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Hi. Does anyone know if there is some dispersed camping near Rucker Lake in the Chiricahuas? If not, any other suggestions for dispersed camping nearby? I am hoping to walk some of the trails that go out of that south part of the range.

Anything I need to know about hiking in that area? I know it's near the border, but anything in particular I should beware of?

Thank you.

Dispersed camping is legal within the Coronado National Forest in that area generally speaking, on drivable roads east of the intersection of FR74 and FR74e (basically, east of Camp Rucker), with some minor exceptions (such as exclusion areas in the immediate vicinity of Rucker Lake and immediate vicinity of Rucker Forest Camp) , as well as staying away from the few other established (Fee) campgrounds in that section of FS land.

You may want to google "Coronado National Forest MVUM" to obtain the motor vehicle use map for precise answer, and use the Douglas Ranger station map. Look for the dots that identify where dispersed camping is permitted.

Whether there are any actual good campsites in the dispersed camping areas, I do not know as I've never been to that particular area.

As far as hiking goes, based purely on research (I haven't had a chance to hike there yet):

- I have notes that Turtle Mountain trail was very badly damaged, and some other trails in that area are in poor shape due to the Horseshoe 2 fire from 2011.
- I am under the impression that Bear Mountain trail, Monte Vista Trail, and Rucker trail may be the ones in better shape in that area.
- My notes are vague about Red Canyon and Cottonwood trails, but they may have been heavily damaged by the fire as well.
-Trails Brunos (North and South), Devils Canyon, and Rucker Peak appeared to have dodged the fire.
-There aren't a lot of triplogs for that area, so your reports will prove useful.

chiricahuatrails.com I don’t think its been updated in a few years but great info

Tha@nonot
Thank you. I tried contacting the Ranger Station, but haven't heard back. Will look at the maps.

@nonot
And thanks a bunch for this, too. At a distance, I'm less concerned about the trail conditions and focused on finding a place to set up shop. Will then walk and see what happens. Maybe I'm being too cavalier. Will report back.

@whereveriroam
Thank you. Though I've walked a bit in the Chiricahuas, I didn't know about the site. Very helpful.

It's been a few years but maybe RWstorm can chime in as he's been there not too long ago. I remember car camping it on the road past Rucker canyon turn off. I don't do campgrounds so haven't camped at Camp Rucker itself. As far as hikes Rucker canyon is nice, especially just off trailing it up the canyon to some interesting geology near the head. Expect lots of bushwaking. Mult trails off Rucker, not sure what shape they are in.

Here are details from my trip down there in July. The most privacy is found along the Red Rock Canyon Road that Letty mentioned, though the road gets gnarly not too far in. There are some decent spots there.
[ photoset ]

@rwstorm
Thank you for sending that.