East of Phoenix. Where to camp

[Boondocker]

I need to arrive in Phoenix mid morning one day next week. I am coming from the east. I am leaning, but not locked in, toward a Hwy 60-260-87 route. So my question is this: where are the places to stay along that route that lets me get into Phoenix mid morning (I want to hit the edge of town around 9 or so).

[jwvastine]

I have no personal experience camping there but have always heard good things about Usery Mtn.

Good Luck.

[azflycaster]

Rodney,
If you come that way, you will pass by the Fort McDowell Casino. They have a RV Resort which is a little pricey.
Eagle View RV Resort: The Next Generation

[mello mike]

There's plentiful boondocking in the Clint's Well/Blue Ridge Reservoir area on Hwy 87. That area will put you exactly 2 hours from Phoenix. After you boondock, just take the 260 to Camp Verde then jump on the I-17 South. It's our favorite area to get away and beat the heat.

[silverback]

Rodney,
It is a 110+ and humid here. I wouldn't come any farther down the rim than Payson. Also be advised that the 260 is experiencing serious road destruction closures (adding a lane) at various times during the week. Between Star Valley and Christopher Creek. Think it is afternoons right now. Lots of campgrounds around Payson and no fires at the moment.
-Ken

[LHall]

Hey Rodney,

There are a few RV Parks in town but it is blazing hot here, hope your AC is up to speed. Where in Phoenix do you need to be? We could help you find something in the East Valley near Tempe, Mesa etc.... If you are going up to Payson and hwy 260, one of our members is a campground host at the Mogollon Campground near Woods Canyon Lake. It is nice and cool up there, about a 2 hour drive to Phoenix.

[LHall]

Be sure to let us know if you have time.... we could meet for a beer.

[Bob Thompson]

This time of year, it's hot so boondocking along Bush Highway is out of the question. I second Usery Mountain Regional Park, but you might also try McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Both have hookups if my memory serves me. Otherwise, I second Payson. It is much cooler and campgounds in the forest. Not a bad drive into Phoenix.

[TBRich]

Rodney... If you are coming across on 260 and want to stay somewhere relative cool for the night before hitting Phx the next day, the Rim area is your best bet... between Heber and Payson... north on Forest Road 512 north from 260 just before you get to the Rim Visitor Center will take you to Sinkhole campground which is nice...$15/night...then FR 300 north from 260 right across the road from the Rim Visitor Center will lead you to a number of campgrounds...Rim Campground and Mogollon (where Jim & Min are hosting), and then towards Woods Canyon Lake where there are several more campgrounds. As Ken (Silverback) pointed out, there is construction as you go toward Payson on 260.

Depending on where you need to be in the metro Phx area...Usery (which does have electric & water...I think it's $25 or $30/night) will put you north of the Mesa area...to get there turn south on Bush Highway off 87 and then left at the Usery Mt. Road...Usery Mt. Campground will be on your left...continue on south on Usery and it becomes Ellsworth which takes you into west Mesa/east Apache Junction and you can pick up 60 east into Tempe and Phx if you need. There are lots of RV parks in the Apache Junction/west Mesa area as well along Main.

Hope this helps...let us know if you get as far as Tucson on this leg of our adventure...

[azflycaster]

Rodney,
If you stay on the Rim or in the Valley you can expect evening thunderstorms this time of year. Up on the Rim there will be high winds and a lot of rain. Here in the valley you will have less rain and more dust. It's just the way it is this time of year.

Let us know where you are staying and we'll see if we can hook up...

[Boondocker]

The conference is at the Biltmore. At the moment I have absolutely zero plans following the conference so I can meet up with anyone in the area. Of course, this all is assuming I get my %#$ %Q@U truck fixed.