Video still thanks to Dispersed Camper Man
Craggy Wash BLM Camping
Free BLM dispersed camping in a desert wash just north of Lake Havasu City, with room for big rigs near the entrance, a 14-day limit, volunteer camp hosts and no services at all.
Lake Havasu City, Arizona · BLM land north of town, off AZ-95
Season
Best Oct–March
No shade; very hot summers
Elevation
About 880 ft
Desert wash; flash-flood risk
Hookups
None
Dry camping only; no water
Big rigs
Big rigs up front
RVers report 43 ft; rough roads farther in
Updated October 5, 2026 · Details checked against BLM sources
Free, open desert north of town
The Craggy Wash experience
Free BLM dispersed camping in a broad desert wash north of town, with room for big rigs near the entrance, quieter spots farther in, good cell signal and no services at all.
Free campingNo fees or reservations
14-day limitPer BLM rules
Camp hostsCheck in when you arrive
Big-rig staging areaAbout a mile in
No hookups or waterArrive full, leave empty
No trash servicePack it out
Strong cell signalVerizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
OHV ridingTrails from camp
Pets on a leash6 ft maximum
Dump & water in townState park, $15
Groceries nearbyAbout 5 min to Walmart
Quiet hours10 p.m.–6 a.m., no generators
Life at camp
What campers say
The campground report card
We don’t recycle other sites’ reviews, but the published scores are worth reading together: campers love that it’s free, roomy, close to town and well covered by cell service, while trash, OHV dust and noise, washboard roads, long-term encampments and some safety worries pull scores down.
How RVers rate it
Category scores from Campendium reviewers, out of 5
Field notes from RVers
Longest rig RVers report43 ft
Cell signal reportedVerizon 4G/5GAT&T 4G/5GT-Mobile 4G/5G
Last reported nightly rate$0 Free
As reported by Campendium users. Conditions change after storms and in peak season, so check with the BLM before you go.
Off AZ-95, north of town
Getting there
Craggy Wash is east of AZ-95 about 5 miles north of town, near mile marker 190: paved for the first stretch, then dirt and washboard farther in.
From I-40: Exit 9, AZ-95 south about 11 miles, then left (east) onto the Craggy Wash roadFrom town: AZ-95 north about 5 miles, then right near mile marker 190
I-40 EXIT 9 · AZ-95 SOUTH
Set your GPS
Off AZ-95 near mile marker 190, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406
From I-40, Exit 9About 18 min
To the London BridgeAbout 20 min
To Las VegasAbout 2 hr 30 min
From PhoenixAbout 3 hr 30 min
Stay out of the wash bottom. The road runs through a desert wash that floods in heavy rain; camp on higher ground and leave before storms.
About 880 ft up. January highs average about 65°; July highs average about 109°, with no shade.
Approximate driving times from the camping area, from routing estimates. Locator map is approximate, not for navigation.
Down the road
Around Craggy Wash
Fill up in town, then head south for the London Bridge and the state park beaches, or north to Route 66’s burro town.
Photo thanks to S. Winkvist (CC0)
London Bridge & the Island
The 1831 bridge bought from the City of London and rebuilt here in 1971 now spans the Bridgewater Channel, linking downtown shops and restaurants to the Island’s beaches.
Photo thanks to Dorian Wallender (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Lake Havasu State Park
Windsor Beach has sandy beaches, three boat ramps and the nearest public dump station with drinking water, $15 for non-campers.
Photo thanks to Dorian Wallender (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Replica lighthouses
Scale copies of famous American lighthouses, built by the nonprofit Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club as working navigation aids. Several stand at Windsor Beach and around the Island.
Photo thanks to Joshua Noble (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Oatman & its wild burros
A Route 66 mining town in the Black Mountains where wild burros wander down the main street. An easy day trip, best done in the tow car rather than the rig.
More places to stay
Other parks worth a look
Compare these nearby Lake Havasu parks before you book; each one has its own RV-Roundup guide.
Photo thanks to Havasu Falls RV Resort
Havasu Falls RV Resort
Level concrete pull-thrus with full hookups, a heated pool and a busy rec hall on AZ-95 at the north end of town.
Photo thanks to Havasu RV Resort
Havasu RV Resort
A gated community of owner RV lots rented by the week, month or season, with two pools, a chip-and-putt and a busy social calendar.
Photo thanks to Campbell Cove RV Resort
Campbell Cove RV Resort
A budget-friendly, family-run park half a block from the Windsor Beach ramps, with a heated pool, a hot tub and posted monthly rates.
Before you go
Plan your stay
Everything that decides whether Craggy Wash fits your rig, your dates and your comfort level, in one place.
Our take: the closest free camping to Lake Havasu City: big, open desert with good cell signal and room for big rigs near the entrance. Bring everything you need, expect OHV dust, some trash and long-term neighbors, and stay out of the wash bottom when storms threaten.
Fees & limitsBLM rules · checked Oct 5, 2026
CampingFree no reservations
Stay limit14 days per BLM rules
Dump station$15 at the state park
WaterIn town none on site
There’s no fee and no booking: pick an open spot and check in with the volunteer camp hosts. The nearest public dump with potable water is at Lake Havasu State Park, about 20 minutes south.
Prices are subject to change at any time and may vary by date, season and availability. For the latest pricing, check the BLM camping rules or call (928) 505-1200.
Typical January afternoon
Lake Havasu City65°
Chicago32°
33° warmer than Chicago in January.
Is it right for you?
Who it suits, what to consider, and how to stay safe.
Open
Site types
Front staging area to quiet spurs, all free.
Open
Rates & policies
Stay limit, quiet hours, pets, fires and more.
Open
Before you book
Questions to ask the hosts or the BLM.
Open
Craggy Wash is open BLM desert with no services, no reservations and no fee, spread along miles of dirt road in and beside a wash. It fills with snowbirds, OHV riders and van campers in winter, and it’s too hot and shadeless for most people in summer.
Best for
- Boondockers with solar or a generator, full tanks and a plan for water and dumping.
- Big rigs that can stay near the front staging area, about a mile in.
- OHV riders who want trails from camp.
- Budget travelers who want free camping minutes from town and Walmart.
Consider this
- There are no hookups, water, trash service or toilets.
- The road gets washboarded farther in, and high clearance helps on the side spurs.
- Reviewers report trash, OHV dust and noise, long-term encampments and occasional safety worries.
- The wash floods in heavy rain; on Oct. 1, 2026, 12 News reported a family rescued from an RV stranded in Craggy Wash.
Why snowbirds come
Typical January afternoon
65°
Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu City station
32°
Chicago
O’Hare Airport
33 degrees warmer than Chicago. Normal January highs, 1991–2020.
There are no numbered sites; spots spread along the wash road. Where you park depends on your rig and how much quiet you want.
Staging area Free/night
About a mile in, wide and firm enough for large RVs, but closest to the highway.
Farther in Free/night
Spots get quieter and more spread out the farther you drive.
Side spurs Free/night
Narrow spurs suit vans and small rigs; walk them before you drive in.
Higher ground Free/night
Whatever you pick, camp above the wash bottom, especially July through September.
FeeFreeNo reservations
Stay limit14 daysThen move on
Quiet hours10 p.m.–6 a.m.No generators
Speed limit15 mphOn the wash road
FirewoodNo collectingBring your own
Pets6-ft leashNever unattended
Property24 hoursMax left unattended
City limits1 mileNo camping within
FireworksBannedYear-round
TrashPack outNo service
Checked against BLM sources on October 5, 2026, including the Craggy Wash rules published in the Federal Register in 2008. Call the BLM Lake Havasu Field Office at (928) 505-1200 to confirm current rules and closures.
Good to know before you pull in
Five things that change your booking
Ask these on the phone before you reserve.
- Is the road passable? Ask the hosts or the BLM after any rain, and scout dirt spurs on foot first.
- Do I need a host permit? Campers report the hosts issue 14-day permits at check-in.
- Where can my rig turn around? Bigger rigs should stay near the staging area.
- Are there fire restrictions? Collecting firewood is banned, and seasonal fire bans may apply.
- Where’s the nearest dump and water? Lake Havasu State Park, $15 for non-campers.
Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
A few details before you hit the road.
Season: Best Oct–March
Ready to boondock at Craggy Wash?
Fill your tanks in town, check the forecast, and find a level spot on higher ground. Say hello to the camp hosts when you arrive.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and videos. Please support them by giving their work a look. Video stills come from Dispersed Camper Man, Wanderland Travelers, Fate Unbound and Holiday For Two on YouTube. AZ-95 photo: Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0). Lake Havasu and Oatman photos via Wikimedia Commons: S. Winkvist (London Bridge; CC0), Dorian Wallender (Windsor Beach and the replica lighthouse; CC BY-SA 2.0) and Joshua Noble (Oatman burro; CC BY-SA 2.0); the images were resized. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors. Other-park photos: Havasu Falls RV Resort, Havasu RV Resort and Campbell Cove RV Resort. Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the parks we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with Craggy Wash BLM Camping unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the BLM’s published rules and publicly available sources. Pricing, availability, rules, policies, regulations, amenities and other details are set by the BLM and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel or book, please confirm all details directly with Craggy Wash BLM Camping at blm.gov or (928) 505-1200. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
We will always do our best to keep this page up to date. Thank you to everyone who contributes; we truly appreciate your help and support.