Dripping Springs, Arizona

Visited on: Thursday, January 2, 2025
Cost: Free

I must admit to being really happy to show back up on BLM land. My trek eastward into New England cost more than I had anticipated, primarily because of the expense of campsites. There are so few free campsites once you head east of the Mississippi that you’re bound to spend money or end up in some not-so-great places.

Here, I’ve got spectacular views of the desert and a great deal of space between campsites, and I am able to stay for two weeks according to BLM regulations.

A desert landscape at sunset with a range of mountains in the background under a clear sky. The foreground features sparse vegetation, including cacti and shrubs, with an off-road vehicle partially visible. The sky transitions from soft orange to blue, creating a serene atmosphere.

I woke up early on January 3, excited to be back in the Sonoran desert and happy to have found a cool camp spot. Mother Nature greeted me with a spectacular sunrise as I made my coffee and reveled in the fact that I was back on the road.

Sunset over a desert landscape with cacti in the foreground. The sky is painted with vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple, casting a warm glow. Silhouettes of distant mountains and scattered desert vegetation create a serene, tranquil scene.
Silhouetted cacti stand against a vibrant sunset sky with shades of orange and yellow, transitioning to deep blue at the top. The spiky outlines of the cacti are highlighted by the low light, while dry grass fills the foreground. Hills are faintly visible in the distance.
A stunning desert landscape at sunset with a vibrant sky in orange, pink, and purple hues. Silhouettes of cacti and sparse trees are in the foreground, and distant mountains are visible under the colorful sky. Shadows accentuate the arid terrain's natural beauty.
Sunset over a desert landscape with silhouetted cacti in the foreground. The sky features a gradient of colors, from deep blue at the top to vibrant orange and yellow near the horizon. Distant mountains are barely visible against the colorful backdrop.

The next day, a flash of red caught my eye, and I realized it was a bird. I had forgotten that cardinals often are found in the desert.

A bright red cardinal stands on a dry, brown dirt ground, surrounded by scattered twigs and dry grass. The background is filled with shadows and straw-like textures, indicating a natural, arid environment. The cardinal faces left, its vibrant color contrasting with the earthy tones.

The following evening, I was treated to a spectacular sunset and wandered around, snapping pictures, trying to catch the feel of the desert with cactuses and all the colors in the sky.

A desert landscape at sunset with a vibrant sky of orange, pink, and blue hues. The foreground features cactus plants with spiky branches, while the background has sparse trees and distant hills. The ground is dry and rocky, capturing the essence of an arid environment.
Close-up of a cactus with sharp spines in the foreground, set against a vivid sunset sky painted in hues of pink, orange, and purple. Silhouettes of other cacti and desert vegetation are visible in the background, creating a dramatic contrast with the serene sky.
A desert landscape at sunset with a glowing sky. The horizon features dark silhouettes of mountains against vivid orange, pink, and purple hues. Desert vegetation, including cacti and shrubs, is visible in the foreground, casting shadows on the rocky terrain.
Close-up of a cactus with sharp spines silhouetted against a vibrant sunset in a desert landscape. The sky displays a gradient of warm colors, including orange, pink, and purple, with distant dark mountains enhancing the dramatic scene.
A desert landscape at sunset, showcasing a vibrant sky with orange, pink, and blue hues behind silhouetted mountains. In the foreground, detailed close-up of cacti with long, sharp spines. The scene conveys a tranquil and colorful transition from day to night.
A vibrant desert sunset with silhouetted cacti in the foreground. The sky is painted with hues of orange, pink, and purple. Dark mountains are visible on the horizon, and spiky cactus branches frame the scene, creating a dramatic and serene landscape.
A vibrant sunset over a mountainous desert landscape, with a dramatic sky painted in hues of orange, pink, and purple. Silhouetted against the colorful backdrop are hills and sparse desert vegetation, creating a serene and picturesque scene.
Journal Entry filed under:
Bureau of Land Management, Camping, Public Lands
Arizona
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