Camping in Solitude (Phoenix, Flagstaff, Payson: move, land , recommendation)

[JoshFromMichigan]

I'm looking for interesting places to camp without the whole campground experience. I moved to the valley almost a year ago and want to start seeing more of the Arizona that isn’t in the tourist guidebooks.

I’m looking for recommendations on places to camp near hiking and fishing locations that are fairly secluded. (Town / City can be close by but not a bunch of other campers).
Also does anyone have any information to share regarding camping on state parks/lands.
Do I need to purchase a license?
Do I need to camp within any sort of designated areas?
How do I know which areas permit or prohibit off road vehicles?

[Ponderosa]

Well there are literally millions upon millions of acres of public land at your doorstep.

National forests: dispersed camping OK everywhere unless otherwise posted. Tonto is the worst for crowds as it is near PHX (NE). Kaibab the best (N rim of grand canyon). ORVs on existing roads. Lots of nice place to explore north of Phoenix on the rim. The "Payson" / Tonto Creek side is crowded, the western rim S and E of Flagstaff is pretty much deserted. There's campgrounds here and there but I have never stayed in one. There are forest roads all over the National Forests. You will see fences and gates but they are not locked - just there for cattle. Close em when you go through. Just pull off somewhere and set up camp. Further east is White Mountains. Hardly anyone around except near the lakes. Many lakes on the rim and in the Whites with trout. Apache Rez has lots of great spots but campgrounds only and fees for everything.

BLM: Acres and acres in the west valley. National monuments in every direction open to camping, exploring, off-roading on existing roads.

State land: More millions of acres. You need to have a permit to go on state lands - get it downtown at the State Land Dept. Like $20 per family.

Get some books, google etc. It's an outdoors paradise here.

[Gretchen B]

I personally love the area around Greer and Springerville/Eager. Lots of fishing (lake - Big Lake or fly-fishing - Little Colorado & Black River) and tons of places to hike, plus large designated wilderness areas. Try the "South Fork" campground. We drove through there over a July 4th weekend to hike next to the South Fork of the Black River. I think there were 2 campers in the whole campground! Just be careful to watch out for an occasional black bear, though.

[Grimey]

There are a couple of good, active websites devoted to hiking in AZ. There is basically year-round hiking/camping opportunities, from winter Desert camping to Summer alpine camping, everything in between w/plenty of places to get off the beaten path.

Each area (Nat'l Park, State Park, BLM, designated wilderness, etc) has it's own rules regarding permits, vehicle use, etc. Check the appropriate websites. For unrestricted (i.e. no permits required), uncrowded camping, most designated wilderness areas are the best bet, like the Superstition Wilderness, less than an hour from PHX, you can be as alone as you want.