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 agency that oversees public lands. These lands include parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. The Bureau of Land Management offers free camping in some of the most beautiful and scenic areas in the country. Some Bureau of Land Management campgrounds offer a variety of amenities, including picnic tables, fire pits, and toilets. A few may also have dump stations and showers.
The South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area is located in southern Arizona. It's near the Sonoran Desert National Monument and equidistant from two national parks: Joshua Tree National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. The area offers hiking, camping, and picnicking, and it’s home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, bobcats, and coyotes.
The Table Top Mountain Peak Trail is a strenuous hike that offers hikers amazing views of the Arizona desert. The trail winds its way up a steep incline, and the terrain is largely rocky.
Length: 6.7 miles
Intensity: Difficult
The Lava Flow Trail winds through the Table Top Wilderness Area. The trail is mostly flat with a few small hills and is made up of loose gravel and dirt.
Length: 7.25 miles
Intensity: Moderate
When boondocking in the South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area, your nearest fishing spot will be the Gila River near Gila Bend, Arizona. This area offers great fishing for bass, catfish, and a few smaller species of fish. The river is also a wonderful place for swimming, boating, and tubing.
Rock climbing is a popular activity throughout the Sonoran Desert region, and the South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area is no exception. The Homestead Rock area is home to over 250 routes with a wide range of difficulty levels, making it the perfect spot for any climber. Workman Falls and Stewart Pocket are also popular climbing areas.
The desert bighorn sheep are an especially interesting sight to see in the area. These sheep are uniquely adapted to the harsh desert environment and can be found grazing on the rocky slopes of the mountains. The desert tortoise is well-adapted to the dry climate and grazes on cacti and other desert plants. Coyotes are also common in the area.
There are many opportunities for picnics in the South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area, but there are no tables or designated eating locations. The West Butterfield Road and Estrella Road parking areas are good spots to lay out a picnic before exploring the area.
The South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area is a great place to go horseback riding. There are plenty of trails to choose from, and the scenery is incredible.
BLM RV camping is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area. The area is filled with hills, valleys, and cactus-studded landscapes, providing a perfect backdrop for your RV camping adventure. However, all of the camping in the wilderness area is dispersed and primitive, so if you're looking for more amenities, you'll have to go elsewhere. Nearby Gila Bend, AZ is home to Sonoran Desert RV Park, Gila Bend FamCamp Campground, and Palms Mobile Home RV Park, which all offer full hookups and other amenities.
If you're searching for free BLM camping near me, you’ll find plenty of options in the South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area. Dispersed camping is allowed in the vast majority of this popular wilderness area. Keep in mind, however, that this area is quite remote and offers no amenities, so you'll need to come well-prepared for your Bureau of Land Management free camping trip.
The South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area is located in the middle of America’s hottest desert. The Sonoran Desert can reach triple-digit temperatures for weeks on end during the summer. It’s important to have plenty of water and sunscreen and to dress for the weather. If you visit this area in winter, be sure to pack layers of clothing and bring blankets. Winter temperatures can sometimes dip below freezing. Cellphone signal strength can be unreliable in the area, so you may want to bring a signal booster or satellite phone. When hiking in the wilderness, be prepared with a whistle or flares in case you lose your cellular signal.
Be careful of desert pack rats when parking your RV for more than a few days in one location. These rodents can damage the wiring under the hood and even get inside the cabin to chew furniture and appliances. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
When camping on public BLM land, it is important to remember to practice the Leave No Trace guidelines. This means taking everything with you when you leave and cleaning up any evidence that you were there. You’ll want to pick up all your trash, pack out your food scraps, and extinguish any campfires.
The South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area is a two-hour drive from Phoenix, but access is difficult as there are limited access points, and the road conditions vary. The best way to get there from Phoenix is to follow I-10 E south for approximately 12 miles until you reach Exit 162 onto Wild Horse Boulevard. Follow the boulevard for a half mile, and turn left onto Maricopa Road. After two miles, turn right onto AZ-347 and follow it for 13 miles until you reach AZ-238, where you'll turn right again. Follow AZ-238 for approximately 11 miles until you reach Nahalia Road, which will take you to your destination after another 15 miles of driving. Please note that a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle is highly recommended.
Address: Lower Sonoran Field Office, 2020 E Bell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85022
Ready to visit South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area? 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.
