Where the South Maricopa Mountains rise from the Sonoran Desert floor, this Bureau of Land Management dispersed camping area provides primitive overnight options within the Lower Sonoran Field Office boundaries. Campers set up along unmarked desert sites without designated spots, water, or restrooms. The wilderness designation means no motorized vehicles beyond established access roads.
Desert camping here requires self-sufficiency and Leave No Trace practices. The area sits roughly 20 miles east of places to camp around Gila Bend, with several other BLM dispersed sites scattered throughout the surrounding Sonoran Desert National Monument. Visitors should bring all water and supplies, as services remain limited in this remote section of Arizona's Lower Sonoran region.
Description
The 60,100-acre South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness is located in southwestern Maricopa County, 16 miles east of Gila Bend and 30 miles southwest of Phoenix, Arizona. This wilderness includes 13 miles of the Maricopa Mountain range, a low elevation Sonoran Desert range, and extensive desert plains. The eastern part of the wilderness has an isolated and screened mountainous interior, formed by long ridges and isolated peaks, separated by plains and washes. The western part is dominated by desert flats fronting the east-west trending Maricopa Mountains ridgeline. This area's large size, varied landforms, and wildness provide outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. Hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, camping, wildlife observation and photography are some activities both experienced and family-oriented outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy. Desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, coyotes, bobcat, fox, deer, Gambel's quail and various raptors also inhabit the wilderness. Saguaro, cholla, and ocotillo, paloverde and mesquite are among the many plant species.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSouth Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area is located in Arizona near Gila Bend
Directions
This wilderness area is a two-hour drive from metropolitan Phoenix, but access is difficult. Because road conditions vary, high-clearance and four wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. Interstate Highway 8 parallels the south boundary of the wilderness, but offers no access to the wilderness. The north boundary can be accessed from primitive dirt roads south of Maricopa Road, but active railroad tracks and rights-of-way restrict public crossings. No roads lead to the western and eastern boundaries of the wilderness.
Coordinates
32.92529954 N
112.39834436 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 19 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 1 hr 28 min from Tucson, AZ
- 1 hr 58 min from Yuma, AZ
- 2 hrs 24 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
