Free Camping in Arizona
Discover 27 free and dispersed camping spots
Best Seasons
Fall, Winter, Spring
Climate
Desert climate with hot summers and mild winters
Terrain
Desert, Mountains
Free Spots
27 locations
Complete Guide to Free Camping in Arizona
Overview
Arizona's diverse landscape encompasses Sonoran Desert, high country forests, and everything in between, offering year-round dispersed camping. With over 12 million acres of national forest and vast BLM lands, free camping options are nearly limitless. Popular areas include Coconino National Forest, Tonto National Forest, and BLM lands surrounding Quartzsite.
Best Times to Visit
Desert regions below 4,000 feet are ideal from October through April. High country forests above 6,000 feet offer perfect summer camping from May through September. Winter snowbird season brings thousands of RVers to Quartzsite and Yuma BLM areas.
Popular Camping Areas
Coconino National Forest around Flagstaff and Sedona provides high-elevation relief. Tonto National Forest north of Phoenix offers easily accessible dispersed camping. Quartzsite attracts massive winter crowds with free BLM camping.
Regulations & Important Information
Arizona enforces the 14-day limit, with some areas allowing 28 days. Quartzsite's LTVAs permit stays up to 7 months for a fee. Fire restrictions are common from May through monsoon season ends in September.
Camping Spots (27)
FR 525 Designated Dispersed
"Free dispersed camping around Coconino NF/BLM Arizona. Red rock mesas and desert scrub with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Sedona west side. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Designated only; high demand Arrive early to claim a legal
Ajo Scenic Loop
"Free dispersed camping around Sonoran Desert NM Arizona. Saguaro flats and rugged hills with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Ajo/OPNM vicinity. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Extreme summer heat Arrive early to claim a legal
Ashurst Lake Backroads
"Free dispersed camping at Ashurst Lake Backroads in Arizona. Open meadows and ponderosa with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Ashurst and Marshall Lakes. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Windy; popular Arrive early
Cave Creek – Seven Springs Road
"Free dispersed camping at Cave Creek – Seven Springs Road in Arizona. Riparian canyon and desert hills with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Seven Springs. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Narrow for trailers Arrive early
Chiricahua – Pinery Canyon Rd
"Free dispersed camping around Coronado NF Arizona. Oak–pine canyons and birding with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Portal/Sunrise area. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Steep grades; tight turns Arrive early to claim a legal
Cinder Hills OHV Vicinity
"Free dispersed camping around Coconino NF Arizona. Cinder cones and ponderosa flats with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Sunset Crater area. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Dusty; OHV noise Arrive early to claim a legal
Coconino – FR 237 Willard Springs
"Free dispersed camping at Coconino – FR 237 Willard Springs in Arizona. Ponderosa flats and cinder soil with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Willard Springs. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Weekend crowds Arrive early
Grand Canyon Parashant Backroads
"Free dispersed camping around Parashant NM Arizona. Remote plateaus and canyon rims with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Whitmore/Andrus. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Very remote; no services Arrive early to claim a legal
Florence–Kelvin Hwy Corridors
"Free dispersed camping around Lower Sonoran BLM Arizona. Desert benches above Gila River with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Box Canyon. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Flash flood risk Arrive early to claim a legal
Grand Canyon – Forest Road 688 Corridor
"Free dispersed camping at Grand Canyon – Forest Road 688 Corridor in Arizona. Ponderosa flats near the park with informal pullouts and some level clearings near FR 688. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Busy in peak season Arrive early
Kachina Peaks – Snowbowl Road Spurs
"Free dispersed camping at Kachina Peaks – Snowbowl Road Spurs in Arizona. High elevation fir–aspen with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Agassiz Peak area. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Thin air; cold nights Arrive early
Kaibab Plateau – Jacob Lake Spurs
"Free dispersed camping at Kaibab Plateau – Jacob Lake Spurs in Arizona. Aspen–pine plateaus with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Jacob Lake. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Cool nights; storms Arrive early
Kofa NWR Desert Pullouts
"Free dispersed camping around Kofa NWR Arizona. Desert basins and rugged peaks with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Palm Canyon. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. No water/shade Arrive early to claim a legal
Madera Canyon Foothill Roads
"Free dispersed camping at Madera Canyon Foothill Roads in Arizona. Oak woodlands and canyons with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Madera Canyon. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Wildlife present Arrive early
Mogollon Rim FR 300 Pullouts
"Free dispersed camping around Coconino NF Arizona. Rim-edge overlooks and ponderosa flats with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Woods Canyon/Willow Springs. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Steep drop-offs; crowded weekends Arrive early to claim a legal
Mount Graham – FR 803/507
"Free dispersed camping around Coronado NF Arizona. Sky island forests and cool temps with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Pinaleño Mountains. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Seasonal closures Arrive early to claim a legal
North Kaibab FR 22/425
"Free dispersed camping around Kaibab NF Arizona. Aspen–pine plateaus with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by North Rim (outside park). Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Late snow; cool nights Arrive early to claim a legal
Parker Canyon Lake Vicinity
"Free dispersed camping at Parker Canyon Lake Vicinity in Arizona. Oak grasslands and foothills with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Parker Canyon. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Windy at lake Arrive early
Prescott – Senator Hwy Spurs
"Free dispersed camping around Prescott NF Arizona. Ponderosa ridges and mining roads with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Senator Highway. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Narrow shelf roads Arrive early to claim a legal
Prescott – Skull Valley Backroads
"Free dispersed camping at Prescott – Skull Valley Backroads in Arizona. Pinyon-juniper foothills with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Skull Valley. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Rough tracks Arrive early
Saguaro Lake – Butcher Jones Vicinity
"Free dispersed camping at Saguaro Lake – Butcher Jones Vicinity in Arizona. Desert hills and lake benches with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Saguaro Lake. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Crowds on weekends Arrive early
Santa Rita – Madera Canyon Roads
"Free dispersed camping around Coronado NF Arizona. Oak woodlands and shaded canyons with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Madera Canyon. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Wildlife present Arrive early to claim a legal
Schnebly Hill Road Dispersed (outside closure)
"Free dispersed camping at Schnebly Hill Road Dispersed (outside closure) in Arizona. High views and red rock benches with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Schnebly Hill. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Rough; high clearance Arrive early
Tonto – Four Peaks Rd FR 143
"Free dispersed camping around Tonto NF Arizona. Desert mountain vistas and washes with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Four Peaks. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Rough after storms Arrive early to claim a legal
Tonto – Roosevelt Lake North Shore
"Free dispersed camping at Tonto – Roosevelt Lake North Shore in Arizona. Desert benches above the lake with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Roosevelt. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. No shade; heat Arrive early
Walnut Canyon Forest Roads
"Free dispersed camping at Walnut Canyon Forest Roads in Arizona. Ponderosa flats and cinder soils with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Walnut Canyon vicinity. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Dust and OHV noise Arrive early
Williams/Kaibab FR 124/140
"Free dispersed camping around Kaibab NF – Williams Arizona. Ponderosa pine flats near Route 66 with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Bill Williams Mountain. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Thunderstorms/mud Arrive early to claim a legal
Popular Camping Areas
- Quartzsite LTVA
- Coconino National Forest
- Tonto National Forest
- BLM Desert Areas
Important Regulations
- 14-day limit on BLM lands
- Fire restrictions common
- Extreme heat awareness in summer
Permits: Most BLM camping is free, some long-term areas require permits
Complete Guide to Free Camping in Arizona
Arizona is a premier boondocking destination with extensive BLM lands, desert landscapes, and year-round camping opportunities in the Sonoran Desert.
Best Free Camping Areas in Arizona
Arizona offers diverse free camping opportunities across desert, mountains, canyons, mesas. The most popular areas include Quartzsite LTVA, Coconino National Forest, Tonto National Forest, each offering unique landscapes and camping experiences.
When to Visit Arizona for Camping
The best times for free camping in Arizona are during fall, winter, spring. The state's desert climate with hot summers and mild winters means weather conditions vary throughout the year, so planning your visit during optimal seasons ensures the best camping experience.
Arizona Camping Regulations
Before camping in Arizona, it's important to understand local regulations. Most BLM camping is free, some long-term areas require permitsMost dispersed camping follows standard federal guidelines, but some areas may have specific restrictions.
What to Expect
Free camping in Arizona typically involves camping on public lands managed by the Forest Service, BLM, or state agencies. Expect primitive conditions with no hookups, but incredible natural beauty and the freedom to explore desert, mountains, canyons, mesas at your own pace.