Arizona's scenic deserts typically are dotted with thousands of RVs during pleasantly warm winter months. When temperatures heat up, tall pines singing in the cool breeze in Arizona’s mountains provide cool getaways near sparkling lakes and streams. Whatever time of year you head out in your RV, Arizona’s camping options are limited only by personal preference.
Private Campgrounds
- If your style of camping includes a lot of amenities, you’ll find them at private campgrounds throughout the state. Some chain campgrounds, such as KOA, have multiple facilities around the state with standard amenities that usually include full hookups, hot showers, laundry facilities and swimming pools. You’ll generally find a clubhouse and some sporting courts, such as basketball, volleyball or horseshoes. Look for other private campgrounds near Arizona's scenic points of interest or metropolitan areas. Scenic or upscale locations -- such as Sedona, the Parker Strip, and Scottsdale -- sometimes include day spas, golf, saunas or other luxuries on-site.
National Campgrounds
- Arizona is home to six national forests and 22 national parks. Campgrounds can be found throughout the national forests and at some parks. Standard amenities in Arizona favor self-contained camping, with vault toilets, drinking water, barbecues, fire rings and picnic tables provided at the majority of the sites. There are hookups and hot showers at a few, including Canyon Point near Payson, Whitetail Campground near Tucson, and Apache Trout Campground in the White Mountains. If you are disabled, on active military duty or retirement age, an America the Beautiful Pass not only gets you into national attractions at no charge, but can give you discounts at campgrounds managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
State and Regional Parks
- You’ll find hookups and hot showers at nearly every one of the 15 state parks with RV camping sites. The parks and their campgrounds are situated along scenic waterways or particularly scenic hiking areas. Regional parks are near metropolitan areas, such as Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma. Maricopa County’s regional park system contains nine parks in areas surrounding metropolitan Phoenix, connected by the 150 mile Maricopa Trail. RV camping is available at the majority of the parks, with hookups and dump stations provided at Cave Creek, Lake Pleasant, McDowell Mountain and Usery Mountain regional parks. Amenities at other parks range from primitive to semi-developed sites with picnic tables, grills and restrooms.
Dispersed Camping
- Dispersed camping is permitted on public lands throughout Arizona, except for areas recovering from fires or under similar restrictions. Both the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service allow camping for up to 14 days on public land, providing you camp on a vegetation-free, hard-packed surface, and obey fire restrictions. When camping in forested areas, be aware of trees suffering from bark beetle damage, as they can blow over in strong winds. Pack food in airtight containers, and store it out of sight of the windows in your RV when camping in forested areas where bears are prevalent. Remember to pick up pet food bowls from outside after your animal finishes eating.
