![]() ![]() Dry wood and brush is plentiful there and there were already a couple fire pits out and ready to be used. We pulled up right as sunset was approaching, which gave us just enough time to get our chairs out, start a fire, and enjoy an amazing view. Something about driving a 42 foot 5th wheel down a bumpy, rocky dirt road made me extremely uncomfortable! Plus, we had no idea what the turn around options were further toward the mountain (We later saw that you can turn around pretty easily about a mile further down the dirt road, so if you want to get adventurous, at least you won’t get stuck!) We pulled into one of the first dirt roads we found, and ended up parking at the first little loop we found. There are many dirt road turn-offs on Courthouse Rd., which you can see if you zoom in on the map. This land seemed to be popular with boondockers! We read that people can stay up to three weeks at a time, which is a little long for us (ok that would be crazy long for us), but great to keep in mind if we ever wanted to get adventurous. We launched and found some BLM land in Tonopah, AZ near Saddle Mountain that had great reviews and even better sunsets! (If you don’t have Campendium bookmarked, save it! It’s great for campsite reviews, for parks and public land). While our daily travel record is more than that, we didn’t have IKEA and In-N-Out Burger distracting us like we did during this drive through Phoenix, so we decided to cut our last trip of the year short and boondock near the Arizona - California border. The three previous nights were spent in Tucson, AZ, which is about a 5 hour 45 minute drive to our holiday destination of Calimesa, CA. One day away from our long-awaited arrival to Southern California. Campfires are not allowed at Douglas Spring Campground or Grass Shack Campground.Finally, it is December 20.Restrooms and water sources are not available at campgrounds in the park.Camping spots at higher elevations may have different weather conditions plan accordingly.The cactus gardens outside of the park visitors centers offer an introduction to the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert.This year-round park can be appreciated in the winter, with high temperatures in the 60s and freezes rarely occurring. Wildflowers bloom March through May, adding color to the desert landscapes. ![]() Spring and fall are much more moderate, though evening temperatures drop quickly. Carrying sunscreen and plenty of water is essential. Evenings are much cooler, as are higher elevations, so hikers should always bring layers of clothing. If you visit Saguaro National Park in the summer, prepare for extreme heat, with temperatures potentially topping 110 degrees. Some areas see a lot of traffic and have limited openings. ![]() Dispersed camping in Coronado National Forest is first-come-first-served. ![]()
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