Boondocking in Arizona is a special experience. All together, we’ve spent almost five months living in Arizona as a full time travel family. While this is absolutely not an exhaustive list of all of the amazing places you can boondock in Arizona, it’s a good list of our favorite spots so far. I promise to come back and add more spots when we return and find more!

If you need recommendations for boondocking gear, check out our list of essentials. For the apps we use to find boondocking locations, read about our favorite boondocking apps.

Arizona is an amazing place to boondock because:

• There is a lot of BLM land and state trust land, making it easy to find lots of large, open spaces for big rigs
• Desert sunsets are amazing, and wide, open BLM land is the best place to appreciate them
• There is incredible wildlife viewing; we have seen so much up close!
• Sunny days are excellent for our solar panels

If you’re boondocking curious, but overwhelmed with learning HOW to boondock, I’ve got you:

Okay, let’s get into these boondocking in Arizona spots now that I’ve convinced you!

Boondocking in Arizona: Sedona Area

Sedona Boondocking Forest Road 525

I’m going to be candid and say that the glory days of Sedona boondocking are over. You used to be able to camp all along Forest Road 525, but recent restrictions mean that there are now only a few crowded spots. We felt that Surprise Dispersed at N 34°49’24.54″, W 111°54’22.44″ was the best option for big rigs, but it’s just a parking lot and quite crowded even in December. But if you’re visiting beautiful Sedona, this is (now) the spot for big rigs. Check out our ideas for Sedona with kids.

Boondocking in Arizona: Phoenix Area

Lake Pleasant Boondocking

There is a ton of state trust land northwest of Phoenix near Lake Pleasant. State trust land requires a $20 annual permit you can get online. This area at N 33°48’2.76″, W 112°14’18.72″ has cell service and lots of room for rigs of any size.

Peralta Road Dispersed Camping

Peralta Road dispersed camping is on the opposite side of Phoenix near Apache Junction. It’s also on state trust land and offers many big rig accessible pullouts along the road at N 33°20’57.78″, W 111°24’48.90″ and further in. We loved this spot because it’s both gorgeous and also right outside a shopping center for easy conveniences. Great cell service and sunsets. Don’t miss hiking a trail at the end of the road! The Peralta Road dispersed camping (boondocking) spot was one of our faves in the whole state!

Bonus: Lost Dutchman State Park Dry Camping

Lost Dutchman State Park isn’t technically boondocking of course, but we did dry camp there so I decided to include it on this list. This is a STUNNING place to camp, and Siphon Draw trail starts directly in the campground. Don’t miss it!

Boondocking in Arizona: Tucson Area

Pump Station Wash Boondocking

We loved Pump Station Wash outside of Tucson for the enormous sites and epic mountain sunsets. This spot at N 32°26’40.86″, W 111°22’19.44″ was perfect for big rigs and had great cell. Downside is that it’s far from everything except a dollar store and requires two-ish miles of very bumpy washboard roads to access. Worth it! Don’t take Silverbell Road to get there with a trailer, as there is a low weight limit bridge.

Boondocking in Arizona: Miscellaneous Areas

Black Canyon City Boondocking

This was a big BLM trailhead where we camped for over a week at N 34°3’8.64″, W 112°9’2.94″. The sunsets were gorgeous on the trail, and there was an amazing bonus for boondocking — a bathroom with running water! There’s not much nearby, but it was a good resting place.

Crown King Boondocking

There are unbelievable mountain range views on Crown King BLM land, including this spot at N 34°17’27.06″, W 112°10’32.64″. The downside is a long, bumpy road to access it, so it’s not a great base for sightseeing. But if you’re looking for solitude and views, wowza! Cell service was decent.

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I hope you try out one of these amazing boondocking in Arizona locations! Come back and let me know if you do.

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