Maricopa trail... where can one camp?

[runnr_az]

Has anyone done the entire Maricopa trail, all the way around?

Where can you camp?

[LosDosSloFolks]

@runnr_az
I believe member @DarthStiller has. Maybe he can help you out.

[rcorfman]

@runnr_az
The end of 2017, I hiked about 85 miles of the Maricopa trail, clockwise from Guadalupe to the Trilby trailhead just off Grand in Surprise. Camping was tricky, so was water. The first night I had to move my campsite about 400' to get off tribal land into a construction area. Loop 202 is there now. The second night, I camped at a Ramada in Estrella Park because I arrived too late to get a campsite. The third night was easy to find a spot a few miles before reaching White Tanks park. Here's my triplog and here's my route, including where I camped. I think camping would be doable continuing from there to McDowell Mt park. After that, you'd be sleeping on park benches or hotels.

[rcorfman]

@runnr_az
I just looked at the satellite view of my route. The construction on the first night was for the 202, so no houses, just cars, lol.

[DarthStiller]

Yeah, it would be pretty dicey trying to camp. It's maintained by Maricopa county and they only allow camping at their designated campsites within the parks, which may require reservations. I've seen spots in between the parks where it could be done, or looks like it may have been done. But they have a broken glass/ discarded tire kind of vibe. Don't know that I would want to be there late at night.

[runnr_az]

Interesting... thx for the feedback. The Maricopa trail passes right by my neighborhood near the McDowells (Quartz Trail), so the idea of doing a long hiking loop that basically begins and ends at my house, pretty appealing. Sounds like it's messier than I want to get involved in...

[chumley]

The Maricopa trail passes right by my neighborhood

I think you answered the question right here.