Lots of cacti (cholla and saguaro), unfortunately a fair amount of trash, and many evenings with coyotes howling nearby. You can shop for Western duds, crafts, jewelry, rocks, and sweets. This trail will wind you through some amazing sights … From Goldfield, head 0.2 mile back toward Apache Junction, then turn left one mile at the sign. Would not recommend for rigs over 24ft. A church at the end of the lane has Sunday services and hosts weddings. Be the first to add a video for Apache Trail Boondock! Ready for an adventure? more. Those who tried to follow him into the Superstitions either became lost in the maze of canyons or were found murdered. Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine ToursThe original mining camp of Goldfield boomed in the mid-1890s with the discovery of gold. Reavis Ranch Trail #109 climbs into ponderosa pine forests near Reavis Ranch in the eastern part of the Superstition Wilderness. In our two weeks we saw a few days when the campground was FULL and just as many when it was less than half capacity. and a decent price on diesel, especially with any Kroger card (Fred Meyer, Smiths, etc.). Driving east through Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, and Apache Junction, you might think the city will never end. Smaller RVs may have an easier time leveling or finding a place when the horse trailers are here (hot tip: park at the entrance and scout by foot), but there is absolutely space for any size rig. When they are here, navigating or finding a spot can be tricky if not impossible. The Supervisor's Office (2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006, 602/225-5200, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.) covers the entire Tonto National Forest. We were able to get a spot in the back along the fence with a nice view, so we were pleasantly surprised at the feeling of privacy we had. The area is enclosed in barbed wire fence. Apache Park and Trail in Van Horn, Texas: 3 reviews, 7 photos, & 1 tips from fellow RVers. However, we found a spot, and surprisingly, it was level. These undeveloped sites have a $4/vehicle and $2/watercraft fee for day or overnight use. At Mile 15.2, you'll come to Canyon Lake Marina (480/288-9233, www.canyonlakemarina.com) with a campground, restaurant, boat tours, fishing supplies, and boat rentals and storage. We were able to get a spot in the back along the fence with a nice view, so we were pleasantly surprised at the feeling of privacy we had. The descent down Fish Creek Hill provides a thrill, especially for the driver, who must negotiate sharp bends as the road traverses a cliff face and drops 1,500 feet in three miles. So incredible. It sits a short distance from US-191 and doesn't require a camping fee, although they do accept … Being rainy, there was some mud and soft areas where people drove, but mostly it was hard-packed. The pinnacle's name honors frontier scout Pauline Weaver. If you get a hankerin' for some grub, Mammoth Steakhouse and Saloon (480/983-6402) serves lunch and dinner daily but lacks a non-smoking area; bands entertain some nights. Roosevelt Lake Day Use and Camping Areas. Fri.-Sun. At Mile 34.5, unpaved Forest Road 250 leads down one mile to Davis Wash on the lake; this undeveloped area has outhouses and costs $4/vehicle day use or camping, $2/watercraft. This boondock site is sandy gravel with dips and hills, and no marked sites; you just park wherever. Located in eastern Arizona, a little more than 67 miles north of the mining town Morenci, this area is routinely referred to by campers and journalists as the prime recreation area in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Q&A - Ask the Community about Apache Trail Boondock, Written by someone with an affiliation to the property, Duplicate review submitted by the same member, Multiple reviews submitted by members of the same household, Reviewer did not actually visit the location, The Best RV Parks and Campgrounds in the Florida Keys, America's Top National Parks for RV Camping, The Mighty 5: All the Camping in Utah’s National Parks, The Top 15 States for RV Camping in National Forests, What You Need To Know About The New Camping Rules Near The Tetons, The Best State Park Campgrounds in Each State, Bulldog Canyon OHV Area - Access #3 Wolverine. At the beginning of the Apache Trail, turn north five miles on Idaho Road, turn east one mile on McKellips Road, then turn left at the sign. Gold FeverLegends tell of Don Miguel Peralta discovering fantastic amounts of gold somewhere in the Superstitions in 1845. Perhaps the crafty Dutchman worked as a fence for gold thieves employed in the Vulture Mine near Wickenburg. The sites are loosely designated and have the feel of being dispersed. Highway 88 is one of the most scenic and magical roads in the USA. Up on the hill, Goldfield Superstition Museum displays old photos, a Lost Dutchman Hunter Hall of Fame, a mineral collection, and an 1886 Brunswick bar that served Goldfield miners. But you have the homeless camping there with their kids swinging from the trees, very trashy area and deep holes and with this last storm there was water everywhere. The gift shop offers a great selection of Southwestern books, jewelry, and crafts; you can also pick up tourist literature on the area. Would stay here again for sure. A nearby shop offers gold panning and gold nugget jewelry. A lecture series runs Jan.-March. 15 min to Canyon Lake 2 min away from Lost Dutchman State Park. Crazy Jug and nearby (and nearly as sweet) Timp Point are located on a sliver of ponderosa- and piñon-covered rim managed by Kaibab National Forest, which allows dispersed camping. (One group of tent-dwellers overstayed their 14 days by a significant margin and left substantial trash behind; the next RV who pulled in there did a beautiful job cleaning it all up.). Anglers have hooked largemouth and yellow bass, trout, catfish, bluegill, carp, walleye, and crappie. In the recreated underground mine ($6 adults, $3 children 6-12), modeled after the nearby Mammoth Mine—one of the world's richest until closed by flooding—a guide takes you on a 25-minute tour and explains how miners tunneled and worked in the stope. We ended up in a great spot with a private side and unobstructed view of the Superstitions. A huge fire in 1996, caused by two careless campers near Lone Pine Saddle, burned 61,000 acres, though all trails have reopened. It was kind of crowded, but thats to be expected at this time of year in AZ. You can most likely find a spot even if it looks very busy when you pull in. Even though it was very busy, we thought there were at least three different places we could have stayed in our 33' motorhome. Highlights of Goldfield Ghost Town include tours of the now-defunct gold mine, Old West gunfights, a history museum, panning for gold, a narrow-gauge train, a … Dispersed Camping Elevation: 1900 feet Reservations: Reservations not accepted. "Camping is prohibited within 150 feet of any road, trail, spring, stream, pond or other body of water except at areas designated by a "camp here" disk." The country store has an ice cream parlor—try a scoop of prickly pear. Any recommendations for areas with dispersed camping reasonably near to trail systems? The Apache Park and Trail is a private park with rolling elevations of over 4,000 ft within the small town of Plateau, Texas with spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The paved path leads to overlooks of rugged canyons, and there's a very good chance of seeing desert bighorn sheep. There are 82 camp units on site, each fitted with picnic tables, toilets, water hydrants, and courtesy docks. Now it’s a rugged, heart-pumping overland route with stunning views, steep drops, and tight curves. It lies south of the Salt River Canyon and Apache Trail, about 40 miles east of Phoenix. FWIW? Have you written a blog post about Apache Trail Boondock? The Lost Dutchman Mine is said to lie in the shadow of this striking 4,535-foot pinnacle, which still beckons to gold seekers. Dispersed camping is possible along the shore at the adjacent Lower Burnt Corral, but this area is a floodplain; turn left through the gate just past the fee station. Local Apache had a different appellation for it, relating to a certain part of a stallion's anatomy.Farther down the highway you'll come to Canyon Lake Vista Point at Mile 12.5. We have a 34ft class A with a tow dolly and had no issues. The motel offers rooms ($65-75 d) and suites with kitchens ($80-90 d). ClimateSpring and autumn bring the most pleasant weather for a visit to the Superstitions. You can most likely find a spot even if it looks very busy when you pull in. Consistently busy area with campers and horse trailers. The turnoff may not be signed; look for it between Mileposts 231 and 232. A bit farther up the street, you can climb the stairs to the Bordello Museum (10 a.m.-5 p.m. As per the other reviews, it was crowded, even on a rainy Sunday evening. You can enjoy the views at Theodore Roosevelt Dam Interpretive Overlook—which also has restrooms—near Milepost 241 before the dam and at Inspiration Point Interpretive Overlook near Milepost 242 after the dam. Here begins a 200-mile loop through some of the most rugged country in the West. Locally known as The Dutchman, Waltz worked the mine without ever revealing its location. Find a Free Campsite. It’ll be on your right. ... And, only offering dispersed camping, it’s an area appeals to the more minimalist among us, offering little in the way of modern frills. Crazy Jug Point offers lip-of-the-canyon carside camping that blows away the notion that Grand Canyon grandeur comes with a crowd. FR 9354 Camping Area is a newly created dispersed camping area located along FR 9354, in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Visitors enjoy the delightful setting and well-spaced sites in addition to a beach, drinking water, fish-cleaning station, and paved boat ramp. A bumpy dirt road leads 0.2 mile down to the lake in a floodplain area. For those looking for a cheap way to travel throughout Arizona, dispersed camping is the way to go. As per the other reviews, it was crowded, even on a rainy Sunday evening. The trail continues on through La Barge and Boulder Canyons, linking with several other trails in the Superstition Wilderness. Roosevelt Lake is a beautiful body of water set in the desert. Sites tend to fill on most weekends except in winter. While we were here there were at least five other fifth wheels and class A's in the 38-40 foot range, plus a skoolie. Access is by the Apache Trail National Forest Scenic Byway, a scenic mountain road showcasing magnificent bluffs above Apache Lake. In general, you may camp outside of developed recreational areas anywhere in the forest. Wildflowers may put on colorful extravaganzas in early spring and following summer rains. My husband had to catch an early morning flight out of Gateway Airport in Mesa, which was a half hour away. You don't need a permit to hike or camp in the Superstitions; just leave the area as you found it and limit groups to 15 people and stays to 14 days. For additional information, check with the Forest Service offices listed above and take a look at guidebooks such as Hikers Guide to the Superstition Wilderness by Jack Carlson and Elizabeth Stewart. Siphon Draw Trail climbs into the high country, 3.2 miles roundtrip to a basin at an elevation of 3,100 feet; adventurous hikers can continue up a rough route to the Flatiron (4,862 feet), a five-hour, five-mile total roundtrip. 1,752 feet) across the highway is popular with RVers thanks to the large spaces (RVs up to 40 ft.) and water and sewer hookups. The expansive grounds are interesting and free to walk. Our FW is 37.5 feet. The location is great! Cell service is lacking across all networks, but is great at the Parks and Rec Center ($60 for family pass for a month which includes gym, climbing wall, kids club and SHOWERS) and the library. more. Due to narrow bridges and blind curves, the road isn't recommended for large trailers or large RVs. At least one member of Peralta's party survived the massacre, the stories go, and some 30 years later revealed the location of the mine to a German immigrant, Jacob Waltz. Set off on the Apache Trail National Forest Scenic Byway, enjoy the incredible scenery, and perhaps stop for the night at Burnt Corral Campground. The campground has access to recreational opportunities at nearby Bear Canyon Lake, as well as numerous other activities and exploration opportunities along the Mogollon Rim. Carry plenty of water, especially in summer when springs and creeks dry up. Camping near Apache junction, az. Apache Camping Center is an RV dealership with 4 locations across Oregon and Washington, including Happy Valley, Tacoma and Everett. Very hilly terrain so having blocks will be helpful but there are flat spots to be found. It is a large, wide-open area at the base of a trailhead for horseback riding with beautiful views of the Superstition … If possible, sending a scout vehicle in first is a good idea. We went to sleep to coyotes howling and woke to birds singing. google_ad_channel = ""; Lost Dutchman State Park offers water for $7 or dump-and-fill for $15. Held back by Horse Mesa Dam, Apache Lake reaches nearly to Roosevelt Lake—a distance of 17 miles. NOTE: Campground is popular for family reunions. Apache Park and Trail in Van Horn is rated 10.0 of 10 at Campground Reviews. Winter is often fine at lower elevations, though snow and cold hit the higher areas. Goldfield Ghost Town: The first main stop (4.5 miles from Apache Junction) on the Apache Trail is a reconstructed 1890s ghost town. Desert vegetation dominates, but a few pockets of ponderosa pine hang onto the highest slopes. We offer new and used TIPOS from award-winning brands like MARCAS and more. gionnixxx / Getty Images. Find a Free Campsite Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we've got you covered. Not homeless (though they may well have looked it; they played HARD here.) Amazing views, Crowded & a Bit Pricey, but you are Next to a Lake. Nearby are the remnants of the old Canyon Lake Apache Trail Scenic Byway, a former stagecoach route that once served the Superstition Mountains. While the road noise wasn't bad, someone ran their generator all through the night. Staff present interpretive programs Oct.-April, including evening talks (usually Fridays) and guided hikes (usually Saturdays). Fish Creek Hill to Apache LakeAt Mile 24.9, Fish Creek Hill Scenic Vista on the left is well worth a stop and has a restroom. There were probably about 15 rigs while we were here, but a fair amount of 'turnover'. Why You Should Camp Here: A primitive, yet fully … Looking to be away from people somewhat and can’t be too rough as we’re bringing a small travel trailer but I don’t mind driving a ways on dirt to get out of the way. Pulled in and the place was trashed.... Lots of horse trailers which is fine for they only stay for a few hours and then gone. The best place for dinner is the nearby Mining Camp Restaurant (480/982-3181) with Western fare in a replica of an old mining camp's cook shanty. Vegetation ranges from saguaro cactus at the base to ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen near the top. Summer temperatures get hot by mid-April in this canyon setting, so the campground closes May-September. Fry's grocery ten minutes away has drinking water for 20 cents/gallon, Clicklist curbside grocery pickup (yay!) APACHE TRAIL SCENIC BYWAY LATITUDE: N 33°32.131 LONGITUDE: W 111°22.704 (GPS from camp 3 miles north of Tortilla Flat) Dispersed and Primitive Camping. Three Mile Wash, is the closest camping to Roosevelt Dam, and offers gravel beach camping. If you are talking about just pulling over wherever and sleeping in the back of the van, I have no idea why you would want to do that. In several areas throughout Arizona, you can literally pull off the side of the road and pitch your tent for free. Laws protect the wilderness from prospecting involving surface disturbance, so no one can file new claims. This boondock site is sandy gravel with dips and hills, and no marked sites; you just park wherever. A hungry pioneer, who perceived the surrounding rock outcrops as stacks of tortillas, reportedly gave the place its name. from January to April. But as soon as you head out on AZ 88 from Apache Junction, the shopping centers, gas stations, and hamburger stands fade away, and you're left with just the desert, lakes, and mountains. Arizona might be one of the best states in the United States for dispersed or free camping. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Camping: Campendium has 122 reviews of 53 Campgrounds in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Accessible by the Apache Trail National Forest Scenic Byway or Highway 188, the Apache Lake Campground showcases scenic views of mountains towering against Apache Lake. The restaurant (daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) features steak, chicken, and seafood among other American and some Mexican items. Heavy rains (3 inches in 24 hours) caused significant pooling in the lower areas of the campground which is, as reported, really just an extra-large horse-trail trailhead. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. Description. Apache Trail Tours (480/982-7661, www.apachetrailtours.com) offers year-round Jeep and hiking trips along the Apache Trail and in the Superstition and Four Peaks mountains. There were a few different "homeless" groups here while we were. Day use is $4/vehicle and $2/watercraft. Tenters can camp in shoreline areas for just $5. See what’s being done here. Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we've got you covered.You can simply use your smart phone's GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.. Our community provides the best free camping … Nothing remains of the tent and adobe buildings, and the actual mine is too dangerous to enter, but you can see a lot of history and artifacts in today's reconstruction on the site (Mile 4.5 along the Trail).Goldfield Ghost Town (480/983-0333, www.goldfieldghosttown.com, about 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily) features many activities and exhibits. Small area right off the road. Camping near apache trail apache junction. From the Phoenix area, take the Superstition Freeway or other roads east to Apache Junction and follow signs for AZ 88. Besides the wild scenery, you can enjoy hiking and horseback riding in the Superstition Wilderness, boating on a chain of lakes within the Salt River Canyon, stepping inside prehistoric cliff dwellings in Tonto National Monument, seeing copper-mining operations near Globe, Miami, and Superior, and visiting the Boyce Thompson Arboretum—an amazing collection of plants from all over the world. We highly recommend arriving during daylight so you can see the washes. Numerous dispersed campsites are scattered along the forest road under towering Ponderosa pines. Other attractions at Goldfield include a live reptile exhibit, horseback and carriage rides (both closed in summer), and a photo studio. You may camp outside of recreational areas anywhere on the Forest at no charge. The campground is largely situated on an outcropping between the Apache Lake Marina and … It's a popular starting point for hikes in the Superstition Wilderness. On your GPS it will show long travel times however that's because there are a lot of 15 mile an hour hairpin turns. You can venture into the Superstitions in the summer on a crack-of-dawn journey, then be out by late morning when the heat hits. 100% — 3 … Four Peaks rises to the north. The power of the Lost Dutchman legends has intensified since the prospector's death in 1891.The stories about Jacob Waltz and his Lost Dutchman Mine may be just tall tales. six), but it's the only one along this section of road (Mile 17.3). Enjoy a luxury camping destination at Mountain Horse Farm in new york, united states from $160.00. Good location for both city and mountain exploration which is why we ... Apache Lake Campground is a dispersed campground located on the shores of Apache Lake in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest. The series of lakes along the Salt River provides fishing and boating for visitors and precious water for Phoenix. Officers staff the Maricopa County Sheriff Aid Station (928/467-2619) at the lake on weekends and holidays. RV sites cost $25 w/hookups. Despite the efforts of thousands of gold-crazed prospectors, no major finds have ever been confirmed. Javelina, deer, desert bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion, and smaller animals inhabit the slopes. There are fire rings, but we ended up making our own because someone had left tons of trash laying around (shame). Connecting trails allow for a variety of other loops too, and extend north to First Water Road and south and east to Hieroglyphic Canyon and Peralta Trailhead. Some people running loud generators late into the night, but most campers were using solar while we were there. The location is great! Old mining and farming relics lie around. Lakeside Restaurant & Cantina (480/288-8290) features steak, chicken, and seafood; open for breakfast Sat.-Sun., lunch daily, and dinner Fri.-Sun. It is convenient to the Maverick ATV Trail. The cafe, wallpapered with dollar bills, serves American and Mexican meals. Please select a reason for flagging this item: © 2020 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved.