Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Bear Mountain

3 Reviews

About

USDA Forest Service

Gila National Forest

The majority of campgrounds on the Gila National Forest are primitive and offer dispersed camping. You may camp outside of developed campgrounds anywhere on the Forest at no charge. The Gila National Forest implemented Travel Management and we recommend you stop in to one of our six ranger stations and pick up travel management maps so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted.

Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas.

The Gila National Forest has a 14-day stay limit, in any 30 day period, on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

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AT&T
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Site Types

Dispersed

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For Campers

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Sierra N.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 2, 2023

Quiet & Beautiful

Right off the road, 4 campsites. The last one is a little more open and we will def be coming back. Pretty stars, and 2 bars of service for Verizon. Please remember to clean up after yourself! Unfortunately there was a lot of old glass, among other trash. Also be careful on the road, it’s 30, but people fly down it not thinking of others on the road. It is a tight squeeze to get a truck back there, Tacoma, but we got tucked in just fine. Also there’s a woodsy sign leading into the forest! Cool to see an iconic owl!

SiteBear Mountain Dispersed Camping

Month of VisitMay

(5) View All

anneliese

Scout

Reviewed Nov. 10, 2022

Nice dispersed spots

4-5 dispersed spots on road 4242d before reaching the summit on bear mountain road (where the coordinates take you to). A narrow, rocky road with some low-hanging trees. Our sprinter made it but it was tight. The best spot was where the road dead-ends. Lots of shelter but not a ton of sunlight.

Month of VisitDecember

Darrin R.

Traveler

Reviewed Jan. 19, 2022

Rugged, no frills, but beautiful and quiet

Stopped here to spend the night in July because it was cooler (~7500 ft elevation), free, quiet and beautiful. It's just a place to camp in the National Forest. No amenities.

Site1

Month of VisitAugust