Pipeline Road Dispersed Camping

Ironwood Forest National Monument is managed by BLM so you can drycamp anywhere for free. There are several dirt roads running through here with campsites along them for easy access. There were many options for larger rigs as well. It's a great place to get out in nature and camp for free while visiting the Tucson area.

Pros:
-Easy to find
-Large, flat sites
-Partially sheltered/private

Cons:
-Access road to the sites was bumpy and hard for us to clear with a cargo hitch mount off the back of our SUV
-Bugs everywhere, as soon as we got out of the car these small biting flies just swarmed us, so much so that we ended up leaving. Not sure if these are seasonal or only come at dusk but we couldn't stand it.
-Not far off the road, so passing cars were heard easily

This spot is close to Tucson and in a scenic area (lots of cactus, nice sunset behind the hills). There was a makeshift fire ring, but no other services.

Rolled in just as it was getting dark. Coordinates lead to a large open patch w a fire ring but I followed a dirt “road” leading away from the main dirt road, took the second “site” just out of view of the road. As a solo camper I felt relatively safe, only one truck went down the dirt road at 8pmish. There was a lot of broken glass around but it was “old”, including milk glass and rusted out can parts. An old dump or shooting range? Shooting is banned now. Here’s the main issue: NOISE. Everpresent highway and truck noise, fine, but also low planes and at night some sort of military copter (?) flew very low and buzzy. Also starting at 4-5am a lot of clanking heavy construction trucks/equipment started passing nearby, causing the ground to shake which I didn’t even know was possible at this distance. Also the dirt road is deeply rutted across the washes. In all, I would stay again in an emergency but that’s it.

While I wouldn’t make this a destination per se, the area worked great as a convenient boondocking spot within 30 min of Tucson and 25 min of Saguaro National Park.

Spots were spaced far apart and were roomy and level. The area is quite flat but still pretty with a few Saguaros and other desert trees.

Now the cons: not great for star viewing as there are city lights all around at night. There must be a to the East as we heard the occasional loud car/motorcycle cruise through every now and then. At least our campsite wasn’t super clean, we ended up picking up after previous campers.

Would definitely stay again if visiting the area.

I enjoyed this site so much that I decided to stay additional days. It is about a 30 minute drive West of I-10 just North of Tucson. Great paved roads all the way until you get to Pipeline Road. I camped a half a mile down a dirt road that was not too bad… Just take it slow and easy.

There’s about five or six flat and level campsites for the first half mile. I do not suggest going beyond the deep ravine. There’s a very narrow cattle gate that I would not want to try to pull my rig through.

I managed to be the only camper here. I felt safe. There is a quarry not far West. You can hear the sound of trucks traveling up and down Pipeline… But it’s not a problem.

My Verizon signal was lightning fast.

The views are spectacular with lots of greenery. Shrubs, mesquite trees, saguaro cactus, and distant mountains. There’s a feeling of being in the wilderness while only being 30 minutes away from Safeway and Chevron. Tucson is not far beyond.

All rigs are nicely dispersed and plenty of elbow room. There are very few spots for big rigs, but some and some tucked-in spots for vans or tent camping. Nearby Pumb Station Road has more options, especially for larger rigs.

Plenty of sites. Easy access. Clean. Love the cactus. Cell service was fine at night but not at all good in the day when we needed it to do online work. Would go back as long as I don't need cell service.

This our third visit here from Kansas. We have always enjoyed staying here in the winter because of the warm temperatures, openness and beautiful scenery.
But each time we come it is trashier than the time before.
Broken glass, bullet casings, toilet paper, discarded clothing and trash.
We have to scout the entire area to clean up these things before we can set up camp.
I don’t understand why people would willing trash such a beautiful area.
Will we come back for a 4th season? I don’t know.
But will love it as much as possible while we are here.

It took a while to find and it’s really not that difficult. I’m not sure why it’s not explained anywhere. Take exit 242 for Avra Valley and go about 21-22 miles. That’s it. The place is on your right. It’s a small opening marked with an orange tie in the bushes. There is a small pipeline entrance on the left. I just got here and haven’t been back far, there’s plenty of spaces in the beginning.

The view is amazing and no one bothers you. I will add pics and say more after I’ve been here a week.