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Oak Flat Camping Area

About 6 miles east of Superior on hiway 60 is the Oak Flat Camping area (Latitude: 33° 18 Min. 40 Sec. Longitude: -111° 3 Min. 10 Sec.).

I visted this area for the first time on Monday, August 26th, 2002. The day was hot (103 deg. f) Storm clouds gathered in the area for the past week, but this morning it was clear, sunny and hot.

The area is very much a typical Arizona desert. There are some shade trees, concrete picnic tables and campfire hearths. The road is mostly dirt although it appears crushed granite gets applied to it. Dark rocky boulders with typical desert shrub surround the area. A high-profile vehical trail meanders to the southeast away from the camp area.

The camp area is large enough for an RV, but it would be a tight squeeze in some places. A sign posted on the entrance prohibits ATV and motorbiking in the camp area.

I didn't get a chance to carefully look it over (sorry I didn't get any photos either). I didn't notice any water faucets or restrooms. It was too early in the day (about 10am) to see animals that might happen the area. I suspect that the usual deserts animals (skunks, birds, lizards, tarantulas and snakes) and desert insects (scorpians, centipedes and spiders) are in the area.

Down pours in this area are common during the desert monsoon type weather (July through September). Lightning, wind and rain can be fearce.

Next time I go I'll try to get some pictures and better detail about this area.

Jerry

Anybody that stays there should venture east a quarter to half mile.

Devils Canyon cracks open outta nowhere
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=37

The jeep roads south are some of the best 4x4ing close to Phx

Early March brings in hordes of rock climbers and gets a little rowdy at times.

None the less, it's a great area and suprisingly close to the Valley

Welcome to HAZ jerry!

To the east of the campground is a dirt road that head south take this road, park and you can access Devils Canyon. As you come in off of US 60 make a right and go apx. 1/2 mile there are some nicer areas to camp (dispersed camping). Take the road farther south and east and you will come to a turnoff that head past a stock tank rough 4x4 road. Take this road and park and you can hike to Devils Canyon. The campground does not have water, and some of the areas may be temp closed due to drilling rigs exploring for copper ores.

I've spent some time in this area, it is certainly rugged desert, and one of the only areas close to phx where I've encountered massive amounts of poison ivy.

There are great climbing areas(top rope, lead and bouldering) throughout, REI used to carry these little handdrawn maps of the climbing areas...I picked one up about 7 years ago..

The whole area is excellent for off-trail exploring...right up Glenn's alley! He'd love this area...