Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. In contrast to camping in developed campsites, dispersed camping is more primitive, and generally has no amenities such as trash collection, water or toilets.


The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres (about 4% of the Prescott National Forest).

Prescott Basin has a high percentage of wildland-urban interface, a mixture of undeveloped and developed land. The popularity of the Prescott Basin, has contributed to resource impacts such as accelerated soil erosion, damage or loss of vegetation, displaced wildlife, increased fire risk, and accumulation of trash and human waste.


 Camping and campfires are allowed only at Designated Campsites, and in developed campgrounds, within the Prescott Basin. During fire restrictions, campfires are not allowed in these designated dispersed camp sites.

Recreational camping is allowed in developed and designated dispersed campsites; however, residing on National Forest Lands is not allowed.
• Camping in designated dispersed campsites is allowed for 7 days in a 30 day period.
• Campfires in provided fire rings only in designated dispersed campsites.
• Do not put cans, bottles, or aluminum foil into fire rings.
• Use only dead and down wood for campfires.
• Be safe in the forest. Make sure your campfire is dead out!

C64 Copper Basin Road Dispersed Camping

If you're going to camp on Copper Basin Road I strongly suggest coming in from the South side of Prescott instead of through Thumb Butte Road (the road on Thumb Butte is really rough and you need high ground clearance). Sites 3, 4, and 5 are grouped and so are sites 6 and 7\. The entry way to sites 3, 4, and 5 was TERRIBLE and even with a high clearance vehicle would take some maneuvering (check out the video). The road was fairly well maintained and it looked like there were a few houses or resorts at the end of the road.

7 campsites... more like 3 group sites

We came in on Copper Basin Road coming from downtown Prescott. Our small Kia made it to the sites but there were some rough areas on the roads. The entrances into the camp sites were also very rough and it was difficult to find a path our car could handle. We parked our car at one of the 'grouped' sites (#6-7) and backpacked onto the Prescott Circle Trail. There were many other groups of people in that same relative area because the campsites are grouped together.