There are close to 250 public campgrounds in Arizona (many are remote and/or not RV accessible). Almost 75% are located on Federal Lands, the balance managed by State or Local Government agencies.
The parks listed here vary in site size from 11 to over 400 with 85 being the average number of sites for the locations selected.
A majority of the parks listed are part of the Arizona State Park System. They have an excellent webpage at: https://azstateparks.com.
You will find a wealth of useful information, such as park closings, five day schedules, and special events.
There is a statewide registration system for most Arizona State Parks. Fifteen Parks offer 24/7 Online Campground Reservations (There is a $5 non-refundable reservation fee per site).
You can also call the Reservation Call Center at (520) 586-2283. Call 7 days a week, from 8 am to 5 pm MST.
Campsite fees are typically in the $15-$30 range, $50 for double sites. The telephone numbers for each park listed in this article are noted in each campground entry.
1. Dome Rock Mountain (Quartzsite)
- I-10, Exit 19.
- Near Town of Quartzsite.
- N 33 38.869 W 114 16.982.
- BLM Rate: NA.
- (928) 317-3200.
Camp Accommodations
This is a free short-term camping area west of Quartzsite, Arizona. There are no designated campsites and you may camp anywhere within the boundary of the property.
This location is an excellent place to stay for a few days if you are camping in a self-contained vehicle. Dome Rock (Quartzsite) is located within close proximity to the Town of Quartzsite, where you can enjoy huge outdoor swap meets and gem and mineral show every January and February.
A dry camping facility, roads and parking sites are varied. There are hundreds of pull through locations to park your RV and it is pet friendly. The length of stay is limited to 14 days. Do your own thing, as long as you park in designated BLM areas.
Directions
2 miles from I-10. From Exit 19 in the town of Quartzsite go west on the Frontage Road (Kuehn Street). The camping area is south and north of the Frontage Road.
Points of Interest
Many RVers go to Quartzsite during the winter months. Folks often form groups based on RV brand or extended relationships. The flea markets are memorable! If you know how to manage your electricity/water for a few days or a week this place is worth experiencing.
2. Lost Dutchman State Park
- I-10, Exit 154.
- Near Phoenix.
- N 33 27.852 W 111 28.918.
- State Rate: $15-$30.
- (480) 982-4485.
Camp Accommodations
70 gravel sites, paved roads and sites, no size restrictions on RVs. Reservations available. Amenities include dump station, ADA restroom, drinking fountains and showers, water, picnic table, barbeque grill, and is pet friendly. Books & souvenirs are available in the Visitor Center.
Directions
33 miles from I-10. From Exit 154 take US 60 (divided highway) east 25 miles to Exit 196. Go left on S. Idaho Rd for 2.5 miles & bear right on N. Apache Trail (Hwy 88) for 5 miles to park.
Points of Interest
Lost Dutchman State Park (named after the fabled gold mine) offers a variety of hiking trails and nature trails, such as the Superstition Mountains (a source of mystery and legend since early times). Park trails offer good opportunities for bird watching & wildlife viewing.
3. Picacho Peak State Park
- I-10, Exit 219.
- South of Casa Grande.
- N 32 38.757 W 111 24.069.
- State Rate: $15-$25.
- (520) 466-3183.
Camp Accommodations
100 sites, some ADA, no RV size limit, some pull throughs, and the option for electricity. Access to all sites is paved. Reservations available. Amenities include a dump station, picnic table and barbeque/fire ring. Potable water is available at the dump station. There are modern, ADA restrooms & showers.
Directions
The park is within sight of Exit 219 of I-10.
Points of Interest
As you approach the park you will see 1,500-foot Picacho Peak, located in the Park. You can enjoy the view along the peak as you hike the trails that wind up to the top. The park and surrounding area encompass unique geological characteristics, which includes varied desert growth.
4. Catalina State Park
- I-10, Exit 240.
- North Side of Tucson.
- N 32 25.007 W 110 56.255.
- State Rate: $15-$25.
- (520) 628-5798.
Camp Accommodations
120 spacious sites, no RV length restriction, pull throughs, 95 with electric and water hookups and 25 without hookups. Reservations available. Roads & parking slips are paved and there is a dump station. Amenities include a picnic table and BBQ grill, shade trees, pet friendly, modern restrooms, & showers.
Directions
15 miles from I-10. From Exit 240 go east on Tangerine Road for 14 miles, then right on N. Oracle for a mile to the park entrance.
Points of Interest
Visit the Sonora Desert Museum & the Old Tucson Studio (a movie studio & theme park), which holds various festivals, fairs, & with museums will provide visitors many opportunities to experience the uniqueness of the area. Tucson is the home of the University of Arizona.
5. Kartchner Caverns State Park
- I-10, Exit 302.
- South of Bensen.
- N 31 50.134 W 110 20.621.
- State Rate: $25.
- (520) 586-2283.
Camp Accommodations
62 sites, electric/water, 35-60 feet, 12 pull through. Amenities include a dump station, table, showers, restrooms, hiking, and pet friendly. There are 3 ADA sites (1 pull through), which have paved access to the site & adjacent restroom, a paved pad and ADA accessible table. Reservations available.
Directions
9 miles from I-10. From Exit 302 go south on Hwy 90. Park is on the right.
Points of Interest
Enjoy the Visitor Center, deli and exhibits. The main attraction is Kartchner Caverns. The Caverns is home to one of the world’s longest soda straw stalactites (over 21 feet) & other unusual formations such as shields, totems, helictites, & rimstone dams.
6. Roper Lake State Park
- I-10, Exits 352/355 or Hwy 191, go south at Hwy 70/191.
- South of Safford.
- N 32 45.517 W 109 42.447.
- State Rate: $15-$23.
- (928) 428-6760.
Camp Accommodations
60 shaded sites, 45+ feet, with water/electric hookups, some pull throughs. Amenities include a dump station, is pet friendly, and has bathrooms with hot showers, fire ring, BBQ grills, picnic tables and a small shade Ramada. Reservations available.
Directions
In Stafford, take 1st Ave. (Hwy 191) south for 5.5 miles to W. Roper Lake Rd. and the Park on the left.
29 miles from I-10. From either Exit 352 or 355 go north on Hwy 191 to W. Roper Lake Rd. Park is on the right.
Points of Interest
The stone hot springs are inviting. The Dos Arroyos Trail leads to a re-created Indian village containing replicas of dwellings, grinding stones, roasting pits, & other tools and artifacts. There is a Visitor Center, hiking, fishing, swimming, & watchable wildlife viewing.
7. Virgin River Canyon
- I-15 & I-17, Exit 18 of I-15.
- Between Mesquite & St. George.
- N 36 57.058 W 113 47.613.
- BLM Rate: $8.
- America/Beautiful Rate: $4.
- (435) 688-3200.
Camp Accommodations
75 developed gravel sites on paved roads, up to 50 feet long (30 are pull-through), some shaded. Amenities include dump station, cooking grills, picnic tables, pets allowed, flush toilets, two handicapped accessible sites. NO reservations.
Directions
The park is within sight of Exit 18, on the south side of I-15.
Points of Interest
Located in the Virgin River Gorge, the campground is surrounded by colorful cliffs and rocky canyons. Enjoy river access, wildlife viewing, hiking, and scenic views. Notable area destinations and sights include Zion National Park, Snow Canyon, and Quail Creek.
8. Lake Pleasant County Park
- I-17, Exit 223.
- North of Phoenix.
- N 33 51.839 W 112 19.121.
- Maricopa County Rate: $17-$35.
- (928) 501-1710.
Camp Accommodations
148 lake view, paved sites, some pull throughs. ‘Developed Sites’ have water/electricity and dump station. There are no utilities at ‘Semi-developed Sites.’ Amenities include a Ramada, table, grill, fire ring, restrooms & shower. Reservations available. There is opportunity for a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Directions
17 miles from I-17. From Exit 223 take Hwy 74 (Carefree Hwy) west. Go 15 miles to Castle Hot Spring Road. Turn right (north) 2 miles to park entrance.
Points of Interest
Lake Pleasant provides ample campsite views of the water and a variety of water sports – half the sites are close to water’s edge, the other are on a bluff overlooking the water. Shopping opportunities abound on I-17. Phoenix is close by with many sights and Baseball Spring Training.
9. Cave Creek Regional Park
- I-17, Exit 223.
- North of Phoenix.
- N 33 49.424 W 112 00.916.
- Maricopa County Rate: $15-$20.
- (623) 465-0431.
Camp Accommodations
The campground has 38 sites, all paved, with a few pull throughs. All sites are ‘Developed Sites’ and have water, electricity and dump station.
Amenities include a Ramada, picnic table, barbeque grill and fire ring, restrooms, showers and is pet friendly. Reservations available. There is opportunity for a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Directions
8 miles from I-17. From Exit 223 take Hwy 74 (Carefree Hwy) east 7 miles to 32nd St. Turn left (north) one mile to the Park entrance.
Points of Interest
Hohokam Indians resided here around 800-1400 A.D. Stone huts, pit houses, terraced field & irrigation ditches remain, as well as petroglyphs. The County sponsors a star gazing program. Shopping opportunities are on I-17. Phoenix is close with sights & Baseball Spring Training.
10. Dead Horse Ranch State Park
- I-17, Exit 287 of I-17 (or from Sedona via Hwy 89).
- Southwest of Sedona.
- N 34 45.185 W 112 01.327.
- State Rate: $15-$30.
- (928) 634-5283.
Camp Accommodations
133 paved RV sites, some pull throughs, up to 65 feet. Sites have water/electric service (campsites may be used as nonelectric sites). Amenities include advance registrations, modern ADA restroom/showers, dump station, Visitors Center, and gift shop.
Directions
13 miles from I-17. From Exit 287 go west on Hwy 260 for 11 miles to Main St. Cottonwood (Hwy 89A), turn left. Go 2 miles to N 10th Street. You’ll see a brown Park sign before the 10th Street turn.
Points of Interest
Dead Horse Ranch State Park adjoins Verde River Greenway State Natural Area. Use the Park as base camp to enjoy the natural surroundings of the Greenway. There are hiking trails, fishing, swimming, and watchable wildlife viewing opportunities. Be sure to visit Sedona and Jerome.