Campground Overview:
The Bulldog Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Area is located on the Tonto National Forest south of the Lower Salt River Recreation Area and includes numerous roads through the Goldfield Mountains and parts of the Sonoran Desert.
Camping is allowed in Bulldog Canyon OHV Area except for the portion which is within the Lower Salt River Recreation Area. There are no designated campsites and visitors must pack in, pack out all gear. Vehicles will need to remain in the pullout areas adjacent to the designated routes while you are camping.
A FREE permit is required to access the area. One can be obtained from the Mesa Ranger District office at 5140 E. Ingram St, Mesa, AZ 85205. Permits can also be requested online or by email.
Directions and Access Points:
Access #1– Forest Road (FR) 10, north entrance: This access point is reached through the Lower Salt River Recreation Area. From Mesa: Travel east for 7 miles on the Superstition Freeway (US 60) to Power Road/ BushHwy/Forest Road (FR) 204 and turn north. Follow Bush Hwy. for approximately 13 miles to the FR 10 junction with FR 204 west of the bridge at Blue Point Recreation Site.
Access #2– Forest Road (FR) 3554, west entrance: This entrance is ¾ mile north of Usery Pass Country Park. From Mesa, travel east 10 miles on the Superstition Freeway (US 60) to the Ellsworth exit. Follow Ellsworth approximately 8 miles to Forest Road (FR) 3554 and turn right.
Access #3– Forest Road (FR) 10, south entrance: This access point is reached from Apache Junction. From Mesa: Travel 15 miles east on the Superstition Freeway (US 60) to the Idaho Street exit. Follow Idaho Street north 4½ miles to McKellips. Turn right on McKellips and travel ½ mile to the Wolverine Pass Road and turn left. Follow it for 7/8 mile and turn right on Tonto Road. Travel north on Tonto Road for ¼ mile to Cactus and turn left. Follow Cactus to McDowell Road and follow it to FR 10 gate.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Dispersed |
Season: |
Year-Round |
Nearby City: |
Phoenix Valley |
Fishing: |
Salt River |
Campground Website: |
Bulldog Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Area |
Campground Map: |
Click Here |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis |
Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
The Lower Salt River Recreation Area is a popular area near Mesa, AZ and provides numerous recreational opportunities. Located in the Tonto National Forest, thousands of people visit the Salt River every summer to enjoy a day of tubing and relaxing. Salt River Tubing has been a summer staple in the Valley of the Sun for over 40 years. Grab a cooler and radio, and spend your day floating down the river. just make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Other recreational activities include relaxing by the river at one of the many recreational sites, where you can spend your days swimming, fishing, canoeing or kayaking, hiking, or enjoying a beer in the hot summer weather along the Salt River. (Map of Lower Salt River)
Saguaro Lake, located up the road, is set in the Sonoran Desert and is rimmed with canyon walls. As the name implies, the shores of the lake are studded with majestic Saguaro cactus. Try the upper reaches of the lake (east-end) for more seclusion. Boat access camping at the east end of the lake. Over 2200 fish-habitat structures were installed to enhance fishing on the lake. According to Bass Master Magazine, the best time for trophy bass is October to December and February to mid April. There are large bass in the lake; fish census show that 12+ lb. bass and 30-lb. Carp exist in the depths. Bluegill comes in a variety of sizes. Occasional species caught: Walleye, Black Crappie, Small-mouth Bass, Bigmouth Buffalo and Yellow Bass.
Nearby Campgrounds:
Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby
