A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Bureau of Land Management camping area

Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area

Bureau of Land Management camping area, Graham County, Arizona. 25.9 miles from Duncan.

Reservations
Not reservable Usually first come, first served. Confirm with the office
Stay limit
Camping is limited to 14 days within a 28-day period to ensure fair access for all visitors.
County
Graham County

Sound like a day at the beach? The sands at the Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area were a beach surrounding a lake approximately two million years ago. What remains today is one of the most unique recreation spots in Arizona. Hot Well Dunes provides the opportunity to ride 2,000 acres of sand dunes, set up a camp, and then soak in relaxing hot tubs, all in the same location. However, please be considerate of your neighbors who may not be here to participate in the same activity as you. This is the only way this area will continue to be available to have fun in the sand, sun, and water.

Supplementary Rules

Visitors come to the Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area to participate in many different activities. To ensure that everyone’s visit is enjoyable, please note the following:

Vehicle Rider Capacity : Operators must use the designated seat and can only carry additional passengers if the vehicle is designed for it.

Clinging and Towing: Towing objects or people and clinging to vehicles is prohibited.

Safety Flags : All off-road vehicles must display a safety flag, except for certain types of vehicles like RVs, pickups, and passenger sedans. Flags must be bright orange or red, at least 6x12 inches, and mounted 8 feet high.

Vehicle Use : Off-road vehicles are not allowed in areas with metal railings or marked as prohibited.

Nudity : Public nudity, especially in hot tubs, is not allowed.

Firearms and Archery : The use of firearms, including BB and pellet guns, and archery is prohibited.

Pets : Pets must be leashed or otherwise physically restricted at all times.

Speed Limit : The speed limit is 10 mph on and within 50 feet on either side of main access road, and within 50 feet of campsites or any concentration of three or more people.

Camping : Camping is restricted in certain areas, including parking lots and posted prohibited zones.

Waste Disposal : Dumping sewage or gray water is not allowed.

Length of Stay : Camping is limited to 14 days within a 28-day period to ensure fair access for all visitors.

Remember OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.

The description, directions and fees are the Bureau of Land Management’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • camping area
  • off highway vehicle
  • recreational vehicles
  • swimming
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area

The ringed pin is this camping area; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated May 29, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.