Camping Near Me
If you’ve ever been on a road trip and typed “Camping near me” into a search bar, you know how timely, relevant information can come in handy when you’re tired and need a safe place to crash for the night (or for the weekend). We’ve assembled this comprehensive Arizona state park campground database for anyone looking for more information about awesome camping spots wherever you are in Arizona. So take a look at the state park campground options below and choose you next adventure. It’s that easy to get outside and start exploring Arizona’s most beautiful places!
We’ve divided the campgrounds into groups that represent somewhat different camping experiences. In the low desert campground section, you’ll learn all about our Sonoran Desert parks and the opportunities found within them. Conversely, the high desert and forest campground section will include information about camping opportunities that replace cacti with pine trees and other high-elevation sights and activities.
Each of the parks below offers camping choices to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Clean restrooms are complete with showers to ensure you start each day's adventures fresh and ready to take on these wild places. A park store has gifts and often forgotten items, but several of these parks are near Arizona cities and small towns that will likely have anything you could have forgotten in stock somewhere.
Desert Camping
The following parks offer campers a chance to explore some of the most memorable pieces of the Sonoran Desert Arizona has to offer. These parks shine from October through April when the desert climates have taken a break from summer's incessant desert heat. Explore trails that lead deep into the mountains, revealing secrets only known in the Sonoran desert. These desert parks all host a large variety of wintering birds that add an influx of color and beautiful song to your outdoor experience.
Alamo Lake State Park
Wenden, AZ 85357
Alamo Lake is a remote destination for camping enthusiasts, offering a unique outdoor experience that allows visitors to explore the rugged terrain of the Sonoran Desert. The park, located in western Arizona near Wenden, features a variety of campsites, from primitive to RV-friendly, to suit every preference. The best time for a desert adventure at Alamo is during the cooler months between October and April. Whether you’re looking for a quiet weekend getaway or an active outdoor adventure, Alamo Lake State Park has something for everyone.
Visitors can explore the vast desert landscape via nearby off-highway vehicle trails while enjoying the beautiful weather, migrating birds, and panoramic Sonoran Desert views. If you’re into fishing, anglers from all over the country come here to enjoy some of the best bass fishing in the western United States! Not into camping…that’s okay! Four air-conditioned cabins are available to rent throughout the year. Click to learn more about glamping at Alamo Lake!
Cattail Cove State Park
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405
Cattail Cove State Park is a popular camping and outdoor recreation spot in Lake Havasu City. The campground here is quiet and flanked by scenic desert escarpments that give it a remote, out-of-the-way feel despite the park’s proximity to Lake Havasu City just 20 minutes away. The park caters to all campers, whether they require hook-ups or would rather rough it in a primitive or boat-in campsite. A trail network that explores everything from the Sonoran Desert to the eastern shores of Lake Havasu offers trail users a look into the beauty of Colorado River country. The park boasts a gorgeous white sand beach that is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available at the park if you would like to get up close and personal with Lake Havasu from atop a personal watercraft.
Camping at Cattail Cove State Park provides visitors with access to a variety of outdoor activities in the surrounding area. The park is situated close to three other state parks along the Colorado River, making it an ideal base camp for exploring the region. With an abundance of outdoor activities, proximity to Lake Havasu City, and three more fantastic state parks, Cattail Cove State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone.
Lake Havasu State Park
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Lake Havasu State Park offers nearly perfect weather conditions throughout the year for a variety of outdoor recreation options on land and on the huge lake. The park's vast campground can accommodate overnight visitors of all types, from RVs to tents, and is perfectly located within Lake Havasu City, right on the shore of this picturesque lake on the Colorado River. Premium campsites and camping cabins can be found along the lakeshore, offering visitors stunning views and quick, easy access to great fishing and water sports, white sand beaches, and other park amenities. Visitors can relax with a sunset picnic on a white sand beach, take advantage of fantastic fishing opportunities, or explore this desert oasis via boat or trail.
This park is perfect for anyone new to camping and the outdoors since Lake Havasu City is just minutes away from your campsite, which makes it easy to purchase anything you may have forgotten for your trip. If you're still a little unsure about camping but would like to enjoy all the physical and mental benefits of an outdoor adventure...Try one of the lakeshore camping cabins on for size! With its ample amenities and stunning natural surroundings, Lake Havasu State Park is a must-visit destination for camping and outdoor enthusiasts who want a taste of life along this ancient river.
River Island State Park
Parker, AZ 85344
River Island State Park is located just south of Parker Dam on a scenic stretch of the Colorado River. The small, scenic campground is tucked away in the Sonoran Desert foothills that line the ancient river and provide quick access to water-related activities like boating and fishing, as well as nearby trails to explore remote desert areas. This Parker, AZ area campground has 37 campsites that can accommodate both tent and RV campers, eight of which offer stunning views of the water just at the river’s edge.
Visitors can explore this gorgeous slice of Colorado River country via a network of trails that connect with trails originating at nearby Buckskin Mountain State Park. Trail users have the opportunity to explore several miles of Colorado River area real estate from riverside strolls to mountainous adventures, and everything in between! These desert trails offer stunning views of the river and the surrounding landscape and are perfect for hikers of all skill levels. There is a gorgeous beach that spans the riverfront of the park, which is tucked away in a cove and protected from the river's current. Have a picnic or relax and take in the area's beauty.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Lost Dutchman State Park is a stunning Sonoran Desert destination located at the base of the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction, AZ. The park is a favorite destination among visitors and locals alike, known for its beautiful hiking trails, stunning views of this famed mountain range, and abundant birds and wildlife that make it an ideal spot for all nature enthusiasts. The park boasts some of the best hiking near Phoenix, with miles of trails that wind through breathtaking desert landscapes. Whether visitors are looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, Lost Dutchman State Park can fulfill your hiking needs.
Visitors can take part in a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including guided hikes and educational programs about the park's unique ecosystem. The park also offers a spacious campground with both primitive campsites and ample spots with hookups for RV users. For those who prefer a bit more comfort, the park's rustic, air-conditioned cabins offer a cozy retreat with a front row view of the Superstition Mountains. With so much to see and do, Lost Dutchman State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.
High Country and Forest Camping
Our high country and forest campgrounds can be found near you in a variety of Arizona cities and small towns. Generally, these parks are most popular from late spring through late fall because they're considerably colder than the desert parks. It is, however, possible to have a comfortable and memorable experience regardless of when you visit Arizona's high country for prepared campers.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
If you're looking for the perfect year-round outdoor destination, Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood is definitely worth checking out. Just an hour north of Phoenix, this park is a great place to experience the changing seasons while enjoying a variety of exciting outdoor programs and activities. Visitors will notice a surprisingly remote feeling at this park (and adjoining Verde River Greenway State Natural Area) in spite of a close proximity to city life in nearby Cottonwood. Find out why this popular destination is one of our most re-visited parks, and then plan a trip to experience this gorgeous slice of the Verde Valley.
Dead Horse Ranch offers a large, scenic campground with options up to full hookups for RVs. Most campsites are within short walking distance from the trail network and fishing/wildlife viewing opportunities at the lagoons and in the Verde River. If you don’t feel like roughing it but still want to check out this awesome spot in Cottonwood, try one of the log cabin rentals out this year! These camping cabins are located in a mesquite bosque and close to the edge of the Verde River.
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
Show Low, AZ 85901
If an Arizona high country getaway is what you need, you can find it at Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area in Show Low, AZ! Smell the fresh pine scent, watch giant clouds roll through the sky, and feel the cool breeze coming off the gorgeous 150 acre northern Arizona lake. Relax in the spacious campground amid the pines and have quick access to great wildlife watching and fishing for trout, walleye, bass, and pike. Fool Hollow is truly an outdoor lover's dream amid some of the most gorgeous pine country scenery Arizona has to offer…Stop by and experience this wonderful place that has become so special to so many people.
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area boasts a spacious campground with hookups for RVs, including some premium spots near the lakeshore. The close proximity to Show Low allows our guests peace of mind in knowing that anything they may have forgotten for their trip can be easily purchased in the quaint northern Arizona town. Check the weather before your trip and if you’re camping during the winter, be sure to dress appropriately for potentially snowy winter weather.
Homolovi State Park
Winslow, AZ 86047
East of Flagstaff amid open prairies and expansive northern Arizona views, Homolovi State Park is alive with discovery. Arizona State Parks and Trails worked closely with the Hopi people to preserve this special place. The visitor center includes well-curated exhibits explaining the archeology of the ancient people found here during the migration period from the 1200s to late 1300s. When residents of the area left, they traveled north and joined the people living on the Hopi mesas, becoming ancestors of the Hopi people of today. Homolovi State Park serves as a center of research to unravel even more amazing cultural history.
Tent and RV camping is available in the large campground with panoramic views for visitors to enjoy the relative solitude of this high desert setting. Sleep under the stars just as the original inhabitants did here thousands of years ago. For a closer look, check out the Winslow Homolovi Observatory, where monthly star parties are held from April-November. Over 50 sites are waiting for you to pull up, and enjoy the clean, cool, northern Arizona air. Choose a spot with hook-ups, or elect to camp in a more primitive style...It's up to you!
Lyman Lake State Park
St. Johns, AZ 85936
This remote slice of eastern Arizona beauty is considered by many to be the best kept secret in the state for water sports lovers! There’s plenty of room on this huge White Mountain area lake and there are no motor restrictions. The remote nature and sheer size of Lyman Lake create a recipe for low conflict boating at one of Arizona’s most scenic lakes. When you’re not getting an adrenaline fix on the water, get a dose of Arizona history on the Petroglyph trail, catch some fish, then relax back at your campsite or in a cabin rental.
Lyman Lake is just 20 minutes north of Springerville, and Greer, AZ is only 45 minutes away from the doorstep of your campsite or cabin rental. The large campgrounds will accommodate RV’s hookups or allow you to rough it car camping or in a tent. There are plenty of camping options here for a wide variety of styles. Join us in White Mountain Country throughout the year, but visitors report late March through November (depending on snow levels) offer the best experience here.
Patagonia Lake State Park
Patagonia, AZ 85624
It's almost always the perfect time of year to visit this high desert oasis south of Tucson. The weather is beautiful, an influx of migratory birds has settled in for the winter, and the lake is stocked bi-weekly with rainbow trout! There’s plenty to see and do here, and enough options to keep visitors entertained for days…Whether you’re a tent or car camper that requires nothing more than a flat spot on the ground or an RV camper that requires all the hookups…We’ve got you covered! Not into camping? Try one of our cozy air-conditioned cabin rentals that overlook the lake.
Just a short walk from the campground you’ll find Arizona’s largest white sand beach where you can relax or have a picnic just feet from the breeze-swept lake. Patagonia is often touted as one of the best birding destinations in the nation, so keep an eye out for rare and exciting species like the Elegant Trogon and Pyrrhuloxia and explore the trails of neighboring Sonoita Creek State Natural Area.
