BajaNomad

Tent camping in southern Arizona isn't the same as in Baja - any recommendations?

Ken Cooke - 12-9-2012 at 03:55 PM

I'm doing some backcountry camping in the Southwest later this month with the Mrs. and planning the Arizona leg has become a big headache. Rules, Fees, Permits, always spoil the fun. That's why I prefer camping in Baja - the planning is less intense.

Has anyone tent camped in southern Arizona recently that can point my Jeep in a good direction?

desertcpl - 12-9-2012 at 04:15 PM

might take a look at this, its in Calif side of the Colorado river


http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=641

Barry A. - 12-9-2012 at 05:04 PM

????????

Been camping all over the SW, including Arizona, for years--------mostly in remote places with no facilities------We just "do it", and have never been bothered or had any problems-----out of sight, out of trouble. We almost NEVER use "organized camp grounds" unless we want more than a sun-shower, or are in a Natl. or State Park (very rare for us) that prohibits "dispersed camping". You can camp anywhere on BLM Public Lands unless near towns and cities where there are local restrictions, and in the southwest most of the wildlands are Public Lands---even in CA..

Barry

David K - 12-9-2012 at 05:23 PM

Ken there are a lot of Tacoma World discussions on Arizona back country so you should do a search on Tacoma Word... you should be able to get a Jeep into (at least) half of the places... LOL

mojo_norte - 12-9-2012 at 06:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
I'm doing some backcountry camping in the Southwest later this month with the Mrs. and planning the Arizona leg has become a big headache. Rules, Fees, Permits, always spoil the fun. That's why I prefer camping in Baja - the planning is less intense.

Has anyone tent camped in southern Arizona recently that can point my Jeep in a good direction?


KOFA's a great desert spot. as good as Baja - maybe ..

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa/

s.AZ

captkw - 12-9-2012 at 06:38 PM

there is a lot of BLM land accross the river from Winter haven (ca) its a snow birds city during the winter and not a scenic area IMO.. If I was gonna hang out in AZ south I would find a spot on the river or lake Havasu..at least you have water and can fish.my 2 centovos........K&T

rts551 - 12-9-2012 at 06:44 PM

Most places along the border with California and along the river are not the best for tent camping. The best camping is in the northwest and northeast....but not this time of year (too cold). That leave the south east which can be very nice. Try the Chiracahua Mountains

Chiricahua National Monument - National Park Service

www.nps.gov/chir/

30 minutes south of Blythe AZ side

tripledigitken - 12-9-2012 at 06:51 PM

I found some very nice camping areas, similar to central Baja around Catavina. Closest camper from this area was about 2 miles.


Kofa Range on the horizon...............

high 30's and low to mid 40's daytime temps currently........












[Edited on 12-10-2012 by tripledigitken]

Ken Cooke - 12-9-2012 at 07:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte


KOFA's a great desert spot. as good as Baja - maybe ..

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa/


This looks to be about my speed. No Motorhomes with loud generators at night, just the stars, peace and quiet. That's why I like Baja so much.

Cohabuzo Junction, 2004

Ken Cooke - 12-9-2012 at 09:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte

KOFA's a great desert spot. as good as Baja - maybe ..

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa/


Camping
Camping is permitted. Visitors may select their own campsites; however, applicable state law prohibits camping within 1/4 mile of water holes. Vehicles must remain within 100 feet of designated roads. Backpackers may camp anywhere beyond the 100 feet limit, keeping in mind the location of waterholes. All camping is limited to 14 days during any 12-month period.

Bajaboy - 12-9-2012 at 09:12 PM

Why would you want to camp in Arizona when there are so many great spots to camp in California? And another plus is you won't be asked for your papers here:lol:

Ken Cooke - 12-9-2012 at 09:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Why would you want to camp in Arizona when there are so many great spots to camp in California? And another plus is you won't be asked for your papers here:lol:


We're visiting a friend in S.Texas - in S.Cal, we're camping in Ocotillo Wells and doing a Joshua Tree 4wd along Berdoo Canyon up to Gold Crown Road before heading home.

Barry A. - 12-9-2012 at 09:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte

KOFA's a great desert spot. as good as Baja - maybe ..

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa/


Camping
Camping is permitted. Visitors may select their own campsites; however, applicable state law prohibits camping within 1/4 mile of water holes. Vehicles must remain within 100 feet of designated roads. Backpackers may camp anywhere beyond the 100 feet limit, keeping in mind the location of waterholes. All camping is limited to 14 days during any 12-month period.


Ken------those minimal rules, or one's very similar, generally apply to all Public Lands thruout the South West USA.

Barry

Ken Cooke - 12-9-2012 at 10:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte

KOFA's a great desert spot. as good as Baja - maybe ..

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa/


Camping
Camping is permitted. Visitors may select their own campsites; however, applicable state law prohibits camping within 1/4 mile of water holes. Vehicles must remain within 100 feet of designated roads. Backpackers may camp anywhere beyond the 100 feet limit, keeping in mind the location of waterholes. All camping is limited to 14 days during any 12-month period.


Ken------those minimal rules, or one's very similar, generally apply to all Public Lands thruout the South West USA.

Barry


Thanks, Barry. I'll keep this in mind. :yes:

desertcpl - 12-10-2012 at 08:11 AM

you might be interested in this

El Camino Del Diablo



http://www.desertusa.com/mag02/may/diablo.html

CortezBlue - 12-10-2012 at 08:27 AM

Welcome to the land of true Saguaro's

As of this morning there is a freeze warning in southern AZ around Tucson. Where are you going, specifically?

December and January are the 2 coldest months in AZ.

Neal Johns - 12-10-2012 at 09:16 AM

Ken,
Was exploring AZ backcountry for a week three weeks ago, here is the greatest place we found. It is a little north of Phoenix. No tracks but ours.

Brooklyn Mine Area, AZ – DeLorme AZ Atlas and Gazetteer Page 43

Take Freeway 17, Exit 259, Bloody Basin Road (FR 269, East) 34° 17.051'N 112° 7.244'W

Exit BB Rd on FR 481? South at 34° 13.686'N 111° 59.519'W and go South for about 4.5 miles to where a BAD road starts down (34° 10.078'N 111° 59.653'W) into a valley and then up a BAD hill to a small flat camping spot (4-5 vehicles without blocking the road.) If only one vehicle, camp just before go-down and hike 0.7 miles to GE labeled camping spot. We took three Northstars/Tacomas down with only a little nail biting and a few high pitched screams.

The valley has a rock cliff rim on top with petroglyphs on the downhill part of the 10-20 foot cliffs between 275 feet and 450 feet southwest of the bad downhill road. Access to bottom of cliff from top is about 433 and 250 feet from the road.

At the proper magnification, Google Earth shows pictures posted by several people near (mostly) the objects in the pics. Click on them for a good preview of a valley full of wonders. Indian ruins, petroglyphs, stone buildings long deserted, mines, and great scenery.

Brooklyn Mine Area [800x600].jpg - 48kB

Barry A. - 12-10-2012 at 01:58 PM

Wow, outstanding directions, Neal, and now we too are taking notes on this previously unknown (to us) destination------our kind of adventure for sure.

Ken-----If you do visit this place Neal refers to, please report on your findings (tho Neal has done a great job already).

on edit-------in my 1999 DeLorme Atlas, this area is found on Pg 49.

Barry

[Edited on 12-10-2012 by Barry A.]

russchung - 12-10-2012 at 02:57 PM

Ken,

The rules for camping on federal land (National Parks, National Forest, BLM) are the same as in California (except that in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge you have to see a safety video and get a free permit because that used to be a WWII bombing range). BUT in Arizona, there are a lot of Native American reservations and Arizona State Trust Land, and those require a PERMIT or you could be fined for trespassing. In the case of Arizona State Trust Land, you could be fined just for driving across the property without a permit. Fortunately, the permit is inexpensive ($20 per year) and you can get it by mail.
http://www.land.state.az.us/programs/natural/recreation_perm...
In the case of Indian reservations, they generally only allow camping in conjunction with guided tours.

Russ

Hook - 12-10-2012 at 07:20 PM

4000 foot elevation. Gonna be cold there till at least March, for tent camping.

Probably not much wood around, was there Neal?

Looks like an interesting area.

edm1 - 12-10-2012 at 08:45 PM

A couple of easy (for us Baja offroaders) to get to places. Very quiet if you push to the very end of the trails.

Four Peaks - central az
Volcanic crater at Cinder Hills - Flagstaff area


[Edited on 12-11-2012 by edm1]

Neal Johns - 12-11-2012 at 09:55 AM

Hook, not much real wood around just the usual small desert stuff. We had one tent camper with us - perfect weather helped.

El Camino del Diablo (suggested by desertcpl) is a great run - do your homework and take the short side trip hike to the tinaja Tule Tank. Also Google Earth will show you the nearby original route in some places. Be sure to climb up to the top of Tinaja Altas. Wave at the La Migra vehicles hidden in the side arroyos.
Neal

wsdunc - 12-11-2012 at 10:18 AM

We go rockhounding in the Burro Creek area, near Wikieup. Beautiful area, you will appreciate the drive in from Nothing Az down into Burro Creek, there is an easier longer way in from the highway just north of the BLM campground, but you'll like the way in from Nothing (named Suicide). Wikieup has a good BBQ restaurant.

wilderone - 12-13-2012 at 09:47 AM

I've overnighted several times at Painted Rock Petroglyph site - it's about 11 miles off the Int 8 (before the 85 junction), on a paved biway - campground, no fee, bathrooms, no people, coyotes. If you have a Natl Park Pass (senior?), Saguaro NP would be free, and camping half price - $6. Cochise Stronghold Rec Area, south of Dragoon, has a campground - it may have a fee, but we didn't bother - we were the only ones there. I've also camped some place near Arivaca, and Madera Canyon has some BLM land around it - no fee.

Ken Cooke - 12-14-2012 at 06:22 AM

Thanks for the info Wilderone!:yes:

danaeb - 12-14-2012 at 09:24 AM

Ken - here's a link to the BLM site for AZ. Contains both developed and "dispersed" - i.e. primitive camping areas for the state:

http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping.html

I tent camped through southern Utah east to west in Sept. and made extensive use of the BLM/NPS/NFS maps and info. There is a lot of very detailed info if you dig deeper into these websites, including maps of off-road trails, and hikes only accessible from off-road trail heads.

Have fun on your trip, where ever you go!