Dispersed camping sites near Florence, Arizona range from completely primitive to partially developed, with temperatures fluctuating dramatically between seasons. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night while summer days frequently exceed 100°F. The terrain features dense stands of saguaro cacti, creating both natural privacy barriers and navigation challenges for tent campers exploring beyond established sites.
What to do
Off-road trails: Cottonwood Canyon area offers extensive trail networks for ATV and dirt bike enthusiasts. "Great trails! Big rig friendly boondocking. Busy dirt road, as there is an active mine off the road. Loud dump trucks and dusty, but a beautiful desert oasis, nonetheless," notes Casey G. about Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed.
Hiking options: The Superstition Mountain region provides varied terrain for hikers of all skill levels. "Only a 45 minute drive from the house, yet far enough that you still feel like you got away. Lots of good hiking, Ghost Town, good views. Worth every second," shares Chad E. about Lost Dutchman State Park Campground.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings offer prime opportunities for desert wildlife viewing. "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," reports Sammy S. about Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location provides exceptional dark sky viewing. "The campground doesn't have a lot of light at night so you get a wonderful dark sky star display," explains janifer A. about Picacho Peak State Park Campground.
Scenic desert landscapes: The unique vegetation creates distinctive camping environments. "The vibrant green shrubs against the soft dusty brown terrain is magical. The landscape is dotted with Cactus reaching up toward the pale blue morning sky is something to behold," adds janifer A. about Picacho Peak State Park.
Site spacing: Many dispersed areas offer substantial distance between campers. "Wide open spaces for solo or group camping and it is close to town. This is a great winter camping spot!" notes Chantal S. about Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Arizona State Trust lands require advance permits. "This is on AZ State Trust land and a permit is required. https://land.az.gov/," advises Chantal S.
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. "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," explains Sammy S.
Industrial activity: Some camping areas experience traffic from nearby operations. "There is a quarry or something at the end of the road, which you wouldn't think would matter, but starting at 4:00am...giant rock hauler semi trucks started barreling down the washboarded road every 5-10 minutes until we packed up and left a day early at 10:00am because we couldn't take the noise anymore," warns Eric W. about Superstition Mountain AZ state trust dispersed.
Weather considerations: Desert temperature swings require preparation. "The campground has a total of 85 electric sites for both tent and RV camping. $30 per night/per vehicle (October – May) $25 per night/per vehicle (June – September)," states Alicia F. about Picacho Peak State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Watch for ground hazards: Desert terrain presents specific challenges. "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," recommends Sammy S.
Consider cabin options: Several campgrounds offer structures for families seeking more protection. "Clean camp with full hookups. We stayed here to get away and visit Rooster Cogburns Ostrich farm. That was fun," shares Jeffrey P. about Picacho-Tucson NW KOA.
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some established campgrounds offer recreational facilities. "The KOA features a small fenced playground with a tetherball, swing set, merry go round, and a table with an umbrella," points out Krista Z. about Mesa-Apache Junction KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Choose locations away from main roads. "Can get dusty from riders if you stay near the front. If you take some time to come scout it out you can find some great spots," advises Steve T.
Arrival timing: Consider when you arrive at fairground camping. "I do recommend getting there before closing hrs. As you have to call the camp host to let you in," cautions KJ G. about Pinal County Fairgrounds.
Space requirements: Some dispersed areas accommodate large rigs better than others. "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," notes Ronnie G. about Superstition Mountain.
