The Bureau of Land Management oversees multiple primitive camping areas around Yucca, Arizona, situated in the Mojave Desert at elevations ranging from 1,100 to 1,800 feet. Winter temperatures typically range from 40-70°F, while summer months regularly exceed 100°F with minimal shade. Most dispersed camping sites require visitors to be entirely self-sufficient regarding water, waste management, and supplies.
What to do
Explore cave formations: Near Craggy Wash - Dispersed Camping Area, visitors can discover interesting geological features. "Cool spot to fly the drone, caves and weird stuff left behind by previous campers," notes one visitor who appreciated the unique landscape despite some drawbacks.
Visit historic Oatman: Just a short drive from The Y Dispersed Campsite, campers can explore a preserved mining town. "Only 2.5 miles from downtown Oatman," shares a reviewer who enjoyed the location's easy access to this Route 66 attraction.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The desert offers surprising wildlife encounters, particularly at dawn and dusk. At The Y Dispersed Campsite, a camper observed that "Burros frequent the area looking for food from travelers and often stand in the middle of the road," creating unique photo opportunities.
What campers like
Accessibility to town: Many appreciate how Havasu Heights provides a balance between seclusion and convenience. A reviewer noted, "Town is about 10 minutes south, and interstate 40 is about 10 minutes north," making supply runs practical during extended stays.
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. One camper at Havasu Heights shared, "There's not a lot of light pollution so you can get great stars and moon pictures," highlighting a popular evening activity among desert campers.
Cell service reliability: For remote workers, Lone Tree Dispersed Camping BLM offers surprisingly good connectivity. "Great spot to stop for a work week. 15 to a planet fitness for showers and 10 minutes to Loves gas station for another shower option," reports one digital nomad who found the area suitable for balancing work and outdoor living.
What you should know
Road condition variability: Many access roads deteriorate seasonally. A visitor to Hwy 193 BLM Dispersed advised, "The farther down the road, the rougher and more rutted it gets. Don't recommend for larger campers or trailers unless it's a 4x4 type."
Trash management challenges: Pack-out practices aren't universally followed. "There are so many little private spots, several marked with rock fire pits... Surprisingly little trash in the area, just a few bottles along the road that were probably tossed from vehicles that we picked up," observed a conscientious camper at Hwy 193.
Temperature extremes: Summer heat can be dangerous without proper preparation. "Sand is soft and we had a hard time getting and keeping our RV level," noted a camper dealing with the unstable desert terrain at Hwy 193 that becomes more pronounced during extreme heat cycles.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for potential animal encounters. At The Y Dispersed Campsite, one camper cautioned, "Just beware the coyotes are hunting your little dogs. An occasional Donkey will walk thru & your dog looks like there enemy, Wile E Coyote!"
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some sites more than others. A visitor to Lone Tree observed, "The area is right off the highway, but you can go far enough back to minimize any noise. There are plenty of level areas to park with fire rings."
Activity planning: Bring entertainment as amenities are minimal. "Found a great spot away from the main campground areas... a little noisy from the highway about 1/4 mile away and a few off road vehicles passing by, more so on the weekends the the weekdays," reported a Craggy Wash camper who recommended weekday visits for families seeking quieter experiences.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many areas require additional equipment for comfortable setup. "Coming from 95 the right side has long more private pull ins but it's very hard to turn around, narrow, and very sketchy if you have low clearance vehicles," warns a visitor to BLM Dispersed Camping Havasu.
Site selection strategy: Arrive early for better positioning options. "We stayed in a back-in dispersed camping spot... After unhooking (wide road) by the old Hwy 93 turnoff, we drove 93 a ways in the truck and determined it was too rough and washed out in places for our RV," recommends a camper who thoroughly scouted locations before committing to a spot.
Resource planning: Plan for complete self-sufficiency. "You can dump at the state park and get water for a fee. You can fill portable water tanks at Heather's Water and Ice at 34 N Lake Havasu Ave for $.25 a gallon," advises a resourceful RVer at Lone Tree who found creative solutions for extending primitive camping stays.
