I'm in AZ now through April. I want to get some boondocking in as I have 1800W of solar on the roof. I've never boondocked before and am a little leery for safety as a solo RVer. Any recommendations for good but safe boondocking locations in central AZ? I'm going to Quartzsite in January and will be boondocking the latter part of the month.

Lots of State Trust land, National Forests, and other open areas. All depends on what you want to do while there. The Elks club in Apache Junction even has a boondock area.

I liked to buy an annual permit for BLM land in AZ and CA. That let me go into La Posa South to dump and fill and get rid of trash whenever I wanted to do so. That permit is good at lots of government owned lands so you can travel around if that's what you want or you can stay in Q all winter. I would move around various places near Q as groups I enjoyed came and went. This is a good source of information about those lands:  https://www.blm.gov/visit

Linda Sand

  On 11/14/2019 at 12:20 AM, NealC said:

I'm in AZ now through April. I want to get some boondocking in as I have 1800W of solar on the roof. I've never boondocked before and am a little leery for safety as a solo RVer. Any recommendations for good but safe boondocking locations in central AZ? I'm going to Quartzsite in January and will be boondocking the latter part of the month.

If you are in Tucson and want to try boondocking, come out west on 86(Ajo Highway) at San Joaquin Road to Snyder Hill BLM.  It is not too noisy out here and not far whatever you may need as far a supplies and such.  Just pick a spot and set up.

BTW, good to see you on the Escapees Forum.  I see you post a lot on IRV2.

I'll also recommend Snyder Hill BLM in Tucson.  Close to stores in case something's not working correctly.  Good place to try out your solar.

https://wheelingit.us/?s=snyder+hill

There is Senators Wash area that is BLM land just north of Yuma. Also on US 95 just before getting to Yuma is a free 14 day BLM area just behind the VFW. Both areas are popular and safe for singles. The WINS and LOWs' are in the area behind the VFW over Christmas and New Years. Beware, many Arizona State Trust Lands are now off limits to RVs.

Edited November 14 by bobsallyh

Thanks all, I'll check into it. I need to look at the BLM permit requirements, don't want any surprises.

There are three types of open space boondocking in AZ and southeastern CA.  BLM 14 Day Areas are free for that length of time, then you have to move at least a specified distance away for two weeks.  Sometimes you have to register with a camp host, sometimes not ... it depends on the popularity of the area.  There are no services, just open land.  Bring a full fresh water tank and empty waste tanks and pack out all of your trash and waste.

The second type is the BLM Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVA) located near Quartzsite, Yuma and Blythe, CA.  Also along I-8 a few miles west of the exit to Algodones, Mexico and in the Imperial Valley near Holtville, CA.  All LTVAs have trash dumpsters and the Yuma and Quartzsite area LTVAs have centrally located water spigots and dump sites inside the LTVA.  LTVA permits are $180 for a seasonal permit or $40 for two weeks.  Both are good at all of the LTVAs during the life of the permit.  Doing the math, the $180 permit only pays for itself if you stay in the LTVAs for more than 9 weeks over the course of the season. Otherwise you're better off buying one or more $40 two week permits.  Both can be purchased at the LTVA entrance stations.

The third type is boondocking on Arizona State Trust land.  For this you need an annual recreational permit that allows unlimited daytime use but only 14 nights camping on State Trust land.  The permit is available online and costs $15 for an individual or $20 for a family. 

Edited November 14 by Lou Schneider

There are three types of open space boondocking in AZ and southeastern CA.  BLM 14 Day Areas are free for that length of time, then you have to move at least a specified distance away for two weeks.  Sometimes you have to register with a camp host, sometimes not ... it depends on the popularity of the area.  There are no services, just open land.  Bring a full fresh water tank and empty waste tanks and pack out all of your trash and waste.

The second type is the BLM Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVA) located near Quartzsite, Yuma and Blythe, CA.  Also along I-8 a few miles west of the exit to Algodones, Mexico and in the Imperial Valley near Holtville, CA.  All LTVAs have trash dumpsters and the Yuma area and Quartzsite LTVAs have centrally located water spigots and dump sites.  LTVA permits are $180 for a seasonal permit or $40 for two weeks.  Both are good at all of the LTVAs during the life of the permit so you can move from one LTVA to another if you want.  Doing the math, the $180 permit only pays for itself if you stay in the LTVAs more than 9 weeks over the course of the season. Otherwise you're better off buying one or more $40 two week permits.  Both can be purchased at any LTVA entrance station.

The third type is boondocking on Arizona State Trust land.  For this you need an annual recreational permit that allows unlimited daytime use but only 14 nights camping on State Trust land.  The permit is available online and costs $15 for an individual or $20 for a family. 

Edited November 14 by Lou Schneider

Thanks, I'll checkout the links.

There are many Escapees parks in AZ as well. I have stayed in the boondocking area at the Co- Op located in Benson. Not sure how long you can stay but it’s very inexpensive and you can attend the activities if you choose to do so. They have a dump station also. 

I've been a member of Escapees for a year now, not too familiar with all the resources, just now learning. I was just in Benson a few weeks ago at a SP. Was a nice escape. (no pun intended)