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BLM Camping

Dankworth Village

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

The Bureau of Land Management is a federal organization that protects cultural lands, nature, and other valuable sites on public land. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are often near these sites to provide convenient, affordable camping to visitors. Search "BLM camping near me" to find campgrounds close to you.

Dankworth Village is an Indian ruin in Arizona. It's near the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, Pinaleño Mountains, and Roper Lake State Park. In addition to seeing historic sites, you can view wildlife, go off-roading, and go boating in the area.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Mariah Mesa Trail

Enjoy views of Mount Graham and a lake when you take this loop trail. There are benches along the way that allow you to comfortably sit to soak in the views and peacefulness. Mariah Mesa Trail is in Roper Lake State Park.

Length: 0.6 miles

Intensity: Easy

Island Day Use Area Loop

Walk around a peninsula with views of Roper Lake when you take the Island Day Use Area Loop. Dogs are allowed on the trail as long as they are on a leash.

Length: 0.3 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

You can go fishing at Roper Lake for largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish, and rainbow trout. The Arizona Game and Fish Department adds rainbow trout to the lake from fall to spring. Dankworth Pond is another area where you can go fishing. It has bass, trout, catfish, and bluegill. You can go boating at Roper Lake and Dankworth Pond, but gas motors aren't allowed on Roper Lake, and only small non-motorized boats can be used on Dankworth Pond.

Climbing

Rock climbing is possible at Mount Graham. This mountain has an elevation of 10,720 feet and is the highest mountain in the Pinaleño Mountains.

Wildlife Viewing

Dankworth Pond State Park is a great place for bird-watching any time of the year. Species that you may see here include great horned owls, herons, Gambel's quail, mergansers, grebes, egrets, cardinals, and mallard ducks. The Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area in the Gila Box Riparian NCA is another prime location for bird-watching. You have a treetop view in this wildlife viewing area.

Picnicking

There are plenty of areas to have a picnic, including Dankworth Pond State Park, Hacienda Campground, Gila Campground, Bonita Creek Picnic Area, Faraway Picnic Area, and Echo Canyon. Bonita Creek and Faraway are near the Chiricahua National Monument. Picnic tables and fire rings are set up at the Hacienda Campground and Gila Campground. There is a shaded picnic area and grills near the fishing area at Dankworth Pond State Park.

Scenic Drive

The Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive takes you through forests of pine, cypress, and oak. When you reach Bonita Canyon Campground, you can pause to enjoy the scenery. The scenic drive ends at Massai Point in Chiricahua National Monument.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

RV camping is available at Cottonwood Campground, Hacienda Campground, Gila Campground, and Riverview Campground. Cottonwood Campground offers 20- through 50-amp electrical hookups and accommodates RVs up to 68 feet. You can use generators at Cottonwood, Hacienda, and Gila, except for during the designated quiet hours. Hacienda Campground has 20- and 30-amp hookups and water hookups available. It also offers hot showers and restrooms.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping is available at Tanque Road BLM Dispersed. Other dispersed campgrounds in the area are at the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area.

RV Rentals Near Dankworth Village Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Dankworth Village BLM trip

Dankworth Pond State Park features sand dunes, artesian mineral wells, and the Pinaleño Mountains. With a cold, semi-arid climate, the state park doesn't get as hot as other areas of Arizona. You should still come prepared for hot temperatures in the summer and lows in the 20s during winter because the surrounding areas have more extreme temperatures. Bring extra water during your trip as well to stay hydrated in this dry climate.

Swimming isn't always allowed in Roper Lake because the water levels can be too low. You should check before you go if you were hoping to swim in the lake during your BLM RV camping trip. When the pH levels are too high in the lake, management may not stock it with trout either. You can check if trout will be available before going to the lake. Dankworth Pond State Park is a sub-unit of Roper Lake State Park, so you don't need to pay twice to visit both. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Leaving no trace of your visit helps protect the serenity and beauty of these lands. Don't take anything from the cultural sites, trails, or other areas. You're also not allowed to carve on, draw on, or alter anything that you see whether something is from nature or built by humans. All of the terrain in Arizona is prone to fires, so you should take extra care with campfires in the state. There are fire regulations that you may need to follow during your stay. Never leave your campfire unattended either. It's also important to avoid feeding the wildlife because it's not good for animals or humans when animals associate humans with food.