My First Campsites

Since I've had several questions about my campsites while being a snowbird, I'll go ahead and blog about what I've done so far.  I've stayed at 4 Arizona back country sites:  BLM land in Ehenberg, Tonto National Forest, Aqua Fria National Monument, and Prescott National Forest.  All of these locations allow free dispersed camping.  Typically that means that nothing is provided -- no water, garbage disposal, toilets, etc. -- it's carry in, carry out.  My camp site in the Tonto National Forest was an exception to that rule, it had pit toilets with a table and fire ring at each site.  Otherwise, it was still carry in, carry out.

My Ehrenberg camp, under the Ironwood Tree.  (2/10 - 3/3/15)  

I didn't set up a camp at Agua Fria NM.   The river was too deep for my Prius to ford; so, I couldn't go very far into the back country.   Instead, I found a small site up on a hill overlooking the road through the National Monument with I-17 a couple of miles in the distance.  I didn't set up camp there for a couple of reasons:  1) I was only going to stay for a couple of nights, and 2) I felt exposed as I could be seen for miles around.  The good parts were that my views were breath taking, and I had great Internet access due to being so close to I-17  The only time I'd ever been checked-up on by a Sheriff was at this site.  He just saw that I was in my car, waved, and backed down the hill.

Tonto NF campsite in the Mesquite Forest, next to the Verde River.
The trees were just starting to leaf out.  The site came with a table,
so I didn't set up my kitchen, nor shade umbrella. (3/6-3/16/15)  

But, when I'm at a location for any length of time, I'll set up camp.  I look for a shade tree where I can set up camp just north of it.  At Ehrenberg it was a Ironwood tree.  I was in among lots of Mesquite trees in the Tonto NF.  Here in the Prescott NF, I'm north of a large Juniper.  I want to take advantage of the shade so I pitch my tent as far under the tree as possible, and set up my kitchen so that it gets early afternoon shade.

More Mesquite Trees across the road from my campsite.
The grass was over a foot tall.  Sunset, Tonto NF,  3/13/15.  

In an earlier post I shared about all of the extra stuff I was going to bring because I'd be a snowbird instead of a traveler (tent, kitchen, shade umbrella with base, more water containers, etc.).  Mostly, I've been happy that I carried all of the extra items.  One questionable item is the umbrella with it's cast iron base.  It's big and heavy to bring along.  And, in Ehrenberg it was too windy to use; in Tonto's Mesquite Forest it wasn't needed; but in the Prescott NF I'm really using it for the first time.  By the end of this 4-months, we'll see if I'd be willing to take it snowbirding again.

Prescott NF campsite.  (3/18/15 - present)  

Originally, I was going to use my 2-person tent for a bathroom.  But, it was too akward.  So, the tent became my storage space for food, kitchen supplies, water containers, and a dirty clothes bag.  I love it.  I purchased an instant tent that's well made and quick to put up and take down.  If it's going to rain or blow, I put my chair, side table, and kitchen table (partially folded down) into the tent and out of the elements.  Also, before bed or when I go into town, I'll usually store my kitchen items in the tent (stove, utensils, paper towels, garbage bag, etc.).

Last night's sunset as viewed from my front windshield.
 (Prescott NF, 3/29/15)  

Note: Here's a blog post by my friend Bob Wells whom I'm current camped near.  He talks about camping among friends here in the Prescott NF.