Sonoran Desert National Monument
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed at Sonoran Desert National Monument. Sonoran Desert National Monument is a BLM unit in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Sonoran Desert National Monument on the managing agency's own page.
Sonoran Desert National Monument map
Sonoran Desert National Monument boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Yes, dispersed camping is allowed at Sonoran Desert National Monument. Stays are limited to 14 days in any 28-day period.
- Yes, dogs are allowed at Sonoran Desert National Monument.
- Sonoran Desert National Monument is managed by the BLM's Lower Sonoran Field Office.
- Sonoran Desert National Monument's listed activities include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, Cultural Site Visits, Photography, Hunting.
Scenic drives
- State Route 238 paved
Camping at Sonoran Desert National Monument
Dispersed camping allowed Stays are limited to 14 days in any 28-day period.
Named camping areas: Margies Cove West Campground, Table Top Trailhead Campground, Estrella Wayside Recreation Area.
Getting there
- 15 miles from Gila Bend , 60 miles from Phoenix
- Main access road: high clearance
- High-clearance vehicle recommended
- Four-wheel drive may be required
- Limited cell service
Trails
- Margies Cove Trail Near-level route through North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness.
- Brittlebush Trail Near-level route through North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness.
- Lava Flow Trail Relatively level trail linking three trailheads in Table Top Wilderness.
- Table Top Trail Climbs from Vekol Valley floor to Table Top Mountain summit.
Public lands next to Sonoran Desert National Monument
- Wilderness areaNorth Maricopa Mountains Wilderness lies inside Sonoran Desert National Monument.
- Wilderness areaSouth Maricopa Mountains Wilderness lies inside Sonoran Desert National Monument.
- Wilderness areaTable Top Wilderness lies inside Sonoran Desert National Monument.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.blm.gov/visit/sonoran-desert (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.blm.gov/visit/margies-cove-west-trailhead (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.blm.gov/visit/brittlebush-trailhead (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.blm.gov/visit/lava-flow-trail (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.blm.gov/visit/table-top-trail (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.blm.gov/visit/margies-cove-west-campground (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.blm.gov/national-conservation-lands/arizona/sonoran-desert (accessed 2026-09-29)