Desert Car Camping?

[Ravialdo]

My buddy and I are going backcountry camping in the Chiricahua Wilderness in mid-April (thinking of a 3 day loop starting at the South Fork trailhead, but thats open to change). We will be leaving from Phoenix (North Phoenix, near Moon Valley).

Love to car camp as well as backcountry camp. We plan on requiring one night where we would be car camping, either to or from the hike. Initially was thinking about spending a day to check out the Chiricahua Monument while in the area.

Question: Any suggestions for quiet, out-of-the-way car camping spots that have a more desert feel (than what we would be getting in the mountains) that would be on the way to or from Phoenix from the Chiricahuas? I'm speaking of dispersed car camping. The ideal spot would be a place thats wide-open, so I am trying to avoid spots in canyons. My buddy is from Chicago, so I'm looking for something that would show-off the incredibly wide night vistas possible in AZ.

Thanks in advance!

[scorpion scus]

n. of lake pleasant .start out on castle hot sprs. rd. and onse on the dirt rd.you can head off anywhere. some really nice areasn.e. of the lake off of humbug creek. farther n. you go the less people. private message for more info

[Ravialdo]

Looks like a nice spot though. Perhaps something closer to my destination?

Anything near Wilcox, or Tucscon that anyone know of?

[Nighthiker]

Coronado National Forest, Dragoon Mountains.