Arizona, known for its warm sunny days and tall prickly saguaro’s has some of the best desert camping in the country. Breathtaking colorful sunsets, starry night skies, and desert plants galore, there is no shortage of scenic campsites to add to your bucket list in Arizona.
In this post we are sharing 10 great campgrounds to stay in sunny Arizona.
#1. Gilbert Ray Campground
Location: Tucson
Gilbert Ray Campground is a county campground located on the west side of Tucson and is known for its scenic campsites, hiking trails, and its close proximity to Saguaro National Park’s west district.
The campground boosts 138 sites dispersed over 4 loops of which 130 contain electricity and 8 are for tents only. There are several water fill stations throughout the campground, as well as, a dump station and restrooms. All sites are back ins.
The max RV length is 40ft. This includes combined vehicle set ups such as fifth wheels and travel trailers.
Rates are $35 per night.
If you’re coming to Tucson and plan to explore the west side of the city, Gilbert Ray campground is a great place to stay.
Other notable features of the area include Tucson Mountain Park offering tons of hiking trails and the iconic Gates Pass scenic overlook which is a must do for sunset, as well as, Old Tucson, a theme park and old western film set, and the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum.
#2. White Tank Regional Park
Location: Phoenix
White Tank Regional Park is located on the west side of Phoenix tucked in between the White Tank Mountains. The park is known for its remote location, breathtaking desert views, stunning sunsets, hiking trails, & night sky viewing.
The campground offers 40 RV or tent sites each offering electricity and water hook ups. Restrooms, showers, & dump station are all available nearby. Each site is paved, spacious, offers a good amount of privacy, and is available as a pull through or back in.
Max RV / trailer length is 45ft.
Rates are $32 per night.
#3. Usery Mountain Regional Park
Location: Phoenix
Usery Mountain Regional Park is located on the east side of Phoenix and is a great campground for those looking to be immersed in nature but still close to city amenities. The closest city, Mesa, is a 5 minute drive, while staying in the park offers hiking, biking, archery, & several other outdoor activities.
The campground offers 75 RV or tent sites each offering electricity and water hook ups. Restrooms, showers, & dump station are all available nearby. Each site is paved, spacious, offers a good amount of privacy, & and is available as a pull through or back in.
Max RV / trailer length is 45ft.
Rates are $32 per night.
#4. McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Location: Phoenix
Mcdowell Mountain Regional Park is located on the east side of Phoenix and offers endless views of the Sonoran desert landscape. Sunrise, sunset, night skies, hiking, biking, this park is one of our favorite places to stay in the Phoenix area.
The campground offers 92 RV or tent sites dispersed into 2 campgrounds. E.I Rowland has 76 sites each offering electricity and water hook ups. Ironwood has 16 dry camping sites for tents or trailers with a max length of 16ft. Restrooms, showers, & dump station are all available nearby. Each site is paved, spacious, offers a good amount of privacy, and is available as a pull through or back in.
Max RV / trailer length is 45ft.
Rates are $32 per night.
During your stay at Mcdowell Mountain you have to visit Fountain Hills! This picturesque town is a 5 minute drive from the campground and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, great shops, and beautiful architecture.
#5. Lost Dutchman State Park
Location: Phoenix
Lost Dutchman State Park is located on the east side of Phoenix nestled against the Superstition Mountains. The park is extremely popular for its breathtaking mountain views, scenic vistas, epic hiking trails, and one of kind desert camping.
The campground boosts 135 sites of which 68 offer electricity and water connections. Restrooms, showers, & dump station are all available nearby. Each site is paved, spacious, offers a good amount of privacy, and is available as a pull through or back in.
There are no size restrictions on RV length.
Rates are $35 – $50 per night.
We snagged a last minute cancellation at Lost Dutchman for our daughter’s first birthday in March and WOW it blew our minds. The backdrop of the Superstition mountains paired with towering saguaro cacti was truly breathtaking. This park should definitely be on your bucket list!
#6. Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Location: Cottonwood
Dead Horse Ranch State Park is located in Cottonwood and is a great spot for exploring Sedona, Jerome, and the surrounding Verde Valley. Hiking, biking, birding, and wildlife viewing are the parks popular activities.
The campground offers 123 campsites dispersed into 4 loops. Quail, Red Tail, and Coopers Hawk loops all contain electricity and water connections. Blackhawk loop is for tents only and offers no hookups. Restrooms, showers, & dump station are all available nearby. Each site is paved, spacious, offers a good amount of privacy, and is available as a pull through or back in.
Max RV length is 40 ft.
Rates are $25 to $50 per night.
#7. Wahweap Campground
Location: Page
Wahweap Campground is located on Lake Powell just outside the town of Page. Unobstructed lake views, stunning sunsets from the Rainbow Room, and dark starry skies make Wahweap Campground is a great place to stay for an iconic southwest roadtrip. The campground is located inside the National Park so a $25 entrance fee is required in addition to a campsite fee.
This large campground offers 139 full hookup sites, 112 dry camping sites, and 6 group sites. Restrooms, shower, laundry, dump station, and park store are all available in the campground. Each site is paved, spacious, offers a good amount of privacy, and is available as a pull through or back in.
There are no size restrictions for RV length.
Rates are $30 to $82 per night.
#8. Mather Campground
Location: Grand Canyon South Rim
Mather Campground is located at the South Rim of Grand Canyon and is tucked in a pine forest just a 1.5 mile walk to the rim of the canyon. It’s the ideal spot if you are looking to be near the amenities available at the South Rim while still getting that classic camping experience.
The campground boosts 327 sites for RVs and tents. There are no hookups inside Mather, however, potable water, restrooms, laundry, showers, and a dump station is available at Camper Services. Each site is paved, spacious, offers a good amount of privacy, and is available as a pull through or back in.
Max RV length is 30 ft.
Rates are $30 per night.
#9. North Rim Campground
Location: Grand Canyon North Rim
North Rim Campground is located at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. This remote section of this popular park offers a quieter and less crowded Grand Canyon experience. The campground is just steps from the rim offering breathtaking views from 8,000 ft which is 1,000 ft higher than the south rim. If you’re checking places off your southwest bucket list, this campground should definitely be on it.
The campground offers 88 sites of which 12 are for tents only. There are no hookups in the campground, however, water fill stations, restrooms, dump station, showers, laundry, a camp store are all available next to the campground.
Max RV length is 40ft. This includes combined vehicle set ups such as travel trailers and fifth wheels.
Rates are $30 per night.
The North Rim Campground is currently closed due to the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire.
#10. Homolovi State Park
Location: Winslow
Homolovi State Park is located in Winslow off the iconic Route 66. The park is known for its history of the Hopi People showcasing hiking trails and historical sites. If you are on a Route 66 roadtrip or enjoy a good history lesson then Homolovi makes a great place to stay. We stayed here after visiting the amazing Petrified Forest National Park and loved it.
The campground offers 53 campsites with electricity and water connections. Restrooms, showers, & dump station are all available nearby. Each site is paved, spacious, offers a good amount of privacy, and is available as a pull through or back in.
Max RV length is 83ft.
Rates are $35 per night.
I hope this post was helpful in planning your next visit to a great campground in Arizona. Let us know in the comments what are your favorite spots in the Grand Canyon state.
