Control Road (FR 38) in AZ -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Arizona

A 20.3-mile stretch of graded dirt National Forest road in Pinal County, AZ. The road serves Peppersauce Cave. The road is open seasonally, March 1 to December 14.

Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 60 days. Camp at least 200 ft from water, 5,280 ft from a developed campground.

1.5 of the 20.3 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Mostly graded dirt, with 5.6 miles of dirt. Climbs 4,500 ft over 20.3 miles -- sustained grades near 12%, with pitches to 22%. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~150 ft on the downhill side. Winds through 50 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. Cattle guards 9.7, 12.8 and 13.7 miles in. A gate 9.9 miles in.

Marble Peak stands 2,767 ft above the site, 2.4 miles southwest. A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Exposed here -- the nearest through road is 0.0 miles off. Doctor Spring lies 0.4 mi off. The nearest town, San Manuel, is 9.3 mi off.