Boondocking around Phoenix area

[rickvikki]

Hello everyone: We do a lot of boondocking in Arizona. But we are heading to Phoenix area, which we have never visited before, and would love to hear everyones' favorite spot to boondock around Phoenix. We mostly stay on BLM land and have a 40ft MH.

Thanks Vikki

[Kidoo]

BarbaraOK wrote:
Kiddo,

Think you meant the EAST side of Phoenix.

Barb

Your are right, sorry, East side of Phoenix

[Galvanizd]

BLM property all over Arizona. Stay away from the obvious ones like Walmart or Bass Pro.

Try the Indian Casinos. I've stayed 3 or 4 nights with no prob. If you're planning on staying the winter you might have a problem.

The one off Hwy 10 Gila River Casino is good. I've stayed there before. Rv park but you can for free in the parking lot. Here's more

http://500nations.com/Arizona_Casinos.asp#Coconino

I've had only one or two tell me no but alot of them want your business and allow rv's and trucks.

[BarbaraOK]

Kiddo,

Think you meant the EAST side of Phoenix.

Barb

[Kidoo]

I think it is getting harder to find boonduck spot, this is sad, plublic land are also getting harder to get in, fence everywhere, road closed, I even saw manmade ditches in National Forest and the worst, having to buy an "Adventure pass" to get into California NF, cost around 130$. Town used to have Free overnight parking, most of them now charge you to stay, so I stay...away!

I've been through Phoenix this late summer. Wallmart is sure not the place, I was told by the Wally manager that someone would come and ask/tell me to go. I also asked for one night at Bass Pro shop and they said the parking is not their property. I don't personnaly like Bass Pro shop anyway because they are partner to Greenline Timeshare and I alsmost got hooked by their sell pitch.

I went to Oak Flats, this is a nice place, not very big camping but you could use the grass area, National Forest free camping, 3 to 4 miles from Superior on highway 60, that was the closest I could find, it is about 35 miles from Phoenix 202 outskirt, west of Phoenix. It is part of Tonto National Forest.

Keep on boonducking!

[jhilley]

That resort is hardly boondocking, $40 to $50 night.

[2ndhom]

We stay at the Fountain Hills Indian RV Park of which I could never pronounce the name. Spacious, well maintained and reasonable driving distance to Scottsdale.

[OhhWell]

There is always a certain amount of danger when boon docking. That can be mitigated by being aware of your surroundings and in our case bringing our rather large dogs. You could also just put an NRA sticker by your MH door.

I'm sure you are not thinking about plopping down in some run down parking lot in a seedy area.

Then again, I know of some very rural areas in central FL where I wouldn't camp without someone on sentry duty all night with an assault rifle.

[J-Rooster]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Please see you followup post. Despite a couple of senior members posting contrary information, I have dry camped in the Phoenix area for years without a single issue. You just need to find the dry camping area where you are welcome and expected.

X-2

[Executive45]

rickvikki wrote:
What do you mean, bring lots of shells?!

Sea shells, of course...there's little water in the desert....Dennis

[Bill_Satellite]

Please see you followup post. Despite a couple of senior members posting contrary information, I have dry camped in the Phoenix area for years without a single issue. You just need to find the dry camping area where you are welcome and expected.

[mowermech]

For a place to dump, see:
http://www.sanidumps.com/rvdumpscity.php?citynum=384&city=Phoenix&cityradius=1

Sure, an RV park may be safer or more secure than sitting out in the country by ones self. Some people may be willing to take that chance, for various reasons.
I have been known to do so myself, now and then. It is dark, quiet, and very relaxing.

[JoeGood988]

I think without the safety and security of a resort or campground, you are leaving yourself open for uninvited guests. I've been wintering in Phoenix area for 7 years and there aren't many places outside the city limits I would boondock. Almost all Walmarts don't alow it and more and more large parking lots discourage overnight stays...If you spend $250,000 for a motorhome, spending $25-35 a night is nothing....weekly discounts as well as monthly rates make staying for the winter reasonable....finding a place to dump is harder also

[rickvikki]

What do you mean, bring lots of shells?!