Free Camping Arizona

With its wildly varied landscape of towering pine trees to desert vistas, camping in Arizona is an adventure unlike any other. But whether you’ve been dreaming of perching high up in the mountains or falling asleep under a blanket of stars, the best way of exploring Arizona and keeping more money in your pocket is through free camping!

Also known as dispersed camping, free camping in Arizona gives you a way to truly connect with the state’s raw, untamed beauty. However, finding these free campsites does take quite a lot of work, so to save you that headache, we’ve done the research for you. Below, you’ll find details on the best free camping spots in Arizona, including the amenities you’ll find at each and information on nearby activities.

Are you ready? Let’s get exploring!

Free Arizona Camping Spots

• Pumphouse Wash Dispersed Camping Area
• Painted Rock Petroglyph Site

The first thing to note about these free campsites is that they are pretty remote, and this means they are best visited in an RV. Contact the expert team at Travellers Autobarn today to find out more about hiring a campervan or RV, and we’ll help get your Arizona road trip started.

Pumphouse Wash Dispersed Camping Area

Just off Highway 89A (between Flagstaff and Sedona), Pumphouse Wash Dispersed Camping Area is the perfect spot if you’re craving a peaceful, forest retreat without the hustle and bustle of more developed campsites. Here, you’ll be surrounded by ponderosa pines, which offer you plenty of shade throughout the summer months and a great way to escape the Arizona heat.

Camping here is completely free and dispersed, which means you won’t get any amenities like picnic tables or toilets. It will just be you and the open forest, but this is ideal if you want a primitive camping experience, and you can park your RV or campervan along the roads branching off the highway, giving you easy access to the highway when it’s time to head to your next destination.

You do need to keep in mind, however, that spots here can fill up pretty quickly during peak season, especially in the summer when more people are seeking the shade of the trees. So, it’s worth arriving as early as you can to grab a space. Also, as with all dispersed camping, be sure to pack out everything you bring in and leave no trace behind.

Along with it’s secluded, peaceful atmosphere, one of the best things about camping at Pumphouse Wash is its proximity to both Flagstaff and Sedona. A short drive will take you to Slide Rock State Park, where you can cool off by sliding down the natural water chute, and if you’re into hiking, the West Fork Trail is a must. Likewise, the Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridges hiking trails are very popular.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• No Amenities – Dispersed Camping Site

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site

For campers who are fascinated by history, Painted Rock Petroglyph Site offers you a unique camping experience in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun region. Imagine camping right next to thousands of ancient rock carvings (some of which date back more than 1,000 years). That’s exactly what you’ll get here, and you’ll not only have something fascinating to explore right on your doorstep, but you’ll also get a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in this area long before us.

This site is another BLM-managed area, so there are no fees and there are also a few more amenities than you’d usually find when camping in Arizona for free. These include picnic tables, grills, steel fire rings, and vault toilet. There isn’t any drinking water available, though, so make sure you plan for this before parking up.

The landscape here is classic desert, with saguaro cacti, rock formations, and wide open skies that seem to go on forever. However, it has more to offer than its amazing scenery and rock carvings! You’re also just a short drive from Gila Bend, a small town with attractions, including the Gila Bend Museum and Stout’s Hotel, both of which will teach you more about the area’s history in Arizona’s development.

Prefer to stick to nature? The Sonoran Desert National Monument isn’t too far away, and from here, you can enjoy some of the best hiking opportunities in the state. And if you’re willing to drive a little further afield, head to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, where you can see this super-rare desert plant in its natural habitat.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Picnic Tables
• Grills
• Fire Rings
• Vault Toilets

Whether you’re seeking the cooler temperatures of the mountains or the dry heat of the desert, there’s a spot for everyone when camping in Arizona. And the best part is that you don’t have to spend a dime to camp in some of the most breathtaking locations this state has to offer!

Contact Travellers Autobarn today and let us help you find the perfect campervan for your vacation. We offer unlimited miles on all our campervan rentals, too, so you’re free to roam as your heart desires without worrying about any extra fees.

DISCLAIMER: Any prices displayed are correct at the time of publishing. We highly recommend contacting any campsite or RV park prior to booking to confirm prices. Please ensure you review our Terms and Conditions before visiting certain campsites.