The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Show Low, AZ

78 Reviews

Several free dispersed camping areas surround Show Low, Arizona within the adjacent national forest. Timber Mesa Trailhead offers tent camping with fire rings and clearly marked trails. While roadway noise is noticeable at night, the site provides easy access to hiking with "spectacular" views. National Forest Road 117C provides more remote high-elevation camping on a maintained forest road, though access becomes difficult after snowmelt when the road turns "muddy, rocky and rutted."

Concho Lake, approximately 25 miles east of Show Low, features about 10 primitive sites with concrete pads, trash receptacles, and portable toilets. The lake area attracts wildlife including prairie dogs and rabbits, though recent visitors note the lake itself is often dried up and "highway is visible and audible." Dutch's Tank, located northeast of Show Low, offers spacious dispersed sites with "easy access" for larger vehicles including RVs and trailers. The area features minimal traffic, wide open views, and an ATV course with "great hills and tracks" in the back section. Most dispersed sites enforce the standard 14-day camping limit and lack amenities such as water or electric hookups.

Map showing campgrounds near Show Low, ArizonaExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Show Low, Arizona (25)

    1. Timber Mesa Trailhead

    3 Reviews
    Lakeside, AZ
    7 miles

    "Easy to get to, close to town, clearly marked trails and roadways. Hiking views were spectacular."

    2. Concho lake

    11 Reviews
    Vernon, AZ
    25 miles

    "Nice spot along the highway. You can hear vehicles but in a van, barely heard it. There’s prairie dogs and bunnies galore, which was a nice bonus. Clean porti potties and decent AT&T signal."

    "Great, great free camping. ~20 sites, most official sites have concrete pads & trashcans but a few more primitive spots just have driveways & rock campfire rings. Great Verizon Service."

    3. Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    35 Reviews
    Woodruff, AZ
    36 miles
    +1 (928) 524-3500

    "Right outside the South Gate of the Petrified Forest National Park. They offer free camping with no hookups for self contained rigs. Water is available at city hall if needed."

    "Dirt lot with about 20 spots for RVs, trailers, campervans, or any other self contained camper. They don't allow tent camping because there are no bathrooms available."

    4. Arizona

    Be the first to review!
    Show Low, AZ
    1 mile

    5. Dutch's Tank

    3 Reviews
    Heber-Overgaard, AZ
    28 miles

    "Nice place, wide open views, easy access for Truck/rv. Almost no vz internet. Very clean, very little trash. Good dispersed camping. C20 miles to food/supplies."

    "Would bring the family back for some boondocking in our camper. Despite being the first spot closest to the road, so few cars pass here I rarely noticed."

    6. Grover Spring Canyon Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Clay Springs, AZ
    19 miles

    7. National Forest Road 117C

    2 Reviews
    Greer, AZ
    31 miles

    8. Carnero Spring Road

    1 Review
    Greer, AZ
    30 miles

    "Camped in the clearing by the lake. Some traffic came through but not bothersome. No amenities, must be self-contained."

    9. Beehive Spring Camp

    1 Review
    Greer, AZ
    31 miles

    "Logging tucks noisy during the day. At 9200 ft elevation got cold at night in September."

    10. Rim Road

    6 Reviews
    Forest Lakes, AZ
    42 miles

    "We came up from Phoenix to get away from city life for 48 hours and this place is beautiful. We just got here and I have at least some reception because I’m doing the review from the site."

    "We showed late on Friday eve and were still able to get a great spot for tent camping. Pretty quiet and close to town."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 25 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Show Low Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Show Low, AZ

47 Photos of 25 Show Low Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Show Low, AZ

78 Reviews of 25 Show Low Campgrounds

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 4, 2025

    Rim Road

    Beautiful Escape

    We came up from Phoenix to get away from city life for 48 hours and this place is beautiful. We just got here and I have at least some reception because I’m doing the review from the site. Was it easy to get to, right off the highway, we drove back about a mile into the woods and there was tons of places to camp. Granted it’s early January so that could have something to do with all the open spots. There’s no facilities of any kind. We’re totally Boondocking it with our RV no hook ups just the water we brought and a generator, but I couldn’t be happier so quiet.

    Oh yeah. If you are checking the weather, it’s closer to Heber than Payson. Payson low tonight expected to be 37, but Heber is expected to get to 24. Brrrrr

  • Monte W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2024

    Old Rim Road Dispersed Site

    Spread out sites

    Just under 50 sites off the dirt road. All sites have fire rings and are numbered. There were fire restrictions during my stay so definitely look into that beforehand, as with any other place. The sites were nicely spread out. The first few sites were along the rim. The others were within forested areas, well off the dirt road.

  • j
    Mar. 30, 2022

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Can’t beat the price!

    Right outside the South Gate of the Petrified Forest National Park. They offer free camping with no hookups for self contained rigs. Water is available at city hall if needed. They even have a dumpster so getting rid of trash is easy.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 21, 2022

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Easy spot near the NP

    Dirt lot with about 20 spots for RVs, trailers, campervans, or any other self contained camper. They don't allow tent camping because there are no bathrooms available. Dumpster was in the lot for trash. Reading other reviews they mentioned no electric, at this site, but there are boxes next to each campground with 30amp outlets. My camper doesn't use shore power, so I wasn't able to test the boxes. Attached a photo of what the outlet looks like if anyone wants to give it a try. There are paid sites across the road specifically for anyone who needs an electric hook up.

    Overall was quiet, but we also went on a day in December and there was noone else at the campground.

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Concho lake

    Good one night stay

    Stayed one day on my way to Reno. Nice spot along the highway. You can hear vehicles but in a van, barely heard it. There’s prairie dogs and bunnies galore, which was a nice bonus. Clean porti potties and decent AT&T signal. I only checked out one loop but place has as least 10 spots. Some have cement pads and fire rings. No picnic tables that I saw.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2022

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Love Places Like This!

    This is an old dirt lot with several sites for overnight RV parking, which the gift shop allows for free for a night as long as you are self-contained. No tent camping or sleeping in your car allowed (because there are no restrooms available). 

    Each spot has a picnic table and a few have a shade structure as well.

    The other side of the street has more sites available for $15/night and they include power hookups. No other amenities available here. 

    These lots are just outside the Petrified Forest NP south entrance and it’s so convenient to stay here if you’re going to be visiting the park. We stopped at the gift shop to make sure we were good to park here for the night and also to make an obligatory “thank you” purchase. They have lots of jewelry, petrified wood pieces (ranging from cheap to crazy expensive for the large polished pieces), clothing, gifts, stickers, etc. They also sell beer for $3/can but all they have is Budweiser. 

    Good-ish cell reception here. AT&T had 3G, Verizon had LTE, and T-Mobile was roaming as always.

  • Bob & Ramona F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 15, 2021

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    What do you want for FREE?

    Located just before south entrance. FREE ("Boondock") camping on East side. Electric (no water) for $15 on West side. We picked East as Solar gives us all the A/C we need! Gift shops to explore on both sides. SEVERAL abandoned cars in front of shops to "chum for patrons".... Great place to stage before a day of exploring. Not sure I'd stay more than 2 nites but a night before and nite after visiting the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert is perfect! Just make sure to spend some $ at the gift shop if you stay for free.

  • Irene L.
    Oct. 1, 2017

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Touristy but right next to Petrified Forest National Park

    The Petrified Forest National Park does not have its own car camping campground (there are only backcountry backpacking sites, requiring permits, gear, walking, skills, etc). This rather touristy campground is right outside the National Park. It is pretty basic and incredibly it is totally free. It does have electric hookups for a small fee, The sites are large and out in the open with no shade...dismal in the hot AZ sun! There’s a teepee village you can also use, would be a big hit for kids. The gift shop has some snacks and lots of interesting geological trinkets. At night it is beautifully dark.

  • Rene F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Lots of spots with slabs to the left looking at building.

    Was going to stay the night before, but needed a real bed. So I stopped this morning. It is tight next to south entrance of Petrified national forest.

Guide to Show Low

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Show Low, Arizona, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations to choose from, campers can enjoy the great outdoors while embracing the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Dispersed campers should check out Timber Mesa Trailhead

  • Located in the heart of Arizona, Timber Mesa Trailhead offers a unique experience with its flat spots for tents and a great fire pit, perfect for evening gatherings.
  • Campers have reported an intriguing atmosphere, with nearby ruins that sparked wild dreams and stories of local wildlife, including mountain lions.
  • The area is accessible by car, making it easy to reach while providing a sense of adventure in the wilderness.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Show Low, Arizona

  • For those seeking a peaceful retreat, Concho Lake provides a free camping experience with several sites that include picnic tables and trash disposal, though some areas may require a bit of cleanup.
  • Be prepared for windy conditions at Concho Lake, where campers have enjoyed the beautiful scenery despite the lake being dried up.
  • Always bring your own firewood, as some locations like Beehive Spring Camp may not have readily available firewood, especially in cooler months.

Scenic views and wildlife at National Forest Road 117C

  • Nestled on a mountain top, National Forest Road 117C offers stunning views and a sense of solitude, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • Campers have enjoyed the tranquility of the area, with minimal traffic from logging trucks, allowing for a peaceful experience with nature.
  • This location is ideal for those traveling with pets, as it welcomes furry companions to join in the adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping areas near Show Low, Arizona?

Several excellent dispersed camping areas surround Show Low in Arizona's beautiful White Mountains. Rim Road offers numerous dispersed sites about a mile into the woods off the highway, providing a perfect escape from city life with good cell reception in some areas. Another popular option is Upper Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping Area, though sites tend to fill up quickly on weekends, especially during summer months. These areas typically feature established fire rings, and many sites are numbered. When searching for dispersed camping, look for Forest Service roads that branch off main highways - many offer designated dispersed camping areas within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

Do I need permits for dispersed camping around Show Low, Arizona?

Most dispersed camping areas around Show Low don't require specific permits, but you should always check current regulations before your trip. Old Rim Road Dispersed Site features nearly 50 numbered sites with fire rings that don't require permits for use, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Be aware that the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest generally limits dispersed camping to 14 consecutive days within a 30-day period. While permits aren't typically needed, you should carry a valid recreation pass if parking in designated fee areas. During fire season (typically May-July), additional restrictions may be implemented that affect where and how you can camp, so check with the local ranger district office before your trip.

What are the dispersed camping options in the White Mountains near Show Low?

The White Mountains region near Show Low offers numerous dispersed camping options within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Beehive Spring Camp and Grover Spring Canyon Camp provide drive-in access to beautiful forest settings. Many dispersed sites in the White Mountains feature stunning views, particularly those along forest roads that follow ridgelines. Most areas have established fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions are common during drier months. Sites are typically spaced well apart for privacy, though proximity varies by location. The White Mountains offer camping at various elevations, providing options for escaping summer heat or finding milder conditions during shoulder seasons. Most dispersed sites in this region lack facilities, so come prepared with water and pack-out waste management plans.

Is free camping available in Show Low, AZ and where are the best spots?

Yes, free camping is readily available near Show Low. Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts offers completely free overnight stays for self-contained RVs and campers (no tent camping allowed) with convenient amenities like dumpsters for trash disposal. While not directly in Show Low, it makes an excellent basecamp for exploring the region. Another free option is Concho Lake, which features multiple camping spots along the highway with portable toilets and decent cell signal. Many spots include fire rings and some have shade structures. The free dispersed camping areas throughout the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early, especially during peak summer weekends, is recommended.

Keep Exploring