Lost Dutchman State Park
Why you should camp here: Popular desert camping and hiking on the fringe of the Phoenix metro area.
- Reservations accepted: Yes
- Best season: Spring, fall, winter
- Campsite type: Tents, RVs, camping cabins
- RV hookups: Yes
In cooler months, Lost Dutchman State Park is one of the best camping spots just outside of Phoenix. The park skirts the base of the Superstition Mountains and offers easy access to a handful of our favorite Superstition trails like Siphon Draw Trail and Treasure Loop Trail.
The campground is busy but well maintained with nearly 140 campsites, half of which offer electric and water hookups. Sites are clean and include picnic tables, fire pits and grill grates. You can choose from three loops in the campground the northern loop gets you closest to Siphon Draw Trailhead and the southern affords killer views of the Supes.
I cant say enough, says reviewer Annika Phillips. Hiking, camping, picnicking with family, this is the place. I have lived in the valley for over a decade and it took me WAY too long to discover this place.
The campgrounds open year-round but ideal in the winter. There are also five air-conditioned camping cabins available if youre hangin out here in warmer months.
More Related Articles On Planetwarecom
The Best of Arizona: For ideas to help with planning your trip, a good place to start is with our best of Arizona series of guides. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy our most recent picks for the best hikes in Arizona. If you are interested in sightseeing or national parks, begin with a look at our list of the top attractions and best places to visit in Arizona. From here, you can expand out to explore our hiking, camping, and outdoor articles on various destinations around the state.
Where Should I Camp In Arizona
First, a few reminders before you start making your plans. Remember to contact a campground before you set off on your trip to make sure theres enough room for you. Many have become so busy they require reservations. Pack whatever essentials youll need based on whats provided at the campground. For instance, if there are no electrical hookups, then youll need to provide your own fire for cooking food.
You should always bring a first aid kit in case of emergency as well. Include the names and phone numbers of your doctor and dentist to have handy should you need help. Also look to see where the nearest hospital that accepts your insurance is located.
Recommended Reading: Camping Sites In South Carolina
Getting Lost Boondocking In Arizona
Getting lost in Arizona has never been so easy. With sunsets that illuminate the sky like no other state seems to do, cactus that tower above you, and wildlife only heard in the distance with faint yips and howls, who would want to be found? No matter your joy, from hiking to biking to off-road vehicles to finding your spiritual self, boondocking in Arizona is the best way to get lost.
Best Places To Go Camping Near Water In Arizona
Arizonas creeks, rivers and lakes offer thousands of miles of beautiful waterfront exploration and a nearly endless amount of camping opportunities.
The only problem, then, is deciding which areas to explore. Weve put together a list of some of the best places to camp in Arizona near water, from winding desert rivers to pristine lake camping in Arizona that manages to fly under-the-radar.
Whether youre looking for a prime fishing spot, a place to let the kids swim or just need to reset to the sound of babbling water, weve got you covered.
You May Like: Camping World Of El Paso
Free Camping In Arizona Spots Youll Love
If youre looking for free camping in Arizona youve picked the right state. There are SO many spots to go boondocking in the Grand Canyon State. With that said, a lot of those free campsites are pretty lame!
Fear not camper were sharing only the best today.
Each featured campsite will include specific location info, amenities and nearby activities. Additionally, well rank each site with a unique Camping in Arizona Vibes score to give you a general overview.
Lets dive in!
Recreation Opportunities Find Your Park
No matter what type of activities and scenery you’re looking for, southern Arizona has it! Lost Dutchman State Park sits at the base of the impressive Superstition Mountains and offers challenging hikes, gorgeous views, wildlife watching, tent and RV camping, and brand-new camping cabins. Lost Dutchman also offers plenty of events to keep the kids entertained and you enthralled from nighttime scorpion hunts to star parties and guided hikes. You can spend your days hiking, biking, and exploring before experiencing the park in the glow of the stars. Plus, Lost Dutchman is a short drive from Phoenix, but with the backdrop that will make you feel a million miles from the city!
As you head further south, stay for awhile at Picacho Peak State Park. The iconic mountain offers a sweeping view both north and south if you can endure a difficult climb to the top. But even if you are looking for a more leisurely hike, Picacho Peak offers it all. There are 85 campsites to choose from, and you can enjoy the park from your tent or your RV. In spring, wildflowers abound at the base of the mountain, making a sweeping orange carpet of poppies.
Read Also: Camping World In Cocoa Florida
Fort Apache Indian Reservation
Fort Apache Indian Reservation is a dream for those who love to go dispersed/primitive camping. The reservation sits among the White Mountains of Arizona and has some of the lushest and thickest forests you will find in all Arizona. There are many lakes, creeks, mountains, and natural wonders that make this such a great place to camp.
Dispersed camping is allowed on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation with a permit. Once you obtain your permit you are allowed to camp wherever you want on the reservations, with a few exceptions. There are many trails and secluded areas that will allow you to find private and quiet places to camp. This is a great place for campers who want to go camping in the mountains amongst the pine and aspen forests.
Plomosa Road In Quartzsite Arizona
GPS: 33.7488, -114.2162
Only a ten-minute drive north of Quartzsite, Plomosa Road offers ease of access to camping and town. With thousands of spots available here, youll have no problem finding a campsite. Most cell service plans also work well out here. Mountains are off in the distance for your viewing pleasure. The cactus is gorgeous and abundant, so watch your furry friends.
Some of the best desert sunrises and sunsets take place here every day. The road is well maintained and accessible for all types of rigs to maneuver in and around.
If you dont know Quartzsite, this area is home to thousands, if not millions, of snowbirds every year. Home also to the Desert Gardens Rock, Gem & Mineral Show, and The Big Tent Show, one of the largest RV shows in the nation, you dont want to miss Quartzsite. There are hundreds of other vendors selling everything from firewood to gems to books to almost anything you can imagine.
Quartzsite and the surrounding Bureau of Land Management lands have thousands of spaces for all types of RVers. You wont find anything quite like this anywhere else in the U.S. If you want to experience Quartzsite in all its glory, be here in January and stay a few months. If you visit during late spring and summer, youll be lonely and hot as everyone has headed north.
Don’t Miss: Dispersed Camping Near Georgetown Co
Long Term Visitor Area Camping Near Quartzsite
Thinking of spending the entire winter in Quartzsite? Check out the super affordable Long Term Visitor Areas, called LTVAs. In these areas, youll be able to set up camp and settle in without having to worry about moving every 14 days. Youll also get some services that you wont find in the free camping areas around Quartzite, including bathrooms, water fillups, and dump stations.
La Posa Long Term Visitor Area has four separate units, all of which will be open in the winter of 2020-2021: La Posa North, La Posa Tyson Wash, La Posa West, and La Posa South. For $180, youll have a spot from September 15 April 15. Campendium users prefer La Posa South LTVA because it is the only area in Quartzsite with water and a dump station. These areas get plenty of campers who return every year, so expect a pleasant community atmosphere and plenty of social events.
Mittry Lake Dispersed Camping In Yuma Arizona
GPS: 32.8199, -114.4701
Mittry Lake, just outside of Yuma, Arizona, is a beautiful oasis in the middle of acres upon acres of agricultural fields. The road is gravel but provides easy access, and any rig could make it in without any issues.
Along the entrance road, there are a few spots to pull off and camp. The further in your drive, as you get closer to the lake, the areas become limited to allow for day use. However, as you access the lake, a couple of camps sites are explicitly for overnight use. While many campers parked quite close here, the lake is also within sight, along with some of the cleanest vault toilets we have ever seen.
If youre not so inclined to camp with so many other RVers, keep driving down the road, and there are more pull-outs to give you more privacy with Mother Nature. The lake amidst the desert views offers stunning desert sunsets that light up the skies. But if you require internet to work while camping, note the cell service is quite spotty here, if it exists at all.
Also Check: Best Way To Keep Mosquitoes Away Camping
Lower Juan Miller Campground
Lower Juan Miller campground is located in eastern Arizona and is a wonderful quiet campground. This is a smaller campground that is not heavily used. If you are wanting to find a campground where you will be on your own, this is the place for you. It is shaded by Gamble oak and Sycamore trees and offers lots of wildlife viewing.
There is no fee for staying in this campground and reservations are not required. If you want to stay in a campground that will fill more like dispersed camping, Lower Juan Miller campground is a great campground for you. There are only 4 campsites in this campground so even if it is full, which is unlikely, you still wont feel like you are camping with a crowd.
Blm Land And Its Purpose
If youre wondering more about the purpose of the BLM lang and why it is utilized as it is right now, then we have all the answers for you. The areas are not just used solely for camping on BLM land, the whole concept can be used for a variety of things, hence why it is so amazing for us and for many people thats been familiar and knowledgeable about it already. The Department of the Interior oversees the agency, which is overseen by the US Congress. Theyve indicated numerous possibilities for this area in their stated mission.
You May Like: Camping And Fishing Northern California
White Tank Mountain Regional Park
White Tank Mountain Regional Park is also a great choice to find your campsite near Phoenix. It is fanned out over almost 30,000 sections of land on the eastern edges of Phoenix. The setting up camp comprises 40 locales of shifting sizes, each with water and electrical help, an outdoor table, and a grill fire ring. This park is far from the city, and services like supermarkets are scant, so ensure you are prepared.
Tents and RVs utilize similar locales, and the greatest RV length to be accepted here is 45 feet. Climbing, trekking, and equestrian path are situated all through the recreation area, alongside a rough track.
Showers, a flush toilet, and a dump station are accessible. Note the Luke Airforce Base is found close by, which is why you may hear and experience flying airplanes most of the time. One surprising component of the recreation area is the advanced public library set right external the doors, which is joined with the White Tank Mountain Regional Park Nature Center.
This was a guide about best dispersed camping near Phoenix, Arizona. We have found great spots for your campsites where you can get useful facilities as well as camping spots to rest throughout the day and enjoy nature. For more, see our FAQ.
Camping In Arizona: Coconino National Forest
With landscapes that range from ponderosa pine forests and southwestern desert to the famous red rocks of Sedona and the alpine tundra, Coconino National Forest is definitely one of the most diverse camping grounds in Arizona. During a camping trip there, visitors will be able to explore streams, creeks, small lakes, mountains, canyons, and so much more. Other nearby areas of interest that campers may want to stop by include Bell Rock, Devils Bridge, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross please keep in mind that though photography is allowed on the campsite and surrounding areas, drones are not.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001, Phone: 928-527-3600
Free things to do near me known for tourists & historical must see attractions for adults in April, May, June, July, August 2020, January, February, March, restaurants that deliver, take-out, drive-thru, swimming, last minute day trips, coast, lake, reservoir, kayaking near me, glamping, diner, kitchen, suite, public parks, outdoor activities near me, places to get married: UT, WV
Read Also: Morgan Monroe State Forest Camping
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
You just cant say youve hit the best camping in Arizona without visiting Lake Mead!
Visit the Hoover Dam or hike miles of beautiful trails through canyons and valleys. The activities and sites at Lake Mead National Recreation Area are numerous.
The campgrounds offer single or group sites with access to restrooms, picnic tables, grills, running water, and shad! RV sites with full hookups are also available.
Top 10 Best Arizona Camping Grounds
Do you love the great outdoors? Arizona is a great place for camping. Whether youre toting a tent or driving an RV, youll find hundreds of campsites all over the state, many of them bordering national parks. To help you plan your next outdoor excursion, we created this list of our top ten best Arizona camping grounds. Some accept reservations, while others are first-come, first-serve. Check each parks website for reservation information as well as amenities and weather so you arrive well-prepared and ready to enjoy your getaway. Then its time to hit the road!
Read Also: Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area Camping
Escape The Crowds In Central Arizona
For more than a century, adventurous prospectors have scoured the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix in search of the fabled Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. While the gold mine remains elusive, the Superstitions are now home to a hidden gem of a campground at Lost Dutchman State Park. In springtime, Mexican gold poppies and other wildflowers paint this park’s hillsides with bold swaths of color.
In the heart of Arizona’s fabled red-rock country, not far from Sedona but far from the often-full campsites of Oak Creek Canyon, you’ll find Clear Creek Campground, where campers enjoy a fine summertime swimming hole and ample fishing spots.
The Grand Canyon may be the granddaddy of Arizona camping destinations, but the national park’s main campgrounds are so popular that many people reserve campsites six months in advance.
For a Grand Canyon camping experience without the crowds, head to Lees Ferry Campground, roughly midway between the South Rim and the North Rim. This Colorado River camping spot, deep in a scenic canyon filled with strange balanced rocks, is known both for its trophy trout and as the put-in point for rafting trips through the Grand Canyon.
For stalwart adventurers with a sturdy SUV, Tuweep Campground at Toroweap provides a unique and isolated cliff-edge camping experience within Grand Canyon National Park. The catch is you need to apply for a back-country permit prior to arriving, and you have to drive a 60-mile dirt road that is infamous for causing flat tires.
Freidlein Prairie Dispersed Camping
There are fourteen designated campsites along the Freidlein Prairie Road to utilize at Freidlein Prairie. Each space is available to visitors at no cost and has a place to park, a place to set up tents, and a fire ring. The campground is open all year round, though the best season to make the most of the beautiful surroundings is during the summer. Things you should know before heading to Freidlein Prairie Dispersed Campground is that most sites cannot accommodate an RV and usually have room for no more than two vehicles. Its also good to keep in mind that camping at Desert View is restricted to two weeks in any one-month period.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001, Phone: 928-527-3600
Places to eat near me, free points of interest, lakes near me, waterfalls, weekend getaways near me, 3-day foodie places to visit in September, October, November, December, RV, prettiest places, lodging, campground, hangout, where is, spas, holiday, museum, hiking near me, canoeing, hotels close to me, sushi, hikes, scenic spots: Last minute family vacations, Hudson, WI
You May Like: Collapsible Water Tank For Camping
What People Are Saying About Deserts Edge Rv Purple Park
We loved living here. Stayed for one year and i really cant think of anything negative about our experience other than some washers being down in the laundry room occasionally, but they ended up fixing and/or replacing them. Awesome heated pool and nice sized hot tub. Amber, Google Review
Location
Learn more on the locationswebsite!
Amenities
- Daily Rates: $47 $64 Weekly Rates: $296.1 $403.25 Monthly Rates: $610 $815 Yearly Rates: $4
- 550 Large Lots 100-Amp Electrical Service Indoor Heated Pool and Jacuzzi Spa Walking Track Exercise Room