13 Hidden-gem campgrounds in Arizona where you can always find a spot
Arizona campgrounds are much more than dry, desert dust bowls. There are many hidden gems that offer water play, pretty rocks, beautiful hikes, and more.
Getting outside is objectively good for everyone. Camping for a week without technology can reset your circadian rhythms. A brief trip can soothe anxious thoughts through a connection with nature. Camping can offer a more wholesome outlook on life that many have forgotten.
Fortunately, Arizona is home to many amazing campgrounds ranging from primitive to lavish. While many of the popular campgrounds can be crowded, there are many hidden-gem campgrounds where you can pretty much always find a spot—and some peace! Whether you prefer to camp near a busy city, among the trees, around water, or just anywhere free, these 13 campgrounds are true hidden gems.
Waterfront
Looking to escape the dry desert landscape? No problem! These campgrounds often boast same-day availability and sit right on the water, so there’s no need to book a spot months in advance.
Fool Hollow Lake Campground
Where: Show Low
Price per night: $25-50
Fools don’t stay here; the smart people do! Fool Hollow Lake is a gem in the White Mountains, located in Show Low. Nestled amongst the pines and surrounding a lake, this family campground sees elk, birds, deer, and more. Enjoy milder weather than the valley while getting in tune with nature. The campgrounds here seem to always have availability, despite many sites boasting a premium waterfront location. This campground is perfect for tent or RV camping with available electricity hook-ups, cement pads, picnic tables, and common restroom facilities. If you bring your own gas stove and food, you may not even have to leave the park. The lake is perfect for fishing, and non-motorized watercrafts are available to rent during the summer months.
Patagonia Lake State Park
Where: Patagonia
Price per night: $25-50
Boating, camping, and birding, oh my! Patagonia is home to the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, where over 259 species of birds have been identified. The vast land area, perfect for hiking and cycling, combined with the beautiful lake, makes this area an unusually perfect ecosystem for birds and outdoors people alike. Camping at Patagonia Lake State Park is perfect for those who love birdwatching, swimming, fishing, hiking, or simply relaxing. People who choose to stay here can do so in a tent, RV, van, cabin, or boat, with a plethora of camping sites available. It is also very close to the border, so bring your passport for an inexpensive day of shopping on the streets of Nogales, Mexico.
Windy Hill Campground
Where: Roosevelt
Price per night: $25
Lake Roosevelt is the largest lake in Arizona and was the first of the Salt River Sister lakes. Despite the 128 miles of shoreline and tranquil turquoise waters, this lake tends to be relatively quiet. Windy Hill Campground, located right beside Lake Roosevelt with access to hiking trails, is the perfect getaway for those seeking a peaceful camping experience while setting up a tent waterside. Just be aware, this campground has a little bit more going on than just campsites. Down from the bathrooms sits a little cemetery known as the Blevins Family Cemetery that holds the legend of a shootout between a sheriff, cattle ranchers, and thieves in Gila County. Its ominous presence is a reminder of the Wild West mentality that lingers in the area. If that presence is a little too much for your peace, there are many other conventional campsites available in the same area, without cemeteries!
Cattail Cove State Park
Where: Lake Havasu
Price per night: $50
Sleeping beside Lake Havasu sounds like a dream for family fun. Cattail Cove State Park offers that dream with access to hiking trails, water play, and touristy things like exploring the London Bridge and playing on a floating jungle gym via Beach Shack Rentals. You could even plan a stay here during the annual Havasu Balloon Festival.
Lake View Campground
Where: Flagstaff
Price per night: $30
Between Payson and Flagstaff sits a pine-wooded forest with several lakes. Magical, fully-stocked lakes are viewable from the roadside, just waiting for motorboat play, fishing, and serene camping. Lakeview Campground of Lake Mary offers year-round camping with half of the spots reservable and the other half available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campsites are scattered along a terraced hillside complete with tables, grills, and vault toilets. Spend the day fishing and hiking, or drive into the surrounding towns for all their modern amenities.
Location and amenities
Sometimes, camping is all about staying near surrounding towns while spending less money than you would at a hotel. And, sometimes, camping is done strictly to have access to amenities that the family will love, all while relaxing. These gems have all of that!
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Where: Cottonwood
Price per night: $25-70
Between Jerome and Sedona is a quirky art town known as Cottonwood. Complete with wineries, good food, and access to the Verde River, Cottonwood is charming even without taking into account its big-name neighbors. Dead Horse Ranch State Park offers an inexpensive stay within this sweet town, while also offering access to horse rides, fishing lagoons, Verde River swimming, hiking trails, and full bathrooms centered among the many campsites. Stay in a tent on level ground with flora privacy, in an RV with full hookups, or a tiny cabin with basic furniture. Remember to bring your telescope and sense of wonder on this trip, as the stars shine bright and the flying animals are all around.
Desert Oasis
Where: McNeal
Price per night: $25
Maybe you’re interested in visiting Bisbee or Tombstone without the higher pricing, or maybe you just like a deep sense of peace. Desert Oasis in McNeal is a quiet campground that offers RV hookups, dry tent camping, adorable cabins complete with linens, as well as a large community center. The center comes complete with restrooms, games, tables, and vending machines. The amenities for the price here are unmatched, and the location between well-known towns is dreamy.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Where: Apache Junction
Price per night: $35
If you’ve ever wanted to stay within the beauty of the Superstition Mountains, you are in luck with Lost Dutchman State Park. Located not too far from Apache Junction, this park was named after the fabled lost gold mine, which many people still believe exists to this day! Surrounded by desert beauty, native plants, and several hiking trails, complete with cave dwellings and petroglyphs, camping here can lead to unforgettable desert exploration. Just be sure to bring extra water, and be aware of the legends surrounding the Superstitions.
Hot Well Dunes
Where: Safford
Price per night: $3
I can’t help but recommend this spot until I’m blue in the face. It’s a family favorite for both camping and day use. Located down a 25-minute gravel road (with potholes), Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area is a hidden gem complete with trails, dunes, rockhounding, and hot springs—all for a measly $3 fee per day. The road is rough but can be traveled with a lower-clearance 2WD vehicle, though you’ll likely want to tow in your ATVs for some off-roading fun. Bring the swimsuits for daily soaks in one of the two hot springs tubs, and bring your camping gear for one of the many open camping spots, which aren’t too far from the vault toilets. $3 for this much fun? Maybe I should keep this one to myself.
Kingman KOA
Where: Kingman
Price per night: $36, less with a KOA membership
Not all KOAs are created equal, and Kingman is proof of that. Whether you choose a tent site, a cabin, or a spot with RV hookups, the Kingman KOA has access to amazing amenities that make relaxing at the campground a reality. A hot tub, pool, game room, mini golf course, pavilion, train, pet playground, library, and general store are all part of the experience at this KOA, which also isn’t far from the many restaurants in this small town.
Free is for me
Traveling on a shoestring budget? No problem! Save money for activities and stay overnight at one of these gems for zero dollars.
Tonto National Forest: Tonto Basin
Where: Lake Roosevelt, Tonto Basin
Free dispersed camping is available in the Tonto National Forest, and if you are looking for free waterfront camping, pack up the all wheel drive or high-clearance vehicle and head over to the town of Tonto Basin. Along the side of the highway, you will see turnoff roads that lead down to Lake Roosevelt beaches that have tents and RVs. The roads dead end on the sand, where you will need to drive to your camping spot of choice. No toilets or amenities are available, as this is free and primitive camping with an amazing view. Note that this is about an hour past Windy Hill Campground.
Tonto National Forest: Diamond Point
Where: Payson
Do you like rockhounding? Payson is home to Diamond Point, where you can search the creekbeds for herkimer diamonds by day and then sleep for free in dispersed camping by night. This magical and primitive location is part of Tonto National Forest, so camping here means moderate weather, fresh pine air, and a short drive to arguably the best food in the state, PIEbar AZ. Be sure to bring a jacket when you stay here, even in the dead of summer, because it has been known to suddenly begin raining, hailing, or snowing at a moment’s notice.
Oak Flat Campground
Where: Between Superior and Miami
For those who like rock climbing, hiking, and exploring tiny towns, Oak Flat Campground is a stunningly beautiful campground that doesn’t cost a penny to stay at. Located in the copper corridor, Oakflat Campground sits between the small towns of Superior and Miami among canyon views complete with saguaros and oak trees. Stay after a rainfall to see several natural waterfalls along the 60, or stay in the summer to shave a couple dozen degrees off the temperature of the larger cities. Situated at nearly 4000 feet in elevation, this campground can also see snow in the wintertime. What’s special is that despite the low cost, this campground offers pit toilets.
Packing list
It seems that every time we go camping, we forget one important thing, like the time I brought the coffee grinder and beans but not the percolator—that was a rough morning. So, now we use a packing list that can benefit you, too.
- Tent(s)
- Sleeping pad
- Sleeping bag/pillow
- Lantern & flashlight
- Shovel (this is super handy if you are camping primitively)
- Extra big water jug
- Camp stove with gas
- Camp stove cooking utensils, such as a pan, a pot, and a spatula
- Snacks
- Can of beans with an opener or pull tab
- Basic spices such as salt and pepper
- Knife
- Basic dishes of fork/spoon and plate
- Ice chest
- Coffee supplies, such as ground-up beans with a percolator, instant coffee packs, or canned cold brew
- Wet wipes/baby wipes for basic cleaning
- Towels
- Pack of cards
- Solar-powered battery pack
Happy camping!
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