Two Treks - TX I-10 and CA I-15

[SteveCoscia]

I'm based in Philadelphia. Next week, I am driving out west for business (my rig is attached). There are gaps in my client schedule during which I'd like to explore and do some overland camping. Two available treks are listed below.

• One trek is from San Antonio to Tucson on I-10 with three days to kill.
• Another trek is from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on I-15 with two days to kill.

From your experience, any good overland campsites or site seeing on these routes?

Thanks,
-Steve Coscia

 

[dr.tucson]

Hi Steve- The Chiricahua National Monument is south of I-10 after you cross into Arizona. The roads over the Chiricahua's may be snowed in but the Monument is open and there is a very nice campground there. For the California part, Cima Dome in the Mojave National Preserve is only about 10 miles or so south of I-15 from exit 272. There is dispersed camping pretty much throughout the Mojave Preserve. Safe travels, dr.tucson

 

[ski3pin]

Two sources for information on the Mojave National Preserve - just south of Interstate 15 in California -

NPS website

Jim Boone's website

 

[ski3pin]

Just east of Tucson -

Kartchner Caverns

 

[Sleddog]

The Chiricahua Mountains and the Chiricahua National Monument would be a great spot for a couple of days just south of I-10. Go in on the Portal side, check out the Cave Creek area, drive Forest Road 42 over the top through Pinery Canyon, then into the National Monument. Many very nice primitive sites all over the Chiricahuas, the ones near Cave Creek and Pinery Canyon are my favorite.

We just left there a couple of weeks ago. Roads over the top were free of snow and only a little mud. The Cave Creek area should not be missed, stop at the visitor center for good info on primitive camping and road conditions. Sky Islands Grill and Grocery on the Portal Road has some excellent baked goods.

I posted a trip report here:

https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/19571-carlsbad-caverns-big-bend-chiricahua-mountains-and-more/