Prescott National Forest

Recreational Activities

Prescott Basin Dispersed Camping

Dispersed Camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds.  In contrast to camping in developed campsites, dispersed camping is more primitive, and no facilities such as trash collection, water and toilets are available.

The Prescott Basin area is immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona.  The area is approximately 59,000 acres (about 4% of the Prescott National Forest).

Dispersed camping has increased throughout the Prescott wildland-urban interface area in the past several years.  In many areas, this has caused resource impacts such as accelerated soil erosion, damage or loss of vegetation, displaced wildlife, increased fire risk, and accumulation of trash and human waste.

To help prevent unacceptable resource damage from dispersed camping, Forest Service resource managers have designated the sites shown on the map for dispersed camping.  Camping and campfires are allowed only at these sites, and in developed campgrounds, within the Prescott Basin.  However, campfires are not allowed in these designated dispersed camp sites when fire restrictions are in effect.

The Prescott Basin is often referred to as a wildland-urban interface area because the forested public lands are adjacent to the urbanized area of the greater Prescott community.

Wildland-urban interface areas typically experience greater visitor use, human impact, and demand for recreational opportunities than other National Forest System Lands.

All campsites are located within a a 3/4-mile stretch of the Forest Development Roads listed above except C64/C65 - Thumb Butte/Copper Basin Road Loop, C 101 - Groom Creek Cut Off Road, and C 56 - Senator Highway, where campsites are scattered along the road within a 3-mile stretch.

When you find a brown vertical fiberglass post with the "DISPERSED CAMPSITE" decal, you have found a place to camp. Each designated dispersed campsite has a place to park, fire ring, and an area for a tent.

Remember:

• Recreational camping is allowed in developed and designated dispersed campsites; however, residing on National Forest Lands is not allowed.
• Camping in designated dispersed campsites is allowed for 7 days in a 30 day period.
• Campfires are allowed only in fire rings provided in designated dispersed campsites.
• Do not put cans, bottles, or aluminum foil into fire rings.
• Use only dead and down wood for campfires.
• Be safe in the forest.  Make sure your campfire is dead out!

Dispersed camping outside of the Prescott Basin has a 14 day stay limit in a 30 day period.

USDA Forest Service - Prescott National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 12 May 2009 at 15:26:41 EDT