The San Mateo Castro Trail is a great connecting option from the Apache Land Trail. It runs north and ends at East Gold Rush Road near the Peralta hiking trailhead. The terrain is a mix of dirt and rock that crosses a sandy wash several times. Approaching the northern end of the trail, the views of the Superstition Mountains are just amazing. There are multiple spots where you could set up camp for the night all along the trail, with larger, well-established sites towards the northern end.
This trail is on Arizona State Trust Land. A recreation permit is required.