new to scottsdale

hey folks, new to the state, love the outdoors

and was hoping someone could share some nice trails that you can camp off of, that aren't in the desert.

are camp fires prohibited in such places?

any help would be greatly appreciated

pm me if you feel need be.

 

Camp fires are fine now. They just aren't allowed during dry seasons. Pay attention to the camp signs when you go out. It should have a meter showing the danger levels of a fire.

Just head up North towards Stonemann, Camp Verde, Cherry, etc. That's where I like to camp with my friends.

 

Even the high country is still "high desert"...

My go-to for getting out of the valley is up towards Kohl's Ranch. Basically NE of Payson off the 260. There are hundreds of miles of access roads and trails out there and tons of spots to camp pretty much everywhere. If you're looking for more "civilized" camping, Christopher Creek, Kohl's Ranch and a little further up on top of the Rim to Rim Road and Woods Canyon Lake.

Since you're in Scottsdale you can just drive straight north on the I-17 and go up to Flagstaff or better yet, Sedona for some pretty awesome camping. I've also gone out the 618 (turn right instead of left when you get off the I-17, the opposite way to Sedona) where there's lots of spots. Go past Sedona out Oak Creek Canyon and there's some amazingly beautiful places.

What Sam said about camp fires. Check out the Forest Service/USDA website and look up the different National Forests around (Coconino, Tonto, etc.) and they'll have listings for burn bans which during the summer even includes charcoal and target shooting! It's dry here, yo!

Don't knock camping in the desert, though... It can be fun too especially now when it's cooled down. Check out the area by Cave Creek, Seven Springs, etc.
When I first moved here I lived over by Shea Blvd and Via Linda so it wasn't very far of a drive and you were out in the middle of know where. Never camped down south (Tucson) but I'm sure during the winter it isn't too bad...

I've lived in AZ for 12 years and coming down from Oregon wasn't sure what the camping scene would be like... It's pretty awesome! Different, but awesome.

 

Welcome to AZ! Plenty of spots here around Tucson too! There's also Mt. Lemmon which is forested, and down south near Pena Blanca Lake or Patagonia Lake (or even Parkey Canyon Lake, which I've never camped at) to camp and have fun!

What brought you here at GA?