7 Rustic Spots For Off-The-Grid Camping In Arizona
Nothing beats spending a few nights of off the grid, camping underneath the stars in beautiful Arizona. There’s simply nothing like the beauty of the desert, and the remote camping experience in the Grand Canyon state is truly unlike any other. If you’re still on the lookout for a perfect camping spot to pitch a tent and sleep under the stars in Arizona, you’re in luck because this is our second article on the topic! Today we’re going to take a look at 7 spots for off-the-grid camping in Arizona — they’re all are a little quieter and a more secluded than what you will typically find. Just keep in mind that many of these places require a permit and following basic camping rules.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
The best part about camping in Aravaipa Canyon is the limited human contact you will encounter here. The Bureau of Land Management limits the number of people here to 50 each day in order to preserve the wild environment, which means the canyon boasts one of the most remote campsites in Arizona.
Located just a few miles east of Clints Well off of Beeline Highway, this campground is small but well-maintained. It has 10 campsites and does not take reservations, so try showing up on a weekday to avoid crowds. Blue Ridge Campground remains one of the best if you're looking for gorgeous views without over-crowding.
Big Lake is a popular destination as one of the most scenic camping spots in Arizona, but many of the campgrounds tend to be both crowded and huge. Brookchar Campground is limited to 13 campsites that allow tents only.
Sitting a little ways away from Horsethief Lake, Hazlett Hollow Campground, is small and difficult to get to. You will need a high-clearance vehicle to get over the old, bumpy roads but the seclusion of the area makes the trip worth it. This spot has 15 campsites and operates on a first-come, first-serve system.
Really, just about any campsite on Mount Graham is lovely and while this particular site is popular, it is also limited to just 12 campsites. Soldier Creek Campground has beautiful mountain views and a creek flowing nearby, making it seem like paradise.
If secluded is what you're looking for, Upper Blue River Campground is it. Limited to three campsites, this is about 15 miles southeast of Alpine and you might often find yourself to be the only person here. There are no fees or reservations needed to stay here but do remember to pack in and pack, and to keep an eye out for mountain lions.
Note: The picture above shows the Thompson Trail in the White Mountains and not the campsite. The area is secluded enough to not have any useable photos.
Located on the Navajo Nation, Wheatfields Lake sits right in between Canyon de Chelly and the Chuska Mountains. You won't find much in the way of camping amenities but it is a great little spot for a quiet night and fishing for trout. Just be sure to obtain a permit from the Navajo Nation before setting up your tent; information can be found here.
Have you camped in any of these spots? Be sure to let us know what your experience was like by leaving a comment here or on our Facebook fan page. There’s nothing like off the grid camping in Arizona, and we have a feeling you may have just found a new favorite camping spot.
Bright Angel Trail is a hike that takes you through the meat of the Grand Canyon, and you’ll wander from the South Rim of the canyon straight down to the Colorado River. Echo Canyon Trail in the Chiricahua National Monument is a 3.5-mile loop that’s popular if you’re looking for scenic, stunning landscapes. We’d also recommend hiking Cathedral Rock if you ever find yourself in Sedona! It’s a natural wonder that you won’t want to skip.
Which state parks should I visit in Arizona?
Most folks tend to slough off Arizona for its desert-centric landscape options, but there are state parks scattered across the state that truly belongs on your bucket list. Tonto Natural Bridge State Park boasts the 183-foot-high Tonto Natural Bridge. At Red Rock State Park you’ll find almost 300 acres of red rocks scattered across the park’s broad expanse. The Lost Dutchman State Park offers historic insight into the Superstition Mountains and the famed, lost gold mine in its midst.
Does Arizona have any natural wonders?
The best-known natural wonder in the state of Arizona is most likely the Grand Canyon, but the state has landscape diversity that lends itself to jaw-dropping views. From the rock formations in Antelope Canyon to the gushing Havasu Falls, there’s a little something for everyone. Monument Valley boasts wild rock formations and incredible desert colors, and the Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona is home to almost 150 different species of fossilized plants.
Address: Aravaipa Canyon, Arizona 85192, USA
Address: AZ-87, Happy Jack, AZ 86024, USA
Address: Highway 261, Show Low, AZ 85901, USA
Address: Crown King, AZ 86343, USA
Address: Pima, AZ 85543, USA
Address: Blue River, United States
Address: Wheatfields Lake, Arizona 86556, USA
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Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
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