Boondocking Site Review – Comb Wash BLM, Trail Of The Ancients, Blanding, UT

View of our site at Comb Wash in afternoon sun

A protected boondocking site amongst cottonwood trees ~18 miles west of Blanding in SE Utah, right next to excellent Anasazi Ruins.

Location: Comb Wash Road, around 14 miles west of US 191, on UT 95.
Coordinates: Approx. 37.509590, -109.654022. Link to map location HERE Cost: FREE (14-day stay limit)
How We Found It: We had heard about Comb Wash from other RV bloggers who stayed in the area and also found the site on freecampsites.net.
Nearest Dump/Water: On-site pit toilets, but no water or dump at Comb Wash. Nearest dumps at Blanding, UT.

1. Access – 3.5/5
   Very easy access here for any-sized rig with just a few dings. Comb Wash is a large dirt road ~14 miles West of US 191 on UT 95. Driving West you will see the area on your left after you crest Comb Ridge and drop to the very bottom. Comb Wash is a flat, dirt road in a cottonwood tree grove which is easy to drive, but can be very dusty and does look like it becomes muddy during rain. Campsites are located on either side of the dirt road within the first mile or so of UT95 and are basically just cleared-out dirt areas with home-made fire-pits. Biggest ding is the road/sites become rather soft as you drive further in so big/heavy rigs are probably best camping near the entrance, whereas smaller rigs can find more secluded sites further back. Also be aware of weather in this area since the road (and some of the sites) can become impassable when wet.
2. Nature – 5/5
   Lovely nature around here typical of SE Utah. The camp area is set in a grove of cottonwood trees with lovely sweeping views of Comb Ridge Mesa on the left and Lower Mule Canyon on the right. Lots of dirt roads to explore on-site (OHV, biking) plus you area right in the midst of the Trail Of The Ancients so there is easy access to TONS of hiking and fabulous Ancestral Puebloan ruins in the surrounding area.
3. Isolation – 2/5
   Medium-poor isolation here depending on when you come. This is a rather well-known boondocking spot plus it’s also an OHV location so it can get rather crowded (and noisy) during the week-ends. During the week however it can be very relaxed, mostly empty and quite lovely. During our 3-day mid-week stay in the area we saw 4-5 rigs, but otherwise had our (very large) campsite to ourselves.
4. Pet Friendliness – 5/5
   Another great location for the paws. Lots of open space around camp plus miles of dirt roads on-site to hike and explore with doggie. Nearby ruins are on BLM land and also dog-friendly. Surrounding area is brush desert and has the bonus of lots of interesting rabbits. This is red dust heaven though, so be prepared for some dusty paws!

Overall Rating = 3.9
BONUS ALERT = Park in a protected cottonwood grove only a few miles from some of the best Anasazi ruins in Utah!

Summary: We chose this spot as a base to explore some of the amazing Anasazi Ruins in this area and for that purpose it was absolutely perfect. This is a super-easy boondocking site, accessed directly off UT95 ~14 miles west of US191. Sites are basic, cleared dirt with lovely views of cottonwood trees and surrounding mesas. Since you’re in a valley/wash you’re relatively protected from winds, but that also means the area can become wet/muddy during rain so you need to be aware of the weather. Big rigs are best camping near the entrance whereas smaller/lighter rigs could tackle the softer dirt areas further back. Only other negative is that this is a fairly well-known OHV site so during week-ends you may well get company and noise. During the week however it can be a delightful and very relaxed spot in an excellent location to explore the area. Lots and lots of dirt roads, interesting canyons, hikes and ruins all around. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and if coming through mid-week again we’d definitely stay again.

Extra Info: ZERO Verizon signal (even with antenna/amp), but you can grab a usable signal by driving a few miles up to the top of the Mesa on either side of Comb Wash. On-site pit toilet, but no other facilities (no garbage, no dump, no water).

Extra, Extra Info – OTHER BOONDOCKING: Although Comb Wash is the largest (most spacious) boondocking spot in this area there are actually tons of other BLM roads which allow camping all-around. We saw big rigs camping in the paved parking lots at the trailheads of Butler Wash & Mule Wash and spotted several other smaller campsites along lesser-used BLM roads in those areas. All I can say is explore and you will find!

Entry of Comb Wash Road from UT95. Don’t worry..that tree on the left isn’t as dangerous as it looks.

Front view of our site. We were parked fairly close to UT95 (very lightly used road)

Back view of our site

View of an empty site near entrance

View of 2 rigs in cleared space further in

View of smaller rigs camped in some of the softer spots further in

View of on-site pit toilet

“Aerial” view of our site taken from the hill behind us. You can just see UT95 snaking on the right.

“Aerial” view of other boondockers from road climbing up Comb Ridge

Approx. map of Comb Wash BLM boondocking area

Boondocking Site Review – Goosenecks State Park, UT

The gorgeous curves at Goosenecks State Park

A dramatically scenic boondocking location at the top of a 1000-foot rim by a bend in the San Juan River in SE Utah

Location: Goosenecks State Park  about 25 miles west of the town of Bluff, UT
Coordinates: Camping area starts at the end of UT 316 Coordinates approx. 37.173449,-109.927139. Link to map location HERE
Cost: FREE (unknown stay limit)
How We Found It: We had heard about Goosenecks from other RV bloggers who stayed in the area, and found out more by searching online.
Nearest Dump/Water: No water or dump at Goosenecks, but there is onsite pit toilet and garbage. Nearest known dump is at the RV parks in Bluff, UT. The Tribal Park in Mexican Hat *may* allow dumping (don’t know).

1. Access – 4/5
   Very easy access here, although it can take a little extra to get the more secluded spots. The drive to Goosenecks is along a good, paved road (UT 316) suitable for any-sized RV. Once you reach the end of the paved road there is a very large open, gravel parking area and you can simply stop and camp there. To get to more secluded sites take the dirt road to the left which will follow the rim for another ~1 mile and has several cleared-out sites along the way, including a few sites set further back from the rim. This road is very rocky with many embedded and  rather sharp rocks which makes for a careful, bumpy ride (getting worse as you approach the end) but if you make the effort you’re almost guaranteed to be by yourself. Big rigs are best suited to the front sites, but smaller rigs will be able to make it further back.
2. Nature – 5/5
   Spectacular nature and views here. You are parked on a rim 1000 feet above the meandering base of the San Juan River leading to 360-degree views all around. You are also a short drive from the amazing Valley Of the Gods with rock formations and even more views. There is undeveloped hiking along the rim-road by the boondocking site and several longer hikes in the surrounding area including the Honaker Trail which drops from the rim all the way to the river-bed.
3. Isolation – 3.5/5
   Medium-good isolation here depending on time of year. During high season (Spring, Fall) this is a reasonably well-visited park and since it’s on the Trail Of the Ancients it’s a typical stop. There are not a lot of people who stay, but you’ll get a steady trickle of cars driving in to park at the end viewpoint and take pics before moving on. Also, it’s a fairly well-known boondocking spot so there will typically be 3-4 rigs in the area any given night (although most move on after a day). Most of the “activity” stays around the front entrance so if you take the time to drive further back along the rocky road, you’ll be able to get some isolation, plus some days you’ll just get lucky and have the entire place to yourself.
4. Pet Friendliness – 5/5
   A great location for the paws. Lots of open space around camp, easy dirt roads (no cactus) and access to hiking around the rim-area. Only one warning -> there are no guard-rails so DO need to be careful of doggie getting close to the rim. If you’re not completely sure about the paws choose one of the sites further back from the rim.

Overall Rating =  4.4
BONUS ALERT = Park on the edge of a 1000-foot rim with sweeping views of the valley and the curves in the San Juan River!

Summary: This is a very remote area of SE Utah. Not much around here except the massive San Juan River and miles (and miles and miles) of open red-rock desert, but it’s exactly this remoteness that makes it so very attractive. Goosenecks State Park is easily accessed from paved UT 316 and you can boondock anywhere on the dramatic rim with 360-degree views overlooking the river. The easiest boondocking sites are directly off the paved road, but you’ll get more seclusion if you follow the rocky road to the left and chose a site further back (do be careful though, it gets much rockier and more narrow the further you get from the entrance…best suited for smaller rigs). There are a few picnic tables near the entrance as well as pit toilets and a covered pavilion, but otherwise no facilities. The location has plenty of undeveloping hiking, a few “official” trails and is very close to the spectacular Valley of the Gods (a “must see”!). It’s a relatively well-known stop in the area so you’ll undoubtedly see some day-time tourist traffic, and probably several other boondockers depending on time of year, but you may also get lucky and get the spot all to yourself (we were alone for one night out of the 4 we spent there). Keep an eye on the weather forecast (winds can get crazy on the rim) and stock-up before you come (there is literally nothing for miles around here), but otherwise just sit back and enjoy the remote and gorgeous location. A fabulous stop and we would definitely come again!

Extra Info: Veeery, veeery poor Verizon signal (we got a trickle of 1X using our external antenna/amp). On-site pit toilet and garbage, but no other facilities (no dump, no water).

Side view of our site. We stayed fairly close to the entrance

View of our site from further down the rim

Distant view of our site taken from the hill behind the rim

View of an empty site set back from the rim

Another empty site further down the rocky road

View of another rig (an airstream) tucked into a more secluded site further back

Picnic table near the entrance

Covered pavilion near the entrance. You can boondock next to this too.

Close-up map of the Goosenecks State Park area.

Boondocking Site Review – Thousand Trails Road, Prescott NFS, Cottonwood, AZ

Sunset at our boondocking site on FS360

A very scenic boondocking spot in the Prescott National Forest just SE of Cottonwood, AZ

Location: Prescott National Forest, just SE of Cottonwood, AZ
Coordinates: Camping area starts at intersection of AZ 260 and Thousand Trails Road(FS147)/Camino Real(FS360). Approx. 34.660993,-111.965153. Link to map location HERE
Cost: FREE (14-day limit)
How We Found It: We had heard about camping around Thousand Trails Road from other RVers and also found the listing on freecampsites.net. We settled on our final site by studying the Prescott Motor Vehicle Use Map for other permitted dispersed camping in the area.
Nearest Dump/Water: No facilities in forest. Free dump station at Giant Gas on corner of 89A and 260. Plenty of other nearby dump stations in Cottonwood & Camp Verde area.

1. Access – 2.5/5
   Access can be very good to very poor depending on where you camp. The boondocking area we chose is on the intersection of 260 & Thousand Trails Road just SE of Cottonwood. There are two main areas to camp here on either side of 260:
   Thousand Trails Road -> Travelling north on Hwy 260, take a right at Thousand Trails Road (paved, clearly marked). Follow the paved road for 1/4 mile and then turn left onto Forest Rd 147A (wide dirt, firm). You will see flat, open areas and other rigs boondocked along the first 1/2 mile of this road. This is a popular area and easy to access for any-sized rig. Do not continue past top section (where road descends sharply to the water) since it becomes narrow with no turn-around.
   Forest Service Road 360 -> Travelling north on Hwy 260 take a left at Thousand Trails to the dirt road directly opposite. This road is  unmarked, fairly narrow and rapidly becomes very poor (very rutted, bumpy). According to the Prescott MVUM dispersed camping is allowed all along this road including adjacent FS361 and FS9460C. There are several camping areas fairly close to the entrance which can be relatively easily accessed, but sites further back require high clearance vehicles. Look for cleared-out sites that have been previously used (often there’s a small fire-ring). This is lightly used by campers, but much harder to access. Small high-clearance rigs will be able to find some very private (and still very scenic) sites here, but big rigs will be very limited.
2. Nature – 5/5
   Lovely nature and views here. You are just south of Cottonwood in high desert forest with sweeping views of the valley (all the way to the red rocks of Sedona). Open land all around and lots of forest service roads to hike and explore.
3. Isolation – 2.5/5
   You’re close to the largish town of Cottonwood so only medium isolation here. Thousand Trails is a fairly well-known boondocking site so you’ll undoubtedly be camping with others (for those familiar think “Quartzite-like” camping). The other side of 260 has very few campers, but does get OHVers and cars exploring the roads. Either way you’ll encounter some traffic unless your rig is small enough to get very far back in the forest, but the views and location are worth the trouble.
4. Pet Friendliness – 5/5
   A great location for the paws. Nice, open (cactus-free) space all around for easy paws on the ground plus lots of forest service roads for hiking/exploring. You are also only ~2 miles from Verde River access for water-splashing.

Overall Rating =  3.75
BONUS ALERT = Sweeping views of Verde Valley and the distant Red Rocks of Sedona!

Summary: We chose this area based on good reviews from other RVers and, although it’s not as isolated as we typically like, we managed to find a fairly secluded spot and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Thousand Trails Road is just SE of Cottonwood and off Hwy 260. This makes it a popular (and well-used) spot, but also gives some excellent sweeping views including the Verde Valley and the gorgeous red rocks of Sedona in the far background. Access can be easy to poor depending which side of the road you chose to boondock on (see above), but you’re rewarded with a scenic site that’s a short drive to Cottonwood, Jerome, Verde River and the various excellent sights around the area. Don’t expect to be alone here, plus be prepared for some trash (sadly, typical of heavily-used forest), but enjoy a great location. We loved the area and would readily come back again.

NOTE/ The Prescott National Forest covers a huge area and this is but a teeny piece of the boondocking available. You can pick-up or download a copy of the Prescott Motor Vehicle Use Map which will show each and every road open for dispersed camping in the entire forest. It takes a little doing to match forest service roads to actual road names (plus not all are marked) but if you spend the time you can find some excellent and well-secluded spots.

Extra Info: Good 4G Verizon signal (4 bars) and decent 3G signal. Since this is a well-used area the 14-day limit is enforced. There was a camp host at the Thousand Trails site and a ranger came by to take our license plate number at the other site.

Entry road to Thousand Trails site

View of Thousand Trails boondocking rigs from FS147A. It’s a popular spot!

View down one of lanes in Thousand Trails site

Another View down Thousand Trails site

Yet another view of rigs at Thousand Trails

View of our site down FS360

Another view of our site on FS360

View of another camper further down FS360. You can see how rutted the road is in the front.

One of the many sites around FS360

General map of the 2 boondocking areas. Download the Prescott MVUM for more details.

Boondocking Site Review – Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Sonoita, AZ

I just LOVE these grasslands

A remote and rarely visited grassland area in SE Arizona. Simply spectacular!

Location: 45,000 acre natural preserve on the NE corner of Hwy83 and Hwy82 next to Sonoita, AZ
Coordinates: Road Canyon Camping Area approx. 31.740029, -110.585976, Cieneguitas Camping Area approx. 31.766641,-110.627142. Link to map location HERE
Cost: FREE (14-day limit)
How We Found It: I originally found this spot on my handy Arizona Benchmark Map and was overjoyed when Ivan&HisKitty blogged about stopping here last month. Further research on the Las Cienegas NCA website nailed down the last details.
Nearest Dump/Water: No facilities in camp. Supplemental water availible on the preserve at Empire Ranch. Nearest dump Patagonia Lake State Park ~20 miles south.

1. Access – 2.5/5
   This is a rarely-used grassland preserve so it takes a bit of extra effort to get here. Camping is allowed in designated primitive ”camping areas” or in previously-used dispersed spots. The designated spots -> Cieneguitas (open year-round) or Road Canyon (seasonal) are both accessed off the main road that runs through the preserve. This road is dirt and very bumpy, but otherwise firm and drivable for any-size rig, especially if you stick to the access listed below…just be ready for a bumpy, slow ride!
   Cieneguitas -> This is best accessed from the western side off Hwy 83. Driving north from Sonoita, just before milepost 40 you’ll see the entrance to Las Cieneguas NCA and the beginning of Empire Ranch Road (wide, washboardy dirt road) to your right. Head east on Empire Ranch Road ~3 miles until you come to a fork. Take a right here onto Yucca Road (narrow, lots of small embedded stones) and go another ~1.1 miles to Cieneguitas Camp. The area is clearly marked by a sign. Turn right here and drive down the road to chose your camping spot. There are 6 large, cleared-out “individual” spots on either side of the road going back ~1/2 mile. More info HERE.
   Road Canyon -> This is best accessed from the southern side off Hwy 82. Driving east from Sonoita, just after milepost 36 you’ll see the entrance to Las Cieneguas NCA and the beginning of Yucca Road (narrow, lots of small embedded stones) on our left. Head north on Yucca Road  ~2.5 miles until you hit BLM Road 6916 (marked by a very, very small sign). No obvious sign or individual sites here, but you’ll see large cleared dirt areas for camping. This camping area is closed April 1 to June 30 due to pronghorn fawning season. More info HERE.
   NOTE/ I do *not* recommend driving between Cieneguitas and Road Canyon in a big rig within the preserve. This particular interior stretch of Yucca Road is pitted with some deeper washes. If you decide to take your rig from one campsite to the next, it’s better to drive back onto Hwy 83/82 and re-enter at the south access point.
   Dispersed Camping -> According to the local ranger you may also camp elsewhere in the conservation area on condition that the spot has been obviously previously used and you are no closer than 1/4 quarter mile from wildlife or livestock watering area. In our drive around there were not really any “beast-size” options of this sort, but for smaller rigs you may be able to find a site.
2. Nature – 5/5
   Nature is simply fabulous here. Be ready for rolling hills, sweeping grassland views and distant mountains. Very light traffic and lots of little side-roads to explore the preserve by bike or 4WD. Simply spectacular!
3. Isolation – 5/5
   Wonderful isolation here. This is a very lightly-used preserve so you will only see a few cars going through and you may (or may not) see any other campers. I can’t guarantee complete solitude, but you’ll come very, very close. In our 4 days at Road Canyon we saw no other campers and only a few cars.
4. Pet Friendliness – 5/5
   Another great location for the paws. Easy grassland all around and  lots of other dirt roads leading deeper into the wildlife area which can be accessed with pooch for longer walks.

Overall Rating =  4.4
BONUS ALERT = Camp with sweeping grassland views!

Summary: This 45,000 acre grassland preserve is a wonderfully remote, natural get-away in SE Arizona just next to Sonoita, AZ. It’s a rarely-visited park and very primitive. Just dirt roads, dirt sites and sweeping views. This makes accesability more difficult, but the payoff is lots of solutide and fabulous, natural camping. The main road through the park is narrow and fairly bumpy (Empire Ranch Road is washboard, while Yucca Road has lots and lots of small emdedded stones…get ready to rattle!) and camping is permitted in designated spots Cineguitas (open year-round) and Road Canyon (seasonal), or previously-used dispersed sites. If staying at the designated areas choose your spot before you come since access is different for each one (see above). The camping areas are large, dirt clearings with plenty of space for any-sized rig and easy, flat surfaces. Cieneguitas has 6 “individual” style campsites which are further from the main road, while Road Canyon has more “group-like” wide-open camp area closer to the main road, but both have great views and lots of space. Lots of nature to enjoy as well as on-site historic Empire Ranch. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and would come back in a heartbeat.

Extra Info: Water and pit toilets availible at the Empire Ranch, but no other facilities. Decent 3G Verizon signal (2-3 bars).

Driving down Yucca Road in the rig. It’s firm, but very bumpy and narrow!

Entrance to Road Canyon camp area. Just a teeny sign for BLM road 6916 here.

Left view of our rig at Road Canyon camp area.

Front view of our site

Right side view of our site

Back-view of our site

Our “sitting area”

One of the other cleared out camping areas at Road Canyon

Entrance to Cienguita Camp area. This is marked by a clear sign.

One of sites at Cineguita Camp Area

Two rigs parked at another site in Cineguita Camp Area

Main map of Las Cienegas showing the 2 camp areas.

Boondocking Site Review – Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, AZ

Sandhill Cranes coming to roost at sunset

A birders paradise and great few-day stopover in SE Arizona

Location: On the south end of Coffman road just outside of McNeal, AZ
Coordinates: Approx. 31.560774, -109.718968. Link to map location HERE
Cost: FREE (3-day stay limit)
How We Found It: I had heard about this spot from birding friends and found further details on freecampsites.net and on Whitewater Draw website.
Nearest Dump/Water: ??

1. Access – 4.5/5
   Very easy access here for any-sized rig. Coming from the south you’ll enter the Wildlife Refuge on just over 1 mile wide, firm flat dirt road from Central Highway. This is washboardy and dusty, but otherwise fine. Whitewater Draw is clearly marked by a sign and high entrance gate on Coffman Road. Turn left into the refuge and drive a few hundred feet to main parking area. There is a small sign saying “overnight parking permitted” and picnic tables arranged in fenced areas around a central pit toilet and garbage. The area is super-flat, firm dirt with space for around 5-6 big rigs or a larger number of smaller rigs. As long as it’s not full you can fit any-sized rig here. Park and enjoy!
   NOTE/ If the main camping area is full there is a second overnight camping spot ~1/2 mile further north on Coffman Road at the “sportsman’s entrance”. Turn left and you’ll see the “overnight camping permitted” sign and flat parking area. No picnic tables or pit toilet here. Space for ~3 big rigs.
2. Nature – 5/5
   Nature is what this spot is ALL about. The overnight camping area is only a few hundred feet from the hiking & viewing trail at Whitewater Draw. Open views of grassland and hills directly from camp plus lots and lots of birds including up to 30,000 Sandhill Cranes during the main season (Oct-Feb). Watch sunset over the water and fall asleep to the sweet sounds of life in the draw!
3. Isolation – 3/5
   Moderate isolation here. This is a fairly popular (for the area) birdwatching spot and the day-use parking is just next to the overnight camping area, so you will get people driving through to see the draw. Most birders come early morning or late afternoon so the rest of the time the spot is very relaxed and at night it will be completely dark and quiet.
4. Pet Friendliness – 5/5
   This is a great location for the paws. Easy grassland all around and a nice hiking trail around the draw. Lots of other dirt roads leading deeper into the wildlife area which can be accessed with pooch for longer walks.

Overall Rating = 4.4
BONUS ALERT = Fall asleep to the sound of Sandhill Cranes!

Summary: Whitewater Draw is a wonderful little oasis in the high desert of SE Arizona. It’s a small 1,500 acre preserve that is well-known for hosting tons of birds including up to 30,000 Sandhill Cranes in the main season (Oct-Feb). Free overnight camping is permitted for up to 3 days (within a 7-day period) and it is well worth the stop. Access to the draw is super-easy along a very wide, firm, dirt road and camping is in a flat dirt circular area around a central pit toilet and garbage. Lovely 360-degree grassland views from camp as well as cute picnic tables all around. We came here with some buddies in the “off” season (Mid-March) so at the time we were the only rigs in the area and traffic to the draw was very light. With no-one in camp access was super-easy and we had plenty of space and isolation to ourselves. During the main Crane season I gather the traffic is higher and camping spots may be more limited especially if you come in a larger rig. If the main camp area is full there is a second “overnight camping” area ~1/2 mile north on Coffman Road at the “sportsmans entrance” with space for another 3 or so big rigs. We spent our days birdwatching, sunset viewing and relaxing at our lovely site. Overall a magical little place and we’d definitely come again.

Extra Info: No water or dump, but there is on-site pit-toilet and garbage disposal (nice bonus!). Moderate 3G Verizon signal (2 bars or so), but stable enough for use with our external antenna.

Driving down Coffman Road towards the draw. Very large, flat dirt road.

Main entrance to the draw

View of main overnight camping area. It’s a large circular parking spot.

View from other side of camping area looking back towards entrance

Side-view of our parking spot

Side-view of Beluga

View of picnic table at the overnight camping area

View of pit toilets in middle of camping area. There is a also a garbage disposal.

View of secondary overnight camping area from “sportsmans entrance” further up Coffman Road.

General map of Whitewater Draw