The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
San Simon Valley contains more than 500,000 acres of public land. This area near Bowie, Arizona is home to the Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area, which is a terrific place to go off-roading. It is very close to the Chiricahua National Monument. Several springs and seeps in the area provide habitat for quail, dove, deer, and javelina. Anglers often find great fishing. This area at the convergence of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts is about 375 miles south of Grand Canyon National Park. The vast majority of the area is controlled by the BLM, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, or Arizona State Trust Land, so there are many opportunities to go boondocking.
While traveling to this region in southeast Arizona, watch for Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. You can stay at these campgrounds for up to 14 days for free or a minimal fee. They are often in remote areas, making them terrific places to escape crowds, and many are in scenic regions. Therefore, you will want to look for "BLM camping near me" whenever roaming in the Western United States.
This looped trail runs around the Bonita Creek Picnic Area at Chiricahua National Monument. It starts in the Bonita Creek Parking Area. This trail is a fantastic option in the spring when the Apache plume and prickly poppy flowers. You can often see whitetail deer and numerous songbirds from this trail.
Length: 0.2 miles
Intensity: Easy
You can hike this loop that starts at the Echo Canyon Trailhead going in either direction, but it is less strenuous if you hike it counterclockwise. It runs by spectacular rock formations and through piney woods. You will love seeing the constantly changing landscape with its different wildlife.
Length: 3.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail at Chiricahua National Monument runs through pine forests and rock formations, including Balance Rock, where one rock appears to be naturally tattering on top of another. You will love being able to see for several miles from the Inspiration Point Overlook. This trail is constantly changing elevations.
Length: 9.5 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Parker Canyon Lake is a fantastic place to go fishing. Boats and kayaks are available to rent at this lake, which is over one mile high in elevation. This lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout, and there are bass, sunfish, and catfish. There is a paved boat ramp, fishing pier, and several campgrounds.
Cathedral Tower is a fantastic place to go climbing, and the east face is much easier to climb than the west face. Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains is very close to Chiricahua National Monument, where climbing is prohibited. This climb on rhyolite rock can have loose pebbles in places, so use appropriate caution.
The eight-mile-long Bonita Canyon Drive is a fantastic place to spot wildlife as you wind your way through oak, cypress, and pine forests on your way to Massai Point, which offers stunning views of Rhyolite Canyon. Bring your binoculars to spot wildlife in the canyon, where over 1,500 species of plants and animals live. You are likely to see rabbits, whitetail deer, hares, and cougars.
Faraway Ranch Historic District is a fantastic spot for a picnic. This is an ideal area to observe the Arizona desert. After your picnic, take a tour of the Faraway Ranch home, which workers constructed in 1915 and marks the end of the Apache occupation of this area. Emma and Neil Erickson, from Sweden, built a one-room cabin at this location in 1886.
You can find RV camping within the San Simon Valley. One possibility is Bonita Canyon Campground at Chiricahua National Monument, which the National Park Service operates. There are 24 sites at this campground near the riparian area. Another nearby option is Sycamore Campground in Coronado National Forest. Trailers are limited to those under 16 feet long, and there are no hookups. A second option within the national forest is Idlewood Campground. This campground is near Cave Canyon's entrance, and spectacular hiking trails are nearby.
Bureau of Land Management free camping facilities can be challenging to find in this area, but lots of boondocking possibilities exist. You may want to head to the Indian Bread Rocks Picnic Area, where you can easily follow trails to hike peeks with gorgeous views. Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area offers 2,000 acres of sand dunes to play on, and you can enjoy BLM RV camping beside natural hot tubs.
Many of the San Simon Valley trails, like those found at Fort Bowie National Historic Site and Chiricahua National Monument, are rocky. Hiking a rocky trail often takes longer than hiking a smooth one, so give yourself extra time. Some of the trails in this area have significant elevation changes. When hiking up and down hills, be sure to keep your center of gravity above your knees. This will help prevent injuries and make you feel less sore the next day.
This valley is a great place to build memories with your traveling companions. There are great wineries to visit, jeep tours to participate in, and Mount Graham International Observatory is nearby. Learn more about BLM camping before leaving on your adventure because it is a wonderful option in this area.
There is minimal trash service in this area. Therefore, you need to pick up after yourself and dispose of your trash in appropriate places. You can also reduce your impact on the land by making sure to only travel on established roads and trails and set up your camp on durable surfaces that have previously been used for camping. Do not spoil this area's scenic beauty for others who come to this region to enjoy recreational activities.
It is easy to reach San Simon Valley from Phoenix by following Interstate 10 East. Keep right at the fork to get on U.S. 60 East. In Globe, Arizona, go straight to get on U.S. 70 East. After you pass through Safford, Arizona, continue on U.S. 70 East for seven miles. Turn right on Haekel Road. You will enter the valley in 26 miles.
Address: San Simon Valley, Haekel Road, Safford, Arizona, 85546
Ready to visit San Simon Valley? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
