People often take Arizona as a barren wasteland dotted with cacti, cattle and cowboys with the scorching sun during the day and rattle snakes during the night! Actually, this is not the case if you are on the lookout for some spectacular settings for camping with breathtaking sunsets and natural beauty. This article will be talking about some of the best campgrounds in Arizona.
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Saddle Sore Ranch
The extraordinary landscape views of the desert coupled with activities like hiking, mountain biking etc and breathtaking sunsets makes the Saddle Sore Ranch an ideal setting for the adventurous ones. This is a primitive and dry campground that hosts a total of 15 campsites with no hook ups and modern amenities. For cooking meals, one can throw some steaks and hotdogs in one of the many grills available on site and make a fire in the pre dug fire holes on the grounds. Accommodations are not provided and since this is accessible by drive, bringing your RV and pitching in your tent on site is the best choice if you want to enjoy the beauty of the desert.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Hiking
2. OHV vehicle trails 3. Mountain biking 4. Wildlife watching |
1. Fire holes
2. Grills 3. Picnic Tables |
Location Details: 7214 E Arizona Farms Rd 85143 San Tan Valley, Arizona, Phone: +1 480-436-0743
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Mather Campground
The Mather Campground hosts an astonishing 306 shaded and spacious tent, horse and RV sites. The starry night sky is really a view one would cherish for the rest of their days once they spend a night or two in the Mather Campground. The grounds also hosts sites ideal for camping in groups and top of that modern amenities like water, toilets, showers and dumping stations. The sites are all accessible via drive and horse, accommodation is not offered therefore tent and RV is welcome here. The pet friendly setting also allows the guests to make their own bonfires and enjoy their stay.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Climbing 7. Swimming 8. Whitewater paddling 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV sanitation 5. Accessible by drive and horse 6. Both tent and RV accommodations are welcome 7. Pet friendly 8. Campfires are allowed |
Location Details: Havasupai St, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
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North Rim Campground
North Rim Campground near Grand Canyon, Arizona is the ideal place to kick back and relax. The shaded sites by the towering trees, the calm and quiet setting of the campground are some of the many aspects of this campground. The camp ground hosts a total of 89 sites that is available to both the backpackers and the ones who’d like to bring in their full size RVs. The uniqueness of the sites is that they are conveniently placed next to general stores, toilets, water sources and even paid showers. Take a quick walk through the Transept trail and it would take you to the scenic and famous Grand Canyon for a magnificent sunset! If the animal inside you is making you feel adventurous, get a permit for backcountry camping and plant your tent in the campground in the winter season. North Rim Campground operates seasonally and hosts a total of 89 sites and is accessible by drive and offers is among the best winter campgrounds in Arizona.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Whitewater paddling
2. Fishing 3. Hiking 4. Climbing 5. Boating 6. Wildlife watching 7. Swimming 8. Biking 9. Horseback riding |
1. Potable water is made accessible
2. Fire pits for campfires 3. Pet friendly setting 4. Sites for tent, RV and group camping 5. Toilet 6. Paid showers 7. Picnic area equipped with tables and chairs 8. RV sanitation hookups |
Location Details: North Rim, AZ 86052, USA Phone +1 877-444-6777
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Green Leaf Canyon Campground
The Green Leaf Campground is a privately owned campground that hosts a total of 10 camping sites accessible by drive. The sites cater to the adventurous ones looking for a primitive setting to quench their thirst for the great outdoors. All of the sites are covered in sand, pre-equipped with fire pits, a solar lamp and a shower cabin for taking a shower with privacy. Take a short 26 mile drive from the camping site and get access to the magnificent Tusayan & the Grand Canyon. Since potable water and drinking water is not available due to the primitive nature of the sites, it is advised to the camper to bring in their own supplies. Managing and packing out your waste materials as you leave the place. The setting is made pet friendly and the vast dirt trails provides ample play area for your offroading skills!
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. OHV trails
2. Whitewater paddling 3. Biking 4. Horseback riding 5. Boating 6. Hiking 7. Winter sports activities 8. Wildlife watching |
1. Solar lamp equipped sites
2. Sand filled sites large enough for accommodating full size tents 3. Camp sites accessible by drive 4. Fire pit equipped 5. Toilet facility 6. Shower cabin for privacy |
Location Details: 1111 S Dewey Dr, Williams, AZ 86046, USA Phone +1 623-252-9404
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Boot Mesa
The Boot Mesa is settled by the Narrow Canyon, at Boot Mesa, Arizona. This is a privately owned campground that hosts one campsite. The primitive campsite lacks the modern day amenities yet the serene view of the red rocks and the Mesa will make it worth your while. The site is equipped with walls that provide protection from the winds. The site is accessible by drive and offers a pet friendly setting.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Offroading
2. Biking 3. Hiking 4. Climbing 5. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Table equipped picnic area 3. Pet friendly setting 4. Fire pit 5. Site is surrounded by a stone wall for protection against winds 6. Accessible by drive 7. Potable water is available on request |
Location Details: 36 59′ 53″ N 110 9′ 22″ W
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Mustang Valley Campground
This recently opened campground is situated just off the main entrance of the Tribal Park. The Mustang Valley Campground hosts a total of 7 primitive campsites. They are equipped with crude made, rock fire rings and a trail for hiking that stars directly from the site and takes you to the Mitchell Butte. Drinking water is not available but for washing dishes and other activities, one can get access to usable water from various naturally made rock water ponds in the nearby areas. The site is conveniently situated to nearby roads and access to restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Horseback riding 3. Hiking 4. Offroad vehicle trails 5. Climbing 6. Wildlife watching |
1. Solar powered hot showers
2. Toilet facilities 3. Picnic area with tables and chairs 4. Site is accessible by drive 5. Sites are made suitable for tent accommodations |
Location Details: Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA Phone +1 928-209-4012
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Big Spin Ranch
The Big Spin Ranch is a privately owned campground that hosts a total of 4 primitive sites. The campground is located 1 mile off the road, 30 minutes away from the Grand Canyon and the nearby town is just 3.5 mile away. The campground is famous for its unhindered views of the Red Butt and the San Francisco Peaks. One can easily find the Milky Way in the night sky as this is one of those places that is famous for its starry night sky. Pets are allowed on the sites at no extra cost and campfires can be set up in the fire pits. The campground is accessible by drive and is available to both the backpacker and the RV campers.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Hiking 3. Wild life watching |
N/A since this is an absolute primitive setting
|
Location Details: Williams, AZ, United States (35.628° N, 112.101° W)
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Desert View Campground
Desert View Campground hosts a total of 50 campsites and is accessible by taking a drive. The sites are operated based on a first-come, first-served basis and are available to both the backpackers and the RV campers. The campsites are pre-equipped with picnic chairs and tables, fire pits. Pets are not allowed on the sites but the proximity of the grounds to the nearby Navajo point and Desert view watchtower adds to the appeal for the same.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Climbing 7. Swimming 8. Whitewater paddling 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic area with tables and chairs 3. Fire pits 4. Potable water access 5. Both tents and RV camping is allowed |
Location Details: Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA Phone: +1 877-444-6777
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Fr 171 Campground
The Fr 171 campground hosts a single campsite that is situated just across the Mosquito Lake. The campsite is operated on the first-come, first-served basis. The remote setting of the campsite is heaven for the ones with an appetite for adventure and the great outdoors.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. OHV 8. Snow sports 9. Swimming 10. Wildlife watching |
1. The site is available to both the tent as well as the RV campers |
Location Details: Old Rim Rd, Payson, AZ 85541, USA Phone: +1 928-333-4301
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Catalina Campground
The campground is situated in the Southern Arizona, within the Catalina State Park, adjoining the Coronado National Forest. A staggering 120 sites are being hosted by this campground with ecological features offers a truly unique camping experience in all of Tucson in its own way. A major section of the campsites available in the campground are available for advance booking.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Hiking 3. Horseback riding 4. Swimming 5. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilet
2. Showers 3. Picnic area with table and chair facilities 4. RV hookup and sanitation facilities 5. Drive accessible sites 6. Sites for both tents and RVs |
Location Details: 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737, USA Phone:+1 520-628-5798
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Indian Point Campground
The 54 campsites hosted by the Indian Point Campground come with serene visual appeal on the shores of the largest lake in Arizona. The endless views complimented with the plethora of activities, the campfires and the late night show of the starry sky makes the campground a camping destination you don’t want to miss.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Climbing 8. Swimming 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilet
2. Picnic area with tables 3. Fire pits 4. Potable water is available 5. Tent and RV camping |
Location Details: Tonto Basin, AZ 85553, USA Phone: +1 928-467-3200
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Sinkhole Campground
The knee-deep foliage of the Sinkhole would not turn you off as soon as you get to visit any of the 25 sites hosted by the Sinkhole Campground. The Campground is situated just a mile away from the renowned General Cook National Recreation Trail. The primitive campsites of Sinkhole Campground are conveniently situated beside adventurous wilderness and provide the best camping experience in Payson, Arizona. The campsites are operated based on the first-come, first-served policy and all of them are accessible by drive. The sites cater to both the tent and RV campers and ranks among the best fishing campgrounds in the area.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. OHV 8. Winter sports 9. Swimming 10. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilet
2. Picnic area with tables and chair 3. RV hookup and sanitation 4. Potable water is available 5. Fire pit |
Location Details: AZ-260, Payson, AZ 85541, USA Phone: +1 928-535-7300
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Woods Canyon Group Campground
Trek from the Woods Canyon Lake and you would reach upon this similarly named campground sitting beside the ponderosa pines. The campground hosts a single camping site but don’t be put off by the number as it is large enough to host a large number of people. The site is accessible by drive and can accommodate the largest of RVs and tents.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. OHV 8. Snow sports 9. Swimming 10. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilet
2. Public Shower 3. Picnic area with tables 4. Fire pit 5. Potable water 6. Pet friendly |
Location Details: 34°19’43.1″N 110°56’22.1″W, a little further from the Woods Group Campground
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Spillway Campground
The cool and crisp breeze from the Woods Canyon Lake makes the Spillway Campground a treat for the ones looking for a refreshing weekend or camping session. Due to the campground’s close proximity to the lake, a plethora of water related sports and activities are available to the guests here. The campground allows the biggest of trailers and campers to the confines of the sites hosted by the same. A total of 24 sites are hosted by the Spillway Campground, all of which is drive accessible and made available to both the tent and RV campers.
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. OHV 8. Snow sports 9. Swimming 10. Wildlife watching |
1. Fire pit
2. Potable water 3. Pet friendly 4. Sites for tent and RV camping 5. Toilet 6. Showers 7. Picnic table 8. RV sanitation and hookups |
Location Details: Woods Canyon Rd, Payson, AZ 85541 Phone +1 928-535-9859
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Manzanita Campground
A place where there are no RVs and no noise pollution, well Manzanita Campground has got you covered. This ground hosts a total of 19 camping sites and is among the best tent camping sites in Northern Arizona. With its tents only policy and kid friendly primitive camping setting of the sites, the Manzanita Campground is situated a short drive away from Sedona. The ground is conveniently positioned beside the Oak creek and is ideal for setting up your base camp while conquering the rest of Coconino!
Best time to visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Wind sports 8. OHV 9. Climbing 10. Snow sports 11. Swimming 12. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic area with tables and chairs 3. Potable water 4. Fire pits 5. Pet friendly 6. Exclusively for tent campers |
Location Details: 6700 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336 Phone: (928) 527-3600