All Rights Reserved. We took the first entrance that we came to, the eastern most one. (3). Folks are quick to speak of beautiful mountainous scenery and quietness, but not the flies. Note that some roads are in better condition than others. Turn right onto West Salome Highway. Pulled into the BLM land at the North end of Saddle Mountain. Saddle Mountain is in Tonopah, AZ in Maricopa County (side … Humble Pie (23) 9 min $ Pizza. The Saddle Mountains are a small group of some very tall, gorgeous mountains about an hour north-west of Phoenix, AZ near Tonopah, AZ. Saddle Mountain BLM, AZ. These suckers are determined to ruin your day. I’m sure there are some little ones in that cactus. Plate I - Laramide Tectonic Map: Saddle Mountain area Available Files: Plate Ib - Geologic map of the eastern part of the Mineral Mountain a.nd western part of the Teapot Mountain 7.5' Then, after spending three days dry camped at the Davis Camp county park, we travel south and east for a return stop camping in the Saddle Mountain BLM Dispersed Camping Area. View of the saddle and the upper slopes and cliffs. 520.621.2470 | 1955 East 6th Street, P.O. Stay to the right at a fork in the road, and continue for 0.1 miles to the intersection of W. Salome Highway. The area has multiple dirt roads to enter and camp near. Several miles east of Mattawa, turn left on “R” road to climb the foothills of the Saddle Mountains to BLM-managed land. They can be contacted via phone at for pricing, directions, reservations and more. Campendium rates it one of the best BLM spots and we agree! Click here to keep up to date on all changes to facilities and services in Arizona in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Round mountain blm fire agate rock hound area Was really a great experience, so desolate yet amazing rocks everywhere! The more dramatic western peak is Saddle Mountain. Because we stayed at Painted Rock a little longer than we originally planned, we had a shorter stay at Saddle Mountain before heading to Parker for the races. About Saddle Mountain BLM Dispersed Camping. Saddle Mountain: the east half as viewed from the north, From the parking area, a trail works up the slopes to the small saddle in the center. Arizona's Saddle Mountain Mining District includes 67 nearby active claims and 14 nearby mines—2 occurrences, 2 plants, and 10 producers. Saddle Mountain BLM, Tonopah, AZ We’re back in the boonies of Tonopah, Arizona, where there is plenty of quiet, scenic BLM land near Saddle Mountain for dispersed camping. Class 3 3.1 miles 1300 gain 2-4 hrs Out and Back. The weather has indeed been strange lately and is shifting the time frames when some of these places have pleasant weather. This is a 3.6 mile out-and-back hike with 1600 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 2 … Saddle Mountain is a landmark peak in the deserts west of Phoenix in the town of Tonopah, south of Interstate-10. The road that intersects all these roads farther back however is not in very good shape. My hiking partner gives a sense of scale. This land seemed to be popular with boondockers! We launched Campendium.com and found some BLM land in Tonopah, AZ near Saddle Mountain that had great reviews and even better sunsets! Saddle Mountain, Tonopah, AZ – Camp Review. Our RV is down in the white criss-cross BLM area in the center. While there may be other people camping in the area, this site does not seem to have the traffic that other areas attract. That night we stay in Saddle Mountain RV in Tonopah and for $27 a night (that’s with a discount for my Escapees membership). Where is Saddle Mountain? Posted on January 10, 2019 August 21, 2019 by jganze. Burnt Mountain is in the background. Since our was… This BLM property is surrounded by private and State lands. There are several access roads into the BLM camping area from the pavement on W. Courthouse Road. Last night, just at dusk, my two little Gila Woodpeckers came back to the nest. The 1,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land west of Miller Road and north of Interstate 10 — popular with target shooters and all-terrain … Some of these sections were acquired in the 1990s and the mineral rights were not transferred to the BLM … Posted on January 10, 2019 August 21, 2019 by jganze. Boondocking Nirvana at Saddle Mountain BLM – Tonopah, AZ Travelogues. Saddle Mountain BLM is found off W Courthouse Road a 10-mile drive from the little town of Tonopah, Arizona. The more dramatic western peak is Saddle Mountain. I believe there are several places to turn in, if you miss the first one. Looking north. Yesterday, I decided it was move day, so this morning, as I read my blogs and ate breakfast, I would stop every once in awhile to pack things and store them away. Saddle Mountain is 31 miles west of Tonopah, AZ just off I-10. Remember, I jeeped up the tallest point at the upper right last week. This land seemed to be popular with boondockers! Still, there is plenty of opportunity for just walking around. This area is much more scenic that Quartzsite or Ehrenberg, where many people spend the winter. Vulture Peak Lower Trailhead Vulture Peak Trail, seven miles south of Wickenburg, Arizona, is a short but steep trail that takes hikers from the base of Vulture Peak (2,480 feet) to a saddle (3,420 feet) just below the summit in only two miles. From Wickenburg, head west on Hwy 60/W Wickenburg Way for 2.5 miles. Class 2 3.6 miles 1600 gain 2-4 hrs Out and Back. Best nearby. View Saddle Mountain (Tonopah AZ) Image Gallery - 9 Images. The peak is in the shape of a saddle, hence the name. Folks are quick to speak of beautiful mountainous scenery and quietness, but not the flies. Website +1 928-348-4400. Life's Little Adventures: Saddle Mountain BLM, Tonopah, AZ We’re back in the boonies of Tonopah, Arizona, where there is plenty of quiet, scenic BLM land near Saddle Mountain for dispersed camping. The peak is in the shape of a saddle, hence the name. The Saddle Mountains are a small group of some very tall, gorgeous mountains about an hour north-west of Phoenix, AZ near Tonopah, AZ. It is situated on an "island" of BLM land surrounded by private holdings. The Bureau of Land Management controls the major portions but there are a number of private holdings surrounding the mountains and there are quite a few mining claims (none of which appear to be active). See Affiliate Disclosure. It was heavenly after having been in the Quartzsite/Ehrenberg area for a while where almost nothing besides the palo verde trees and creosote bushes was any shade of green. This location makes Saddle Mountain a convenient stopover spot on the way across Interstate 10, but Saddle Mountain is worthy of visiting for its own sake. If you go, have a little higher ground clearance vehicle. The eastern peaks are nearly black basaltic lava of Quaternary Age. Will figure out best time of year. 1 Other Attraction within 5 miles. United States ; Arizona (AZ) Duncan ; ... Highway 70, Duncan, AZ 85534. The multiple roads in from Courthouse Rd. (9), Climber's Log Entries Pin 3. Unnamed Road North Rim, Arizona GPS: 36.303032, -111.994572 Elevation: 8829' Get Directions It’s great for campsite reviews, for parks and public land). This BLM property is surrounded by private and State lands. Apr 22, 2019 - Some of the greatest camping spots are where there are no water, electric, or sewer hookups. Use caution when approaching blind hills and corners, and keep a watchful eye for other … The land around the other roads looks like it’s sandier with smaller rocks. Buckeye, AZ is … Once at the saddle, look west and your options for ascent. Since our was… There is no addtional cost to you. Saddle Mountain BLM – Tonopah, AZ. (If you don’t have Campendium bookmarked, save it! Saddle Mountain BLM - Tonopah, AZ; Free Campsite - Gage, NM - Near Deming; FREE CAMPSITE! Saddle Mountain is a landmark peak in the deserts west of Phoenix in the town of Tonopah, south of Interstate-10. There are several primitive BLM roads along the south side of W.Courthouse Road around Mile Posts 13 and 14. Pick another spot if you can. Best to maybe scout things first out depending on your rigs clearance. After 1.8 miles on West Courthouse Road, turn left onto the Saddle Mountain BLM land. Turn left onto W. Courthouse Road just before the pavement ends on W. Salome Highway. There are a few gas stations with limited fast food options near Interstate 10. They are so cute. Strong Verizon 3-4 bar LTE and digital TV is like you're in Phoenix. It is composed of lighter-colored lava, tuff and rhyolite. Time now is around 3 … Share 35. This is a 3.1 mile out-and-back hike with 1300 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 2-4 hours to complete. We had 3 days to get there, so we decided to try and find a couple of free places to stay along the way. How to Establish a Legal State Residency (Domicile) as a Nomad, Colorado River BLM Area (Ehrenberg, AZ) - Campsite Review, Tour of Colleen’s Amazing Dodge Promaster Cargo Van Camper Conversion, Ehrenberg-Cibola Road BLM (Ehrenberg, AZ) - Campsite Review. You may find the signal stronger closer to the road and further from the mountains. (49 on the BLM and 5 on the State). It is far enough from the freeway so that you see truck lights but seldom hear anything form I-10. Who knows what this next year will bring? Boondocking at Saddle Mountain BLM: Arizona Boondocking at Saddle Mountain BLM: Arizona January 30, 2019 Maggie Comments Comments I’m not sure when I first saw photos of this camping area on social media but I immediately added it to my list of places we should visit. Feb 13, 2016 by Cherie Ve Ard 44 Comments. Effort. Verizon phone service is good at Saddle Mountain with a usable signal available in the areas that were visited. Our Jeep is on the other side of this mountain. The mountain is composed of tuff and rhyolite, and features many cliffs, spires and odd formations. The eastern … Effort. Ok. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commisson if you decide to make a purchase through my links. It is composed of lighter-colored lava, tuff and rhyolite. This is the main "west peak" of the range. Saddle Mountain is about an hour from Phoenix. This area is much more scenic that Quartzsite or Ehrenberg, where many people spend the winter. west of Phoenix to the south of Interstate 10 at Tonopah are a pair of volcanic mountains linked by a saddle of lower hills. Saddle Mountain is a prominent feature of the Sonoran Desert landscape. Saddle Mountain BLM Dispersed Camping is located at Tonopah, AZ 85354. Before and after we like to look for spots at slightly higher elevation like Wickenburg, Prescott, Cottonwood, Sedona, or Pahrump in Nevada. Images January 19, 2020 - reviewed by Lily’s Travels . mapsaddlemt. Solitude. From our mobile app US Public Lands, we were able to better scout out where other boondocking options might be. Saddle Mountain BLM – Tonopah, AZ. There are several access roads into the BLM camping area from the pavement on W. Courthouse Road. You may want to explore on foot or bicycle before heading back too far with a larger vehicle or trailer. Solitude. With an elevation of over 3000 feet, there is great climbing, hiking and exploring to be had. Kind of hard to see the dirt road that goes into the BLM land. Feb 27, 2018 - After another enjoyable visit to the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, we headed east down Interstate 10 around 100 miles to another free 14 day BLM camping location called Saddle Mountain. Please keep safety and private land in mind. Saddle Mountain BLM Boondocking There are four or five entrance roads off of Courthouse Road that lead onto the BLM land. are single lane dirt, but are for the most part in good shape and any rig could drive them without problem. BLM Arizona COVID-19 Facility Updates Effective November 19, 2020, BLM public rooms in Arizona are open for business via phone and email only. This tool allows you to look up elevation data by searching address or clicking on a live google map. Saddle Mountain is in Tonopah, AZ in Maricopa County (side note – Maricopa County is the fastest growing county in the US). All of these roads run toward the mountains to the south. The weather was perfect and there were wildflowers popping up all over the place as well as green grass. Beauty. Crazy weather the past couple years. The area around Saddle Mountain was also surprisingly green in early spring, with grass and other ground cover, plentiful Mexican Gold Poppies just beginning to bloom, and the usual desert vegetation like Saguaro and Creosote. As we came around the mountain, I could see the Harquahala Mountains to the Northwest. Location-Tonopah AZ Acreage- Approximately 11,360 +/- or about 17.75 +/- Sections Deeded – 20 +/- Acres State – 900 +/- Acres on AZ State Grazing Lease #05-71589 BLM – 10,440 +/- Acres on BLM Permit #3072 Carrying Capacity – 54 head year round, more depending on wet winters. After we left Tucson, our next destination was the Palm Springs KOA. Personality. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and nature trips and is best used from September until … The mountain is easily visible from I-10 and is only 50 miles west of the Phoenix area. Lots of close hiking. 38 Shares. There are some hiking trails around Saddle Mountain, but they may not be easy to find. The camping area is bordered to the south by mountains, with more mountains visible in the distance to the north and west. This place was amazing! (If you don’t have Campendium bookmarked, save it! The camping area is bordered to the south by mountains, with more mountains visible in the distance to the north and west. It is located about 5 miles southwest of Tonopah, Arizona. February 11, 2020 February 7, 2020 by Kim. Vulture Peak Lower Trailhead is suitable for passenger cars and may be reached via the paved Vulture Mine Road. I dump my tanks and take on water for the first time in 18 days. The nearest shopping is in Buckeye, about 30 miles to the east. The BLM dispersed camping area at Saddle Mountain is one of the more scenic BLM areas in Arizona. Full-time nomad, writer, photographer, and videographer. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The AWC, the Tonopah Area Coalition, and the Friends of Saddle Mountain are asking the Bureau of Land Management to set aside Saddle Mountain and its special secluded environs as a Wilderness Study Area, with a future hope the area may one day be fully protected as … BLM Arizona COVID-19 Facility Updates Effective November 19, 2020, BLM public rooms in Arizona are open for business via phone and email only. We launched Campendium.com and found some BLM land in Tonopah, AZ near Saddle Mountain that had great reviews and even better sunsets! 4 Restaurants within 5 miles. 4.1 - 7 Reviews 1118-888-2222 Tonopah, Arizona Google Map Nav Claim this business Pictures; Reviews. After a little searching, we found a free BLM camping area just south of the town of Tonopah, AZ. Take Hwy 243 south of Vantage, then Hwy 24 east to Mattawa. Take Interstate 10 to Exit 94, then proceed south on 411th Ave for 2.8 miles. Saddle Mountain is a landmark peak in the desert west of Phoenix in the township of Tonopah AZ. Campendium rates it one of the best BLM spots and we agree! Hope this helps! A quiet, peaceful spot. Some of the roads are quite narrow, some are rather rocky and rutted, while others are in surprisingly good condition for BLM roads. They are a popular boondocking site because of the large BLM camping area at the base of them. Big boulders cleave from the cliffs and roll down. So if you may need to go back to Courthouse if you want to check out the camping … The largest area of accessible BLM-managed land is on the west end of the Saddle Mountains. Along the way, we stop to look at the thick forest of Joshua Trees on the Joshua Tree Highway between Interstate 15 and Searchlight NV. Think about it. Turn right on W. Salome Highway and continue west for 5.2 miles. They can be contacted via phone at for pricing, directions, reservations and more. Specifically, Mr. Brent Cunderla, the BLM geologist, informed me that there was a legal problem with some of the Sections at Saddle Mountain. The road is paved until you hit the BLM area. Boondocking at Saddle Mountain BLM: Arizona January 30, ... As far as things to do around Saddle Mountain, there are some ATV trails, hiking in the mountains, and probably some good mountain biking. This location makes Saddle Mountain a convenient stopover spot on the way across Interstate 10, but Saddle Mountain is worthy of visiting for its own sake. Saddle Mountain Ranch. Click here to keep up to date on all changes to facilities and services in Arizona in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Personality. Boondocking Tips for Saddle Mountain BLM. The Bureau of Land Management controls the major portions but there are a number of private holdings surrounding the mountains and there are quite a few mining claims (none of which appear to be active). As a general rule, I consider southern Arizona (along I-10 and south) to be pleasant for camping from about November through February. Saddle Mountain BLM Dispersed Camping is located at Tonopah, AZ 85354. The camping area is bordered to the south by mountains, with more mountains visible in the distance to the north and west. Mar 09, 2019. After we left Tucson, our next destination was the Palm Springs KOA. Saddle Mountain Ranch. Flagstaff is even higher so is cooler than any of those other places that I just listed. Jan 21, 2018 - After another enjoyable visit to the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, we headed east down Interstate 10 around 100 miles to another free 14 day BLM camping location called Saddle Mountain. Could be the chicken plant in Tonapah. The BLM dispersed camping area at Saddle Mountain is one of the more scenic BLM areas in Arizona. About Saddle Mountain BLM Dispersed Camping. Hiking trip report, map, and photos for Muggins Peak, located in Muggins Mountain Wilderness BLM, Arizona. Saddle Mountain BLM Dispersed Camping area is one such area. Feb 14, 2019 - Some of the greatest camping spots are where there are no water, electric, or sewer hookups. Saddle Mountain BLM . The BLM owns several sections in the Saddle Mountains. And we just happened to find Debbie on I-10 in Phoenix, so she followed us here. Last year while camping in the Kofa NWR we met a lady who raved about the beauty and peacefulness of Saddle Mountain. So even if you don’t get the pleasure of connecting with someone awesome, the Saddle Mountain BLM is amazing on its own if you’re looking for a place to just… be. It's a huge area surrounded by beautiful Sonoran desert. Made a left and watched carefully once Saddle Mountain was directly to my right. Colorado River BLM - Ehrenberg, AZ; Share this: Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Like this: Like Loading... Tweet. Saddle Mountain is a landmark peak in the desert west of Phoenix in the township of Tonopah AZ. There are exceptions, of course, but generally it is too hot for us before sometime in November (if not December) and is again too hot by sometime in February most years. Both West Salome Highway and West Courthouse Road are paved and both have official street signs. Drive for 5.2 miles, then turn left onto Courthouse Road. This is our second time here. They are a popular boondocking site because of the large BLM camping area at the base of them. mapsaddlemt. With an elevation of over 3000 feet, there is great climbing, hiking and exploring to be had. Move to Saddle Mountain BLM Saturday, March 4, 2017. Starting from the parking area, head down on the Jeep road and through a wash until you get to the official Muggins Wilderness Trailhead, complete with a billboard. Beauty. We ended up camping there for two weeks and there wasn’t a day we didn’t have somewhere to explore. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. These suckers are determined to ruin your day. Saddle Mountain BLM Dispersed Camping area is one such area. It is situated on an "island" of BLM land surrounded by private holdings. There are places to camp for any rig size though; I saw … Round Mountain BLM Rockhound Area, Duncan: Address, Phone Number, Round Mountain BLM Rockhound Area Reviews: 4.5/5. Hiking trip report, map, and photos for Saddle Mountain, located in Saddle Mountain BLM, Arizona. Buckeye has a Walmart, Lowe’s, Goodwill, and many other stores and services. Saddle Mountain, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA : An occurrence located about 30 miles NW of Hassayampa. Sort By Newest First Oldest First Rating (High-Low) Rating (Low-High) The mountain is composed of tuff and rhyolite, and … Box 210184, Tucson, AZ 85721 The maps, reports, and other information and content on this website are provided as a public service for informational purposes only. 70 miles east of Quartzsite on I10 lies the tiny town of Tonopah, AZ. Location. Last year while camping in the Kofa NWR we met a lady who raved about the beauty and peacefulness of Saddle Mountain. Do be careful of the volcanic scree that covers the mountain slopes though. Travelers driving eastbound will see the distinct saddle shape of this peak, which is a "volcanic upthrust". After Woolsey Peak, Craig Barlow (he climbed Everest!) And we just happened to find Debbie on I-10 in Phoenix, so she followed us here. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. It is located about 5 miles southwest of Tonopah, Arizona. Thank you for these and all you hard work plus talent! Amazing people, glorious views, wondrous experiences and great connectivity. The BLM dispersed camping area at Saddle Mountain is one of the more scenic BLM areas in Arizona. There's the saguaro again. Boondocking in Saddle Mountain. Debbie and I explore Saddle Mountain BLM Land for future Boondocking. The mountain is easily visible from I-10 and is only 50 miles west of the Phoenix area. It looks solid, but disintegrates beneath your feet and can cause dangerous falls. Follow W. Courthouse Road to the west for about 2.5 miles. We took a bike ride around our new neighborhood and we like what we saw. Saddle Mountain Trail is a 2.7 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Tonopah, Arizona that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. It's a huge area surrounded by beautiful Sonoran desert. LOL. Saddle Mountain in Tonopah Arizona is located off of Interstate 10 near BLM Land and offers 342 full hookup sites on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annually basis. Some of the entrances are a little bumpy to get into or have a few dips. We had 3 days to get there, so we decided to try and find a couple of free places to stay along the way. Don’t know how far your post date is from the time you were there date. We are blessed to have so many magical experiences in our lives on the road. We get good Drone shots then head to Tonopah to check the El Dorado Hot Springs. Oct 26, 2018. Trailhead Route Map Love. I first camped at Saddle Mountain several years ago right after RTR – so probably in late January. Location: Tonopah, ArizonaType: BLM DispersedAccess: Approximately 10 miles from Interstate 10, Exit 94Coordinates: 33.464388, -113.066330Elevation: 1,250 FeetRoad Conditions: PavementPhone Coverage: Verizon, 2-3 out of 5Maximum Stay: 14 daysFee: FreeAmenities: None; primitive, dispersed campingWebsite: https://www.blm.gov/arizona. Your email address will not be published. and I popped over to Saddle Mountain to bag another peak. Saddle Mountain BLM, Tonopah, AZ We’re back in the boonies of Tonopah, Arizona, where there is plenty of quiet, scenic BLM land near Saddle Mountain for dispersed camping. Yuma and I are walking along the saddle in the next two photos. My first time boondocking and I lasted 18 days. The GPS coordinates … Very foul smell at times and the flies are out of control. It’s great for campsite reviews, for parks and public land). Required fields … Travelers driving eastbound will see the distinct saddle shape of this peak, which is a "volcanic upthrust". The ground is covered with fist sized rocks which makes finding a good spot to pull off a little hard. Muggins Mountain Wilderness BLM, AZ. Boondocking in Saddle Mountain. It seems it’s one right after another sometimes. Snowbird Trip Update – Primm NV, Davis Camp AZ & Saddle Mountain AZ. December 23, 2019. Directions to Trailhead View Route Map Love. The area around Saddle Mountain was also surprisingly green in early spring, with grass and other ground cover, plentiful Mexican Gold Poppies just beginning to bloom, and the usual … About 40 miles (65 km.) Campendium rates it one of the best BLM spots and we agree! Location-Tonopah AZ Acreage- Approximately 11,360 +/- or about 17.75 +/- Sections Deeded – 20 +/- Acres State – 900 +/- Acres on AZ State Grazing Lease #05-71589 BLM – 10,440 +/- Acres on BLM Permit #3072 Carrying Capacity – 54 head year round, more depending on wet winters. Saddle Mountain, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA : An occurrence located about 30 miles NW of Hassayampa. (If you go left, you will end up in Buckeye, AZ.) The nice thing about Saddle Mountain, in addition to the lovely views, is that it is not as crowded as BLM areas in Ehrenberg or Quartzsite.