Arizona is home to various scenic forests, gushing waterfalls, rugged terrains, and breathtaking red rock formations. This state is truly a camper’s dream. We all know that the best way to be in the company of mother nature and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city is to go camping. Just the mere idea of camping in Arizona also beside a lake, in a forest or a desert sounds peaceful, and that’s precisely what you’re going to find in Arizona. That’s because there is rich diversity here for your camping experiences.
To make your decision easier, we have elucidated 31 best Arizona campgrounds where you can go camping with an RV, tent or trailer.
Top 31 Best Campgrounds in Arizona:
1. Mather – Grand Canyon National Park
Mather Campground is in northern Arizona on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The campground is nearly 1 mile away from the rim of the canyon.
It is ideal for tent camping as well as RV camping, for RVs that are as long as 30-foot. But, there are no hookups provided for RVs.
Mather campground is quite large and features 327 campsites, each including a picnic table, campfire ring with a grate and parking space. Throughout the campground, you’ll find drinking water spigots, flush toilets and a dump station near Camper Services.
Pets are allowed in the campground, but they must be leashed.
Fees are $18 per night per site. Maximum 6 people, two vehicles, three tents are permitted per site.
Attractions:
- Desert View
- Colorado River
- Greenway Trail
2. Cave Springs Campground
Cave Springs campground is one of the most popular Arizona campgrounds. It is nestled within the red rock cliffs in a forested canyon near Sedona, Arizona. The campground is 14 miles south of Flagstaff or 13 miles north of Sedona within Oak Creek Canyon.
You can enjoy swimming, trout fishing, hiking and bird spotting in the area. The large campground has over 84 campsites with one tent-only site. All these sites have cooking grills, campfire rings, and picnic tables. You can even bring RVs and motorhomes up to 36-foot long, but there are no utility hookups provided.
Pets are allowed here.
Attractions:
- Scenic Oak Creek Canyon
- Scenic Oak Creek Canyon
- 1.8-million-acre Coconino National Forest
3. Payson Arizona Camping
Payson Campground is situated right in the heart of Arizona Rim Country, Payson. You are sure to get luxurious, pet-friendly, and clean RV camping experience with full hookups provided. Pets must be on a leash at all times; leash not longer than 6 feet. And, pet droppings can be picked up at $25 rate.
If you are looking for camping in Arizona with swimming, go to Payson as it has a new heated pool with sun decks. Other than that, there are clean restrooms, Wi-Fi facility, RV dump station, hot showers, etc. provided in the park.
The RV site is $41 per night, whereas the tent site is $22 per night for two people.
Attractions:
- Fossil Creek
- Llama Hiking
- East Verde River Recreation
4. Christopher Creek Campground
Christopher Creek campground is elevated over 5640 ft., which makes it perfect for beautiful overlooks and fresh air. It sits along the banks of Christopher Creek passing right beneath the Mogollon Rim.
To reach here, take Highway 260 east from Payson and continue for 21 miles to the Christopher Creek Campground turnoff. Then take Forest Road for ¼ mile to the campground.
For peaceful camping in Arizona near water, you can come to Christopher Creek as it is surrounded by cool waters and forests. The family-friendly campground offers 43 campsites spread on both sides of the creek. And, there’s a group site for 25 people as well.
Campsites can accommodate RVs (up to 28 feet), trailers and tents. Each site also has a fire ring, lantern post, table, and grate. Pets are allowed in the campground.
Fee for tent-only and standard sites is $21. The group site is for $75.
Attractions:
- Rim Country Lakes: 10-minute drive east
- Tonto National Forest
- Woods Canyon Lake
5. Havasu Falls – Grand Canyon National park
Havasu Falls is one of the beautiful Arizona campgrounds to have falls on the Havasupai Reservation, Grand Canyon. These turquoise-colored waterfalls look mesmeric when they gush through canyon’s red rock cliff.
As for the campground, you need to hike from Havasupai Village into Havasu canyon for 2 miles. The campground stretches across the banks of Havasu Creek and is around 1 mile long. You can set up your tents wherever you want, but away from the creek. Picnic tables and vault toilets are provided in the area, and you can obtain water from piped spring.
Entrance fee to camp at Havasupai is $35 per person. Campground fee is $17 per person per night.
Attractions:
- Havasu Falls
- Mooney Falls- 0.5 mile from the campground
- Colorado River
6. Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Lake Pleasant Regional Park is a scenic desert oasis in the city of Peoria. The park is surrounded by the Sonoran desert; it’s a dream destination for power boaters and adventurers.
It has over 23000-acres of water within a beautiful desert landscape, making it one of the most scenic recreation areas in Arizona.
Desert Tortoise Campground has 10 tent sites, 25 developed and 41 semi-developed sites. This one is ideal for large groups. Whereas, Roadrunner Campground and Picnic Area include 72 developed sites for RV and tent camping. Shower, restroom, fire rings, picnic table, Ramada facilities are available at both campgrounds. Only developed sites have water/electricity hookups and a dump station.
The camping reservation fee is $8, and the Fee for developed sites is $32; semi-developed sites is $22; primitive sites is $15 and shaded RV sites is $40.
Attractions:
- Sonoran desert
- Lake Pleasant
- Waddell Dam
7. Flagstaff KOA
Flagstaff KOA is a beautiful mountain campground in Flagstaff Arizona that sits at 7000 feet amidst tall ponderosa pine trees.
For camping, there are RV patio sites with 50 amp service, free Wi-Fi, big-rig friendly RV sites, and primitive tent sites as well. Sites can accommodate RVs that are as long as 55’.
The campground is dog-friendly.
Attractions:
- Red Rocks of Sedona
- Oak Creek Canyon
- South Rim of the Grand Canyon
8. North Rim Campground
North Rim Campground is located in northern Arizona on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. It is home to hiking trails, abundant wildlife, and mesmeric overlooks.
There are 90 campsites here, each having campfire rings with cooking grills and picnic tables. And, drinking water spigots can be found all through the campground. The area is RV-friendly but has NO hookups. Pets are allowed but must be leashed at all times.
Camping fee is $18 to $25 per site per night.
Attractions:
- Transept Canyon
- Kaibab Plateau
- Large Ponderosa pines
9. Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park is a high desert park that sits right at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The 5500-acres of canyons, streams, and foothills makes it ideal for camping. From State Route 77, the park is located 10 miles north of Tucson’s city limits.
There are 120 sites here for overnight camping, including 95 RV sites with full water/electricity hookups and 25 tent sites without hookups. An RV dump station, paved roads, clean restrooms, and showers are available at the campground. And, there is no limit on RV length.
The park allows pets.
Camping fee is $25 per night for hookup sites.
Attractions:
- Coronado National Forest
- Santa Catalina Mountains
- Birding Trail
10. Wahweap – Glen Canyon National Rec Area
Wahweap RV and campground has over 139 sites with full hookups, 112 dry campsites with NO hookups, 6 group camping sites, and 36 tent-only sites.
Here you will easily find picnic tables, fire rings, grills, restrooms, showers, dump station, potable water, and coin-operated laundry service.
The campground is RV-friendly and dog-friendly.
Attractions:
- Lake Powell
- Glen Canyon
- Rainbow bridge
11. Dead Horse Ranch State Park
If you want to go camping in Arizona state parks, Dead Horse Ranch is your best scenic option. It is a beautiful state park located on the Verde River in the Verde River Greenway area. The park is elevated at 3300 feet and covers 423-acres of land with 150 campsites and various picnic areas. Out of these, more than 100 sites have electric and water hookups for RVs.
All locations have bathrooms and showers. And, the park allows dogs as well.
The reservation fee is $5.
Sites with electricity cost $30 to $35 per night, and sites without electricity cost $20 per night.
Attractions:
- Tuzigoot National Monument
- Oak Creek Canyon
- Prescott National Forest
12. Lost Dutchman State Park
Lost Dutchman State Park is located 40 miles east of Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway.
The park offers 134 sites, out of which 68 have water and electric hookups. Each site has a fire pit, grill, and a picnic table.
Sites cost $15 to $30- depending on the site type and season.
Attractions:
- Tonto National Forest
- Superstition Mountains
- Treasure Loop Trail
13. Fool Hollow Campground
Fool Hollow Lake Campground is located in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, surrounded with hiking trails and tall pines. The campground sits next to the 150-acre Fool Hollow lake at 6300-feet elevation.
It has 123 sites, including 92 sites with water and electric (30/50 amp) hookups. Some of them even have sewer hookups.
Campsites can accommodate RVs, trailers and tents.
Attractions:
- Fool Hollow Lake
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Fores
- Arizona State Park
14. Desert View Campground – Grand Canyon national park
Desert View Campground is at the east entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park, nearly 26 miles (42km) east of Grand Canyon Village.
RVs are allowed here with maximum 30-foot length, but there are no RV hookups provided. In total, there are 50 campsites in the Desert View Campground, and most sites allow RVs, trailers, and tents. Pets are allowed, but they must be leashed at all times.
Camping fee here is $12 per night per site.
Attractions:
- Desert View Point
- Rim Trail
- Tusayan Museum
15. Page Lake Powell Campground
Camping in Page Arizona becomes pleasant at Page Lake Powell Campground since it is spacious and very clean.
You will find many RV sites with water, sewer, cable TV and electric hookups here (20, 30 and 50 amp). Whereas some tent sites also come with water and electric hookups. It is one of the best Arizona Campgrounds to adopt “Crime Free RV/Campground Program.”
The campground is pet-friendly.
Attractions:
- Horseshoe Bend
- Gunfighter Canyon
- Lower Antelope Canyon
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument
16. Grand Canyon Camper Village
Grand Canyon Camper Village is a full-service campground located within 25 miles of Grand Canyon National Park. It is an ideal area for camping with motorhomes, trailers, and tents.
It is 1 mile south of the Grand Canyon National Park entrance, on Highway 64, located in Tusayan Arizona. Here you will find RV sites with only 30 amp water and electricity hookups; and some with full 50 or 30 amp hookups. Tent sites are also available.
Pets are allowed here.
Full hookup, 50 amp site is for $66 per night.
Full hookup, 30 amp site is for $57 per night.
Water and electric hookups only, 30 amp site is $52 per night.
Dump station rate is $3 per dump.
Tent site with no hookups: $33 per night.
Attractions:
- Greenway Trail
- Grand Canyon
- Kaibab Forest
17. Homolovi Ruins State Park
Homolovi is a Hopi word used for “place of the low hills.”
Throughout the park, you will find many RV sites and tent sites with picnic tables. Some sites even come with water, sewer, and electric hookups. Pullouts at the park allow you to observe wildlife over 4000-acres at 4900-feet of elevation.
The park is dog-friendly.
Attractions:
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Homolovi Ruins
- Walnut Canyon National Monument
18. Aspen Campground at Woods Canyon
Aspen is a scenic campground situated near Heber and Payson, right in the north-central part of Arizona. It lies within aspen and dense pine forest at an elevation of 7000 ft., close to the shore of Woods Canyon Lake.
Aspen is one of the popular Arizona campgrounds to have spacious sites, a marina, scenic lakes, and many facilities. It has over 148 sites spread across four loops for RV and tent camping in wooded and meadow areas.
Well behaved dogs are welcomed in the campground, but they must be attended at all times.
Non-electrical site is $25 per night.
Attractions:
- Woods Canyon Lake
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
19. Ten-X Campground
Ten-X Campground is in northern Arizona and quite close to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Situated within beautiful Kaibab National Forest, just 4 miles south of the park entrance, Ten-X is a peaceful and quiet area with 70 single-family campsites (for eight people) and 2 group campsites. It sits at an elevation of 6600 ft.
Pull-through sites can accommodate RVs (35-feet) or up to 3 automobiles. There are no utility hookups in the park.
Camping fee is $10; group camping is for $125.
Attractions:
- Ten X Nature Trail
- Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower
- Little Colorado River Overlook
20. Roper Lake State Park
Roper Lake State Park is a 400-acre area located 5 miles south of Safford off U.S. Route 191 at the Gila River and Valley. Camping in southern Arizona is going to be amazing if you visit this serene park. It has many RV sites (with water, sewer, and electric hookups) and tent sites for overnight camping.
The park allows pets.
Attractions:
- 32-acre Roper Lake
- Sky Island Pinaleno Mountains range
- Mount Graham
21. Patagonia Lake State Park
Nestled in the southeastern Arizona hills, Patagonia Lake State Park is truly a hidden gem. The park offers a campground with 72 developed sites, 34 sites with water and electric hookups and 12 sites with boat access. Most sites can accommodate RVs of any size.
Restroom in the main campground has showers. And, dogs are allowed here.
The park is located on State Route 82, 7 miles south of Patagonia.
Attractions:
- Patagonia Lake
- Sonoita Creek
- Nature’s Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve
22. Spencer Canyon Campground
Spencer Canyon is a mountain campground, situated at the head of a forested, shallow canyon just a short distance from the Catalina Highway. It sits at the highest elevation.
The campground has over 68 sites, each site having a fire pit, concrete table, bear box, and BBQ grill. There are no hookups available for RVs.
Tents, small motorhomes, and trailers up to 22’ are permitted in the campground.
Pets are also allowed here.
Camping fee is $22/night for the single-family site and $32 for a double family site.
Attractions:
- Spencer Canyon
- Santa Cruz Valley
- Pusch Ridge Wilderness
23. Pine Flat Campground West
Pine Flat Campground is a popular camping area in Arizona’s Coconino National Forest within scenic Oak Creek Canyon. The campground is 14 miles south of Flagstaff and 13 miles north of Sedona.
Some sites are located in the upper reaches of the canyon, whereas some are right on the banks of Oak Creek. There are a total of 56 sites for camping with picnic tables, toilets, and drinking water. Tents, trailers, RVs, and motorhomes up to 36 feet are allowed here. But, there are no hookups provided for RVs.
The fee is $22 per night per site for 8 people. Pets must always be on a leash.
Attractions:
- Oak Creek Canyon
- 1.8-million-acre Coconino National Forest
- Sedona Red Rock Vistas
24. Coon Bluff – Tonto National Forest
Coon Bluff is a lush area right beside the lower portion of the Salt River. There are five campsites near the Salt River, each having a fire pit, grill, and picnic table. A vault toilet is provided with no trash bins or water.
The site is 17 miles northeast of Mesa.
The area is pet-friendly, but they must be leashed. And, RVs under 40’ are permitted.
Attractions:
- Lower Salt River
- Saguaro Lake Marina
- Tonto National Forest
25. White Horse Lake Campground
White Horse Lake is one of the famous Arizona campgrounds for fishing, located 19 miles southeast of Williams, northern Arizona. It is surrounded by the beautiful Kaibab National Forest.
There are 90 single unit sites with grills, tent pads, fire rings, and tables. RVs up to 38 feet long are permitted in the area, but there are no hookups. Sewage dump station is available. Leashed pets are welcomed here.
The fee is $24 for single sites. And $40 for double sites.
Attractions:
- Kaibab National Forest
- Overland Trail
- Sycamore Point
- JD Dam
26. Buckskin State Park
Buckskin Mountain State Park provides mesmeric overlooks along the Parker Strip- a stretch between Headgate Dam and Parker Dam.
One mile north is the River Island Unit where you can go camping. It has 37 campsites for tents and RVs. Some sites even provide water, sewer, and electric hookups. Dogs are permitted in the park.
Attractions:
- Buckskin Mountains
- Parker Strip
- Colorado River Indian Reservation
27. Pine Grove Campground – Coconino National Forest
Pine Grove Campground is within the lush Coconino National Forest of northern Arizona. To reach here, go southeast on Lake Mary Road from Flagstaff (Arizona) and continue for 19 miles. You can get to the campground via a short spur off from Lake Mary Road.
It has over 46 spacious single-unit campsites with grills, flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. One RV (up to 33 feet) or two tents are permitted per site, but there are no hookups. There is a dump station provided for RVs. Motorhomes up to 45’ are also allowed here.
Pets must be leashed in the campground.
Attractions:
- Lake Mary
- 1.8-million-acre Coconino National Forest
- Ashurst Lake
28. Spillway Campground
Spillway Campground sits right on the shores of Woods Canyon Lake in north-central Arizona, nearby Heber town. It is situated on Forest Road 300, nearly 5 miles north of State Highway 260.
It has over 26 single sites and 1 group site for a small get-together of 25 people. Tents, small motorhomes and RVs up to 16-feet are allowed in this pet-friendly campground.
Camping fee is $28 for single sites and $150 for group site.
Attractions:
- Woods Canyon Lake
- Rim Lakes Vista Trail
- Mogollon Rim
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
29. Ashurst Lake Campgrounds -Coconino National Forest
Ashurst Lake Campgrounds are nestled within pinyon pines and juniper trees. You can get to see breathtaking views of the San Francisco Peaks from the campground, as it is elevated at 7000 feet. It is about 20 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona.
There are 25 single-unit sites here with all necessary amenities. Tents, motorhomes, and RVs up to 35-feet are allowed here, but there are NO utility hookups.
Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
The fee is $19 per night.
Attractions:
- San Francisco Peaks
- Ashurst Lake
30. Gilbert ray campground – Tucson Mountain Park
Gilbert Ray Campground in Tucson Arizona is one of the beautiful camp areas with desert, picturesque settings. There are over 125 RV sites, 15 tent sites, eight no hookup sites, and 130 electric-only sites (30 Amps). There is a dump station provided for RVs as well. Maximum RV length permitted is 36 feet.
Camping fee ranges from $10 to $20, depending upon site type. The sites are pet-friendly.
Attractions:
- Tucson Mountains
- Saguaro National Park
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
31. Catalina State Park Campground
Catalina State Park resides at the base of gigantic Santa Catalina Mountains, rich with wildlife, desert plants, and approximately 5000 saguaros.
The 5500-acres of canyons, streams, and foothills makes it perfect for camping. There are many RV, group and tent sites provided at the park with water and electric hookups. And, there is no limit for RV lengths.
Camping fee ranges from $15 and $30.
Attractions:
- Santa Catalina Mountains
- Coronado National Forest
Conclusion
Arizona is rich with endless biking trails, hiking trails, campgrounds, epic vistas, and lakes. Each campground here has something unique to offer to avid campers. Hope this curated list of best 31 Arizona Campgrounds helps you find your ideal campsite to escape into the wilderness and relax.
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