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The Sonoran Desert National Monument is in south central Arizona, 60 miles from Phoenix. Interstate 8 provides some access at the Vekol interchange (Exit 144) and the Freeman Interchange (Exit 140). Arizona Route 238 and the Maricopa Road afford access to the North Maricopa Mountains and the Butterfield Overland Stage Route.
Stayed the two weeks allowed. Very nice. A bit harsh in summer months, but very nice. Visit the Crazy Woman Camp Shrine if you have a chance. Read about the reason behind it. Leave a gift if you have one. Leave prayers. Take nothing.
Road noise and lack of natural beauty generally detracts from the appeal. Small and medium size rigs have many more campsite options. There are about six good spots, fairly level, for a big rig with easy access in and out. All of these sites are either to the left or to the right immediately after passing over the cattle guard into the BLM area. Verizon cellular service clocked in at 6.68 Mbps download speed and 5.71 Mbps upload speed. AT&T cell service was 3G and unusable for a speed test. There is a border patrol checkpoint approximately 2.4 miles south of the BLM site entrance on Arizona Route 85. This BLM does provide easy access to the Organ Pipe National Monument, but the lack of recreation/hiking trails on-site, road noise, and the nothing spectacular setting detract.
Our favorite place. Huge area, can fit any size of RV. Close to organ pipes national monument. Close to loockville border gate to Mexico. Close to Ajo AZ. Many places to dump and refresh your RV.
Free BLM 14-day camping about 2 miles south of WHY heading down to Organ Pipe. If coming from Why, look for mp 55 and is next right past wash, cattleguard entrance is over to the right by the wash. Sites are dispersed on a flat sandy creosote bush plain. Some hwy noise but moving farther out helps to reduce somewhat. Coyotes seem common so watch your pets. Why Store is only 2 miles and has gas, Ice etc. Filtered water kiosk at the community center bldg on south side wall. Camping area has no water, no toilets, no dumpsters. Lots of coyotes at night.
