Are you here to find the Best Tent Camping in Arizona? Good, because our list has the best of the best. The Grand Canyon State is known for its desert landscapes, towering saguaro cacti, and of course its largest national park, one of the most iconic in the country with more than 6 million visitors in 2017 alone. But there’s a lot more to Arizona than that: with rivers, lakes and alpine forests, there are opportunities for campers of every skill level and interest to get outside and do what they love!
Warm winter temperatures in the south are known to attract “snowbirds,” travelers looking to escape the harsh conditions of their home states, but you may be surprised to encounter snow storms in the northern part of the state at a higher elevation. Take extra care when planning for winter and summer trips, as the weather can be extreme and unpredictable.
Here are our top picks for tent campers looking to enjoy Arizona:
Backcountry Dispersed Camping – Petrified Forest National Park – Holbrook, Arizona
There are no developed campgrounds in this park, but backcountry camping is allowed with a free permit which can be obtained at either the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum. Rangers can help you select an appropriate site for your group size and skill level. There are no water sources, vault toilets or trash cans in the wilderness, so you’ll need to practice Leave No Trace Principles on your journey. DO NOT COLLECT plants, rocks, petrified wood, fossils, archeological objects or other materials: visitors and vehicles are subject to search when exiting, and thieves face hefty fines. Nearby retailers sell souvenirs.
Wahweap Campground – Glen Canyon National Recreation Area – Page, Arizona
Just 20 miles from Antelope Canyon and the world-famous Horseshoe Bend overlook, this concessionaire-operated full-service campground has 12 dry campsites (no hook-ups), 90 sites with water and electric, and 6 group sites. Restrooms with flush toilets, showers, and potable water are available; coin-op laundry is available, too. The Wahweap marina, restaurant, beach, amphitheater, camp store and picnic area are close by. Fees vary, and sites can be reserved ahead of time. This is a good choice for car campers or families with kids looking to enjoy the area’s attractions, as many of the camping areas in Glen Canyon require boating, rafting or hiking to reach.
Lake Powell Shoreline Primitive Camping – Glen Canyon National Recreation Area – Page, Arizona
There are many undeveloped camping spots for tent campers along Lake Powell; these sites are accessible only by boat or 4-wheel-drive roads and require the consultation of a topographic map when planning a trip. There is no camping fee or permit required to camp, and you can camp anywhere on the shore of Lake Powell except in developed marinas. Portable toilets are required, and rangers do regular water-quality checks. Small ground fires are allowed.
Saddle Mountain Overlook – Kaibab National Forest – North Rim, Arizona
Several first-come-first-serve dispersed sites line the road to this scenic spot along the lesser-frequented North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There is no water source and no vault toilet, but for a free campsite with an amazing 180-degree view, it’s worth roughing it for a night.
Supai Campground – Havasupai Reservation – Supai Arizona
With its towering waterfalls and turquoise pools contrasting against the red rocks of the Grand Canyon, this is one of the most stunning landscapes on earth! You’ll need a permit and camping reservation from the Havasupai Tribal Tourism Department. From the trailhead to Havasu Falls is 9.5 miles; camping is permitted along the 1-mile stretch between Havasu and Mooney Falls. There is a bathroom at the trailhead, but no water pump. Be prepared for hot temperatures during the day, and cold temperatures at night.
Bright Angel Campground – Grand Canyon National Park – Flagstaff, Arizona
There is an extensive permitting system for the extremely unique, strenuous and popular backpacking trip along the Bright Angel Trail, considered one of the park’s most beautiful. At nearly ten miles, the trail is well-maintained and has regularly spaced water fountains, vault toilets, rest houses and ranger stations with emergency phones. You’ll descend nearly 4,000 feet into the canyon, passing through a mile of sand dunes before crossing the Colorado River to pitch your tent for the night. If you have your permits in order, you may be able to hike in via the South Kaibab Trail, another popular but more strenuous route with legendary panoramic views, before ascending on the safer Bright Angel Trail.
Kingman Wash Dispersed Camping – Lake Mead National Recreation Area – Temple Bar Marina, Arizona
The dirt road to this free dispersed camping and hiking area is recommended for 4-wheel drive and high clearance vehicles, but some adventurous sedans may be able to make it with a bit of patience, as long as conditions are dry. Signs with yellow arrows guide the way toward the lakeshore and the pastel-hued Paint Pots. There is a vault toilet available, but campers will need to bring water and pack out all trash. The hike up Fortification Hill is steep but provides a great view of the surrounding Black Mountains and nearby Hoover Dam. The Lake Mead Recreation Area straddles the border with Nevada: Las Vegas is about an hour away.
Buckskin Mountain State Park – Parker, Arizona
Enjoy all the comforts of home with a better view! Located on a bend in the Colorado River, this campground offers riverfront sites facing the mountains just over the state line in California. Boating, fishing, and swimming are popular. There’s a playground, a boat ramp, a volleyball court a market for groceries, a gift shop, and even Wi-Fi service! Three comfort stations have flush toilets and showers, and water spigots can be found throughout the park. Fees vary seasonally, and reservations are recommended as some weekend stays require a minimum stay of two nights.
Dispersed Camping – Kofa National Wildlife Refuge – Yuma, Arizona
National Wildlife Refuges are (obviously) great for critter sightings big and small; camping is usually prohibited in order to protect the species that call these areas home, but Kofa allows free dispersed camping for up to 14 days. Chosen campsites must be ¼-mile from water sources, and Leave No Trace guidelines must be followed to keep this area free of waste.
Alamo Canyon Campground and Dispersed Camping Areas – Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument – Ajo, Arizona
This tent-only primitive campground only has four sites and can host a maximum of 20 people. Each site has a table, grill and trash can; there is a vault toilet but no water, and wood fires are not permitted. The fee is $12.00 per night, and sites are first-come-first-served. Those looking for a more rugged experience in the park’s vast backcountry should coordinate with the visitor’s center as the number of backpackers permitted to camp in each zone is limited; permits are $5.00 and cover stays of up to seven days.
White Rock Campground – Coronado National Forest – Nogales, Arizona
On the banks of Peña Blanca Creek, this campground is split into two sections: 13 sites at the upper camp, and two at the lower. The cool temperatures under the shade of the cliffs and the close proximity to fishing, swimming, and boating on Peña Blanca Lake make this a popular summer destination. An Arizona state license is required for fishing. The fee is $10.00 per night; sites have tables, grills and shared vault toilets. Medical services and supplies can be found in Nogales, 17 miles away.
Hike-In Backcountry Campsites – Sonoita Creek State Natural Area – Patagonia, Arizona
Three secluded sites await adventurous backpackers who will have to venture at least 4 miles from their vehicles. There are fire rings at each site, but this area is prone to restrictions on campfires, so check ahead of your arrival. The visitor center has a bathroom, but there are no facilities or water pumps in the backcountry. Birdwatchers rejoice: spring migration patterns often see more than 60 of the 300 species that call the area home, and the visitor center rents binoculars. The fee to camp is $12.00 per night, with a two-night maximum.
Cochise Stronghold Campground – Coronado National Forest – Pearce, Arizona
The Upper Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts meet in this unusually diverse canyon which was once frequented by the Apache Indian leader, Cochise. The campground is closed during the summer months when high temperatures make recreation in this area unsafe. 11 individual and two group sites share vault toilets, trash cans, and an accessible nature trail; each has a table and grill. There is no potable water.
General Hitchcock Campground – Coronado National Forest – Tucson, Arizona
This 11-site campground is smaller and less busy than some of the others off of the scenic Catalina Highway which climbs Mount Lemmon to incredible views of the Tucson, Santa Catalina, Rincon, Santa Rita, and Tortolita mountain ranges that surround the city of Tucson, just 12 miles away. Each site has a grill, bear box, shaded table, tent pad and vault toilet access for a nightly fee of $10.00. Bear Creek is not a reliable source, so bring water with you and heed flash flood warnings.
Dispersed Backcountry Camping – Saguaro National Park – Tucson, Arizona
There are no car camping areas in either of the park’s sections, but backcountry camping is allowed with an $8.00 nightly permit. Five separate camping areas at different altitudes offer hikes of varying difficulty levels and distances; I’d recommend the Manning Camp, which has 6 sites at 7,920 feet, 7.5 miles from the trailhead and is the only year-round water source.
Reef Townsite Campground – Coronado National Forest – Hereford, Arizona
History lovers and ghost town fans will love this campground, built on the site of an old mining town near a quartzite-bearing cliff. You can still find evidence of the town’s history: remains of the old water system and mining structures can be found around the camp’s interpretive trail, and several sites’ picnic tables and tent pads are arranged around old cabin foundations. The fee is $10.00 per night, and day use is permitted. Vault toilets are available, but no drinking water.
Lost Dutchman State Park – Apache Junction, Arizona
The legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine tells of gold hidden deep in the Superstition Mountains and has fascinated locals and visitors for more than 100 years. Each of the 134 sites at this high desert campground has a picnic table, grill, and fire pit. Two restroom/shower buildings also have potable water. Several hiking trails wind through the foothills past cholla and saguaro cacti. Museums in nearby Youngberg showcase highlights from the area’s rich mining history.
Lost Gold Mine Trail Backcountry Camping – Superstition Wilderness Area – Gold Canyon, Arizona
Backpackers searching for a more challenging hiking experience – or the Dutchman fortune – will love this 11-mile trek just south of Lost Dutchman State Park. It’s free to camp at the unmarked dispersed sites along the trail, usually near water sources which may be seasonal. Desert tortoises and Gila monsters can be spotted on occasion, and cacti are plentiful.
Cholla Campground – Tonto National Forest – Roosevelt, Arizona
This lakefront campground has 206 sites, some tent-only. All have shaded picnic tables, fire rings with grills, potable water and access to some of the nicest campground bathrooms in the country: impeccably clean, flush toilets, hot showers and best of all, everything here is solar powered! At least one loop is open year-round with first-come-first-serve sites. It’s $20.00 per night to camp, but it’s worth it for the mountain and lake views. Keep an ear out for the resident flock of quails around sunset as they return to their nests. Payson, about 40 miles north, is the closest major town; Phoenix is about 100 miles west.
Cave Springs Campground – Coconino National Forest – Sedona, Arizona
This popular campground is usually full when it’s open, so make sure you arrive early in the day to secure one of the 84 sites along Oak Creek. Sites can be reserved, and unreserved sites are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is one hike-in tent-only site. All sites are $22.00 per night and have picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Vault toilets and potable water are provided; coin-op showers are also available. Swimming, fishing, birding and biking opportunities can be found nearby, along with Slide Rock State Park a short drive away. Enormous red rock formations and lush green forest provide unforgettable views throughout the area, and downtown Sedona’s eclectic shops are worth a look.
Conclusion
No matter where you decide to pitch your tent in Arizona, you’re bound to be blown away by the diverse recreation opportunities on offer here. With a variety of climates and landscapes, you’ll want to return again and again!
-MaryJean Cienski
