Escape the crowds and go camping in the Arizona backcountry.
I have been asked many times, “where is the best place to camp?” My response is always the same, Arizona. Our excess of public land allows us to camp nearly anywhere in the state. Not including private property, most areas are open for camping. With thousands of miles of backroads, the possibilities are endless.
In this article, I will attempt to highlight every single camping opportunity in Arizona. My idea is to provide the ultimate resource guide for both primitive and designated camping. Below you will find information on who, what, where, and when. I hope this article will give you a starting point for finding your next adventure. Bookmark this article because you might want to come back. Continue reading →
Supporting the Arizona state trust land permit system is essential for our state.
There is a lot of confusion in the outdoor community about the Arizona state trust land permits. I have heard everything from “You’re not allowed on trust land” to “You need a group permit.” A lot of people insist you need a permit to drive a trail. But is it true? Here are the ins and outs of the Arizona state trust land recreation permit. Continue reading →
The facts about using a light bar on Arizona roads.
From pitch black to damn near daylight. Lightbars can illuminate the night sky with around 90,000 lumens or more. They light up the mountainsides and canyons and make sightseeing possible at night. It’s an attraction to every bug in the range, like a tunnel to heaven. Using them on the trail and at camp is great. It makes setting up camp in the dark easy and provides plenty of light while navigating at night. But I would never consider using them on the I 17…
Using your light bars on the street is typically considered unacceptable. The light is obnoxiously bright on roadways and can blind other oncoming drivers and pedestrians. You’ve never seen a street sign glow until you shine a 90,000 lumen light on it. Although it’s considered unacceptable, I got news for you, It’s 100% legal in Arizona when done properly.
Night ride on the back way to Black Canyon City.
Arizona law allows the use of multiple auxiliary lights on roadways, with a few exceptions. In a nutshell, you must treat your auxiliary lights like your high beams. Turn them off 500 feet away from an oncoming vehicle. Likewise, turn them off 200 feet away when approaching from the rear unless your passing. There must be an indicator light visible to the driver when the auxiliary lights are illuminated. Lastly, you’re limited to 4 auxiliary lights if they exceed 300 candle watt.
Below you’ll find 5 laws. Each law applies to the other. Together they dictate where and when it is appropriate to use your auxiliary lights on the roadway. Some cities, towns, and counties may have local ordinances prohibiting the use of auxiliary lights. If you choose to use your auxiliary lights on the roadway, please do it right. Check your local laws and always have common courtesy for other drivers. Don’t forget about the Trail Etiquette guidelines that everyone should know.
The laws that allow the use of auxiliary lights on Arizona roads.
ARS 28-946 Allows the use of multiple auxiliary lights on Arizona roadways. If the lights exceed 300 candle watts, then you are limited to 4 auxiliary lights.
ARS 28-938 Allows the use of no more than 2 auxiliary passing lights. The lights must be mounted no less than 16 inches and no more than 42 inches above the ground. Likewise, it allows the use of 2 fog lamps that are mounted no less than 12 inches and no more than 30 inches above the ground, so they project no more than 25 feet ahead. It also allows the use of 1 spot lamp aimed, so the high-intensity portion of the beam is not shining to the left and no more than 100 feet ahead.
ARS 28-942 Allows the use of multiple-beam lighting equipment. This is basically Arizona high beam law. While approaching a vehicle head-on, you must dim your high beams at 500 feet. While approaching a vehicle from behind, you must dim your high beams at 200 feet except while passing.
ARS 28-941 Requires newer motor vehicles to be equipped with high beam lights. Your high beam lights must reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of 350 feet or more. Low beams must reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of 100 feet. Likewise, this law requires a high beam indicator lamp to be illuminated in a position where it’s visible without glare to the vehicle’s driver. ARS 28-947 Allows the use of any other additional lighted lamp or device other than headlamps, spot lamps, and auxiliary lamps pointed to aim no more than 75 feet in front of the vehicle.
Why are auxiliary lights allowed?
There are legitimate reasons to use auxiliary lights on Arizona roads but let’s honest, most vehicles come factory equipped with barely legal lighting, to begin with. If you live in the city, likely, law enforcement won’t be happy when you use certain auxiliary lights within city limits.
Although it’s considered unacceptable, additional lighting can be useful on many of Arizona’s rural dirt highways. Of course, these roads don’t have much traffic, and the chances of encountering another driver are slim. Auxiliary lights provide a level of comfort when traveling these roads at high rates of speed.
My recommendations
Just because light bars and other auxiliary lights are legal on Arizona roadways doesn’t mean you should use them. I use them while traveling on rural highways, with a few exceptions. I never use them within city limits and always turn them off when approaching a 4 way stop. I turn off my light bars at first sight of oncoming traffic, exceeding the required 500 feet. All of these things give the law and other drivers the recognition they deserve.
15 trail etiquette guidelines every 4X4 and OHV enthusiast should know
With all the new people exploring the backcountry, it’s important to remember a few guidelines. These guidelines have been developed over the years by sportsmen and other outdoor enthusiasts. They display common courtesy and respect to others, like you, who are out enjoying the Arizona backcountry.
This article will go through several of these guidelines to educate the public about trail etiquette. It’s essential to know these things if you’re new to the off-road community. These guidelines have been developed to promote the responsible and safe use of our public lands. We all share a common interest.
Anderson Mill in the Wickenburg Mountains
We asked a total of 6000 off-road enthusiasts what they considered proper trail etiquette. We got over 250 responses, and this is what they had to say…
Trail etiquette promotes safe, responsible, common sense use of public and private lands.
Stay on the existing trail. It seems so simple, yet so many people don’t follow this easy rule. You find this problem around nearly every populated area in Arizona. It makes the off-road community and those who use these trails look bad.
There are other instances where driving off the trail is permitted, like emergency situations, ranchers doing fence repair, and various other reasons. While out driving your four by four, side-by-side, or motorcycle, you cannot drive off the trail whatsoever. In fact, destroying the natural landscape is a Class 6 felony in Arizona.
Don’t be a slob. Another commonsense issue we are battling. I’m sure we all learned this as a child. Yet we see piles of trash everywhere. This trash doesn’t only hurt the off-road community but all who visit the Arizona backcountry. Nor can it solely be blamed on the off-road community.
High traffic areas are being shut down because of the trash left behind. Luckily, volunteers from all over the state come together to remove tons of trash from our rivers, lakes, and high traffic camping areas. We have to counterbalance the trash dumpers, and we’re doing a good job.
If you see somebody dumping trash, don’t be afraid to approach them. If you find a trash dump, you can contact one of the organizations listed on the reference page.
Don’t be destructive. Many places have immense cultural significance and should be cherished. Some of these places have been around for thousands of years. It is illegal to destroy, deface, or vandalize any site of historical or cultural significance.
Save the booze for camp. There are all too many reasons not to drink and drive on the trail. While drinking on the trail, you are endangering yourself, your family, and everyone else. Every year we hear about and see fatal accidents involving drunk drivers. It’s just not a good idea.
Burn it right, or don’t burn it at all. The most dangerous part of burning a campfire is when you pack up camp and take off. Please make sure it’s out when you’re done. Always build your fire pit correctly. Dig a sound hole and circle it with rocks. Bury the fire pit and dump water on it when you’re done. Bury any burning logs or embers lying outside the fire pit.
Pullover for faster-moving traffic. Everybody likes to move at their own pace. It’s best not to agitate other drivers. Slower moving traffic can cause congestion and issues for oncoming traffic. If you’re driving a lesser equipped vehicle or a car, please remember to check your rearview.
Relax and enjoy the ride. Too many people think the trail is a racetrack. It’s important to remember you’re not the only one on the trail. Just because your rig can handle the terrain doesn’t mean you need to pretend you’re in the Baja or King of the Hammers. Too many accidents have occurred because someone decided it was a good idea. The last thing you want to do is kill a little kid, your family, friends, or yourself.
If you’re passing a campsite, slow down. If you’re passing hikers on the trail, slow down. If you’re passing horses on the trail, slow down. When you see a bicycle on the trail, slow down. When you’re on the trail, slow down. Arizona is a beautiful place. Why not enjoy it?
Vehicles traveling uphill have the right of way. If you approach another vehicle head-on, whoever moves in the downhill direction must yield to the vehicle coming uphill. It is much easier for the downhill vehicle to maneuver and position themselves to pass the oncoming vehicle. Traveling upward requires momentum, and stopping can be problematic in certain conditions. Sometimes, it may be necessary to back up and maneuver out of the way.
Always keep an eye on the vehicle behind you. This is important, especially when riding in a group on a technical trail. You never know when someone might need a tug or break something. Usually, simple radio communication can solve this issue, but there’s always someone who doesn’t have a radio. Never leave anyone behind.
Use hand signals. Hand signals can save lives, and everybody should use them. When approaching oncoming traffic, inform them how many are behind you. You can show them 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 fingers or actually stop and talk with them. Because we can often be spread out on the trail, the yielding driver may try to continue if you don’t inform them more are coming. This will help the oncoming driver better judge when to proceed.
Turn off your bright lights. Lightbars are stupid bright nowadays. There is no concentration of view, and they can be blinding from many angles. Let’s keep that into consideration when passing by others on the trail. Please remember to turn off your lights while passing by campsites, oncoming traffic, homes, hikers, horses, or anybody else on the trail. Cattle and other animals can become disoriented from the bright lights.
Leave gates as you find them. If you approach a gate and it’s closed, make sure to close the gate behind you. If you’re traveling in a group, it’s essential to make sure the last person closes the gate. If you approach a gate and it’s already open, you should just leave the gate as it is. If you believe somebody failed to close the gate, check for an Arizona Game and Fish Tag, indicating the gate should be closed.
Ranchers will sometimes leave gates open so cattle can access water. Be very careful closing gates you find open. You could cut livestock off from the only water source in the area. Furthermore, if you leave the gates open, you could cause thousands of dollars in Damages. That’s why we say leave gates as you find them. Likewise, never cut a fence or use a fence post as a winch anchor.
Try to be self-sufficient. Pack your own food, your own drinks, and your own camping supplies. Make sure to carry your own tow straps, clevis, snatch block, and keep them on hand, ready to go. The less of a burden you have on the group, the further your resources will stretch during an emergency.
Always carry some type of radio equipment to keep in contact. Learn how to repair a flat and always carry a Jack and spare tire. It’s a good idea to learn basic survival, recovery, and mechanical repair.
Keep the dust down. Many recreational areas are near or pass through residential developments and private property. These particular areas are under threat of closure because of air quality concerns and angry homeowners. While traveling through private property or near a residence, please keep the dust down. It’s just common courtesy, which brings us to our next point.
Have common courtesy for other adventures. We’re all out here for the same reason. Whether you’re a hiker, mountain biker, or rock crawler, we should all respect each other. If somebody looks like they need help, offer your assistance. All of the things mentioned in this article revolve around one idea, common courtesy.
When I see somebody else in the backcountry, I give them the proper common courtesy they deserve, expecting the same return.
