Buckeye Hills Regional Park - a challenge, a solution, and a good boondocking experience

I really enjoyed Buckeye Hills Regional Park, south of Buckeye, AZ. I thought I was perma-relaxed, but I completely sank into it here. 

And, why not? I camped near the bathroom (but not too near, because). I had my own garbage can and covered picnic table. I had my solitude, and I also met some nice bird people, with whom I took a lovely owling walk at sunset.

Melissa, Reid, and Mike

I had my books and my poetry to protect me. 

There is no fee to camp here. 

There was a hitch, and it's hard to know how it happened, or why. On Friday night an agitated man drove through the circle, urging us to leave soon (right away! do not delay! they're on their way! by end of day!) because the Firebird District of the Boy Scouts had reserved everything everywhere. When he met with resistance from all of us (No signs. You need to post some signs), he and his agitated buddy called the Sheriff's office.

The deputy was able to clarify that the Boy Scouts had, indeed, reserved some of the campsites for the night, so those of us intending to band sparrows banded together to band together. We shared a big site that evening, and then spread out when the threat had passed.

The Boy Scouts themselves were just fine. Noise, yeah, but it was happy, innocent noise; they left the park looking clean. Their leaders, though, needed some help being prepared. This kind of nonsense could happen again March 7 & 8, 2014.  If you happen to be there then, it's fine to politely stand your ground and find out exactly what area has been reserved. It is probably not the entire park complex. On the other hand, the leaders will certainly have learned a better way to go about this, so you're likely to have no trouble at all.

Don't let this dismay you. It's a quiet park, and during the week you're likely to have plenty of space to yourself to kick back in the shade and read that steamy novel you've been trying to get to.

I'm pointing RIGHT AT IT. You're telling me you can't see?

I stayed four nights, and would have been content longer. Buckeye offers a public library with wifi, and an IGA. I'm told you can find a WalMart if you try. The park offers easy hiking, clear skies, and coyote songs.