Mogollan Rim Boondocking ~ Apache Sitgreaves National Forest

The Mogollan Rim in central Arizona is a very popular place to be during the spring season and there are plenty of places to set up a basecamp free of charge. Boondocking in this region certainly is a tradition and the National Forest Service provides plenty of options along County Road 300, which parallels the geological rim for quite a long distance. The dispersed camping areas are located on both sides of the road, so a visitor can opt for a quiet secluded spot deep in the woods north of the rim or actually camp next to the towering cliffs under the tall pines. There are also dispersed camping areas way down below the Mogollan Rim that are well worth checking out too and these spots are perfect for when the high ground is overcrowded. Fee campgrounds with RV hookups and modern facilities can be found in this region too, so this unique destination definitely caters to a wide range of guests.

The main attraction in this deeply forested region is the Mogollan Rim, which truly is a magnificent sight to see, but it is even more intriguing to experience on foot. There are all sorts of hiking trails that go to points of interest along the towering cliffs and some of the more challenging paths actually go down the face of the rim. The rim also offers extreme rock climbing adventures and mountain biking, while there are several historic sites to check out as well. Finding a scenic overlook to call your very own is easy to do on foot and hours can be spent soaking up the amazing views that stretch out to the horizon. The Mogollan Rim definitely is a timeless place where vivid dreams meet reality and the inspiring views attract landscape artists worldwide.

Of course there is a downside to this ideal scenic destination that primarily has to do with the weather. All it takes is one lengthy view of the vast basin from the towering cliffs to realize that this place has the potential for extreme weather conditions. Because the Mogollan Rim is in the high elevations, blizzard snow storms can pummel this area during the spring season, while weather fronts from the south can cause the temperatures to become unbearably hot for those who are not used to the arid southwestern conditions. In fact, these two extremes can happen within 24 hours, which can leave visitors wishing that they packed suitable clothing. For this reason it is best to pack winter wear along with light summer clothing, so a level of comfort can be maintained. The high winds are also something to contend with, which most often occur during the winter and spring seasons. Cycles of extreme drought also present danger, because the pine forests can literally turn into a tinder box. Obeying the very strict fire regulations is important to do while camping in this National Forest, so it is best to check out what Smokey The Bear has to say before striking a match.

As can be seen in the Flickr Photo Album attached to this article, the Mogollan Rim is a natural attraction like no other. The sunsets are some of the most colorful on earth, while this dark sky area makes stargazing easy to do. The fresh clean air and the wind whispering through the tall pines are soul soothing, while the magnificent views of this landscape have a way of making visitors completely forget about the world they came from back home. Boondocking on the Mogollan Rim absolutely fits into the picture, because this is definitely a place where an extended stay is well deserved!