AtoZ Places
This directory is a history of places we have personally traveled for camping and exploring throughout Arizona, Utah and New Mexico and beyond. Places from the Forests to Deserts with Lakes, Rivers, Hot Springs, Caves and Peaks. Historical and Abandoned places, Ghost Towns and Ancient Runes. Recreation Areas and National & State Parks. Enjoy!
Apache-Sitgreaves NF - Bear Canyon Lake
Arizona
Coconino County
Bear Canyon Lake, AZ 85541
34°24'13.1"N 111°00'35.0"W
Bear Canyon Lake is one place we go most often. There are plenty of places to setup camp and lots to explore. We have never had a issue finding a spot to camp, at times can barely hear anyone around. We pass all the nearest sites near the lake and go past the powerlines where there are plenty of sites spread out. From there it is a bit of a hike to the lake, or short drive. Depending upon the season you can hear elk and coyotes in the area.
Alamo Lake Wildlife Area
Arizona
La Paz County
69430 Wickenburg Road, Wenden, AZ 85357
34°15'51.6"N 113°33'26.6"W
We spend several nights here on the edge of the lake. Enjoyed listening to the water and the birds while siting by the fire. Really great spot for camping. Nice and secluded beaches and peninsulas with beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains. A lot of fishermen in boats trolling, lake is well known for bass fishing. Looking forward to return with our kayaks. While in the area we visited the Alamo Dam and made a stop for ice-cream at the ranger store at the Alamo State Park. On our drive there we saw wild burros.
Anasazi Valley Petroglyphs
Utah
Washington County
3399 South Anasazi Road, Ivins, UT 84738
37°09'45.6"N 113°42'22.2"W
Explore the fascinating Temi' Po' Op' site, pronounced "tumpee poo oop," located near the Santa Clara River. This family-friendly hike offers breathtaking views and hundreds of petroglyphs. Uncover the remnants of an Anasazi Farmstead and learn about the rich history of this area. Choose between the longer, winding trail or the shorter, well-developed shortcut to access the remarkable rock art that showcases the artistic legacy of various native cultures.
Apache Lake - Burnt Corral Campground
Arizona
3547 AZ-88, Roosevelt, AZ 85545
33°37'32.4"N 111°12'11.6"W
Burnt Corral Campground includes 76 camp units, vault toilets, potable water hydrants, 6 day-use picnic units, paved boat launch, boat boarding dock; Each campsite includes a parking spur, fire ring with grill, a shade ramada, and a picnic table. This campground provides access to visitors who are mobility impaired.
Apache-Sitgreaves NF: West Fork
Arizona
Apache County
QHHV+MH Three Forks, Arizona
33°47'21.3"N 109°24'36.2"W
Located adjacent to the west fork of the Black River in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. At an elevation of 7,740 feet. Open between May and October. There are no formal, designated campsites. There are about a dozen visible sites with not much privacy as there is no undergrowth below the tall pines. However, all the sites offered dappled shade. There is one pit toilet (two stalls) in service, but no water or facilities of any kind.
Aztec Ruins National Monument
New Mexico
San Juan County
725 Ruins Rd, Aztec, NM 87410
36°50'04.5"N 108°00'00.8"W
Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico is home to a complex of ancient ruins built by the ancestral Puebloans over 900 years ago. As I walked through the park, I was struck by the impressive masonry of the structures and the rich history and culture they represent.
Baker Hot Springs
Utah
Juab County
Baker Hot Springs Rd, Delta, Utah
39°36'46.1"N 112°43'45.2"W
We first visited Baker hot springs in 1995 and went on and off through out the years while I lived in SLC. We last visited while traveling through Utah in 2017, we camped near the springs at that time there was one other camper. This gentlemen served us pancakes in the morning and told us he had spotted a white llama that came down from the hill to drink from the water. During our visit the water was flowing well and appeared the tubs have been well maintained, due to lack of algae. We found an additional pool in the area that could be dipped in as well as the tubs. There was once some abandoned buildings in the area, they since I believe have been destroyed. I look forward to visiting Baker hot springs again.
Bradshaw City Ghost Town
Arizona
Yavapai County
Bradshaw City, AZ 86343
34°11'48.1"N 112°21'19.0"W
We camped in Bradshaw City of April 2021. We explored through the small canyons and down some side roads. We found many rock piles that are the remains of structures. Also found a wood arch way, that appeared to be part of mining operations. We enjoy the forest and sites and look forward to returning for some more exploration.
C. C. Cragin (Blue Ridge) Reservoir
Arizona
Coconino County
HR33+PG Happy Jack, Arizona
34°33′16.3″N 111°11′50.7″W
Camping near C.C. Cragin Reservoir offers a unique escape into nature, where you can enjoy peaceful solitude surrounded by rugged canyon walls, serene waters ideal for kayaking, and the thrill of fishing for rainbow trout, all while being immersed in the diverse wildlife and scenic beauty of the area.
Casa Grande Domes
Arizona
Pinal County
7467 S Thornton Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85193, USA
32°48'45.9"N 111°46'26.2"W
The Domes of Casa Grande was four massive structures located in Casa Grande, Arizona, that were built to facilitate the manufacturing of computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. However, the project was never completed, leaving behind only a few foundations that were started and left to molder. One of the buildings is shaped like a flying saucer, and the other three resemble spheres joined together. Despite their abandoned state, the Domes remain a popular destination for urban explorers and photographers, drawing visitors to their otherworldly appearance.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
New Mexico
San Juan County
1808 Road 7950, Nageezi, NM 87037
36°01'47.0"N 107°54'36.6"W
This Chaco Canyon Valley, high-desert landscape has long winters, short growing seasons, and marginal rainfall. Yet, it became the center of a thriving culture a thousand years ago. It was an unlikely place for a major center of ancestral Puebloan culture to take root and flourish. The grand scale of its architecture is monumental, making it a center hub for far-reaching commerce with complex community life and high levels of social organization, creating a cultural vision unlike any other seen before or since. That began in the mid 800s and lasted more than 300 years. Their descendants are the modern Southwest Indians. Many Southwest Indian people look upon Chaco as an important stop along their clans' sacred migration paths-a spiritual place to be honored and respected.