyon Dispersed Site provides good separation between camping areas. "Beautiful area, easy to get to, someone did come by to check permits," reports matt F., who appreciated the spacious layout.
Rock fire rings: Most established dispersed sites include stone fire rings. "There are many sites that had rock fire rings. I stayed right before the first cattle guard. There was plenty of downed wood to collect for a fire," shares Monte W.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Arizona State Trust land requires annual permits ($20-21 for families). "We got a state land trust family pass for the area just in case we needed it," notes a camper who visited Cottonwood Canyon Rd.
Free-ranging cattle: Expect livestock throughout the camping areas. "Sites are spacious and well dispersed, but the free-roaming cattle make this less than ideal for tent/car campers. It's a little unnerving to step out in the dark!" cautions Caiti at Superstition Mountain.
Plant hazards: Desert vegetation can be problematic. "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," advises a camper.
Noise considerations: Weekend activity brings varied noise levels. "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," reports a visitor to the area.
Tips for camping with families
Safety with desert wildlife: Hackamore Road Dispersed camping requires attention to wildlife. "The coyotes started howling around 4am, but they started dying down after they had migrated," reports Noah J.
Prepare for temperature swings: Desert nights can be significantly cooler than days, even in summer. "The weather was great! High of 78 and mid 40's at night," shares Monte W. about camping at Tonto National Forest.
Avoid mid-summer camping: Superior area temperatures regularly exceed 105°F from June through August. "This is all working open range with lots of stock. We woke up many mornings to cattle rooting through our stuff and one morning to a real roundup with cowboys on horses," notes Ariel & John W.
Bring entertainment: Limited natural recreation options for small children exist in this rugged landscape. "We stayed for 2 weeks. Lots to do around and across the lake," explains a visitor to Roosevelt Lake.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed camping requires careful driving. "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," advises Sammy S.
Suitable RV sizes: Large rigs can access some areas with proper clearance. "Good location for camping not far from Gold Canyon AZ. Numerous different campsites of different sizes. A few large sites that can fit multiple RVs. We parked a 36ft Toyhauler and a 39ft Toyhauler in the first campsite from the entrance," shares Ronnie G. about Mineral Road.
Leveling challenges: Bring adequate leveling equipment for uneven terrain. "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," notes a camper.
Access road navigation: Carefully scout routes before bringing large rigs. "It was a fun dirt road. You might be able to get back there without 4x4 but certainly it is strongly recommended. Very rough road and about a 2 mile drive," warns Aaron C. about the Bulldog Canyon area.
