Darby Well Road Dispersed Camping
BLM
Write a Review Darby Well Rd. Ajo, AZ 85321 520-258-7200 Official WebsiteGPS: 32.3393, -112.8495
Overview of Darby Well Road Dispersed Camping
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by Beerboy on 3/5/2022
Longest RV Reported: 41 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by aearles on 6/2/2017
Pad Type gravel
Elevation 1,771 ft / 539 m







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Q&A - Ask the Community about Darby Well Road Dispersed Camping
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 520-258-7200
Kelly asked on 11/13/2021
Will a 40+' 5th wheel do ok? Where is best spot for such? Arriving early Feb. probably. Thanks!

James asked on 8/18/2021
What is camping along Darby Well Road like during the winter? Thanks!
Reviews of Darby Well Road Dispersed Camping 31 people have reviewed this location.
“Most Beautiful Desert Boondock”
Reviewed 3/5/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 11 |
There are a number of roads branching off from Darby Well that have campsites along them. We were along the well-named Scenic Loop Road. The road has a few washboarded spots but otherwise is passable for any vehicle. The scenic loop does loop around and come into into Ajo from the west. I would not recommend larger RVs do the full lo... more
There are a number of roads branching off from Darby Well that have campsites along them. We were along the well-named Scenic Loop Road. The road has a few washboarded spots but otherwise is passable for any vehicle. The scenic loop does loop around and come into into Ajo from the west. I would not recommend larger RVs do the full loop as there are some steep washes and turns to navigate. There are many small side roads leading into the scrub here. You may want to unhitch and explore for a secluded campsite away from the main road. There are some nice secluded spots off the main roads. However, don't try exploring with an trailer or MH. You may find yourself dead-ending at a wash or old mine shaft with nowhere to turn around. There are plenty of campsites right off the main roads if you don't want to explore. Your limiting factor on a campsite may revolve around your need to connectivity. It is very location dependent as a mountain blocks signals coming in from Ajo for some of the campsites. Some sites get great signal will for others there is nothing at all.
Beerboy would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent boondocking”
Reviewed 12/30/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | NA |
We were on a transit from Phoenix to northern Nevada and decided a little detour through Ajo would be nice. In spite of the warnings about sketchy activity at Darby Well, we gave it a go. We had to go farther down the road than we planned to find a site that we felt we could navigate in our rig. The roadside berms closer in were bigger... more
We were on a transit from Phoenix to northern Nevada and decided a little detour through Ajo would be nice. In spite of the warnings about sketchy activity at Darby Well, we gave it a go. We had to go farther down the road than we planned to find a site that we felt we could navigate in our rig. The roadside berms closer in were bigger than we wanted to attempt.
We found a good, level spot with neighbors reasonably spread out and walking distance to the well so we decided to stay a couple of nights instead of our original plan of just one since we had enough cell signal to get some work done, the area was quiet, and the neighbors respectful.
The wind the first night was hefty and kept us huddled inside. Picture two adults, large dog, and a motorcycle in a tiny toy hauler! But by morning it easy to enjoy working and exploring outside. And, obviously, being a desert with no large trees around and lots of sun, we were able to keep our action up and running with solar power.
While there, we did see a huge caravan of border patrol vehicles come and go but we had no issues or negative encounters at all. We did, however, have a Colorado Cane Toad hop through our site. Imagine our surprise when my partner said “That rock just jumped!” I was able to break out my biggie zoom lens and get some shots without disturbing it.
[Side note: On our way into town, we did the walking tour which is very engaging if you’re into history and understanding the places you travel through. There is RV parking in town behind the main square but you’ll have to watch your clearance if you want to pull out through the square. We were too tall so we had to maneuver around a bit to get back out.]
Val in Real Life would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Peaceful and quiet.”
Reviewed 12/28/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | 8115A |
We stayed here for 5 days of much deserved vacation time. The area is beautiful with so much to see and do some hiking. Unfortunately the wind speed was 10-20 miles per hour each day, limiting our time for being outside.
Richard Hoffkins would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice Dispersed Camping in the Saguaros”
Reviewed 12/12/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | NA |
Slow drive up a dusty road took us to an easily accessed spot surrounded by towering saguaros. Pretty clean area for dispersed camping. Spectacle views of surrounding mountains. Close to town of Ajo.
HagePhoto would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Like being on a cool vacation”
Reviewed 3/1/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
I camped here for 4 nights alone with my small dog. Cell service was hit or miss at different locations, but the site I found had 4 bars LTE with Verizon. I logged into work every day without a problem. Overall I had a ton of privacy but I could hear and occasionally see other people camping nearby, which I appreciated. Through... more
I camped here for 4 nights alone with my small dog.
Cell service was hit or miss at different locations, but the site I found had 4 bars LTE with Verizon. I logged into work every day without a problem.
Overall I had a ton of privacy but I could hear and occasionally see other people camping nearby, which I appreciated. Throughout the day cars, cyclists, and hikers would go by.
The stars were amazing and so were the organ pipe and saguaro cacti. I came for the national monument but this felt up close and personal with nature. I heard coyotes on the first night, but my dog saw three of them crossing the dirt road on another day...so I guess keep an eye out. Flies and bees were out and about during the day.
other highlights: The weather was perfect. I saw army planes fly overhead sometimes. I think I heard missile testing one morning.
People need to be better about burying their TP or packing it out, but I’m glad they left firewood behind!
This was my first free camping experience so at times I was overly nervous, but I would definitely go back again.
jaysocho would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Sites Among the Cacti”
Reviewed 2/20/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
So much open space to find that perfect spot. The roads are a bit washboard when first coming in, but not bad at all. The further back you go, they do get a bit worse, but still not bad. Same for cell service, the further you drive, the less of a signal. We have AT&T with a booster and antenna. We did get 4 bars of 3G and with our ... more
So much open space to find that perfect spot. The roads are a bit washboard when first coming in, but not bad at all. The further back you go, they do get a bit worse, but still not bad. Same for cell service, the further you drive, the less of a signal. We have AT&T with a booster and antenna. We did get 4 bars of 3G and with our technology, service was great, and we were able to work, watch movies, etc. So many places to wander. Quiet, serene, and peaceful.
Living A Stout Life would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful, Quiet & Isolated ”
Reviewed 12/15/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 5+ miles |
Didn’t want my view to be the mine tailings and needed decent Verizon reception, so drove a little over 5 miles - left at immigration sign. First 2 miles of road is worst and looks recently graded. Had 2 bars 5G, boosted to full bars 4G. Beautiful 360 views, no neighbors, absolute quiet & little traffic.
Missd would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful and Isolated Boondocking ”
Reviewed 4/15/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 9 |
Stayed here for 8 nights Apr1-9,2020. Wanted to hide out after 5 month in an RV resort for the winter, north of PHX. This was perfect! There were a number of sites closer to Rt 86 on Darby Well Road, but all seemed well spaced. We continued down, onto Bates Well Rd, another 2.7 miles. Found a beautiful and open site, 100 yards off ... more
Stayed here for 8 nights Apr1-9,2020. Wanted to hide out after 5 month in an RV resort for the winter, north of PHX.
This was perfect! There were a number of sites closer to Rt 86 on Darby Well Road, but all seemed well spaced. We continued down, onto Bates Well Rd, another 2.7 miles. Found a beautiful and open site, 100 yards off the road. Beautiful Sonoran desert scenery. Little traffic on the dirt road, mostly border patrol. The road is a bit rough, washboard in some places. Rolled our motorhome in under 10 mph to minimize shaking. Weather was perfect, albeit windy. No ATT service, but we found 2-3 bars of 3G about 1 mile south. Also it’s strong in Ajo.
The Scenic Road has a few spots, but you could not take a motorhome on it. Stick to Darby Well or Bates Well Roads.
Ron would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent option for short or long stay”
Reviewed 3/31/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
My wife and I found this to be an ideal spot, with numerous campsites, good privacy if you’re willing to look around for open campsites, and amazing 360° scenery. The saguaros and mountains are fantastic. It is minutes to Ajo which has cute places to eat, fuel up, and real grocery hardware stores etc. there is a spigot to fill wate... more
My wife and I found this to be an ideal spot, with numerous campsites, good privacy if you’re willing to look around for open campsites, and amazing 360° scenery. The saguaros and mountains are fantastic. It is minutes to Ajo which has cute places to eat, fuel up, and real grocery hardware stores etc.
there is a spigot to fill water behind the building near the entrance to the “artists alley” right when you get to town.
Once you cross the cattle guard To enter the site there are a couple sites on the left. Then many many sites of various privacy and views further down on the left. You can hear faint noise from the lightly traveled highway even this far out.
Then when you get to the split in the toad marked “scenic loop” you can find countless other camping spots on the various roads that have much more privacy And solitude although the roads quality is worse. Was a little touch a go on those latter sites with our rental economy sedan but generally no problem unless crossing the washes. The sites closer to the highway are easy in a low clearance vehicle.
1-2 bars Verizon LTE
Charwest would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Boondocking ”
Reviewed 3/16/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | Scenic road |
Camped on Scenie Road a little past the Darby Well split. Several great sites spread out with several other campers in the area. Peaceful spot south of the quarry.
Scoooter would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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