We camp in our Chevy van and such lots of the primitive back country camping isn’t accessible to us BUT these sites are awesome, accessible, quiet and remote and beautiful. All the things we wanted in primitive camping. There are 6 sites in the Pine Canyon area (Nugent Mtn sites are on the same road prior to this). We saw sites 1-5 so can’t speak to site 6. The road is dirt/gravel and in pretty good shape. Prob need high clearance but not 4WD. There are some washes to go thru with low dips that may make it impassible with a standard car. We stayed in site 2 and 4. Site 4 is more remote and quiet, off the dirt road further and was our favorite view. Both sites have a flattish dirt area for parking and some cleared spots for tents. Also have a bear/javelina box. Otherwise bring everything you need including water and enjoy the peace and quiet!

My husband and I loved this place and would come back in a second BUT….it’s not for everyone. 16$ a night and needs to be booked on Recreation.gov The campground is tucked in a basin of the mountains. The road to get here is steep and windy but paved and beautiful! The sites are small, often unique and not level. So…if you are camping with a bigger rig. This is not for you. You will likely not fit in the sites and/or will be VERY unlevel. The sites are ideal for small vans/tents/campers. Some sites are honestly even unmanageable for any camper situation other than a tent. Most sites had a sun shade/gazebo with a table and a bear/javelina box. Some of the sites have a parking area on one side of the campground road and the actual site on the other side. Look closely on the website before booking to be sure the site will work for you! We had site 15, 17 and 41 for the days we were there and all worked for our Chevy van with the use of blocks for leveling. 43 and 47 also looked particularly nice to us. Site 16 is one where your actual site is across the street from your parking area. Also no generator use so beware of that. They don’t even like you to have your car idling for long so plan accordingly if you need power from a generator or your car. Otherwise this campground has all the things you’ll need other than electrical hookups and showers. Potable water, trash and flush toilets. Visitor center is close by and most trails are easily accessible from the campground. Don’t miss the sunsets from the window view trail! Amazing.

This little gem is exactly what you need. It’s completely free, in a county park and has just about everything you need. Folks are super friendly. Combo of people just passing thru and people that call this park home. No limit for staying. Potable water. Bathrooms with flush toilets and showers. There’s even a washing machine and gazebo with power/outlets and a microwave. What’s the catch??? As far as we can tell there isn’t one! Just a sweet little community of folks 😍 ps beware of pokey things in the grass! Especially if you have pups.

Cottonwood Campground is nothing very special, in our opinions but served it’s purpose! It’s very close to Santa Elena and a great spot as a home base for exploring the west side of Big Bend. The campground is right off Ross Maxwell road and a few miles before you reach Santa Elena. The sites are in a long loop. They had just created several more sites when we were there - 29 in total I believe. Pit toilets, potable water and trash are available, as well as a bear box in every site. There was a couple serving as camp host that were very kind and happy to lend advice. Campground was quiet and calm when we were here in January. A gentleman next to us set up a big telescope at night and let everyone gaze at Jupiter and the moon and such. Was really lovely!

This area is v easy to find. Right off 62/180 at mile marker 10. On the right hand side of the road if heading north towards Carlsbad. The turn off isn’t marked but there are several signs right around it. Gravel/dirt road is in pretty good shape. Most any car should be able to drive down it. The sites start almost immediately and are well spaced. There were no other people around when we were here in January! Prepare yourself for the wind if you are here in winter. It was no joke! We also stayed across the street at Sunset reef for a night. Both are nice! Less privacy at Sunset reef but there’s a pit toilet if that’s important to you, as well as sun shelters and picnic tables.

This site/sites are along a dirt road just off 62/180 a few miles north of the turn off to Carlsbad Caverns. There are three sites that are reachable with most any car and then a little rough patch after the third site makes it a bit more challenging to get to the rest of the sites (although they are lovely further along the road). See photos for rough road. Could be ok with careful driving and high clearance even if no 4WD but we didn’t try in our Chevy van. We stayed at the second site on the left (not counting the first pull off as you come onto the dirt road. Was a bit unlevel but we made it work with our blocks. Not a ton of privacy and some road noise but not too bothersome to us. There were several others camping here both of the nights we stayed around NYE. Everyone was quiet and respectful. Lovely stay and super convenient to the caves! Around 45 mins to Guadalupe from here.

We stayed close by at Sierra View for a night and then tried this spot out and really enjoyed it! A bit more space and privacy here and the mountains are just gorgeous. The spur road is dirt and a bit rough in places. We didn’t have too much of a problem in our Chevy van but it was slooow going. There’s a fair amount of spots around the spur road and we didn’t have trouble finding a site in December when we were here. It gets pretty chilly out here! No services but a beautiful, quiet place to park. The paved road near by has some noise but wasn’t bothersome to us. Lots of hiking close by. We did Baylor Pass a few miles down the street (there’s also camping allowed in the parking lot there in a pinch) and it was a great hike. Highly recommend.

We really enjoyed our time here! The cows were great to watch and we got some great video of them! The road in was dirt and washboard here and there but overall could be easily passed by most any car. GPS coords were pretty accurate as well. Once you are off the main road the sand can be pretty deep and some of the turns pretty tight so scope it out if your in a bigger rig, before heading in. Lots of spots on the left in the first loops and on a spur to the right near some cool rocks. Not many people around when we were here and was nice and quiet.

This spot is v quiet and there was no one else around when we were here in December {other than the cows!}. It’s does get quite cold as you’re around 5K ft elevation here. We camped near the Group site but not in it. There are a few other flat spots that would work for smaller set ups. The Group site itself apparently needs a special permit for use. Road to the site was dirt but our Chevy van had no prob getting down it - that might change if there was rain or snow tho! Mountains all around and they were beautifully topped with snow when we were here!! Lovely stay

Although this is a place to legally park and camp, it’s pretty bad. It is absolutely jammed with folks all across the camping/living spectrum. It’s busy! There’s garbage and glass everywhere. Old tires, discarded clothes, plastic bags. Literally everywhere. Folks seem to let their dogs just run free and we were approached by several unfriendly barking jumping large dogs. There was also a slight feeling of being unsafe here - although just a feeling, nothing actually happened to back it up. We’ve been full time vanlifers for over a year and this is by far the most unpleasant place we’ve stayed. Does it work in a pinch, sure. Would I try to find somewhere else to camp if I were you - definitely.

Pros: Super convenient for going to the park. Roads to get out here were very passable. Washboard in places but doable with any vehicle. There’s tons of space. We were here in early December and there were ample sites. It’s also FREE! That’s always a Pro right? Cons: There’s a bit of road noise as you’re pretty close to Interstate 10. And well….you’re pretty close to Interstate 10 so it’s not the most visually appealing place to camp. There’s also big power lines that go thru the area. They aren’t terribly bothersome either but again, not the most picturesque

Tons of space. Right off Oligby rd. Many pre established sites with rock fire pits. Some close to the road and others a drive in. Even fairly close to the road we had lots of privacy. Didn’t seem to be many folks close by - however we could see many people camping in the area. “Roads” we’re varying depending on how far out you go. There are train tracks close by and we heard the occasional train but wasn’t bothersome. Not a lot of trees/shrubs for privacy but 🤷🏻‍♀️ this is the desert.

We drove pretty far out Mittry Lake Road to the “free camping” spot labeled on Google maps. There are lots of other dispersed spots on the way in (but we’re full) and a big dispersed camping lot with parking spots as well. This is a busy area with lots of folks around. Everyone was respectful when we were here but don’t expect too much solitude or privacy. Road in is in great shape, packed gravel. Lots of the camp spots are dirt. Beautiful sunsets and lots of birds chirping. A very lovely spot to be…but with lots of company.

Maybe not a spot we would hang out in for too long but perfect for a quick stop over on our way to Yuma. As others have said, it’s right under a power line. The road noise is also noticeable from where we camped but not bothersome. Lots of room to spread out and be away from neighbors if that’s your thing

Looked like an awesome camp spot but by late afternoon on a Wednesday in November it was completely jammed! We could have squeezed in and most folks were parked pretty close to one another along the shore, but we were looking for a little more solitude! I didn’t take any photos but it’s a 3.5mile drive in in a bumpy gravel road (but very passable) and then the camping area is mostly sand.

We love it here. Bloody Basin is gorgeous, right off 17 and an easy stop for the night or several nights. Road was in great shape and easily traveled by most any car - prob even for big rigs! Site are large and spacious and well spaced out. You can drive as far in/off the main road as you want. Pretty clean and safe feeling.

This spot is pretty sweeeet. Its kind of the perfect dispersed situation. It’s easy to get to, there’s around 20 spots in the area. Road is bumpy but passable by basically any car. Sites were super clean and well spaced out. You can stay 7 days and camping is only in designated sites (they are all numbered and marked with poles at the sites entrance). Area felt pretty safe. Saw a small herd of deer on my run while visiting. It wasn’t busy when we were here in November. All sites have a fire pit as well. As always with dispersed its carry in carry out. No water/bathrooms etc.

Dispersed camping close to Prescott. Coords bring you pretty close to camping. Camping is in marked established sites only - per sign at entrance, down a dirt road that gets pretty rough pretty quickly. Allowed to stay 7 days max. We stayed in one of the first sites as the road got too gnarly for our G20 van. The down side is the GARBAGE! 😡 There was trash and toilet paper and discarded clothes everywhere! So gross. Wish folks were respectful and cleaned up after themselves bc places like this could be super awesome and we all deserve to enjoy them - natural and safe and clean. There’s also some ATV noise and dust but wasn’t bothersome to us.

This site is a great find! Easy access from 64 just north of Tusayan. FR 328 is on the left if you are headed towards the Canyon. Road is packed gravel and any car could easily drive it. Less than a mile from the park sign. Super great spot. As many others have said there are several road side spots with 🚫⛺️ signs in them but these are just in the very beginning of the road. You’ll pass some stables on the left and then will begin to see sites. We were here in November and had no problem finding a big beautiful spot. Be prepared for some ccccold nights if you are here in November! 19degrees this am! Obvi no services here but a great, FREE, quiet, convenient place to camp near the Grand Canyon

Easy access to great dispersed camping. Although this is a big area, it’s busy and good spots fill up fast! We were here just after a rainstorm and the road was slippery and muddy. We didn’t have too much trouble in our FWD van but be aware that the road changes drastically in the rain! Stayed for a few days, hiked around and had a lovely stay. Was clean and trash free and everyone was pretty quiet and respectful.