Boondocking on BLM land Arizona

[GraciesMom]

I just left Ajo, Arizona . . . 8 miles from Why and 20 or so miles from the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. There is a boondocking site just after you pass the "Why-Not Shop" in Why headed towards the Monument on the right. There is also a huge area of BLM land in Ajo, just before you get into town if you are headed into Ajo. There's a huge white hill and you turn right after the hill, go down the road several miles until you cross over a cattle guard, then look for the signs to the Rifle Range and turn right at the sign. You will go past a picnic area, through a wash and the road turns to dirt. After that you turn right and pick your spot. Firewood was plentiful, there was no one out there except for myself and my traveling friends. The night skies were spectacular, as was the moon, the sunsets and sunrises. Total peace and quiet - no traffic, no trains, no nothing. No pass was needed.

[GraciesMom]

I just left Ajo, Arizona . . . 8 miles from Why and 20 or so miles from the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. There is a boondocking site just after you pass the "Why-Not Shop" in Why headed towards the Monument on the right. There is also a huge area of BLM land in Ajo, just before you get into town if you are headed into Ajo. There's a huge white hill and you turn right after the hill, go down the road several miles until you cross over a cattle guard, then look for the signs to the Rifle Range and turn right at the sign. You will go past a picnic area, through a wash and the road turns to dirt. After that you turn right and pick your spot. Firewood was plentiful, there was no one out there except for myself and my traveling friends. The night skies were spectacular, as was the moon, the sunsets and sunrises. Total peace and quiet - no traffic, no trains, no nothing. No pass was needed.

[full-timer]

That sounds like a good place to hang around for a couple of days.

Joe

[Ray,IN]

Isn't the area great! We spent some time in Ajo a few years ago, and really enjoyed the peace N quiet. There are several boondocking areas around this quiet Mexican village. Walking the plaza area, one can envision a bustling lively marketplace.

[redboots]

Ray, Having lived in Tucson from 1969 until 2003 I can tell you that Ajo is not a "quiet Mexican village". We spent thousands of hours out west of Tucson in the Ajo area and south of there on the Cabeza Prieta game range and USAF Goldwater bombing range. Ajo actually is an old mining town for the Phelps Dodge Corp. and at one time there was a big smelter there. When they pulled up stakes the town about blew away, then some retirees found you could buy homes there for next to nothing and it was revitalized, kind of. Those days are all gone now and the area south of Ajo is quite dangerous for boondocking with Mexican drug dealers frequenting the area.

[k-belly]

I was introduced to the Ajo area by my cousin who was a USBP agent in Why. He showed me a great boondocking area southeast of Ajo and I have camped there for the last six years.

To get there drive out of town and look for a dirt road heading south right behind the big mine-tailings hill. Drive about 1/2 mile and there is a wide spot where two roads converge. A big coral and windmill. Always one or two boondockers there this time of year.

The BP uses that road all day and all night so it is as safe as living in town... maybe even safer. Also cuz says drug traffic is never likely there becasue it is flat and open and the BP trucks are always driving through there to get to the border thirty miles away.
Staying close to town there is no more danger than most any place else south of I-8.