Free RV camping near Lake Havasu City

With plenty of beautiful water for recreation and a warm winter climate, it's no wonder that Arizona's Lake Havasu City is so popular with the RV set. There are state parks and RV resorts a'plenty in the area--of course, all come with a price. If you're looking for a free place to park the rig, don't miss out on the Craggy Wash campground, just north the the city airport, courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management.

Craggy Wash is probably best described as that: Craggy. It's a rough and tumble environment, just perfect for a bit of four-wheeling, and plenty of area to boondock with your RV. If you're not familiar with the boondocking concept, it calls for self-containment. There are no hookups at Craggy Wash, no places to dump your garbage or your holding tanks. It's strictly a "come prepared," and "pack it in, pack it out" ethic at rule.

Some old timers lament that the BLM has changed the camping layout. Rather than finding a place to stay up close to Highway 95, you'll now have to drive back from the highway just about a mile before you shake off the "No Camping" signs that the agency recently posted. The first camp area is in a large flat, surrounded by rocky pinnacles, and inhabited by dozens of RVs of every shape and description. If having too much company, too close gives you claustrophobia, fear not. Just keep driving past the flat, and within a quarter to a half mile, the traffic drops off dramatically and you'll find plenty of little out-of-the-way places you can put in and find peace and quiet.