Raymond Tank

We stayed out here with the cattle under the stars for a few days. Since we needed sun on our roof for solar, we didn't drive down to the turn-about; opting instead to pull a few feet off the road.

We saw a few deer hunters, one dual-sport motorcycle, and one rancher drive by during our stay. I almost hate writing a review, for fear it will become spoiled.

I will be using this as a jumping off start coming up out of the Phoenix area going on to other states for camping with my teeny tiny camper trailer. I’ll come on off days so that I can get something closer to the main access road as getting into the dispersed areas it’s quite Dicey right now because the main road has been torn up apparently big rigs coming in. Near us You could see the damage of a big rig trying to get out leaving big rut holes on the forest floor. As well we had to go around and pick up their mess they left. There are trains nearby but I rather enjoyed the train whistles. Others were camping out but we were city blocks from each other.

The road in has lots of ruts, but you can navigate around them if you drive slowly. I would avoid it in wet weather. We spent a peaceful 2 days in the woods. We went in far enough to be away from the interstate noise. Some campers had left a lot of litter. We picked up some of it. I'd go back again.

About 1 mile north of I40 just west of Belemont, AZ. Nice, Huge area. There are tons of areas to set up. Some in the forest and some out in the open. Checked the satellite mapping and I chose an open area for my solar. Whole area is flat with a dirt access road that should not be an issue for any size rig. The road in some areas had some ruts and looks like it could get challenging if it rained or snowed, but I think it was in very good shape. No services. Free. 14 day stay max. OTA TV is getting in 10 channels. VZW is clocking in at 26 mbps down/4 up. ATT is 25 mbps down/ 2.5 up.

Nice spot. Saw about 6 or 7 others but we are all extremely spread out and most were in the forest. I can't see anyone. Perfect! I'm at ~7,200 ft amsl

Turn off I-40 at Bellemont and turn north toward the Pilot Gas Station, at first intersection have to go east a block to go around the round about intersection which heads you back west along the road which parallels I-40, Brannigan Road on Google Maps.
After turning right on 9004 there are a number of spots in the forest near I-40. Go back further, 4/10 of a mile,(little highway noise) to where a power line runs, follow it to the left. Roads running off the road under the power line lead to either open areas in the meadows or forested alcoves, good for smaller rigs or tents. If it rained hard the roads would be impassible and were a just a little rutted when dry. Road on past the meadows would be hard to
turn around on.
Didn't see an actual tank anywhere but Google Maps said the truck was right on it.
My rig is over 60 ft long including the 5th wheel and boat. Access was not an issue.

I didn’t go all the way to Raymond Tank, but was about 1/4 Mike before it. Easy access off the I-40 at Bellemont.
Dozens and dozens of roads off tge main “power line” road, to camp. All in nice forest area.
Pretty good cell service. Streamed videos all the time.
Numerous fire rings around. Barely a car or two a day maybe driving by.
High winds when I was there, blowing lots of dirt. But the weather in May was perfect.

This has a lot of sites available. I found a beautiful site facing the mountains. The road is a bit rough.
I was able to run my business and get good cell service.
You can hear traffic the closer you are to the main road and there is a train.
The downside is the high-winds and dirt. There are a lot of recreational vehicles as well.

Not very crowded and lots of open space. Lots of forest road to ride your bike or go for a walk. In the summer everything is very dry and dusty but overall a nice place. Only a 15 minute drive from Flagstaff.

Traveling in a 40’ 5th wheel with F-350. Most of our camping 3 months a year is done on BLM land or National forests. This Road is generally no worse than most dispersed camping. Like others, there are deep ruts and and deep tire tracks on the main dirt road through the sites. We couldn’t get the camper around a bend in the road because of tree branches on both sides of road. Pulled into an area that can hold lots of campers of various sizes. Don’t let the mud puddles deceive you! They’re not deep, but we could get no traction at all even in 4WD. This mud is very slippery. Almost all site entrances have mud at the entrance. We were finally able to get unstuck using rocks and our leveling wood and parked. After disconnecting we took a ride around the bend and found plenty of long campsites that could easily have accommodated our rig. Huge wide open field, too. If you can get there, more power to you. Our warning: Do not drive into mud even if the surrounding dirt looks dry.

Huge amounts of road noise even in the forest and it also sounds like heavy equipment running somewhere as well as a train going by regularly.

Also agree with previous reviewers in that there are many derelict cars with ppl living in them as well as derelict campers. Forest people live here. We have stayed in places for two weeks at a time. Not this place… can’t wait to get out of here!

I camped here for a few weeks at the end of April 2022, isolating with COVID, and still loved the place. Real easy to find. But if there has been ANY rain or snow, do NOT go back this road. VERY deep, sticky red mud! Otherwise, beautiful, peaceful and lots of good walking with gorgeous big red pines. I love the sound of the breeze sloughing through their needles. You can occasionally hear traffic noise because you're real close to the interstate, but it never bothered me.

There seemed to be lots of different spaces along the road, and all our neighbors were friendly. The road farther back provides a nice walking path, especially if you have pets. The Pilot is right down the road for munchies, gas, showers and bathroom. Cell signal was good enough for me to work regularly.

You can dump for cheap on your way out. Turn right at the Pilot to go over I-40 to Camp Navajo. Stop at the entry gate and tell them you want to use the RV dump. They'll send you to the left. It's a drive-thru loop and on the honor system at $5/dump. I don't recall if there was cleaning water but I think so.