OK-so not safe to boondock around Phoenix

I read your original post on this subject a couple days ago and I could see how you got the impression of boondocking around Phoenix. The person that posted the smart-alec reply enjoys doing that for some reason. All of us probably come to this forum for serious answers to our questions not for the kind of answers you received.

I just now looked at that posting again and I see that the not-so-wise guy's posts have now been deleted. So even the moderator disagreed with him.

We go to the Phoenix area often as our daughter lives there. It's no worse than any other city. You just have to observe your surroundings. Good camping to you - you'll find your spot. There's so much to do in the area..especially if you enjoy hiking. The trails are awesome. have fun!

Also, some are mentioning those Maricopa County parks - White Tank, McDowell, Usery...we've been to and thoroughly enjoyed all of them, along with Cave Creek and Lake Pleasant. The parks make a circle around Phoenix so you can move around and enjoy each area without the long drives each day. A couple years ago they didn't take reservations so you could get a spot early morning. Now, unfortunately, they accept reservations and the parks are very popular so plan ahead. Also, keep in mind about Lost Dutchman State Park - a winner!

We stay at McDowell Regional Park outside of Fountain Hills. Absolutely wonderful place, lots of hiking/biking, heavily patrolled by Maricopa County Sherriff, huge sites and just a great place to stay. Looked at Usery Mountain last winter. Sites not as big, good hiking, and closer to Phoenix. Unfortunately, too many cactus to deal with because of dogs.

Try Usery Mountain Regional Park. They have electric and water if you need it. Some of the sites (at the bottom of the loop when looking at the map) have great night time views of the valley lights.

White Tank Mountain Reginal Park just finished installing water and electric at all 40 campsites.
$25.00 per day. I do not have all the information on what size rigs they can accommodate.
There are 28 miles of hiking, biking trails and horse rental just outside the park.
Each site has a picnic table, grill, and fire ring.

Those of us in the know are aware that 47% of the state is public land with dispersed camping areas everywhere. There are boondocking areas within a 15 minute drive of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

I would be a little hesitant camping near any large city unless I was familiar with the area. Not just Phoenix. Probably safe and unsafe places to camp.

I see you got one bad response to your other post and you took that way too seriously. In case you are new to forums in general you need to understand that you are going to get a variety of responses and you need to look at them all. There is always going to be some negative, off topic, inappropriate and good informative, accurate responses. There's the rub. You need to cull from that the information that makes the most sense or is provided by a source with a deal of experience or actual valuable experience with the question asked. Just because one person had a bad experience does not make the overall experience bad.
I have been a full timer since 1997 and I have dry camped in the Phoenix area many times. My favorites are the casino parking lots including Wild Horse in Chandler and Talking Stick (Casino Arizona) in the Scottsdale area but there are others. Understanding that, there are also a huge number of very nice, affordable RV parks available if where you want to stay is not close to the free, safe locations.
Just keep in mind that there is a HUGE amount of BAD information on the internet. Anyone from anywhere can post anything they like. That does not make it correct, it just happens to be one persons opinion or one persons rant. Take it all in and try to find a reasonable balance.

Where did you get that information???? There's so many "safe" places in and around Phoenix someone has fed you erroneous info. If you want hookups, try the Fort McDowell Casino/RV Park just north of Scottsdale...big rig friendly. Look at the Lost Dutchman State Park, at the base of the Superstition Mountains. Maybe you'll find the Dutchman's treasure....more info will get you more parks. There's many in the Estelita Mountains west of Phoenix. The two I provided are east near Apache Junction.....Dennis

Any of the regional Maricopa County parks surrounding the greater Phoenix area are awesome! Big sites and nice hiking opportunities. Also, Lost Dutchman State Park east of Mesa in Apache Junction is fantastic. Farther east is the Roosevelt Lake area with lots of 'safe' national forest boondocking and campgrounds. There really isn't a lot of BLM boondocking surrounding Phoenix. P.S. It would help if you put your rig size in your signature so it shows up with every post you make. Many folks don't look at the 'Profile'. In checking just now, I see you have a 40' MH. All of the above-mentioned campgrounds would accommodate you easily except for the Apache Trail campgrounds which I almost recommended to you before seeing your rig size. But do drive the Trail with your towed vehicle. It's well worth it and a great all-day tour is taking it from Lost Dutchman over to Roosevelt Lake and then returning via Globe/Superior and stopping at Boyce Arborteum and back to Apache Jct. Have a good winter!