Dispersed Camping in Arizona: Free BLM and National Forest Camping

Arizona has a lot of free camping, especially in winter. There's a lot of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the low desert along the Colorado River and around Phoenix, and the high country of the Mogollon Rim and the Grand Canyon region is national forest. Both allow dispersed camping, with different limits, and a few popular areas have shut it down altogether.

The rules at a glance

BLM land

Arizona BLM land follows the agency's general rule: camping for up to 14 days within any 28-day period, after which you move to a new site, typically at least 25 miles away; field offices can set their own limits. When the BLM brought Mittry Lake near Yuma into line in November 2025, it said the change aligned the lake with the surrounding BLM land. Beyond that:

• Dispersed camping is allowed unless an area is posted "Closed to Camping."
• Keep vehicles on designated roads and trails.
• The BLM recommends camping within about 150 feet of the route, 200 feet from water, and a mile from developed campgrounds, trailheads and picnic areas.
• Don't leave property unattended for more than 10 days.
• Pack out all trash and human waste where you can.

Long-Term Visitor Areas

For winter RVers, the BLM runs Long-Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) in Arizona and California, where you can stay up to seven months with a permit. The Yuma Field Office's LTVAs, La Posa in Arizona and Imperial Dam just across the river in California, sell:

La Posa has vault toilets, water faucets, dump stations and trash service. Our boondocking guide covers LTVAs in more detail.

National forests

Coconino National Forest (Flagstaff, Sedona, Mogollon Rim)

• Camping is limited to 14 days in any 30-day period across the forest.
• Around Flagstaff, camping is prohibited year-round on the national forest land surrounding town, and fires are allowed only in Forest Service fire structures, under an order running through April 30, 2027. See Flagstaff camping.
• Around Sedona, camping and wood or charcoal fires are restricted on most of the national forest. West of town, camping is allowed only in eight free designated dispersed areas (about 200 sites), five of them along Forest Road 525; gas stoves are allowed. See Sedona dispersed camping.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (White Mountains)

• Camp in a dispersed area for no more than 14 days in a 30-day period. After 14 days on the forest, you must leave the forest for at least 16 days.
• Place your campsite at least 100 feet from any stream or water source.
• Dispersed camping is generally not allowed near developed campgrounds, picnic areas or trailheads.
• Be self-contained: no water, toilets or trash cans. Treat all surface water before drinking it.
• Bury human waste six inches deep, at least 100 feet from water, and pack out toilet paper.

Kaibab National Forest near the Grand Canyon

The Park Service notes that dispersed camping is available on the Kaibab National Forest near Tusayan, outside the South Rim, as long as you're at least a quarter mile from Highway 64. The Forest Service's Ten-X (Tusayan-Montane) campground nearby is $10–$20 a night, open mid-May through September, with no hookups or showers.

Tips

• Heat kills. Summer in the low desert is dangerous; carry far more water than you think you need, and shift to the high country from late spring to early fall.
• Winter is prime time in the low desert and at the LTVAs; summer is prime time on the Mogollon Rim and around Flagstaff.
• Check fire restrictions with the forest or BLM field office before every trip.
• Read the order maps. Around Sedona and Flagstaff especially, a pull-off that looks like a campsite may be in a closed area.

For campgrounds with facilities and state parks, see our Arizona camping guide.