Estrella Wayside Recreation Area
Its 4 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping is free, and it is open year-round. Estrella Wayside Recreation Area is a BLM campground near Gila Bend, Arizona.
First-come, first-served
1 / 4Primitive campsite at the Estrella-Wayside Recreation Area, north of State Route 238 on the Sonoran Desert National Monument. The area contains picnic. Photo: Bureau of Land Management Arizona, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
- Managed by
- BLM
- Access road
- Dirt
- Cell service
- Spotty
Estrella Wayside Recreation Area sits inside Sonoran Desert National Monument. Its camping rule, field office, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail: Route 8003, about 4.3 miles north of Maricopa Road along route 8002, follows the path of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (high clearance required). (blm.gov)
Getting a site
- Managed by
- BLM
- Reservations
- None, first-come
- Fee
- Free
Source: blm.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Sites and hookups
- Total sites
- 4
- ✓ Fire rings
- ✓ Pets allowed
- ✕ Potable water
- ✕ Toilets
On site: Fire rings and pets allowed. No potable water and no toilets.
Source: blm.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Rules
- Stay limit
- 14 days
- Pets
- Allowed
Source: blm.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Access and cell service
- Access road
- Dirt
- Cell service, reported
- Spotty
- Elevation
- 1,529 ft
Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)
- AT&T
- 4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
- T-Mobile
- 4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
- Verizon
- 4G LTE
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025
Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.
33.0013, -112.4221 in Maricopa. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Season and winter services
Estrella Wayside Recreation Area is open year-round .
Source: epqs.nationalmap.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Common questions
Do you need a reservation at Estrella Wayside Recreation Area?
How much does it cost to camp at Estrella Wayside Recreation Area?
How many campsites does Estrella Wayside Recreation Area have?
Is there drinking water at Estrella Wayside Recreation Area?
Are dogs allowed at Estrella Wayside Recreation Area?
When is Estrella Wayside Recreation Area open?
How long can you stay at Estrella Wayside Recreation Area?
Is there cell service at Estrella Wayside Recreation Area?
Who manages Estrella Wayside Recreation Area?
Around Estrella Wayside Recreation Area
More campgrounds: camping near Gila Bend and campgrounds in Maricopa.
Sources
- blm.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-29
- epqs.nationalmap.gov (elevationFt), accessed 2026-09-29
- broadbandmap.fcc.gov (cellCoverage), accessed 2026-09-27
Photo credits
- Photo 1: Bureau of Land Management Arizona, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
- Photo 2: Bureau of Land Management Arizona, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
- Photo 3: Chris Wonderly, Bureau of Land Management Arizona, Public domain
- Photo 4: Chris Wonderly, Bureau of Land Management Arizona, Public domain