Looking for the best Topawa dispersed camping? Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Topawa's most popular destinations.
This Ironwood Forest National Monument (map: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2020-12/AZ_IronwoodForestNM-508.pdf) is made up of 129,000 acres and contains a significant system of cultural and historical sites covering a 5,000-year period. Possessing one of the richest stands of ironwood in the Sonoran Desert, the monument also encompasses several desert mountain ranges including the Silver Bell, Waterman, and Sawtooth, with desert valleys in between. Elevation ranges from 1,800 to 4,261 feet. Three areas within the monument, the Los Robles Archeological District, the Mission of Santa Ana del Chiquiburitac and the Cocoraque Butte Archeological District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The monument is a travel corridor for illegal immigrants traveling from Mexico. All suspected illegal activities should be reported to BLM or local law enforcement authorities. Stay safe by avoiding contact with persons exhibiting suspicious behavior or engaged in dangerous activities. Drive with caution and look for fast-moving vehicles and pedestrians on back roads. Some roads are rugged: high clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended in those areas.
This Ironwood Forest National Monument is made up of 129,000 acres and contains a significant system of cultural and historical sites covering a 5,000-year period. Possessing one of the richest stands of ironwood in the Sonoran Desert, the monument also encompasses several desert mountain ranges including the Silver Bell, Waterman, and Sawtooth, with desert valleys in between. Elevation ranges from 1,800 to 4,261 feet. Three areas within the monument, the Los Robles Archeological District, the Mission of Santa Ana del Chiquiburitac and the Cocoraque Butte Archeological District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The monument is a travel corridor for illegal immigrants traveling from Mexico. All suspected illegal activities should be reported to BLM or local law enforcement authorities. Stay safe by avoiding contact with persons exhibiting suspicious behavior or engaged in dangerous activities. Drive with caution and look for fast-moving vehicles and pedestrians on back roads. Some roads are rugged: high clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended in those areas.
Guide
It was well worth the short drive over here to compare it with Snyder Hill. Go through the gate and there are plenty of spaces without being on top other people.
Roads are a little sandy so I’d be careful on them when wet.
Traveler
Great raised up spot that allows for a full vista of the surrounding mountains and thousands of saguaros. Not a single person drove past the site during the weekend. Overlooks the Pinal County Airport and plane graveyard (this can be seen on the drive in, or with binoculars directly from the site). Adequately lifted 4x4 needed to reach.
GuideI would come back here again! There’s several spots and it’s literally next to Saguaro NP! It was a little muddy, but there were paths around the mud. Very private and nice.
TravelerIf you don't have a 4WD vehicle, you may want to look elsewhere. As of writing this, the road is extremely muddy and worn down, so you won't be able to get far in a low-clearance vehicle. I was still able to stop and set up my tent for the night, but it was not a nice spot.
As other people have said, it's behind a closed gate but you're fine to go through. Road condition aside, it is flat and pretty easy to find a level spot for your tent or trailer.
Scout
We were there 10/27/23 and the area is closed.
TravelerEasy to find navigate to. There is a closed gate at the entrance, you’re allowed to open it, just close it behind you. Not a ton of spaces to set up camp but very peaceful and quiet. Mountain View’s in the distance and 15 minutes from Saguaro NP. Great cell service with ATT.
Traveler
We parked fairly close to the entrance so there was some road noise, but the view of the area was better here than farther in. There's quite a few spots here or one could make their own. There are some spots way back in off pipeline road, just look at satellite images to see. We were here for a week. Thanks to most who clean up their trash, almost no garbage here, just a few specs here and there.
GuideStunning area and views. Plenty of easy dirt roads that we were able to take our ebikes on. Good sites…but watch for rain in the forecast…the desert floor turns to mush and you might find yourself stuck until it dries out. Our 30ft RV had no issues maneuvering around. Plenty of other campers around too.
ScoutNot too bad. Quiet right now but definitely could see it getting busy at certain times of the year. Nice views especially if you’re facing the west (sunset obviously). Would probably stay here again.
GuideWe’ve just begun our dispersed camping adventures but out of the places we’ve been, this has been the coolest! There was a good number of people out there in all sorts of rigs, but there was still plenty of space! We couldn’t see or hear anyone else. There were a lot of pull offs, which gives plenty of options to find a favorite spot. We turned left right before the dried up river bed & went down a bit from there.
ScoutTons of trash strewn around, some permanent residents, road noise, crowded.
TravelerSpent a night here, the site was great if you’re looking for a mostly flat area to camp. There’s a herd of bulls / cows that graze in the area. It wasn’t busy for us, but I’m assuming that’s because it was a week day. There weren’t any major places that we had seen previous camp sites.
Cell service was great for all in the group with Verizon. No water. Pack in and pack out.
ScoutNice location near Tucson. A little noisy due to the highway nearby, quiets down at night. Good campsite to get your fill of Tucson. Friendly campers.
GuideIt looked pretty rough. A lot of fulltime people, "tent city" looking, a lot of trash.
ScoutIf you're looking for a place without anybody around, this isn't it. Lots of sites available nd close to Saguaro and town to make it worth it.
LegendAs the name suggests this spot is right on a high pressure gas line! There are lots of signs warning of this in the area but really we would t have know if it weren’t for them. Lots of flat open sites in the first half mile of the road - after which the road takes a big dip and goes through a narrow cattle guard. We easily sound a spot without needing to navigate the dip/guard. Dirt road is in great shape, passable my most any vehicle. Not a ton of privacy as it’s a pretty open area with low shrubs/cactus/palo verde etc but enough space to be a little ways away from others. Fairly clean and quiet despite there being lots of other campers around!
GuideThis was easy to find. Some bumps in the road but easy to manage if you drive slow. Hardly anyone was here and we were surprised how clean it was. Beautiful sunset.
LegendStayed here on February 12th 2022. The coordinates are accurate as are the other reviews of the area. After turning off the main road, you’ll see a sign with the camping rules. I drove about a mile down the dirt road and found a place to pull off. The road was decent but some areas would be problematic for a vehicle with lower ground clearance. I made my own fire ring and there was plenty of wood around to collect. Didn’t see a single person the whole time I was there. I could hear shooting off in the distance but that doesn’t bother me. I would definitely stay here again.
ScoutIt's crowded with people who are living here full time for the winter. Crowded. Lots of garbage. I'm camping near others for safety. Restaurants 10 min away. Groceries 30 min. Verizon 1 bar.
GuidePipeline Road is your basic dispsed camping area. Remote in many ways but just off the primary road to the Silverbell mine. Trucks start bouncing down the rough road about 5 a.m., took us nearly a week to get used to the a.m. rumblings, rattlings, and at time loud diesel engines. Several locations for all size RVs. Saw 40 foot motor homes and 5th wheels. Road becomes impassable to any type of RV at 3/4 of a mile. Broken glass, some litter at some sights. Some people are just pigs. However, there are many times it is very quiet here!
ScoutGood place for a temporary camp. It’s pretty close to the road so it’s noisy. Very close to town for supplies or site seeing.
TravelerThis is a big lot right off the side of the highway. A lot of people in the area with tents and campers. Super close to gas stations and places to eat. Free of course and not a lot of privacy but all in all a good place to stay in a pinch!
TravelerQuiet safe area not far out of town with cell reception for Verizon
LegendStayed here since it is close to the west NP entrance and had a great stay. Saw about 6 other campers when I arrived Wednesday night. No services or amenities so be prepared and pack everything out. Very quiet night and a beautiful sunsets. Surrounded by saguaro’s! Would definitely recommend to anyone passing through. Only 20 minutes to get to the city to get whatever you need. Was able to work remotely!
GuideI enjoyed this site so much that I decided to stay additional days. It is about a 30 minute drive West of I-10 just North of Tucson. Great paved roads all the way until you get to Pipeline Road. I camped a half a mile down a dirt road that was not too bad… Just take it slow and easy.
There’s about five or six flat and level campsites for the first half mile. I do not suggest going beyond the deep ravine. There’s a very narrow cattle gate that I would not want to try to pull my rig through.
I managed to be the only camper here. I felt safe. There is a quarry not far West. You can hear the sound of trucks traveling up and down Pipeline… But it’s not a problem.
My Verizon signal was lightning fast.
The views are spectacular with lots of greenery. Shrubs, mesquite trees, saguaro cactus, and distant mountains. There’s a feeling of being in the wilderness while only being 30 minutes away from Safeway and Chevron. Tucson is not far beyond.
GuideWell I was kind of nervous since the last review talked about human trafficking. Which led me to only staying one night, there was a lot of trash when I went. A lot of loud trucks in and out also and the signal for my ATT was one bar if that. Also if you have dogs watch them very carefully with the winds it’s blowing the cactus parts and gets easily caught.
TravelerWide open BLM dispersed camping area near Saguaro National Monument outside Marana, AZ.
The road to the site is paved until you leave Avra Valley Rd on Pipeline, which is a very good dirt road. Our site was as far from the pavement as you can get and we had no problems getting in with our 41’ fifth wheel. There are a few short areas on the road that are a bit bumpy, but nothing that can’t be handled easily by simply driving very slowly over the bumps. Most of the road is smooth, and wasn’t even washboarded while we were there (March, 2021).
There are many sites in the area and most are very suitable for even the largest rigs. I’d guess that fewer than a third of the sites were occupied while we were there, and our nearest neighbor was maybe a quarter mile away.
ATT and Verizon had decent cell signal and internet speeds were sufficient for streaming. My Verizon hotspot typically gave me 20-30 Mbps and my ATT phone was in the same range or faster.
We saw no trash and the area is well maintained. We stayed a full two weeks, left for a week, and returned for another 5 nights. During that time we saw one ranger who was very friendly. He mentioned that they came through to pick up garbage from time to time.
Lots of Saguaro around all the sites. Nice dark skies, and quiet. We had to drive 20 minutes or so for shopping and gas, but that’s a price I’m very willing to pay to camp in a place like this.
Camping near Topawa, Arizona, offers a unique blend of desert landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a place to explore, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.
Camping near Topawa, Arizona, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next outdoor getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Topawa, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Topawa, AZ is BLM Ironwood Forest National Monument - Reservation Road Dispersed Camping with a 3.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Topawa, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Topawa, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
