🌄 Off-Roading, Wildlife & Boondocking Bliss in Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona

February 23, 2025

After a week in Tucson’s Sonoran Desert—filled with cactus-lined hikes, centuries-old missions, and Cold War history—it was time to shake the smog off our rig and head west. We were craving solitude, clean air, and open skies. And Kofa National Wildlife Refuge? It delivered all that and more. 🐏🌵

In this post, we’ll share:

✅ Our boondocking experience near Quartzsite on MST&T Road

✅ Epic off-road rides through Burro Canyon

✅ What makes Kofa such a unique and historic destination

✅ Pros and cons of nearby dispersed camping sites

✅ Practical tips for RVers and off-roaders visiting Arizona

🛣️ From Tucson to Kofa: Trading Smog for Serenity

We’ve been enjoying full-time RV travel for a while now, so we’ve learned to roll with unpredictable travel days. This one involved interstate driving, tight on-ramps, and a few too many inconsiderate drivers. (Seriously—do people not know how to drive alongside are park with longer vehicles?)

A few stops to manually check tire pressure (thanks to our glitchy TPMS 🤦‍♀️), and we were back on the road. RV life keeps us humble—but with the promise of Arizona boondocking ahead, every mile was worth it.

🏕️ MST&T Road Dispersed Camping – Wide Open, Quiet, and Free

We set up camp just east of Quartzsite on MST&T Road, one of the main BLM access points into Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. This area is known for free dispersed camping in Arizona, and it didn’t disappoint.

📍 Coordinates: 33°27'56.4"N 114°09’23.1"W

Why we chose MST&T Rd dispersed camping:

🛻 Flat terrain – easy setup for larger rigs

🌌 Far enough from town to be quiet, close enough for groceries

🏜️ Direct access to trails and wildlife viewing

We arrived just in time for one of those iconic Arizona sunsets—a riot of orange, gold, and violet across the desert horizon. After weeks of packed campgrounds, this kind of solitude felt like pure boondocking bliss.

🏜️ What Is Kofa National Wildlife Refuge?

Tucked between Yuma and Quartzsite, Kofa (pronounced KOH-fuh) is one of the most underrated boondocking destinations in Arizona.

🌵 666,000+ acres of protected desert wilderness

🐏 Home to desert bighorn sheep & endangered Sonoran pronghorn

🪖 Site of General Patton’s WWII training grounds

⛏️ Former gold and copper mining hub

Fun fact: KOFA stands for "King of Arizona", the name of a historic gold mine that inspired the refuge’s unusual name.

📚 Kofa’s Wild History: Gold, Guns & Bighorn Sheep

At the main kiosk, we got a mini education:

💧 Desert bighorn sheep can lose up to 20% of their body weight and still survive (nature is wild!).

💦 When they find water, they’ll guzzle up to 4 gallons in one sitting.

⚠️ Mine shafts still exist—so explore with caution.

💣 WWII debris may still be scattered around (no souvenirs, folks).

If you love a mix of geology, wildlife, and military history, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge camping gives you all of it in one wild, wide-open package.

🛞 Off-Roading in Kofa: MST&T Tower & Burro Canyon Loop

After a restful night of boondocking near Quartzsite, we were ready for adventure. We hopped into our side-by-side and tackled a loop that brought us through Burro Canyon and up to the MST&T Tower trail.

🚩 MST&T Tower Trail

While the original microwave tower is long gone, the views are absolutely worth the climb.

From the top, you’ll see:

🌄 Chocolate Mountains and LaPaz Valley to the west

🏜️ Kofa Peak and the surrounding wilderness

⛰️ New Water Mountains to the northeast

It’s one of the most scenic off-roading routes in Kofa, with incredible 360° vistas and a deep sense of desert silence.

➡️ Burro Canyon Trail

From the tower, we rolled into Burro Canyon, a quieter, more rugged stretch. Think dry riverbeds, red rock cliffs, and silence so complete you can hear your heartbeat. If you're looking for off-roading in Kofa that feels raw and real, this is your trail.

🧭 Tips for Visiting Kofa: RV & Off-Road Travel Advice

Whether you’re here for Arizona boondocking or exploring BLM trails in your UTV, you’ll want to prep. Here are some tips:

✅ What to Pack:

• A good GPS or app like Gaia GPS or OnX Offroad

• Extra food, water & fuel

• Paper maps showing BLM vs Refuge land boundaries

• A tire repair kit (ask us how we know 😅)

• First-aid supplies

⚠️ What to Watch For:

• Old mine shafts (stay on marked trails!)

• No cell service in most areas

• Poor signage on some Burro Canyon offshoots

• Narrow turns and drop-offs in rugged zones

🛏️ MST&T Road vs. Crystal Hill – Which Kofa Campground Wins?

We also scoped out Crystal Hill Dispersed Camping, another well-known spot for BLM camping in Arizona.

🆚 The Breakdown:

Feature	MST&T Rd	Crystal Hill
Access for big rigs	✅ Easy	⚠️ Narrower roads
Proximity to Quartzsite	✅ Close	✅ Close
Trail Access	✅ Direct access	✅ Moderate access
Scenic Value	🤷‍♂️ Basic desert views	🌄 Slightly more scenic

Verdict: MST&T Road wins for ease of access and space—especially if you’re hauling a toy hauler like us.

💬 Would We Camp at Kofa Again?

Absolutely. While it’s not the most jaw-dropping boondocking spot we’ve ever stayed, the peace and trail access make this a no-brainer stop for full-time RVers in Arizona.

Bonus: If you're lucky, you'll spot a desert bighorn sheep.

📅 What’s Next? From Solitude to Social

Next up in our Arizona RV travel series: We’re diving into the madness that is Quartzsite in peak season—a total 180 from the solitude of Kofa. Thousands of RVers. Pop-up towns. Endless vendors. And yes, a chance to connect with other nomads and YouTubers.

🎥 Watch the Video Version

We documented it all—from dusty trails to that jaw-dropping tower-top view. 🎥👉

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a trail.

Have you explored Kofa National Wildlife Refuge or stayed off MST&T Road? Drop your favorite boondocking tips or Arizona off-road routes in the comments—we’d love to connect with fellow desert adventurers!

Happy trails, Mark & Paula 🛻🌵💨