Tent Campgrounds in Arizona

Discover the best tent campgrounds across Arizona. Get back to basics with traditional tent camping. From established sites with amenities to secluded wilderness spots.

20+ Campgrounds4.7★ AverageBest: May-September (peak season)

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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

4.8

(256)

Rock Crossing Campground (Az)

Happy Jack
Coconino National Forest Recreation

Towering ponderosa pines and ancient oaks shelter spacious sites across this 7,316-foot mountain sanctuary, where level ground and natural pine needle padding create comfortable tent-pitching conditions.

Springerville
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Towering ponderosa pines, Douglas firs, and aspens shelter 165 spacious sites across six loops, offering tent campers genuine seclusion in Arizona's high country.

Fredonia
Kaibab National Forest

Towering ponderosa pines and spruce-fir trees create natural barriers between 38 secluded sites at 8,800 feet, where soft forest floor and level tent pads welcome campers escaping the crowds.

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About Tent Campgrounds in Arizona

Tent camping in Arizona offers an extraordinary diversity of experiences, from towering ponderosa pine forests in the high country to intimate creekside retreats beneath the Mogollon Rim. The state's dramatic elevation changes create distinct camping zones, with cool mountain escapes at 7,000-9,000 feet providing summer refuge from desert heat, while lower elevations offer comfortable winter camping.

Best Time

Arizona's elevation diversity creates year-round tent camping opportunities with strategic timing. High-elevation campgrounds (7,000-9,000 feet) in the White Mountains, Mogollon Rim, and Kaibab Plateau offer ideal conditions from late May through September, with peak season running June through August when temperatures range from pleasant 70s during the day to cool 40s at night.

What Makes It Great

Designated tent pads and flat ground
Fire rings and picnic tables
Varying levels of amenities
Scenic natural settings

More Tent Campgrounds in Arizona

Discover 17 additional top-rated tent campgrounds in Arizona

4.8

(210)

Grayling

Springerville
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Towering conifers create natural walls between twenty-three well-spaced sites, where tent campers wake to morning mist drifting through aspens and the scent of pine needles underfoot.

PAYSON
Tonto National Forest

Tent campers claim shaded sites beneath towering ponderosas on both banks of a spring-fed creek, where the constant burble of water drowns out neighboring conversations. Level, needle-carpeted ground and direct creek access from your campsite transform an ordinary weekend into a mountain retreat.

Towering pines shade level concrete pads along Fool Hollow Lake's shoreline, offering tent campers solid footing and natural beauty in the White Mountains. Elk often wander through camp at dawn, while clean restrooms and well-maintained fire rings support comfortable nights under starlit skies.

Bonito Campground (Az)

Flagstaff
Coconino National Forest Recreation

Towering Ponderosa pines shelter spacious sites where volcanic rock formations create natural boundaries between campsites, offering genuine seclusion beneath Arizona's star-filled skies.

Sunny Flat Campground

Rodeo
Coronado National Forest

Tent campers nestle beneath towering sycamores and oaks in a peaceful meadow where Cave Creek flows through camp, offering level grassy sites surrounded by dramatic rock spires.

Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground

Show Low
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Towering ponderosa pines shade spacious campsites where concrete pads provide level ground for tent setup near a pristine 150-acre mountain lake. Morning mist rises from the water as you unzip your tent to panoramic views, then spend days exploring wildlife-rich islands and forest trails.

Safford
Coronado National Forest

Engelmann spruce and Douglas fir create natural walls between sites at this 9,100-foot mountain retreat, where soft forest floor and historic Adirondack-style shelters provide weather protection for tent campers.

Red-Tailed Hawk Campground

Cottonwood, AZ
Dead Horse Ranch

Mesquite trees provide natural shade over spacious riverside sites where the Verde River's gentle current creates a soothing backdrop for tent camping. Level, well-maintained tent pads nestle among cottonwoods, offering genuine privacy while keeping you steps from the water's edge and...

Los Burros Campground

Lakeside
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Spacious sites spread across ponderosa pine meadows at this former ranger station deliver the seclusion tent campers crave, with weathered barns and corrals adding rustic character to your backcountry stay.

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Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in Arizona

Map of campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in Arizona

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Map Key

Rock Crossing Campground (Az)

Rainbow (Az)

Demotte

Grayling

Christopher Creek

Mallard Campground

Bonito Campground (Az)

Sunny Flat Campground

Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground

Shannon Campground

Red-Tailed Hawk Campground

Los Burros Campground

Sycamore Campground

Eagle Ridge Group Campground

Hannagan Campground

Kp Cienega Campground

Diamond Rock Campground

Idlewilde Campground

Moqui Group Campground

C Campground

View all 228 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Tent camping in mountain forestsHiking through ponderosa pine and aspen grovesFishing in alpine lakes and mountain streamsWildlife viewing including elk, deer, and diverse bird speciesPhotography of dramatic landscapes and night skiesMountain biking on forest service roads

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve popular White Mountains and Mogollon Rim campgrounds well in advance through Recreation.gov, as sites like Rainbow and Christopher Creek fill quickly for summer weekends.
2Arrive early on Friday for first-come, first-served campgrounds, as they often reach capacity by afternoon.
3Pack for dramatic temperature swings: mountain locations can drop 30-40 degrees from day to night, requiring warm sleeping bags rated to 30°F even in summer.
4Bring extra tent stakes and guy lines for afternoon thunderstorms, which can produce strong winds.

20 campgrounds ranked

Based on real camper reviews

Curated for Tent Campgrounds in Arizona

Tent Campgrounds in Arizona FAQ

Arizona offers 20+ tent-friendly campgrounds. We've ranked them based on site quality, natural setting, amenities, and user reviews.

Tent camping in Arizona typically costs $15-35 per night at developed campgrounds. Some national forest and primitive sites may be free or under $10 per night.

Essential gear includes a quality tent, sleeping bag rated for Arizona conditions, sleeping pad, camp stove, and appropriate clothing. Check weather forecasts and pack layers.