Tonto National Forest — Bloody Basin Road Dispersed

Highlights

• ▶ Most accessible free dispersed camping near Phoenix — Bloody Basin Road (CR 269, I-17 Exit 259) has dozens of wide pull-off sites along the first 5–8 miles above the Verde River
• ▶ High Sonoran Desert at 2,500–4,000 ft; saguaro, juniper, and chaparral with winter temperatures in the 45–65°F range
• ▶ Tonto NF is the 5th-largest national forest in the US — dispersed camping is permitted almost everywhere off-road on legal corridors

Planning Notes

Download the Tonto NF Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) before departure — it shows legal dispersed corridors. Bloody Basin Rd (CR 269) off I-17 Exit 259 is the most trailer-friendly entry: graded gravel for the first 5–6 miles, passable for trailers up to 30 ft. Road degrades significantly beyond mile 8 — turn back before that point. Nearest services: Cordes Junction on I-17 (Chevron and dollar store). From Austin: ~12 hrs via I-10 W to Phoenix then I-17 N.