Dispersed Camping Engagement

[ccantrell]

Hi,

I'm a new member of the forum and fairly new at dispersed camping / hiking. I'm looking to get engaged this coming weekend and thought what a better way to propose :-) I'm looking for suggestions on a great hike to a great location and place we can disperse camp along the way.

1 night, within a couple of hours or so from North PHX. Average+ physical condition.

Thanks in advance!

[chumley]

There was a similar thread a couple of years ago that you might like to reference, though I think it focuses more on the Tucson area: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5920
Another related topic has a few thoughts: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2558

Otherwise, I'd want to know a little bit more about what you are looking for. Peaks with views, autumn foliage, canyons/creeks, desert vistas, pine forest, etc.? 2wd or 4wd road? We've got a pretty diverse state!

[ccantrell]

Thanks for the quick reply. A view would be great probably followed by something with water ... say a waterfall. I really want to camp one night. Since we are new to hikes with dispersed camping, really looking for that guidance for a newbie. I'm not looking for a secluded trail per say but not car camping either. We could do 4x4 but would probably lean towards something a little easier to get to. I guess we are not really picky ... the experience alone will be good enough for her :-)

[chumley]

An A+ scenic spot is Red Rock Crossing in Sedona. Easy to get to, perfect at sunset. But there's no dispersed camping anywhere near it, so that's a negative. Check out the photos on the hike description page: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=102

A spot with great views and easy access is the Rim Road, Forest Road 300, 30 miles east of Payson on Hwy 260. There's the Rim Vista trail (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=103) (or just the pull-outs along the road), and you can head down to Woods Canyon Lake if you need to see water. But the lake and the rim views are a couple of miles apart along the Meadow Trail (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1995)

There's dispersed camping allowed anywhere on FR300 west of the Woods Canyon Lake road (where it turns from paved to dirt). The lake has an official campground.

You can also drive further west down FR300 to any number of dispersed campsites that have views right on the edge of the rim. Some of these sites will be occupied on Friday, so the best view spots may be gone if you show up on Saturday. But there should be no problem finding a place to camp if you drive up any of the side roads off FR300 a short ways. Keep in mind that autumn is here and the weather up on FR300 this weekend will be around 65°/35°. I mention that because it's never fun to be cold, and if you're new to camping, 35° can be really cold!