Dispersed

Valentine Ridge Dispersed Camping Area

AZ

$0.00 /night

Dispersed camping — conditions change

Fire restrictions, road washouts, and seasonal closures are common on public lands. Confirm current rules with the managing agency (BLM/USFS field office) before traveling. Practice Leave No Trace.

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Dispersed Area Free · No reservation USFS · Forest Service Dispersed Camping Area

What is dispersed camping?

Dispersed camping is primitive camping on public land outside of developed campgrounds. There are no facilities — no toilets (usually), no water, no trash service, no marked sites. You may camp anywhere within the area, usually for free, subject to the agency's rules below. Pack everything out, follow Leave No Trace, and check current conditions with the land manager before you go.

Rim-country dispersed area near Canyon Creek trout fishery. 14-day limit, free, passenger-car access, no facilities.

Fire restrictions change daily. We don't publish a static fire-allowed claim — check the current order before any campfire, stove, or smoking.

Current fire orders ↗

Previously disturbed sites only
Camp ONLY in established / previously used spots. Pioneering new sites is prohibited under the management plan and subject to citation.
Pack out human waste
WAG bag (or equivalent pack-out kit) is required. Burying is not allowed in this area.

Managing agency: USFS · Pleasant Valley Ranger District (Tonto NF)
Designation: Forest Service Dispersed Camping Area
Max stay: 14 days per location
Road access: Graded dirt
Distance from water (LNT): 200+ ft
Vehicle notes: Per agency page: "FR 512 and FR 188 are unpaved roads suitable for passenger vehicles." Trailers under 16 feet.

Facilities

✗No toilets — pack out human waste (WAG bag)
→Potable water: Potable water is not available at this site.

Resources & official references

Fire restrictions (live)

Tonto NF — alerts and current fire orders ↗
Live alerts feed for the forest. Check before any campfire or stove use.

Official agency page

USFS — Valentine Ridge Dispersed Camping Area ↗
Official rec-area page from the managing agency.

Field office / ranger district

USFS Tonto National Forest ↗
Forest landing page — alerts, contact, current orders.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace — 7 Principles ↗
Pack everything out, camp on durable surfaces, respect wildlife, etc.

Official sources & verification

Managed by Dispersed/Primitive

Verify before you go

Source of truth

Agency source page
Page our published rules and notes are derived from.

Verify by phone or mail

Address:AZ

About

Per the Tonto NF page: dispersed camping near Canyon Creek at 6,700 ft elevation, "renowned for rainbow trout fishing", with a 9-mile all-terrain bicycle loop. "14-day stay limit"; "No fees are required for this site"; "Potable water is not available at this site"; trailers under 16 feet. Quiet hours 10 pm – 6 am with no generator running.