Dispersed camping options near Wellton, Arizona provide affordable alternatives for outdoor enthusiasts in the Sonoran Desert. The area sits at approximately 250 feet above sea level with winter temperatures averaging 65-75°F during the day and dropping to 40-50°F at night. Many camping sites offer views of the Gila Mountains, with sites along the Colorado River system providing water access during cooler months.
What to do
Fishing at Mittry Lake: Located about 30 miles from Wellton, Mittry Lake Wildlife Area offers fishing opportunities for catfish and bass. A review notes, "Fishing revealed catfish and bass at the waters edge. A watercraft would be ideal; no swimming allowed."
Visit local date farms: Organic Date Farm offers educational farm tours and tastings. "We had a great stay, enjoyed the atmosphere, delicious food and excellent beers. The live music in the weekend is a plus. We had an opportunity to see the beer brewer in action, and highly recommend their date beer."
Desert hiking: Trails around Mittry Lake provide desert exploration options. As one camper mentioned, "There are lots of birds! Also a few trails around the area through rocky hills."
ATV riding: Copper Mountain RV Park borders BLM land, making it ideal for ATV enthusiasts. "BLM land borders property so guests bring their ATVs," shares one reviewer.
What campers like
Quiet nights for stargazing: Several campers mention peaceful evenings at camping areas near Wellton. At Organic Date Farm, "Evenings and nights were quiet under the stars."
Bird watching opportunities: Mittry Lake attracts numerous bird species. "Beautiful and quiet even though I had quite a few neighbors... There are lots of birds!" notes one reviewer about the wildlife area.
Budget-friendly options: Free camping exists at Mittry Lake Wildlife Designated Camping Area with reasonable stay limits. "Camping limit is 10 days, free dispersed. There are 3-4 camping pod clusters seen from the main graded washboard gravel road."
Spacious sites: Dog friendly campgrounds near Wellton often provide room for pets to exercise. At Old Desert Bull RV Park, campers appreciate the "Small, only 10 spots with mountain views. Full hookups for big rigs with brick patios."
What you should know
Insects can be prevalent: Mosquitoes are common near water sources, especially at Mittry Lake. One camper advises, "At night... the mosquitos came out and ate us alive. Being from southern California, we haven't experienced mosquitos in a very long time. So make sure to be prepared."
Weather considerations: The Wellton area experiences extreme summer heat. Winter months (October-April) provide more comfortable camping conditions. "If you are camping with an RV, Mittry Lake would be a lovely place to spend a few days between October and April, not so much in summer."
Road conditions vary: Access to some pet-friendly camping sites near Wellton requires driving on unpaved roads. For Lake Mittry Wildlife Designated Camping Area, "From Imperial Dam road, it is an approximate 5 mile drive down a dirt/gravel rock washboard at times road."
Varying cleanliness: Some areas experience heavier use and may require cleanup. "I was disappointed at seeing a couple fire rings full of trash..." notes one visitor to Lake Mittry.
Tips for camping with families
Consider campgrounds with facilities: For families camping with dogs near Wellton, Yuma's Own Little Campland offers concrete patios with full hookups. "Back-in gravel spots were level and had concrete patios. Full hookups with WiFi for a very reasonable price."
Choose campsites with buffer zones: At Mittry Lake, a camper recommends, "I didn't choose to park right next to the lake but was on the other side of the dirt road. Real nice place to relax, camp out, ride my bike, all for free."
Pack extra water: The desert climate requires additional hydration for both people and pets. Even in winter months, daytime temperatures can reach the 70s.
Look for swimming alternatives: Since swimming isn't permitted at Mittry Lake, one visitor shared, "My dog loved getting to swim everyday!" indicating some areas may allow pet swimming despite human restrictions.
Tips from RVers
Seek out level sites: Tier Drop RV Park offers concrete pads that RVers appreciate. "We stayed here for one night on our trip and had a lovely stay. Definitely geared more towards people with bigger rigs, and a lot of the residents were long-term."
Consider activity calendars: Many RV parks near Wellton offer organized social events. "They have multiple activities every day for visitors and residents. We arrived around 8:30 PM, jumped in the pool and hot tub and then headed back to our rig for the night."
Look for military discounts: Some parks offer year-round special rates. At Copper Mountain RV Park, they provide "Military discount year round."
Check internet connectivity: Cell service varies across the region. At Mittry Lake, "Cell signal is intermittent depending on your location," while other parks may offer WiFi access.
