EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING
Free Camping in Arizona
Arizona's national forests are a surprise to those who only know the state's desert terrain — the Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott, and Tonto national forests cover the mountain zones above 5,000 feet elevation, with ponderosa pine and aspen replacing saguaro. The Mogollon Rim — a 2,000-foot escarpment running 200 miles across the state — has the highest density of dispersed camping: Rim Road (FR 300) along the top has pullout sites every few miles with views into the Salt River drainage. The White Mountains in the east around Greer and Springerville have dispersed sites in aspen groves at 9,000 feet. Dispersed camping in Arizona requires a free permit in high-use areas during summer.
No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →
Before You Go
Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water
Free Camping Sites in Arizona
Clark Peak Corrals Dispersed Camping, located close to 9,000 feet in mixed-conifer forest, is the last dispersed camping area at the end of National Forest Serv…
Haigler Canyon is deep within the forest. The unpaved road is windy, narrow, and steep which makes this recreation site a favorite for OHV use. Families enjoy d…
Houston Mesa Campground is located in the forested northern section of Tonto National Forest, just one mile north of Payson, Arizona and less than two hours fro…
Ponderosa pine trees surround and tower over open-space campgrounds, providing cool shade and gorgeous vistas. Most visitors enjoy taking advantage of the area'…
Day-use only, no camping. Situated near Scott Reservoir. Portable toilets only. Garbage dumpster only available from June to September. Pack It In.Pack It Ou…
Free dispersed camping in Kaibab National Forest just south of the Grand Canyon South Rim — walking distance and bikeable to the rim via the Greenway Trail. Pon…
Group Campground
C101-WOLF CREEK DESIGNATED DISPERSED (Camping Area)
C56-SENATOR HWY DESIGNATED DISP (Camping Area)
C64 COPPER BASIN DESIGNATED DISP. (Camping Area)
This site no longer exists.
FDR23-ENCHANTED FOREST TRAIL-DESIGNATED DISP. (Camping Area)
FDR30-BANNIE MINE DESIGNATED DISP (Camping Area)
FDR64-MARIPAI RD DESIGNATED DISP. (Camping Area)
INDIAN CREEK CAMPGROUND (Campground)
LAKESIDE (Campground) is permanently closed
Dispersed Camping Area. Vault Toilet located at Larson Ridge Trailhead across FR 237. from camping area. This is a designated dispersed camping area. Camping al…
LAWRENCE CROSSING CAMPGROUND (Campground)
POWELL SPRINGS CAMPGROUND (Campground)
This is an unimproved designated dispersed camp area within the RIm Lakes Recreation Area located on an unnumbered road on the north side of the junction of Fo…
Site has been decommissioned.
ROUND THE MOUNTAIN
Site has been decommissioned.
Coconino National Forest USFS, near Sycamore Pass Rd, flat parking spot. Near the end of a small spur road. Not far from Sedona. Shrub trees provide moderate p…
Coconino National Forest, Wet Beaver Wilderness Area, Montezuma castle NM, Lake Montezume, Rimrock.
Free campground in Canyon de Chelly NM, facilities include flush toilets, picnic tables and drinking water. There are no shower facilities. No fee is required.
Kaibab National Forest, near North Rim Grand Canyon. Area is fairly heavily used, but easy to find a spot nearby.
Crystal Hill, Kofa National Wildlife Preserve, AZ Free area, 6 miles east of US95, south of Quartzsite. Watch for signs on highway. Good camping sites, no servi…
Las Cienegas Natural Conservation Area(Empire Ranch) BLM Land Free Take I-10 East from Tucson and turn off at Exit 281 (Route 83 Sonoita-Patagonia Highway Sout…
Near Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Forest off of FS42 Pinery Canyon Rd, no trailers or large vehicles. Lots of gravel road. This particular …
Near Arizona Snowbowl and Humphreys Peak. Coconino National Forest FS 522. This site is number 6 of 14 designated free sites. Rough rd, not level. Be sure t…
Coronado NF near Rucker Canyon. Lots of gravel rds in the area for dispersed camping. There are some pay campgrounds up the road too.
Near Montezuma's Castle National Monument, Camp Verde, AZ, Coconino National Forest, High clearance needed.
Near Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Why, AZ. Plenty of free camping just outside the park. Registration is required if there is a camp host around. Thi…
South end of Petrified Forest National Park. The Crystal Forest Trading Post offers free camping if you don't use hookups. Not sure about the toilet/bathroom …
Near Sedona, AZ, Coconino National Forest USFS. Off FS 525, high clearance, probably impasable when wet. Note that around the high-traffic area of Sedona, no …
Quartzsite AZ Miles of free BLM camping in the area around Quartzsite. A Huge RV and rock festival in Jan. A lot of flea market type suff all winter. Close to…
Arivaca Lake. This spot is definately worth the trip. It seems to be a forgotten state park. It is clean and there is fishing here. Gets busy on the weekends, b…
Redington Pass (Coronado National Forest) Completely free and legal. Regularly patrolled by sheriffs department. East of Tucson. You take Tanque Verde until it …
Wild Horse Pass Casino (south of Phoenix) Free RV camping in the RV lot around back. No registration necessary. You're parking with the big rigs, so it might g…
Southeast Section Scaddan Wash. BLM 14 day limit area Free and legal Quartzsite, AZ off of I-10 exit 19. South on 95 until it comes to a dead end. Turn left and…
Open "14 day limit" camping with hills and offroading and expansive flatland available for any kind of camper. It's called The Dome Rock Mountain Area, in the L…
Kaibab National Forest Tusayan District. Approaching Grand Canyon National Park on rt 64 first right turn after first traffic circle entering Tusayan route 302.…
FRISCO CAMP (Campground)