Best Dispersed Camping near Superior, AZ
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Best Dispersed Sites Near Superior, AZ (47)
1. Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed
Queen Valley, Arizona9 Reviews•27 Photos•105 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
2. Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance
Fort Mcdowell, Arizona25 Reviews•63 Photos•486 SavesNO CAMPING First 2 miles and 300 feet on either side of the road/trail VEHICLES MUST STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS - but past those designated no camping zones, camping is allowed unless otherwise posted.
This space is very large so it may be best to divide it by the access points. The point I'll be using is Access #3- Forest Road (FR) 10, south entrance: This access point is reached from Apache Junction. From Mesa: Travel 15 miles east on the Superstition Freeway (US 60) to the Idaho Street exit. Follow Idaho Street north 4½ miles to McKellips. Turn right on McKellips and travel ½ mile to the Wolverine Pass Road and turn left. Follow it for 7/8 mile and turn right on Tonto Road. Travel north on Tonto Road for ¼ mile to Cactus and turn left. Follow Cactus to McDowell Road and follow it to FR 10 gate.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. Superstition Mountain AZ state trust dispersed
Queen Valley, Arizona5 Reviews•7 Photos•133 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
4. Peralta Road Dispersed Camping
Gold Canyon, Arizona6 Reviews•17 Photos•138 SavesPermits available online via the https://azland.my.salesforce-sites.com/recreationalpermit/
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
5. Tonto National Forest Dispersed Camping at Lake Roosevelt
Roosevelt, Arizona6 Reviews•25 Photos•245 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
6. Hackamore Road Dispersed
Apache Junction, Arizona10 Reviews•8 Photos•77 SavesCamping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources. Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days (12 months in Alaska). Campsite Selection Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked. Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before. Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
7. Cactus Forest Dispersed
Marana, Arizona28 Reviews•122 Photos•267 SavesLocation is near Park Link Drive - S. Cattle Tanks Road BLM
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
9. Superstition Mountains -- Dispersed Sites along Hwy 88
Tortilla Flat, Arizona3 Reviews•9 Photos•167 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Superior
182 Reviews of 47 Superior Campgrounds
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Emma A.
Scout
Cactus Forest Dispersed
Great stay
This was like being able to backcountry camp in Saguaro NP. We got in after dark & overshot the turn in, but looped back around. Our site was great - quiet & peaceful. We enjoyed waking up to the literal forest of cactus.
Enzo M.Scout
Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - West Entrance
Bulldog Canyon (all entrances) is an OHV Sport area first, Camp spot second
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. So OHV owners have nearly zero options. Bulldog Canyon is one those tiny few chances for those OHVers. Campers need to be cognizant of this and respect the OHV'er, not demand OHV'ers respect THEM! If you are looking for a pure silent CAMPground, and are of the "get off my lawn" and or "man/woman shouts at clouds" type, look elsewhere. There are PLENTY of options for such inflexible campers to demand adherence to THEIR level of enjoyment. Bulldog isn't free, OHVers pay for the unlimited access - when allowed that access - to trails WITHOUT time/day/hour exceptions. So if you're a camper, bring some earplugs if the sounds of all-hours OHVers is disturbing to you. Bulldog Canyon is a fantastic area for those campers who enjoy the OHV. I no longer can use an OHV but I enjoy seeing these younger generations doing what mine and earlier gens once took for granted nearly everywhere unrestricted. Highly recommend Bdog Canyon for the fun-lovers and young-at-hearts. For the HOA-loving types, sincerely consider elsewhere for your benefit and those of others.
Mary Ann
Traveler
Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance
My favorite area
Permit required for the gate code. Camping available 2 miles in. Need a 4x4. It's definitely worth the hastle as these spots are beautiful and clean. A lot of OHV so it kicks up dust.
Brian E.Scout
Peralta Road Dispersed Camping
No more camping
The county has closed camping on Peralta road, signs are up, and trenches have been dug so no access is available.
- eedwin H.Scout
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.
Cas M.Traveler
Tonto National Forest Dispersed Camping at Lake Roosevelt
Coyotes!
Beautiful desert camping, lots of birds and wildlife. I heard coyotes in the middle of the night that woke me up, and was glad for a rooftop tent.
Jim A.Traveler
Saguaro Cove
Remote Camping
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. Views are nice and its a nice pack it in, pack it out spot.
- SShane W.
Ranger
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
- Sarah E.Traveler
White Canyon Wilderness Dispersed
Shooting range
If you can get past the shooting range, it’s very beautiful
- TTeri G.
GuideCactus Forest 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.
Patrick C.GuideBox Bar Road Dispersed
Fun spot
This is a great spot and easy to get to. 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. Close to the river with several walk in spots to play in.
Jacquelyn I.ScoutBox Bar Road Dispersed
Easy Drive In
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. I was pleasently surprised at the many little nooks of privacy that you could set up camp. Outhouses are well maintained. Bring your own water though and you do need to pay ahead of time, there are no pay boxes on site.
- ccalScout
Box Bar Road Dispersed
Cat missing here
Beautiful campground up the road from box bar campground with Mountain View’s and cacti.
My blue eyed cat went missing here at 9pm on 4/7. Please email me if you see him.
- FFreddie F.Scout
Hackamore Road Dispersed
This area and the whole bulldog canyon are are closed for construction
The whole are is closed
- SSammy S.Scout
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
- SSarah W.Scout
Superstition Mountains -- Dispersed Sites along Hwy 88
Beautiful but a lil more crowded than expected
Busy during the weekend. Get there early to get a good spot.
Great to go on hike or to lake after.
Went a second time and took a 4x4 trail to get a more isolated spot
- CCypressTraveler
Schoolhouse Point Dispersed
Free Lakeside camping
Pretty, dispersed camping near schoolhouse Point in Roosevelt lake. On the road down to the state campground there are two dispersed camping areas on the left easily visible on the left side, (the gps point may not be accurate, I made it after I left) if you pass both there's an easy turn around at the boat ramp even for big rigs. Some dips coming off the paved road but very easy access overall, might be tight for really big rigs. Probably 20+ sites at each of the two pull offs, most have fire rings and decent shade. Couple minutes drive to the boat ramp at schoolhouse Point which has bathrooms, dumpsters, and both drive in and walk-in lake access. Currently (as of 3/24) no potable water even at the paid campground at the end of the road, you can either pump from the lake if you have a filter or Tonto national monument about 10min up the road has a water spigot before the pay gate. 14 day limit per usual for national forests but a really lovely spot to call home for a while! Lots of great hiking nearby as well as swimming and boating on the lake
zHolySmokeScoutBulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance
Beautiful area, 4X4 needed
OHV trails. Available with easy to purchase $6 permit that provides the lock code. Camping permitted only after the first Two miles. 4x4 required to get past the first 2 miles.
- LLeaScout
Peralta Road Dispersed Camping
Great dispersed
Great site - a bit of a drive in
- LLeaScout
Dispersed Site Near Tonto National Forest
Closed and Rough
Now closed and monitored
- SSteveScout
Dispersed Site Near Tonto National Forest
Area Closed now due to "homeless problems"
I live in the area and the BLM finally closed this area along with other areas nearby due to junk, abandoned vehicles, vicious dogs etc. It will become the Apache Junction and Goldfield Recreation area. Closed completely for 2 yr for vegetation restoration and when it reopens it will provide residents with OHV and Horse trails along with Staging areas.
Scott K.GuidePeralta Canyon / Gold Canyon Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Really nice sites
Really well maintained spots, great views, nice and quiet.
- Danny T.Guide
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
- JJarred T.Traveler
Apache Trail North Camp
Superstition Dispersed
There’s a hill north of this spot that we camped on. Some power lines in the way, but generally a great view. Not intense off reading or anything, but not suitable for trailers. Very exposed area so be ready for wind.
- Jordan S.Traveler
Hackamore Road Dispersed
Love / Hate
I have a love/hate relationship with this place. It’s got great views of the mountains, TONS of awesome trails to walk/ride love the access to the little ghost town nearby. The road in is just terrible & it’s very dirty (mostly on the main road) though, and people can be very noisy with their vehicles but that’s not too bad.
Overall I love camping here. We were here for a week last year, came back as our first spot on the trip this year and it was awesome again.
- DDanielleTraveler
Cactus Forest Dispersed
Beautiful camping in the Saguaros
For a girl born in the Midwest, this campground was amazing to wake up to. Saguaros everywhere! Plenty of sites big and small, decent road, fire rings, plenty of privacy.
- JJohn R.
LegendCactus Forest Dispersed
Beauty and gunfire.
Beautiful desert spot. Lots of gun fire during the day. Fantastic desert sunsets 🌇.
Guide to Superior
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Superior, Arizona, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of options for those looking to escape into the wild.
Top Activities While Free Camping Near Superior
- Enjoy stargazing at Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed, where the lack of light pollution allows for breathtaking views of the night sky.
- Explore the diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes at Tonto National Forest Dispersed Camping at Lake Roosevelt, perfect for birdwatching and hiking.
- Experience the thrill of off-roading and ATV riding in the rugged terrain surrounding Superstition Mountain AZ State Trust Dispersed, where trails abound for adventure seekers.
Dispersed Campers Should Check Out EADS Wash
- EADS Wash offers a unique camping experience right by the river, making it ideal for those who enjoy fishing and relaxing by the water. Check it out at EADS Wash.
- The area features a simple bathroom facility, which adds a touch of convenience for campers looking for basic amenities while still enjoying a remote setting.
- Be prepared for significant temperature swings at EADS Wash, where you can experience frosty mornings and warm afternoons, so pack accordingly.
Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Superior, Arizona
- Always check for any required permits before heading to areas like Peralta Road Dispersed Camping, as some locations may have specific regulations.
- Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially at popular sites like Superstition Mountains -- Dispersed Sites along Hwy 88, which can get crowded on weekends.
- Be mindful of the environment and practice Leave No Trace principles, particularly in areas like Horse Trails Boondock, where maintaining the natural beauty is essential for future visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Superior, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Superior, AZ is Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Superior, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 47 dispersed camping locations near Superior, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.