Best campgrounds in Arizona
Arizona

Best Campgrounds in Arizona

Curated guides to help you find the perfect camping destination in Arizona. From tent-only sites to full-hookup campgrounds.

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

1
Rock Crossing Campground (Az)
Star
4.8
(256)
Rock Crossing Campground (Az)
Happy Jack
Coconino National Forest Recreation

Highest sentiment score (4.79) with perfect greenbook status (vibe 100). Offers authentic ponderosa pine forest camping with access to C.C. Cragin Reservoir for water activities, hiking on Arizona National Scenic Trail, and stargazing. Reviewers consistently praise cleanliness and helpful hosts.

Tents
RVs
2
Mather Campground
Star
4.6
(603)
Mather Campground
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park

Iconic Grand Canyon South Rim location with 4.57 sentiment and ok greenbook status. Provides full amenities including showers and camp store, with direct access to Rim Trail and Greenway for biking. Essential Arizona camping destination with 603 reviews confirming quality.

Tents
RVs
3
Rainbow (Az)
Star
4.7
(402)
Rainbow (Az)
Springerville
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Outstanding 4.69 sentiment with excellent greenbook status (vibe 94.31) at 9,000 feet elevation. Alpine camping at Big Lake offers premier trout fishing, boating, and hiking in White Mountains. Full amenities including showers make this a comfortable high-elevation experience.

Tents
RVs

More Top Campgrounds in Arizona

Discover 17 additional top-rated campgrounds in Arizona

Mallard Loop Campground
Photo coming soon
Star
4.7
(230)
Mallard Loop Campground
Fool Hollow Lake

Excellent 4.67 sentiment with unknown greenbook status (insufficient data, treated as ok per policy). Fool Hollow Lake location offers lakeside camping with full hookups, clean facilities, and family-friendly amenities. Reviewers consistently praise cleanliness and lake views.

Tents
RVs
Main Campground
Star
4.5
(226)
Main Campground
Lost Dutchman

Strong 4.47 sentiment with unknown greenbook status at Lost Dutchman State Park. Offers dramatic Sonoran Desert camping at base of Superstition Mountains with direct trail access. Full hookups available and books months in advance, indicating high demand and quality.

Tents
RVs
Potato Patch Campground
Star
4.5
(564)
Potato Patch Campground
Camp Verde
Prescott National Forest

Solid 4.46 sentiment with excellent greenbook status (vibe 96.27). High-elevation Prescott National Forest location offers electric hookups, access to Woodchute Wilderness trails, and proximity to Verde River for kayaking. Reviewers praise clean facilities and peaceful environment.

Tents
RVs
Christopher Creek
Star
4.7
(372)
Christopher Creek
PAYSON
Tonto National Forest

High 4.72 sentiment with caution greenbook status (vibe 78.22). Spring-fed creek runs through campground below Mogollon Rim, offering fishing, hiking, and access to Woods Canyon Lake. Clean facilities and friendly hosts noted despite some privacy concerns.

Tents
RVs
Sharp Creek
Star
4.6
(427)
Sharp Creek
Payson
Tonto National Forest

Good 4.59 sentiment with ok greenbook status (vibe 87.48). Tonto National Forest location offers fishing in Christopher Creek, access to Highline Trail, and proximity to rim lakes. Well-maintained facilities and helpful hosts consistently mentioned.

Tents
RVs
Spillway (Az)
Star
4.5
(401)
Spillway (Az)
Heber
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Solid 4.51 sentiment with ok greenbook status (vibe 87.72). Lakeside camping at Woods Canyon Lake at 7,500 feet offers fishing, boating, and hiking with Mogollon Rim views. Clean facilities and secluded sites praised despite some crowding concerns.

Tents
RVs
Apache Trout Campground
Star
4.5
(488)
Apache Trout Campground
Springerville
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Good 4.51 sentiment with ok greenbook status (vibe 85.62). Alpine camping at Big Lake with full hookups and showers. Offers boating, fishing, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing at 9,000 feet elevation. Clean facilities consistently noted.

Tents
RVs
Upper Canyon Creek Campground
Photo coming soon
Star
4.5
(321)
Upper Canyon Creek Campground
Payson
Tonto National Forest

Strong 4.54 sentiment with ok greenbook status (vibe 90.88). Remote mixed-conifer forest camping at 6,600 feet with stocked trout fishing in Canyon Creek. Offers authentic dispersed camping experience with 10 sites for those seeking solitude.

Tents
RVs
Burnt Corral Campground
Star
4.4
(461)
Burnt Corral Campground
Roosevelt
Tonto National Forest

Good 4.44 sentiment with ok greenbook status (vibe 86.72). Direct Apache Lake access for boating, fishing, water skiing, and paddlesports. Desert lake camping with Four Peaks and Superstition Wilderness views. Spacious sites for group camping.

Tents
RVs

Camping Style

Find campgrounds in Arizona that match how you love to camp


By Activity

Campgrounds in Arizona with the best access to your favorite outdoor activities


Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Arizona

Map Key
1
Rock Crossing Campground (Az)
2
Mather Campground
3
Rainbow (Az)
4
Mallard Loop Campground
5
Main Campground
6
Potato Patch Campground
7
Christopher Creek
8
Sharp Creek
9
Spillway (Az)
10
Apache Trout Campground
11
Upper Canyon Creek Campground
12
Burnt Corral Campground
13
Tortilla Campground
14
Tusayan - Montane
15
Sinkhole Campground
16
Saguaro National Park Wilderness Permits
17
Desert View Campground
18
Rose Canyon
19
Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area
20
Bonito Campground (Az)

About Camping in Arizona

Camping camping Arizona offers an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and experiences that few states can match, from the towering ponderosa pines of the high country to the iconic saguaro-studded Sonoran Desert. The state's elevation range spans from 70 feet to over 12,000 feet, creating distinct camping zones with dramatically different climates, scenery, and seasons.

Best Time

Arizona's elevation diversity creates year-round camping opportunities with strategic timing. High-elevation campgrounds in the White Mountains, Mogollon Rim, and Coconino National Forest are typically open May through October, with peak season running June through August when temperatures remain comfortable in the 70s and 80s while desert areas swelter.

Why Camp Here

  • Curated selection of top-rated campgrounds
  • Verified reviews and sentiment analysis
  • Diverse options for every camping style
  • Local insights and seasonal recommendations

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Tent and RV camping in diverse ecosystemsHiking trails ranging from desert washes to alpine peaksTrout fishing in White Mountain lakes and streamsWildlife viewing including elk, deer, and diverse bird speciesStargazing in dark sky locationsMountain biking on forest roads and designated trails

Tips & Recommendations

  • 1Reserve popular campgrounds like Mather, Rainbow, and Main Campground exactly 6 months in advance when booking windows open, as prime dates sell out within minutes.
  • 2For high-elevation camping above 7,000 feet, pack layers and cold-weather sleeping bags even in summer, as nighttime temperatures can drop into the 30s and 40s.
  • 3Arizona requires a Tonto Pass ($8 daily, $80 annual) for parking at many Tonto National Forest trailheads and day-use areas, separate from camping fees.
  • 4Always carry extra water beyond campground supplies, as desert heat and high elevation both increase hydration needs significantly.
20 campgrounds ranked
Based on real camper reviews
Curated for Camping in Arizona

How to Book These Campgrounds

The most popular campgrounds for camping in arizona book up months in advance. Here are the tools to help you get a site.


Arizona Camping FAQ

Our rankings combine multiple factors including camper reviews, sentiment analysis, amenity quality, location accessibility, and natural setting. We analyze thousands of reviews to identify campgrounds that consistently deliver exceptional experiences across Arizona.

Arizona offers diverse camping options including RV camping with full hookups, traditional tent camping, and rustic walk-in sites. Many campgrounds also provide excellent access to activities like fishing, hiking, swimming, and boating.

The ideal camping season in Arizona varies by region and elevation. Generally, spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer is popular but book early for prime locations. Check individual campground pages for specific seasonal recommendations.

Arizona Camping Guides

Planning reads to pair with your Arizona trip


Nearby States to Camp

Compare Arizona with the best campgrounds in neighboring states, or browse the full best-campgrounds guide.


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