Chiricahua Car Camping

[jtaylor]

Planning to take the family the Chiricahua National Monument and surrounding area this weekend. We were planning on staying right there in the Bonita Canyon Campground. Any opinions on whether this is better than some of the National Forest campgrounds nearby?

[azbackpackr]

We always avoided campgrounds and camped up on Onion Saddle. There is a little dirt road that goes off to the left at Onion Saddle. We would go down there and camp. However, it is the hunt season, so perhaps you are better off in the National Monument, because Pine Canyon, Onion Saddle, etc. will have hunters camped there. And way up at Rustler's Park is going to be chilly at night this late in the season.

[jtaylor]

Thanks for the info. Just found out that Bonita Canyon doesn't allow any fires, so that's not happening. Between hunting season and my wife wanting a little more comfort (long trip), we'll probably have to opt out of dispersed camping. Have you ever been to the Bathtub or Rucker Forest campgrounds?

Thanks again. Awesome signature by the way!

[azbackpackr]

Thanks! Yeah, I just can't get into camping in campgrounds, usually camp at-large, and did the same for vacations with the kids when they were little. So, can't be of much help there. Always more bears in campgrounds, too.

On the south side of the range US 80 cuts across, and there are several dirt roads to get into the Chiricahuas. I have camped and hunted deer in the Tex Canyon area, FR 74. It's pretty remote, saw my first AZ mountain lion there. Very pretty area.

[jtaylor]

Just got back tonight. At the last minute, we realized that the N.F. campgrounds we were considering were almost 2 hrs from the Monument, so we ended-up staying in Bonita Canyon. The plus side was the proximity to the park, and it was pretty nice as far as developed campgrounds go. But I may have finally convinced my wife that dispersed camping is actually the easiest/cleanest option (I'll take dirt over strangers' bacteria/viruses any day)!

Thanks again for your advice. I'll probably actually take it when I return next year!

[azbackpackr]

Yes, I think a lot of us have discovered what you are saying. Campgrounds are often dirty and noisy. I personally dislike them immensely, although sometimes you have to stay in them, such as at Chaco Culture National Historic Park in New Mexico. But on the way to a Grand Canyon backpacking trip, for example, I NEVER camp in the Park, I camp in the Kaibab National Forest just outside the Park boundary. It is free, and there are no other people in your immediate view. I camped at Winn campground here in the Whites this past summer because I was meeting a group there (I didn't set up the trip.) I still went way out in the woods to do my business, did not use the restroom at all. But the campsite was on the edge of those woods, so it was possible to do. But I sure did not like the fact I had visible neighbors. Luckily they weren't too noisy.

[michaelg]

good luck finding a spot. I have tried many times to get a spot there and it always fails. Mt. Graham nearby has a great spot called Shannon campground and has a nearby vista and free firewood, pit toliets. its not that far away and could be a place to camp. AZBACKPACKER is right lots of hunters out, but the road going through Corando national forest I believe is FR 74 has many pull offs, but the hunters most likely will have them. it is a hit and miss, at least with me, but if you cant find a spot, nearby Mt. Graham is a blessing of Heaven in the middle of the Desert.

[azbackpackr]

End of the road at Mt. Graham, great at-large camping. I do not camp in campgrounds!! Also, southern side of Chiricahuas, as I mentioned, you will find very few people down there off of that Tex Canyon road.

[jtaylor]

I still went way out in the woods to do my business, did not use the restroom at all.

I hear that! We do an annual Big Lake July 4th trip with my wife's family. They are big developed "campground" people, and I compromise for that one trip. But every morning after the coffee, I throw the shovel and TP into the truck and hit the forest roads nearby! They think I'm weird; I think they're nuts!

[azbackpackr]