Arizona

Learn about camping and boondocking in Arizona

Boondocking in Arizona!

Boondocking, or camping without hookups, is a popular way to experience the natural beauty of Arizona. The state has many unique attractions, such as the Grand Canyon, Sedona’s red rocks, and the saguaro cacti. However, boondocking in Arizona also requires some planning and awareness of the laws and regulations that apply to camping on public lands. Boondocking on national forest lands, BLM lands, national wildlife refuges, and state trust lands, all have different rules, so it is advisable to read through this guide before heading out.

Arizona Boondocking Map

This Arizona Boondocking Map contains locations of free boondocking and free campgrounds where bloggers and YouTubers have produced detailed reviews. Click on a map marker to access their reviews…

blm map overlay BLM
national forest overlay USFS
national park map overlay NPS
national wildlife refuge map overlay NWR
city boundary map overlay City
private property map overlay Private
wilderness area overlay Wilderness
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Arizona Boondocking Maps

Dispersed Camping Near Sedona, AZ

Updated: March 28, 2024

Learn where all the dispersed camping is now legal surrounding Sedona, AZ after Coconino National Forest officials restricted dispersed camping...

Dispersed Camping Near Lake Havasu, AZ

Updated: February 17, 2024

Most dispersed camping near Lake Havasu, AZ is on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management to the north...

Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds in Arizona

Updated: February 17, 2024

The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) has built a couple of dams and reservoirs in Arizona, and these projects all...

Dispersed Camping Near Flagstaff, AZ

Updated: February 17, 2024

Dispersed camping near Flagstaff, AZ is plentiful due to the city's close proximity to Coconino National Forest. In fact, it's...

Arizona Rest Area Map

Updated: February 16, 2024

This Arizona rest area map was compiled from a listing of rest areas published by the by the Arizona Department...

Where Can You Camp for Free in Arizona?

Updated: February 16, 2024

There are a lot of places where you can camp for free in Arizona. Arizona has so much public land...

Free Camping at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Updated: February 16, 2024

Free camping at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is available all year long, without reservations. The US Fish & Wildlife...

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Camping Guide

Updated: February 16, 2024

The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is one of the few units managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service that...

Where Can You Camp for Free in the Grand Canyon?

Updated: February 17, 2024

You can boondock just about anywhere in Grand Canyon National Park, as long as you have obtained a "backcountry camping...

Places to Camp for Free in Arizona

Windmill Designated Camping Area

Updated: February 17, 2024

Windmill Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Crowding seems to be a recurring issue, with some reviewers noting the Forest Service’s...

Wagon Wheel Rest Area

Updated: February 17, 2024

Wagon Wheel Rest Area, Kayenta, AZ Wagon Wheel Rest Area lies along US-160 through the Navajo Nation, just at the...

Schnebly Hill Road

Updated: February 17, 2024

Schnebly Hill Road, Coconino National Forest Coconino National Forest remains high on every boondocker’s list of favorite forests, mostly due...

Rockview Designated Camping Area

Updated: February 17, 2024

Rockview Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ The sloped terrain of Rockview can present some challenges in leveling your rig, while...

Pumphouse Wash Campground

Updated: February 17, 2024

Pumphouse Wash Campground, Sedona, AZ When Does it Open: The campground is seasonal, generally opening up around May after the...

Nolan Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ

Updated: February 17, 2024

Nolan Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Crowdedness: Opinions on crowd levels differ. Some campers find Nolan less congested, with a dozen...

Javelina Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ

Updated: February 17, 2024

Javelina Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Javelina Designated Camping Area, situated west of Sedona, AZ, within Coconino National Forest, offers...

Greasy Spoon Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ

Updated: February 17, 2024

Greasy Spoon Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Crowdedness: The campground’s popularity is evident, with reports of high occupancy levels. Some visitors...

Forest Road 689, Oak Creek, AZ

Updated: February 17, 2024

Forest Road 689, Oak Creek, AZ Crowd Density: Forest Road 689, starting from Exit 298 at the south end to Exit...

Forest Road 120A, Oak Creek, AZ

Updated: February 17, 2024

Forest Road 120A, Oak Creek, AZ Forest Road 120A, is located within Coconino National Forest, about 5 miles from Oak...

Cockscomb Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ

Updated: February 17, 2024

Cockscomb Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Crowdedness: The reviews indicate varying degrees of crowd density. One reviewer mentioned encountering several other...

Cedar Pocket Road Arizona

Updated: February 17, 2024

Cedar Pocket Road, Arizona Cedar Pocket Road cuts through the middle of Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area, providing a vehicular...

Angel Valley Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ

Updated: February 17, 2024

Angel Valley Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Angel Valley Designated Camping Area, situated west of Sedona, AZ, within Coconino National...

Arizona State Camping Laws and Regulations

Can You Remove Small Plants from Arizona State Trust Land?

Updated: February 16, 2024

In most cases, no. It is illegal to remove small plants from Arizona State Trust Lands without a permit. The...

Is Nude Camping Legal in Arizona?

Updated: February 16, 2024

Yes, nude camping is legal in Arizona. However, it depends on whether other people around you are offended by it...

Arizona Camping Laws

Updated: February 16, 2024

The State of Arizona itself has adopted only a handful of laws with respect to recreational camping. These laws apply...

Can I Dump Gray Water on the Ground in Arizona?

Updated: February 16, 2024

No, you cannot legally dump gray water on the ground in Arizona, unless you hold a permit. The State has...

Do You Need a Permit to Camp in Arizona?

Updated: February 16, 2024

The only two areas where you need a permit to camp in Arizona is on State Trust Land and on...

Arizona Rest Area Rules

Updated: February 17, 2024

Overnight parking at Arizona rest areas remains popular due to the state having few rules, and offering large parking areas....

Camping on Arizona State Trust Lands

Updated: February 17, 2024

The State of Arizona permits camping on most of its 9.4 million acres of State Trust Lands. Camping is not...

Federal Lands in Arizona

Arizona BLM Camping Rules

Updated: February 16, 2024

The Arizona BLM camping rules published below were gathered from information published by the Arizona Bureau of Land Management Office...

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge Camping Rules

Updated: February 16, 2024

Read the full set of camping rules for Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, as sourced from the refuge literature, and...

Tonto National Forest Camping Rules

Updated: February 17, 2024

The Tonto National Forest camping rules published below were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of Tonto National Forest,...

Prescott National Forest Camping Rules

Updated: February 17, 2024

The Prescott National Forest camping rules published below were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of Prescott National Forest,...

Kaibab National Forest Camping Rules

Updated: February 17, 2024

These official rules and regulations for camping at Kaibab National Forest were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of...

Coronado National Forest, Camping Rules

Updated: February 17, 2024

These official rules and regulations for camping at Coronado National Forest were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of...

Coconino National Forest, Camping Rules

Updated: February 17, 2024

These official rules and regulations for camping at Coconino National Forest were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of...

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Camping Rules

Updated: February 17, 2024

Official rules and regulations for camping at Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, as gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of Apache-Sitgreaves...