Shea Rd Area BLM

Nope. Never again. Regret the moment I turned onto Shea Road. I went out in a 30 foot Class A. Not only is the first quarter mile an absolute wreck, but then if you make it to the RR crossing, if you're not already creeping at less than 5mph, you'll need to practically stop and ease your rig ever so slowly over it and even then it will do a side to side roll that nearly launches you out of your drivers seat. After that, it appears to improve, but doesn't, really. Instead, the course blacktop is so full of deep cracks that even the most careful stowing of RV contents will not prevent them from dancing around inside cabinets, cupboards or what have you. It's a real test to see if you're water and waste fittings can withstand being shaken into disrepair. Then the same approach over the castle guard is required as it was for the RR crossing. The entire 5 miles or so to the BLM land is riddled with the biggest pot holes I've ever seen...some of them car-sized, and require big loopy steering all over the road to avoid. When I arrived at the BLM area, I found many campers already there. In mid-April. There are sites on the left which are nice and flat and could easily accommodate large rigs...problem was, they were filled with groups, each 2 or 3 5th wheels in each, and they had strategically set their camps in the middle of the throughway paths that others after them could've used to access good spots beyond them. Each group had multiple rigs with multiple ATV'S and motocross bikes being torn across the area and up and down the hills by multiple teenagers. They had effectively closed off access to very good, level sites with their caravans. On the other side, what you find is access roads off Shea that are steep gullys that are pretty much impossible to use in a big rig without bottoming out. Once inside that craggy area, you'll find uneven terrain, what RVs that did make it in crammed close together out of necessity and huge rocks strewn by previous campers randomly here and there, making it difficult to even get out again once you decide you made a horrible mistake coming to this dispersed camping area. I was followed out by 3 other RVs that apparently also decided this place was a mistake. We formed a caravan back over the 5 miles to the highway, all going no more that 5-10 mph as we made big loopy manuevers to avoid losing tires to the potholes. Nice scenery there on one side,the other, with tons of perfect level spots, taken over and blocked off by affluent rednecks with too many kids tearing loudly up and down the hills on the ATV trails there. Last review was 6 years ago and i believe the road has since been used as a military proving ground for landmines.

Great boondocking, stayed 1 week just before Christmas. Some other campers but very far away. Very few side by sides, and few cars on Shea rd. So peaceful and quiet, ATT had 2 to 1 bars in my camp spot. The first 500 ft or so of Shea rd has tons of potholes, go slow. I would go back.

It's a beautiful area, but I just don't understand what part of pack in pack out people don't understand. It was a trash pit, old toys broken chairs, cans in the fire pits. Unfortunately this is the second place we tried on one day that had been destroyed by inconsiderate campers. The other one in Gila Bend is permanently closed for the same reason. Pretty soon thanks to people who don't know proper etiquette there will be no more dispersed camping.

This is a good Boondocking spot. I'm really surprised more campers do not use. What's already been said about the first part of the road at the entrance being rough and having to check for cell service is true. It is also a pack in and pack out area and there are no facilities. Reasons I give it four stars instead of five. But there are plenty of sites to camp no matter what size of rig. Also very close to facilities in Parker to get LP, use the laundromat and grocery shopping. Very quiet at night and even though it is a big off road area the noise during the day is not bad.

Great options for dry camping. Don't let the first 1/2 mile of the road deter you. As another said, drive past the cattle guard and you will see open spots to camp. Keep going for more options as well (we did not camp past the first spot, so I can't speak to that) the cell reception for att and Verizon here was great. Only one other RV with us for the week here. A few pre dug rock ring spots to make fires in the sand/gravel. Great views, lots of atv trials.

We came out here after not being able to find a BLM on the river. After you pass the cattle guard go a few more miles and you will start seeing a lot of RVs dry camping. Came here during the Parker 425 and it was a zoo. As for that it real nice and quiet and tons and tons of spots to choose from. There is a 14 day limit but it is not enforced. You are about 11 miles from any fuel or supplies so come prepared. I will come back.

UPDATE: Verizon and AT&T worked out here. Just look for the towers on the "P" mountain and you will get the signal.