Old Ajo Highway BLM

Near 6401 W. Ajo Hwy, Tucson AZ 85735

Latitude 32.1616, Longitude -111.1027

Typically when I hear the word boondocking or dry camping my mind congers up ideas of being parked miles away from civilization and along some forgotten dirt road where the views are awesome, nature abounds and I am the only human inhabitant for miles. Well, in many case the is exactly what it is but that is not the case for the Old Ajo Highway BLM campsite or its neighboring Snyder Hill BLM campground.

Location of BLM campsite

The Old Ajo Highway BLM site is as the name suggests located along the Old Ajo Highway. The camping area is a pie shaped area boarded by W. Ajo Highway to the south, Old Ajo Highway to the north and S Camino Verde Rd to the west.

Dry Camping at Old Ajo Highway BLM

This is the second time I have camped here and although it is not remote, the sites are level and have very easy access. Any size rig can fit and during my stays there was ample separation between rigs.

What are the advantages of this BLM Campsite?

There are a few advantages to this site. First, as with most BLM land it is free. Secondly, due to its proximity to Tucson it has a strong cellular cellular signal. I have Verizon and most of the time I received at least 2 bars and at times 4 bars of signal. I also was able to gain multiple HD television signals that included the local affiliates.

Finally and most important to me is its location. Located on a major highway I was able to quickly access gas stations, restaurants, groceries, laundrymats and local attractions. Some of the closest attractions included Casino Del Sol (3.4 miles), Tucson Moutain Park (2.9 miles), the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (9 miles) and the Saguaro National Park west district (10 miles).

If you don’t mind a longer drive the famed Madera Canyon is just 43 miles south near Green Valley, AZ. This is a birdwatchers paradise featuring many “rare” Mexican bird species that call these mountains their northern most home. Maybe the most prized and sought after is the Elegant Trogan which as of today has proven to be quite elusive.

Whether birdwatching is your thing or not, the canyon is a beautiful retreat from the high desert and offers dozens of hikes and picnic areas. If visiting the canyon take time to stop at the historic Santa Rita Lodge where you can get an ice cream, pull up a chair and watch the hummingbirds, turkeys and other birds visit to the feeders for a snack.

A two hours to the west is historic Town of Ajo and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Both are well worth the drive but plan extra time to explore as these areas have a lot to see!

Are there any negatives to this BLM Campsite?

There are some negatives for this site. First, there is a considerable amount of road noise from the highway to the south. At night the noise lessens as traffic dies down but you will still hear an occasional semi truck rumble down the highway which will inevitably interrupt your REM sleep. Secondly, on the westside of the campground is a Fire Station. On a few occasionals I sprang from my bed to the blare of sirens but these were few and far between and definitely not an every night experience.

Finally, this location is very popular. As I write this blog there are probably 20+ rigs in a relatively small area (my guess 3-5 acres), so if you want solitude this may not be the place for you.

Final thoughts

I have enjoyed my two stays at Old Ajo Hwy BLM as it provided easy access to stores, groceries, restaurants, hikes, museums, excellent birding and even a casino (if you enjoy gambling, a show or buffets). I would highly recommend this site to anyone that is not looking to “camp” but instead just a place to put down your jacks, resupply or just lose track of time.