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My wife has recently changed the criteria for our camping trip that we want to take over New Years (if we can find a tent to buy, but that's another story). We were originally looking at the Kofa NWR, but that has fallen by the wayside because my wife doesn't want to drive that far. Our new criteria are: low elevation (<~2000 feet), car accessible, dog friendly, 2 hours or less away from CG, and doesn't have to be developed per se. I looked at the TrailDex sorting, but while Car Camping is a sortable option, nothing is sorted under it (at least in-season now). I would also prefer someplace not in a smuggling corridor. My wife and I are both experienced campers, and so are two of our friends that are supposed to come along), but another "catch" is that the 5th person who is supposed to be coming along has never camped and is very afraid of camping.
Any thoughts?

There's some nice spots out near Ragged Top in Ironwood, or you could just head down to Organ Pipe.

Rob del Desierto wrote: I would also prefer someplace not in a smuggling corridor.

Aren't both Ironwood and Organ Pipe kind of known for illegal activity?

What about the campground at Picacho Peak, then do the Hunter Trail? Pretty developed (for the newbie) but it looks like a fairly nice campground.

I'll be at Ocotillo Wells tonight. Very low desert camping, but too many dune buggies and bikes for most of us hikers. I will post a triplog and photos of all the excitement there.

The White Tanks have car accessible camping and hiking.

Got to say, I'm questioning my commitment to the cold plans in the San Juan Mountains that I have planned. Low desert activities sound a little more fun. Trouble is, I want it to be warm, say closer to 80 in the day, and to have the sun be a little higher in the sky and the days be a little longer then they are in the pit of the year. I recommend the Catalina SP area, but I always do. It is urban these days, for the most part, but the tanagers in the mesquite are nice, and you just can't beat the Pusch Ridge views. Plus, for someone like me, Mt Kimball is right there, giving you a nice 4,000' AEG hike.

How about Bartlett Resevoir? I've seen people car camping up there ...

Head over to Florence. Take Kelvin-Florence Hwy east toward Kelvin. In the area of the junction with Cochran Road and Rock Tank are some very cool boulder formations and many side roads to choose from. Some of the side roads may have sedan-unfriendly hooptiedoos, but K-F Hwy is a breeze and Cochran road is fine except for a couple of spots heading down to the Gila. (Doable in good weather though). There may be some off-road/quad activity, but it's generally pretty light, and if you grab a spot somewhat off the main road, you should be able to find some solitude. This is State Trust Land, so your permit should be up to date. (Not that I've ever encountered any authority there). http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=1323

Driving by the prison might freak out your newbie friend (though from CG I think you can avoid actually seeing it), but it is also nice being 20 minutes away from town should the need arise to resupply or use a real bathroom, etc.

Here's one brief look at the kind of rock formations in the area. http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=214872
Probably need to bring your own firewood. There's not much but desert scrub otherwise.

chumley wrote:Head over to Florence.

Drove through this area on Christmas morning from Oro Valley to Mesa, I must say that it piqued my interest quite a bit.

Camp Grasshopper Byous Butte
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=739

SuperstitionGuy wrote:Camp Grasshopper Byous Butte
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=739

I was going to recommend this, but the drive in and out to the campsite is not car friendly, must have a high clearance to safely access.. http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=1324 otherwise close to a perfect choice. The campsite altitude is around 2700 feet, which is about the same as the Kelvin Hwy-Cochran Road area.

hippiepunkpirate wrote:Drove through this area on Christmas morning from Oro Valley to Mesa, I must say that it piqued my interest quite a bit.

There's a very impressive Saguaro forest along the K-Fhwy. It's really stunning to see, especially in dawn/dusk light. I think it is the largest "stand" of saguaro, and densest concentration, that I've experienced. (Though I've never been to SagNP)

If we could camp now it would be by Courthouse Rock in the Eagletails. There are quite a few places a car could get to and then you have the wilderness area.
Another car friendly road is Aqua Caliente road west from Arlington, takes you into the Gila Bend Mtns.

You may want to visit camparizona.com to assist you in your search. Some of the Arizona State Parks may suit your needs, Lost Dutchman and Catalina as well as some of the Maricopa County Parks.

I can't remember if it's car friendly and possibly not far enough off the road but the TH area near Margie's Cove in the Maricopa's is kind of nice.

Thank you all much for the ideas, suggestions, etc. We decided on a spot based upon your recommendations! Heading out now, we'll see you in 2012!