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Best Dispersed Camping in Arizona

3,167 Reviews

Arizona's Mogollon Rim area offers multiple free dispersed camping opportunities with stunning overlook views. Forest roads like FR535, FR738, and FR141 provide access to secluded sites directly on the rim where campers can see for miles. Most locations require careful driving on gravel or dirt roads, with some areas necessitating high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. A recent review noted, "There are many spots to choose from. Beautiful views if you keep going up the road."

Across northern Arizona, areas near Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon provide additional dispersed camping options. The East Pocket area near Sedona features spectacular vistas but requires navigating approximately 20 miles of increasingly rough roads. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "The drive itself is an adventure, but doable in just about any car if it hasn't rained." Most sites are primitive with no amenities—campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, and weather conditions can quickly change access difficulty.

Best Dispersed Campgrounds in Arizona (649)

    1. Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed

    93 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ

    "Great free dispersed camping immediately outside the Grand Canyon! There are an abundance of sites here, we spent about 45 minutes just picking and choosing our favorite."

    "It’s a well maintained dirt road fine for cars with low clearance. As other reviews state go past no camping signs and horse stables and sights pop up as you go down the road."

    2. Edge of the World (East Pocket)

    59 Reviews
    Sedona, AZ
    Website
    +1 (928) 527-3600

    "The trail is a commitment as it can take 2 hours or so to get up. But once you’re there it’s so nice and peaceful. There are no facilities, you do get decent service near the edge."

    "I rented a camper van for my desert road trip with my daughter, and read about this spot on Dyrt, the pictures look breathtaking and I really want to try and get here to see it for myself."

    3. Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) Dispersed Camping Area

    59 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    Website

    "Due to the ease of access from Sedona and Flagstaff this campground sees a lot of action."

    "The worst part of the road is at the entrance off the highway, then it does get a bit better."

    4. Soap Creek - Dispersed Camping

    42 Reviews
    Marble Canyon, AZ
    Website
    +1 (202) 208-3801

    "Stayed to the right due to driving a Solis. The ground was manageable to get through with 2 wheel drive. The spot is absolutely sick."

    "The pull-off for this area is situated between a scenic byway sign, from both directions. You have to open an unlocked gate to access the road to the canyon."

    5. FR 222 Dispersed

    40 Reviews
    Bellemont, AZ
    Website
    +1 (928) 527-3600

    "Nice flat areas for camping. Very upsetting to see most of the sites are littered with trash."

    "Didn’t see any wildlife but I’m sure they are around! No amenities so come prepared for dry camping. Flagstaff is about 15 min away and had good AT&T service and was able to work remotely."

    6. Cactus Forest Dispersed

    39 Reviews
    Marana, AZ
    Website

    "This area is about 30 minutes away from Rilloto for supplies. Picacho Peak State park is 20 minutes away for hiking. Overall, it is a quiet area with beautiful views."

    "Classic BLM-style camping, meaning no amenities, dispersed, and pack out all waste. This campground’s name is quite apt; it is indeed a cactus forest, and a beautiful one at that."

    7. Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    40 Reviews
    Woodruff, AZ
    +1 (928) 524-3500

    "Good place to dispersed camp on private property. Concrete pads, some with picnic tables. Safe and quiet."

    "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."

    8. Snyder Hill BLM Camping Area

    42 Reviews
    Cortaro, AZ
    Website
    +1 (520) 258-7200

    "Bureau of Land Management site. 14 day limit. Easy access and we were able to park our 42 ft motor home easily. The area is quiet with trails and lots of area to walk your four legged camper!"

    "This BLM property, right off the Ajo highway near Tucson, is extremely convenient for a short or extended stay. Anyone can stay up to 14 nights, free of charge. "

    9. Walnut Canyon Rd Dispersed Camping - CLOSED UNTIL 2025

    36 Reviews
    Flagstaff, AZ
    Website

    "This spot is perfect for boondocking or car camping, but we decided against popping up our camper here and just car camped instead."

    "10-15 minutes from Walnut Canyon National Monument off a side dirt road."

    10. Garland Prairie Rd Dispersed Camping

    33 Reviews
    Williams, AZ
    Website
    +1 (928) 635-8200

    "We just kept driving along a pretty rugged dirt road until we found a site. Turned out to be great. Not a person in sight and very wooded."

    "Very accessible. Large area. Do not need 4 wheel drive to reach a spot you can camp in. Other spots you might need high clearance."

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    Dispersed Camping Reviews in Arizona

    3167 Reviews of 649 Arizona Campgrounds

    • bThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 28, 2026

      Soda Springs Road

      This is a great spot with 360 views and stellar sunsets. There is no shade and it gets pretty warm with the sun beating down. There are quite a few large spots to accommodate big rigs. HOWEVER- I arrived on a Monday around noon and got one of the last spots. Several campers have arrived looking for spots since I got here (it’s Tuesday). This is clearly a popular spot so have a back up plan. All the campers are closer than usual for dispersed camping. But they were all quiet during my time here.

    • Kristina C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 28, 2026

      Yuma VFW

      Fine for a night. Maybe a dozen other campers there, but they look like the type who are staying a while..

    • KThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 28, 2026

      Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

      The shop generously lets people without hookups stay for free. There are some hookup sites but I’m not sure if they are free – I suspect they are not. It’s a dirt parking lot with some concrete pads, where you can stay for free for three days. If you’re in a van or something small smaller, you could also park in front of the store. I’m here in late. October and the place is pretty full at 5:30. It appears to be right outside the entrance to petrified forest national Park

    • Don R.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 27, 2026

      Apache Trail North Camp

      Some sites are off the road but can be rough. Peaceful quiet nights.

    • FiftysevenNine T.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 27, 2026

      Plomosa Road

      Six miles from town

      Anywhere along Plomosa probably won't ever be as crowded as LTVA, as I boondocked here in October and January.

      It's decent, uneventful land for free use. Be autonomous.

    • Mike & Sarge ..The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 26, 2026

      Saddle Mountain BLM (Tonopah, AZ)

      Absolute shithole! As soon as I pulled in my truck was swarmed with thousands of flies (no exaggeration!) if I hadn’t just traveled from Colorado and was exhausted I would have immediately left. My trailer was then infested with flies as well. It’s going to take days to get rid of the infestation. Despite that, I did give it a two-star rating for the views.

    • EThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 26, 2026

      Forest Road 525 Camping Area

      Road was rocky in places but manageable. Portapotty is nice to have at a free campsite.

    Guide to Arizona

    Discover the beauty of dispersed camping in Arizona, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds, often surrounded by stunning landscapes and wildlife.

    Tips for free and dispersed camping in Arizona

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