Tenting in Apache Junction

[Rolls Kanardly]

I am helping a hiker from Seattle who wants to hike the First Water Trail.
He needs a place to tent the night of 25th in Apache Junction so he can get his resupply at the Post Office when they open in the morning. Has anyone got any suggestions. Stealth camping is okay but not the best idea.

Rolls Kanardly

[chumley]

First Water TH is located on the Tonto National Forest, and dispersed camping is permitted anywhere except within 1-mile of a developed campground, or 1/4 mile of a cattle tank or other structures. So he can camp anywhere on the NF in this area, however it's 5 miles from the First Water road to the Post office along Highway 88, perhaps a 10-mile round-trip that he doesn't want to make?

About 1/2 mile east of the post-office along Highway 88 on the north side, the land is Arizona State Trust Land. Recreational use is permitted with a paid permit ($15 for an individual for a year) obtainable through the Arizona State Land Department.

1 mile north of the post office (North of Lost Dutchman Blvd) there is a block of BLM land. BLM land is open to dispersed camping except where otherwise posted and there is no fee.

The catch is that both BLM and STL in this area fall within the boundary of the City of Apache Junction. I can't find any specific information, but it is possible that AJ has an ordinance that prohibits camping within city even on these state and federally administered lands. Possibly check with the AJPD?

Google Street view is showing some fences and No Trespassing signs at some access points, but it's tough to read clearly. There's a visible STL sign that says No Trespassing, but those actually say "without a permit" under them. I see at least one horse gate on the BLM land so they obviously facilitate non-motorized recreation.

Perhaps somebody in AJ can check what the signs specifically say. I would defer to anything posted on site.

[SuperstitionGuy]

Does he have transportation and if so what? Bike, car, etc...

Or does he need transportation as well?

I live in AJ and can assist if needed. Tell us more please....

[nonot]

Not sure how to interpret the OP, but there is a paid campground - Lost Dutchman State Park, within walking distance of the first water TH. There is nowhere to really dispersed camp along first water rd since they closed the massacre ground road and the crosscut TH is marked no camping. I have seen people setup a tent in the horse lot but I'm not sure that's actually legal.

[SuperstitionGuy]

Rolls K. said "Stealth camping is okay but not the best idea".

No kidding!

http://www.infowars.com/uncensored-vide ... r-camping/

[rwstorm]

@SuperstitionGuy
http://www.koat.com/news/crowd-spills-t ... d/25165760