Cactus Camping

“The Apache Trail combines the grandeur of the Alps, the glory of the Rockies, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon and then adds an indefinable something that none of the others have. To me, it is the most awe-inspiring and most sublimely beautiful panorama nature has ever created.” - President Theodore Roosevelt

At Lost Dutchman State Park, not only are you at the doorstep of the Superstition Mountains, but you are also at the beginning of the only drive in Arizona designated as both a Historic Road and a National Scenic Byway. This route along the Salt River was used by Native Americans for centuries before it was widened to bring supplies during the construction of the Roosevelt Dam. It winds its way in Sonoran Desert splendor along the side of green lichen-covered sheer cliffs, among towering saguaros, and overlooks deep blue canyon reservoirs.

Along the Apache Trail stop at Canyon Lake and rent a boat at the marina, take a guided lake tour on the Dolly Steamboat, or have a meal overlooking the water at the Lakeside Restaurant and Cantina. If you’ve brought your gear, it’s an easy 3-mile paddle to The Point, three spacious campsites accessible only by boat.

Continue your journey to Tortilla Flat, population 6, where the gift shop serves deliciously pink prickly pear ice cream. Heartier appetites can be satisfied by a burger at the Tortilla Flat Restaurant, where the wallpaper is made up of dollar bills. A side trip takes you to Horse Mesa Dam overlooking Apache Lake. Farther up the Trail, spend the night at Burnt Corral recreation site with your tent at the water’s edge.

The lobby of the Apache Lake Marina and Resort boasts a photo tour of the construction of the historic Roosevelt Dam, and at the top of the Trail you can see the sight for yourself. There are plenty of camping opportunities at Roosevelt Lake; our pick is Cholla Campground, which offers tent-only sites overlooking the largest lake on the Salt River. Nearby, the Tonto National Monument offers you the opportunity to tour 700-year old cliff dwellings left by the Salado people.

More details about these campgrounds and other attractions along the Apache Trail can be found in The Best in Tent Camping: Arizona.

As we were walking the dog on a blustery evening, an Ace Hardware plastic bag caught the wind and tumbled down the road ahead of us. I was reminded of the days when only tumbleweeds rolled down the road, not plastic bags.

Tumbleweed, Salsola iberica, is iconic of the wild west. According to Plants of Arizona by Epple, the tumbleweed has only been in the U.S. for 140 years and was accidentally introduced to South Dakota in a flax seed shipment from Russia. This invasive plant distributes its seeds when the dry branches break off and roll away on the wind. It’s surprising to discover that this plant that we associate with barren, abandoned landscapes is rather beautiful with red stems and tiny, delicate white flowers. Tumbleweed can be found all over Arizona.

The collared peccary, better known as the javelina, is one of the larger critters that you might find wandering through your campsite. Don’t yell “wild pig!”, though, since you may give offense. Javelina are a breed apart, in their own family of Tayasuidae, and not the Suidae family of Old World animals to which all other feral and farm pigs in the Americas belong. They are found in the U.S. only in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

Peccaries do share the ecological niche and some of the destructive habits of wild pigs, and can become a bit of a nuisance in some parts of Arizona. We’ve even seen a whole herd of them bedded down in someone’s front yard. Javelina are peaceful creatures and simply prefer to be left alone, but they will attack if harassed, and can be dangerous in a large group with youngsters to protect. Remember that their fierce Spanish name refers to the spear-like sharpness of their tusks!

They walk very delicately on their tiny hooves, so you may smell their rich, musky odor before hearing them. They rest through the hottest part of the day and forage at morning and evening. You can find collared peccaries wherever prickly pear proliferate.

The superstitious believe that Jacob “The Dutchman” Waltz (who was actually German) found gold in them there hills. Ever since his death folks have been trekking into the wilderness hoping to strike it rich.

It’s gorgeous outside. The sun is shining, but not punishing, in the incredibly blue sky with the temperature at a comfortable 65 degrees. Now is the time to go exploring the 160,000-acre Superstition Mountain Wilderness. Located just east of Phoenix at the gateway of the Superstitions, Lost Dutchman State Park is the perfect winter getaway.

More information can be found on the Lost Dutchman State Park website and of course in our book, The Best in Tent Camping: Arizona.

Hello from Kelly and Kirstin! We’re the authors of Best in Tent Camping: Arizona from Menasha Ridge Press and this is our blog!

Watch for postings about our favorite campsites in Arizona along with other fun activities, photos, and tidbits about Arizona.