Boondocking on AZ BLM Land

[jonnys_walkers]

We are looking at heading to Arizona middle of Feb/14. We want to boondock in the desert for four to six weeks.
There are so many questions and places to go in Arizona, I am sure some of the members are from that area and could point us in a direction or there are those that have experienced this and could give some pointers.

Thanks in advance.

John

[bikendan]

it would help if you post what you've done to prepare for boondocking.

[Puma243]

North of Parker, AZ find the "Desert Bar" on a Fri-Sun !!

[JLeising]

Western New Mexico of any interest? Stayed at Joe Skeen BLM campground in El Malpais National Conservation area. Nice semi-boondocking camp area, adjacent to El Malpais National Monument - great scenery and fascinating volcanic formations - tubes, caves, etc. Highly recommend. Check out the website.

[biken201]

North of Lake Pleasant is nice. But it's a pretty busy area, so it isn't somewhere that you will feel is remote or isolated. We've also gone to the desert northwest of Wickenburg. Doubtful that you'll find many others in that area (which can be good or bad)...

[jonnys_walkers]

Bikendan,
We have 100 gal of fresh on board water with a reserve tank of 35 gal. We have 100 gal capacity for gray/black water. We have 4 six volt golf cart batteries installed in the generator area with two 12 volt RV batteries on the hitch. 190 watt, 24 volt solar panel with MPPT controller. We also have a portable 2000 watt generator.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by jonnys_walkers

Bikendan,
We have 100 gal of fresh on board water with a reserve tank of 35 gal. We have 100 gal capacity for gray/black water. We have 4 six volt golf cart batteries installed in the generator area with two 12 volt RV batteries on the hitch. 190 watt, 24 volt solar panel with MPPT controller. We also have a portable 2000 watt generator.

sounds like you've got almost everything covered to have a great boondocking setup!
you look to be good for quite a number of days! other than following good water and power conservation tips, i don't have anything to suggest.

[Rmack]

I'm planning a trip to Quartzite in Feb. Maybe a little sooner than you plan, but it depends on weather.

I've heard cool things about Quartzite, but have never been. Drove by many years ago, didn't stop. Anyone have any tips or tricks or recommendations for this destination?

[f5moab]

Be weary of the Magic Circle area

[Rmack]

Originally Posted by f5moab

Be weary of the Magic Circle area

What's that, and why be weary?

[f5moab]

Magic Circle AZ.

[Rmack]

Originally Posted by f5moab

Magic Circle AZ.

I see.

Even my dogs wear protective clothing in the desert.

[Blackrock]

Eastern Arizona around the Safford area has a lot of good places. So far largely undiscovered by the snow birds.

[f5moab]

Just remember outside of LTVA areas such as near Quartzsite, you will be limited to no more than a period of 14 days within any period of 28 consecutive days.
But there are nice places to boondock along the Black Hills Parkway in the Safford BLM area.

[jonnys_walkers]

We camped at Hot Well Dunes south east of Safford. $3 per night or if you have the Senior Pass it is $1.50 per night. The hot tubs are wonderful, but you may have to tolerated the dune buggys and quads.
Border Patrol comes out here to train.

[Blackrock]

Originally Posted by jonnys_walkers

We camped at Hot Well Dunes south east of Safford. $3 per night or if you have the Senior Pass it is $1.50 per night. The hot tubs are wonderful, but you may have to tolerated the dune buggys and quads.
Border Patrol comes out here to train.

That's right in my backyard. Don't even think of sinking you heiny into the hot tub without first paying the fee. They have a couple BLM rangers around there that think they are MR. law and order. Total bad attitudes.

[Tampajohn]

We go to Quartzite and boondock every year. Any questions, I would be glad to help. Lot has all ready been covered about boondocking. Sometimes we need a break and head to Split Rail RV in Quartzite. $18 per night. You also can dump tanks and fill up with water there also. Wednesday night is free soup night. Great bunch and fun to be with.

[Rmack]

One thing I learned last winter camping in Quartzite; If you get the water from that RV fill site near town, make sure you use a water softener. That stuff is like calcium magnesium soup. I couldn't believe the lumps of white stuff that got in my plumbing after a couple of fills from there.

[jonnys_walkers]

Originally Posted by Blackrock

That's right in my backyard. Don't even think of sinking you heiny into the hot tub without first paying the fee. They have a couple BLM rangers around there that think they are MR. law and order. Total bad attitudes.

Never saw one Ranger the whole time we were there.

[Tampajohn]

If you go to Hi Jolly in Quartzite BLM, you have to sign in at the Ranger Trailer. They start the clock on you then. If I am not mistaken, you can camp at another BLM after 14 days, but it has to be at least 25 miles away. In Quartzite, you can buy water for a nickle a gallon and propane was $2.60 per gallon. Not really a bad price. I enjoy going to the junk, hardware, grocey store downtown and buy stuff. Kind of a neat place. Like I said before and was told the first time in Quartzite, Cash is King. We will try to make the RV Show in January. We stayed at Split Rail for $18 per night when we want a change in scenery. Wednesday is free soup night. Lot of fun. Thursday we sat out under the stars with a bonfire.