Arizona’s postcard-worthy landscape draws thousands of campers every year. Camping in Arizona is an absolute treat thanks to the state's extensive desert terrain, magnificent mountains, spectacular forests, and incredible water bodies. Arizona also boasts impressive parks and beautiful monuments where you can experience and discover the region’s rich history.
Best Camping Season in Arizona
Due to it's vast expanse, Arizona has a pretty diverse climate. While northern Arizona (where the Grand Canyon is located) is cooler, southern Arizona (where you'll find the Sonoran desert) experiences warm weather year-round. The north also witnesses higher snowfall and rain than the southern region. However, the monsoon season is more intense in southern Arizona.
Spring and fall are the best seasons to go camping, as the mild weather from October to April is perfect for outdoor activities. Avoid the peak summer months (May to September) if possible, since you'll have to deal with the extreme summer heat.
Types of Camping You Can Do in Arizona
- RV camping in Arizona lets you soak in nature’s wonders while staying comfortable. Customize your RV to enjoy your camping experience best. Arizona's national forests and state parks have designated areas for RV camping. You'll need a recreational permit to camp in some sites. There are private campgrounds that offer tennis, swimming, and laundry facilities.
Consider making a reservation in advance, especially if you're planning a camping trip to a popular destination or over the weekend. Campgrounds like Grand Canyon National Park and Desert View do not have first-come, first-served spots and require a booking.
- Car camping is allowed if you avoid parking on private property or camping outside your vehicle. It's a safe option for solo female campers. Plus, cars are better equipped to handle rainy and windy conditions.
- Tent camping is ideal when you're part of a larger group of campers and want to be close to nature. State parks and campgrounds around the Grand Canyon have some great spots for car and tent camping.
- If you're adventurous and prepared to tough it out, you can try backcountry and primitive camping in campgrounds around Arizona’s forests, monuments, and recreation areas. For overnight stays, you'll need a backcountry permit with the dates, campsite, and number of campers specified on it. Off-road trails are ideal for primitive camping.
If you're going backcountry camping, remember the following things:
- To stay safe, share your camping locations and route with someone trustworthy before you head out.
- Pick a level site after considering the weather and proximity to wildlife.
- Pack food that will refuel you and not spoil.
- Take all necessary gear, including a GPS device or compass, a first aid kit, and a survival kit.
- For emergencies, carry a dependable communication device like a two-way satellite device.
Popular Campgrounds in Northern Arizona
1. Grand Canyon National Park
This park offers outdoor adventures like white water rafting, hiking, and riding the Grand Canyon railway. You can experience great sunset views from the North and South Rim.
The South Rim has an RV park with space for big rigs and full hook-ups. If you have a smaller RV, you can head out to the Mather Campground or North Rim from May to October.
Mather Campground is located on the South Rim and can accommodate families and big groups. It also has picnic tables and a dump station nearby.
While North Rim typically stays open from mid-May to mid-October, South Rim is functional year-round. Although only 10 miles separate the two, the drive from North to South Rim covers 212 miles.
You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance via recreation.gov.
2. Sedona
Campers love exploring Sedona’s fantastic landscapes with its iconic red rock formations. Early spring, late autumn, and winter are most suitable for RV camping in Arizona.
Manzanita Campground is close to Sedona and offers cozy and rustic RV and tent camping. Basic amenities like picnic tables and toilets are available. The campground offers activities like boating, fishing, biking, swimming, horseback riding, wind sports, and wildlife watching.
Pine Flat Campground has campsites nestled in Arizona’s Coconino National Forest amidst towering pines. It has excellent hiking trails and great spots for fishing.
You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance via recreation. gov.
Popular Campgrounds in Central Arizona
1. Lost Dutchman State Park
This desert park has six hiking trails that lead into the wilderness. The Flatiron and Siphon Draw trail are perfect for hikers, while the Treasure Loop trail is a good option for families with kids. Campsites here have fire pits and picnic tables that add to the fun element.
Before planning your camping trip, scan through the Park’s advisory and check the weather forecast. October to April is the best period to visit.
The Cholla campground offers the most serene desert camping experience you can find. Coyote Campground has facilities that ensure a comfortable stay for families. If you want to be near mountain views and hiking trails, opt for the Saguaro campground.
You can make reservations through the official park website.
2. Lake Pleasant Regional Park
A scenic desert oasis best describes Lake Pleasant Regional Park. This recreation facility has vast stretches of water where you can go boating (either bring your boat or rent one), scuba diving, kayaking, and fishing. Avid anglers find spring the ideal season to fish at the lake here.
You'll have a wide choice of tent and RV camping sites with parking areas, ramadas, and picnic tables. Reservations must be made via the Maricopa Country Parks website, as they operate Lake Pleasant Regional Park.
Shoreline/primitive camping is available depending on water levels. Besides camping, you can also experience scorpion hunting if you're interested.
Popular Campgrounds in Southern Arizona
1. Patagonia Lake State Park
Patagonia is among Arizona's best lakes for fishing, and the State Park attracts nature lovers from all over the country. Although it's open year-round, spring is the best time to go camping, fishing, and hiking. The warmer months of June and July are ideal for water sports, while the mild winters are perfect for bird watching.
You can make campsite reservations up to a year in advance through the official website. During peak season weekends, you'll need to book a minimum stay of two nights.
Campsites here provide for picnic tables and fire rings. You can rent canoes, paddleboats, and boats from the Patagonia Lake Marina.
2. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Located within the Sonoran desert, this international biosphere reserve boasts a thriving plant and animal community. You can soak in up as you hike through the wilderness or on a scenic drive. You can also see the unique Organ Pipe cacti that thrive here and spot many birds in the winter.
For overnight backpacking, you'll need to get a permit from the Kris Eggle Visitor Center. You can spend a maximum of two consecutive nights using the permit. Car camping, fires, and pets are prohibited in the backcountry.
Cell reception is limited, so stay safe. In an emergency, approach a border patrol agent, ranger, or the visitor center.
You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance via recreation.gov.
Campsite Booking
Arizona has many luxury and rustic campgrounds amidst breathtaking landscapes. Demand for popular sites tends to be high, so plan and reserve your spot in advance. Here are some handy booking tips:
- Check the ‘Seasons and Fees’ section on the campground's website to know more about available booking windows and seasonal dates. You can make reservations via Recreation.gov, ReserveAmerica, or individual park websites.
- Be flexible and open to reserving a different campsite if the one you prefer isn't available for your dates.
- Off-the-beaten-path destinations are less crowded and equally worth exploring. Given that peak season and weekends are mostly in demand, consider opting for a weekday trip if your schedule is flexible.
Tips for Camping in Arizona
- Make sure you carry outdoor recreation equipment, camping gear, bug spray, flashlights, and RV leveling blocks. Plus the basics, of course.
- If you intend to camp during the summer, rent a rig equipped with an AC unit or book a campsite with an electric hook-up. Download a weather app that can notify you of any severe changes in real-time.
- Carry bear spray when hiking in their territory. Never feed or touch a wild animal. If you spot an animal in distress, report it immediately instead of attempting to help.
- When camping in Arizona, ensure you leave no trace. Responsibly dispose of your waste and be considerate to other campers.
- Include this in your itinerary - a drive through scenic Route 66 with pit stops at some of Arizona’s national sites. Your trip will be even more memorable if you plan it around the time the Arizona State Fair and Balloon Classic take place.
Related read: Best RV Parks in Arizona
Gear up for an Exciting Camping Trip in Arizona
There are a ton of fun outdoor activities that will satisfy your adventurous streak when camping in Arizona. You can go hiking, rock climbing or biking along nature trails. If you're a history buff, there are plenty of museums and monuments with great historical significance. Now that you have enough reasons to plan your next camping trip, all that's left is finding and reserving the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV.
You can use CampsiteTonight to find an available spot if you're making last-minute plans.
