Best Tent Camping: Arizona. Kirstin Olmon Phillips
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the recreational opportunities are also described—what’s in the area and perhaps suggestions for touristy activities. This descriptive text is enhanced with three helpful elements: Ratings, Key Information, and Getting There (accurate driving directions that lead you to the campground from the nearest major roadway, along with GPS coordinates).
THE CAMPGROUND LOCATOR MAP AND MAP LEGEND
Use the Arizona Campground Locator Map, opposite the Table of Contents, to assess the exact location of each campground. The campground’s number appears not only on the overview map but also in the table of contents and on the profile’s first page.
A map legend that details the symbols found on the campground-layout maps appears immediately following the Table of Contents.
CAMPGROUND-LAYOUT MAPS
Each profile includes a detailed map of individual campsites, roads, facilities, and other key elements.
GPS CAMPGROUND-ENTRANCE COORDINATES
Readers can easily access all campgrounds in this book by using the directions given and the overview map, which shows at least one major road leading into the area. But for those who enjoy using GPS technology to navigate, the book includes coordinates for each campground’s entrance in latitude and longitude, expressed in degrees and decimal minutes.
To convert GPS coordinates from degrees, minutes, and seconds to degrees and decimal minutes, divide the seconds by 60 (or visit a website such as directionsmag.com/site/latlong-converter). For more information about GPS technology, visit usgs.gov.
A note of caution: A dedicated GPS unit will easily guide you to any of these campgrounds, but users of smartphone mapping apps may find that cell service is often unavailable in the remote areas where many of these hideaways are located.
WEATHER
Many people fear desert creatures such as rattlesnakes and scorpions but will practically flirt with Arizona’s biggest danger—the sun. Make no mistake: it gets hot here, and don’t let anyone tell you that just because it’s a dry heat that it’s not so bad.
Dehydration and heat exhaustion commonly afflict the unprepared, the unwary, or the merely overconfident. Carry 3 liters of water per person, per day, and consider investing in a collapsible water container (Camelbak and Platypus make good ones)—making the water you carry more accessible increases the likelihood that you’ll actually drink enough of it.
Pro tip: Fill empty 2-liter soda bottles or plastic juice bottles with water, freeze them, and use them in your cooler instead of ice cubes. When the ice melts, you have a backup supply of drinking water, or you can use it to put out your campfire.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses, along with lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants if you expect to be in the sun all day. Covering up in the heat may seem counterintuitive, but you’ll stay cooler if you protect your skin from the sun.
You shouldn’t plan just for the heat, however; you should prepare for cool nights as well—once the sun sets out in the desert, it can get chilly fast. Bring layers and expect the unexpected from Arizona’s weather. We’ve included campgrounds in locations ranging everywhere from 1,700 to 9,000 feet in elevation. You’ll experience major changes in temperature, weather, and plant life as you change elevations. Knowing the campground’s elevation, listed in each profile’s Key Information box, will give you an idea of what conditions to prepare for.
The summer monsoon season lasts from mid-July through early September. Expect heavy afternoon rains nearly every day, and be aware that the rain can sometimes turn to hail at higher elevations. Bring a tarp to cover your gear, and carry a poncho or rain jacket. These pouring rains often fall on soil that’s too dry or stony to absorb them, making monsoon season prime flash-flood time. Always place your tent with an eye to drainage and never take chances when trying to cross a flooded wash, no matter how big your vehicle is.
The rainy season is also part of the fire season, as lightning strikes spark many forest fires. Many other fires, sadly, are caused by carelessness. Always douse your campfires completely; we carry a 6-gallon jug of water in our truck specifically for that purpose. Keep your campfire under control and below knee level, or better yet, use a gas stove, which does less damage to the ground and roots beneath. Seasonal fire restrictions are no joke, and the penalties for disregarding them are serious.
FIRST AID KIT
A useful first aid kit may contain more items than you might think necessary. These are just the basics. Prepackaged kits in waterproof bags (Atwater Carey and Adventure Medical make them) are available. As a preventive measure, take along sunscreen and insect repellent. Even though quite a few items are listed here, they pack down into a small space:
• Ace bandages or Spenco joint wraps
• Adhesive bandages
• Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin or the generic equivalent)
• Antiseptic or disinfectant, such as Betadine or hydrogen peroxide
• Aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Advil)
• Butterfly-closure bandages
• Comb and tweezers (for removing ticks from your skin)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, in case of allergic reactions)
• Epinephrine (EpiPen) in a prefilled syringe (for severe allergic reactions to outdoor mishaps such as bee stings)
• Gauze (one roll and six 4-by-4-inch compress pads)
• LED flashlight or headlamp
• Matches or lighter
• Moist towelettes
• Moleskin/Spenco 2nd Skin
• Pocketknife or multipurpose tool
• Waterproof first aid tape
• Whistle (for signaling rescuers if you get lost or hurt)
FLORA AND FAUNA PRECAUTIONS
WILD CREATURES
You may be concerned about encountering wildlife such as rattlesnakes, scorpions, black bears, wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions. Be aware, however, that your chances of even glimpsing most of these critters are actually pretty slim—they’ll usually go out of their way to avoid you.
You will possibly encounter rattlesnakes in any area in this book. Rattlesnakes like to bask in the sun and won’t bite unless threatened. However, the snakes you most likely will see while hiking will be nonvenomous species and subspecies. The best rule is to leave all snakes alone, give them a wide berth as you hike past, and make sure any hiking companions (including dogs) do the same. When hiking, stick to well-used trails, and wear over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long pants. Do not step or put your hands beyond your range of detailed visibility, and avoid wandering around in the dark. Step onto logs and rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks. Always avoid walking through dense brush or willow thickets.
Photo: Charles Liu
Follow these few simple rules to reduce the chance of an up-close-and-personal wild-animal experience:
• CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF IN CAMP. Store food and toiletries in your vehicle or a bearproof container, or hang them from a tree—don’t keep them in your tent.
• DON’T LEAVE