Summer Camping in Arizona

Discover the best summer camping across Arizona. Experience the best of outdoor camping during the warmest months. Long days, starry nights, and endless adventure await.

20+ Campgrounds4.8★ AverageBest: June through August

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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

Rock Crossing Campground (Az)

Happy Jack · Coconino National Forest Recreation

At 7,316 feet elevation, summer brings cool mountain breezes while nearby C.C. Cragin Reservoir offers swimming, kayaking, and cliff jumping just minutes from your campsite.

4.8(256 reviews)

Verified

Rainbow (Az)

Springerville · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Summer transforms this high-elevation haven into an aquatic playground, with a sprawling 450-acre lake offering endless hours of fishing, boating, and waterside adventures beneath the cool mountain sun.

4.7(402 reviews)

Verified

Christopher Creek

PAYSON · Tonto National Forest

Cool spring-fed waters flow directly through this high-country retreat, offering swimmers and anglers instant access to crystal-clear creek pools beneath towering pines.

4.7(372 reviews)

About Summer Camping in Arizona

Summer camping in Arizona offers an unexpected escape from the desert heat, with high-elevation campgrounds providing cool mountain retreats and refreshing lakeside adventures. While the lower deserts sizzle, Arizona's mountainous regions transform into premier summer destinations, where ponderosa pine forests, alpine lakes, and rushing creeks create ideal conditions for outdoor recreation.

Best Time

The prime summer camping season in Arizona's high country runs from late May through early September, with peak conditions typically occurring from mid-June through August when mountain lakes warm enough for comfortable swimming and all forest roads become accessible after spring snowmelt. July and August offer the warmest weather but also bring afternoon monsoon thunderstorms that provide dramatic skies and temporary cooling, usually arriving between 2-5 PM and clearing by evening.

Season Highlights

Warm weather and long days
Swimming and water activities
Full amenities and services
Family-friendly activities

More Summer Camping in Arizona

Discover 17 additional top-rated summer camping in Arizona

Grayling

Springerville · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Cast your line into crystalline Big Lake waters at 9,000 feet, where rainbow trout rise beneath endless blue skies and mountain breezes keep temperatures comfortable even in July.

4.8(210)

Mallard Campground

Fool Hollow Lake

Fool Hollow Lake becomes your summer playground with fishing from the shoreline, boating across glassy morning waters, and elk appearing at dawn along the water's edge.

4.7(230)

Eagle Ridge Group Campground

Prescott · Prescott National Forest

Summer brings alive the towering ponderosa pines at 5,700 feet, where cool mountain breezes contrast the valley heat below while Lynx Lake beckons just minutes away for fishing, boating, and afternoon swims.

4.7(68)

Bonito Campground (Az)

Flagstaff · Coconino National Forest Recreation

Pine-shaded sites at 7,000 feet elevation offer cool mountain refuge from Arizona's scorching desert valleys, with sunrise hikes through volcanic cinder fields and afternoon exploration of ancient pueblos at nearby Sunset Crater and Wupatki.

4.7(326)

Sunny Flat Campground

Rodeo · Coronado National Forest

Cave Creek flows through camp all summer, offering cooling wading pools beneath towering sycamores while hikers set out early to explore canyon trails before the day heats up.

4.7(78)

Moqui Group Campground

Happy Jack · Coconino National Forest Recreation

Cool mountain air at 7,000 feet provides relief from desert heat while tall ponderosa pines shade group gatherings of up to 50 people. C.C. Cragin Reservoir sits nearby for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, while the Arizona National Scenic Trail draws hikers and bikers through alpine forest.

4.9(51)

Redhead Campground

Show Low, AZ · Fool Hollow Lake

Summer transforms the pine-shaded sites into a basecamp for fishing bass and catfish, launching kayaks across Fool Hollow Lake, and spotting elk along forest trails. Electric hookups keep your gear powered while you spend sun-soaked days on the water and cool mountain evenings under the pines.

4.7(126)

Shannon Campground

Safford · Coronado National Forest

Summer brings cool mountain breezes and crystalline skies to this 9,100-foot alpine escape, where temperatures drop 20-30 degrees below the desert floor and Marijilda Creek flows cold through the forest.

4.7(56)

Red-Tailed Hawk Campground

Cottonwood, AZ · Dead Horse Ranch

The Verde River flows right through camp, offering swimming holes, fishing spots, and shaded trails beneath mesquite canopies while temperatures soar in the surrounding desert.

4.7(38)

Explore Summer Camping in Arizona

Browse 20 campgrounds on our interactive map. Filter by amenities, price, ratings, and more.

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Popular Activities

Swimming and cliff jumping in mountain lakes and reservoirsTrout fishing in alpine lakes and spring-fed creeksKayaking and canoeing on calm mountain watersHiking through ponderosa pine forests and along rim trailsMountain biking on forest service roads and designated trailsWildlife viewing including elk, deer, and diverse bird species

Tips & Recommendations

1Book your campsite exactly 6 months in advance when reservations open through Recreation.gov for the most sought-after lakeside locations, as prime summer weekends at campgrounds like Rock Crossing and Rainbow fill within hours of becoming available.
2Bring layers of clothing even in July and August, as temperatures can swing 30-40 degrees between afternoon highs in the 70s-80s and nighttime lows in the 40s-50s at elevations above 7,000 feet.
3Pack rain gear and be prepared to seek shelter during afternoon monsoon storms, which typically arrive between 2-5 PM from July through early September and can produce lightning, heavy rain, and occasional hail.
4A quality sleeping bag rated to at least 30°F ensures comfort during surprisingly chilly mountain nights.

20 campgrounds ranked

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Curated for Summer Camping in Arizona

Summer Camping in Arizona FAQ

We've ranked 20+ summer campgrounds in Arizona based on weather, amenities, and user reviews. Top options include campgrounds with shade, water access, and good summer conditions.

June through August is prime summer camping season in Arizona. June and September offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds, while July and August are peak season.

For summer camping in Arizona, bring sun protection, plenty of water, cooling gear, and light layers for cooler evenings. Bug spray is essential in many areas.

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Rock Crossing Campground (Az)
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