Lower Sonoran Field Office

Show on map 602-867-5400 blm_az_pdoweb@blm.gov

21605 North 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027-2929

The BLM Lower Sonoran Field Office manages 1.4 million acres of public land in south-central Arizona, including the half million acre Sonoran Desert National Monument, located 60 miles southwest of Phoenix. The Monument contains biologically diverse national communities, including large Saguaro cactus forests and contains many significant archaeological and historic sites. In an effort to rehabilitate damage from off-highway vehicles, access to about 20 percent of the monument has been temporarily closed to motorized use. Public lands within this field office are near developed and expanding communities and are heavily used. The lands are managed for multiple use and provide diverse recreational opportunities, mining, wildlife habitat, grazing, and wilderness, all overlaying a rich cultural past. The field office oversees six wilderness areas, four Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail and one property listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Directions

The Lower Sonoran Field Office is located in the northern Phoenix at the corner of Bell Road and 20th Street. From Interstate 17, take the exit for Bell Road. Head east on Bell Road until you reach 20th Street. The office is on the northeast corner of 20th Street and Bell Road.

Stay Limit

14 days for dispersed camping on public lands

Reviews

Lower Sonoran Field Office campground provides a peaceful and remote desert camping experience with spacious, well-spaced campsites that offer scenic views and proximity to fascinating petroglyphs. Facilities are basic with clean vault and pit toilets, no water or electrical hookups, and a dry camping setup. The area is favored for its quiet atmosphere, dark skies ideal for stargazing, and educational signage near petroglyphs. Reservations through Recreation.gov are mandatory, though some encounter inconvenience and enforcement issues. Visitors should expect minimal amenities and occasional nearby noise from traffic or farm activity.

Large, well-spaced campsites

Beautiful desert views and scenic landscape

Interesting and accessible petroglyphs with educational signage

Quiet and peaceful atmosphere with dark skies for stargazing

Clean and well-maintained vault and pit toilets

Mandatory online reservations via Recreation.gov can be inconvenient

Limited amenities: dry camping only, no water, electricity, or dump stations

Reservation enforcement and signage issues reported

Only a couple of bathrooms located at campground ends

Some noise from nearby highway traffic, farm equipment, and aircraft

192 reviews

5 stars

123

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

Troy D

Campground:Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground

Loop:Patayan Loop

Site:

Reviewed 13 days ago

**Painted Rock Campground – Peaceful, Primitive Desert Camping** Painted Rock is an interesting place to visit, especially for the impressive collection of ancient petroglyphs covering the large rock mound. The campground itself is primitive but clean and well maintained. We’ve stayed here a few times and haven’t experienced much of a crowd. It’s about 12 miles off the highway, surrounded by miles of remote, desolate desert. Don’t expect amenities or beautiful scenery, but if you’re looking for peace and quiet, it’s a great place to stop. At just $8 per night, it’s well worth the price for a quiet night’s sleep away from highway noise and traffic. The petroglyphs are an added bonus and definitely worth exploring.

Bobby W

Campground:Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground

Loop:Hohokam Loop

Site:

Reviewed 15 days ago

Nice secluded campground with spacious sites. I appreciate the ease of reserving and paying for your chosen campsite by QR code at the campsite. The petroglyphs are worth the trip.

Bill R

Campground:Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground

Loop:Patayan Loop

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

We have a 40' motor home and pull a 26' trailer with a car on it.. We had plenty of room for that length in a pull through. We would return to this campground again.

Kim W

Campground:Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground

Loop:Hohokam Loop

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

Views were amazing! History was so interesting and facilities were great! Highly recommend!!!!

Judy P

Campground:Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground

Loop:Patayan Loop

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

Large sites. Beautiful views. easy access. Wonderfull hosts!

Mark C

Campground:Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground

Loop:Patayan Loop

Site:

Reviewed 6 months ago

I loved the peace and quite, but the toilet area was not up to standards, my opinion for what it is…people in general need to take care of these facilities…I enjoyed my stay, and wouldn’t mind being a host at this location at some point in the future.

Keep your options open

Watch for a matching campsite across monitored campgrounds in Lower Sonoran Field Office.