Camping in Arizona

Camping is a popular pastime in Arizona, I’ve been going since I was a small child and didn’t realize there was such a thing as full hook-ups until I was well into my 40’s! When we went camping it was a tent, a coleman cookstove, a fold out picnic table and a bush… No hot water, no indoor toilets, you know..camping. After I was married with kids we upgraded to a cabover camper and I thought that was pretty spoiled! Now with motorhomes no luxury is left behind, a queen size bed, full service kitchens with hot water, a nice shower, streaming video tv and sometimes even a washer and dryer! With so many options for ‘boondocking’ and off-grid camping in the state who needs hookups! There are so many different places to go in the state I limited the list to places where we’ve actually camped!

Cinder Hills OHV

The Cinder Hills is a scenic recreation 13,500-acre area enjoyed by many off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. Its numerous volcanic cinder cones and craters surrounded by a ponderosa pine forest environment gives the area its unique value. This is a great place to take your toys to enjoy cool summer temperatures, but plan for cold weather as we’ve seen snow falling memorial day weekend! There is a huge area for dispersed camping but make sure you stay on existing trails and roads. The best time to camp here is summer but a visit for an off road cruise around is good anytime!

Take Hwy 89 northeast from the Flagstaff Mall 7.7 miles and turn right. The road is marked for the Cinder Hills OHV Area but you don’t see the sign until after you turn.

Buttercup Sand Dunes

Tho technically in California, Yuma is the closest city.. so close enough. Buttercup is only one of the areas in the Imperial Sand Dunes totaling more than 26,000 acres! This is definitely a winter destination, from October to April it will be busy with thousands of off road enthusiasts! Holiday weekends are extremely busy, we’ve spent many Thanksgiving weeks here with the whole family getting together for the big Thanksgiving meal, 4-5 generations from both sides!

Saddle Mountain Overlook, North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Gear up for a 14-mile drive down scenic 610, a dirt and gravel road that winds through wilderness off of 67. Settle into camp when you arrive and marvel at the breathtaking vista overlooking the Grand Canyon

This spot offers primitive dispersed camping with no amenities save for a few fire pits. Bring plenty of water and pack essential camping gear for a comfortable stay. This is a quiet place to enjoy the scenery!

Wing Mountain

Wing Mountain Dispersed Camping areas can accommodate recreational vehicles: FRs 222, 171, and the western end of 222A are (generally) easy to navigate and have several established campsites with sufficient space for large vehicles and trailers. There are no designated campsites or facilities. No water or restrooms. Dispersed camping is camping out wild and free in the woods. Bring everything you need. Take everything you bring. No trash service available. Bring trash bags, and pack out all garbage you brought with you.

Tonto National Forest

Tonto National Forest is a huge area and dispersed camping is allowed in most of it. It emcompases several lakes like Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake and Apache Lake so bring your fishing poles! It can get extremely hot in the summer and rather chilly in the winter so spring and fall are your best bets here.

Wolf Creek Camp Ground, Prescott

Camp only in designated dispersed campsites and in developed campgrounds within Prescott Basin around the city of Prescott. Dispersed camping is allowed outside of Prescott Basin.

Stay limit is 14 days in a 30-day period in Prescott National Forest, except Prescott Basin which is limited to 7 days in designated dispersed campsites only.

Campfires allowed in provided fire rings only. During fire restrictions, campfires are not allowed in these designated dispersed camp sites.

Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads, really large RV’s may have a problem getting back here, the roads can be rough and the sites can be on the smaller side. If you do make it back here it’s a lovely and quiet place to spend a few days.

Mogollon Rim, Payson

Rim Campground is situated close to the edge of the Mogollon Rim. Spectacular 100-mile views are seen from many vantage points along the rim. Rim Campground is surrounded by ponderosa pines and located in an area that is relatively flat. Once in a while a few elk will walk through the campsites. Definitely bring your camera the views are outstanding!

The Mogollon Rim (pronounced muggy-own) is a massive escarpment marking the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau. It’s named after Don Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollon, the Spanish governor of New Mexico from 1712 to 1715. The escarpment rises up to 7,700 feet in some locations with much of the land south of the rim lying around 4000 and 5000 feet. The rim was formed by erosion and faulting and is comprised mostly of limestone and sandstone. A few large canyons have been carved into the feature with the most notable being Fossil Creek Canyon and Pine Canyon.