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The Best Places to Camp in Arizona: Your Next Adventure

Top 20 Best Place to Camp in Arizona
March 22, 2024

Arizona’s diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes make it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in nature through camping. The state’s expansive open spaces and breathtaking scenery, ranging from majestic mountain ranges to serene desert vistas, offer many incredible camping opportunities. In this blog post, we will delve into some of the top camping destinations in Arizona, providing valuable tips for planning a memorable camping trip. So, prepare your trailer, gather your gear, and discover the best camping spots Arizona has to offer!

1. Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park - breathtaking view of the majestic canyon with layers of colorful rock formations as the sun sets, showcasing its natural beauty and iconic landscape.

Grand Canyon is a great place to camp and explore the majestic canyon. Campers can enjoy the stunning views and explore the canyon’s many wonders with several camping options, including backcountry camping.

2. Tonto National Forest

Campers can find various camping options within this vast forest along rivers, lakes, streams, and in the backcountry, providing a diverse outdoor experience. The forest offers scenic views, excellent fishing spots, abundant wildlife, and trails suitable for all skill levels. Whether seeking a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled exploration, this forest caters to campers of all interests and abilities, promising an unforgettable outdoor experience.

3. Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park - scenic desert landscape with iconic saguaro cacti silhouetted against a vibrant sunset, showcasing the unique flora and stunning vistas of this protected area in southern Arizona.

Saguaro National Park is renowned for its towering giant saguaro cacti, offering visitors a distinctive desert camping experience. Campers can venture out on the park’s backcountry trails, embark on day hikes, and immerse themselves in the breathtaking desert scenery surrounding them. This unique setting allows for a memorable outdoor adventure, where visitors can connect with nature and marvel at the beauty of the desert landscape within Saguaro National Park.

4. Kaibab National Forest

Situated near the Grand Canyon, Kaibab National Forest offers camping sites with stunning views of the canyon and the surrounding forests, providing a picturesque backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts. Campers can enjoy day hikes, observe the diverse wildlife species in the area, and bask in the peaceful ambiance of the forest. This tranquil setting allows visitors to immerse themselves in nature and experience the beauty of Kaibab National Forest’s unique landscape.

5. Coronado National Forest

Coronado National Forest - panoramic view of the diverse landscape featuring rugged mountains, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls, offering a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife enthusiasts alike in this enchanting natural sanctuary in Arizona.

Cradled in the Sonoran Desert, Coronado National Forest provides camping opportunities along rivers, lakes, and backcountry trails, offering a unique outdoor experience for visitors. Campers can immerse themselves in the area’s natural beauty, exploring canyons and rock formations and observing diverse wildlife species that call the forest home. This picturesque setting allows for a memorable camping adventure amidst the desert landscape of Coronado National Forest.

6. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Nestled within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest are breathtaking mountain vistas that attract outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil retreat. The forest features campsites along rivers, lakes, and streams, providing campers diverse natural settings. Visitors can also explore the forest’s extensive trail network, including the famous Mogollon Rim Trail, offering a range of outdoor activities amidst the stunning scenery of this expansive national forest.

7. Lake Havasu State Park

Lake Havasu State Park - picturesque view of the crystal-clear lake surrounded by sandy beaches, palm trees, and rocky desert terrain, providing a tranquil escape for water activities and outdoor adventures in this scenic park located in western Arizona.

Lake Havasu State Park is renowned for its pristine, crystal-clear waters. It offers camping opportunities along the shorelines, by the lake, and in the backcountry. Campers can partake in a range of water activities, including swimming, fishing, and boating, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking relaxation and adventure amidst the lake’s stunning natural beauty.

8. Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Famous for its remarkable natural bridge, this park provides campsites along the creek and in the backcountry, allowing campers to experience the beauty of the surroundings up close. Visitors can explore the diverse trails, take day hikes, and revel in the breathtaking views that the park has to offer, creating a memorable outdoor adventure for nature enthusiasts.

9. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park - iconic red sandstone formations and towering mesas against a clear blue sky, showcasing the stunning natural beauty and cultural significance of this renowned park within the Navajo Nation in Arizona and Utah.

Renowned for its iconic sandstone buttes, this park offers campers a unique opportunity to stay along the picturesque banks of the San Juan River. Visitors can immerse themselves in the area’s natural beauty by exploring the numerous trails, embarking on day hikes, and marveling at the stunning scenery that surrounds them.

10. Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is renowned for its breathtaking lake. It offers camping opportunities along the shoreline and in the backcountry, providing a diverse outdoor experience for visitors. Campers can engage in an array of water activities, such as swimming, fishing, and boating, making it an ideal destination for those seeking aquatic adventures in a beautiful natural setting.

11. Chiricahua National Monument

Chiricahua National Monument - dramatic rock spires and pinnacles creating a unique and striking landscape, with lush forests and vibrant wildflowers adding to the beauty of this hidden gem in southeastern Arizona.
Chiricahua National Monument – dramatic rock spires and pinnacles creating a unique and striking landscape, with lush forests and vibrant wildflowers adding to the beauty of this hidden gem in southeastern Arizona.

This monument is known for its stunning rock formations and gives campers the opportunity to stay in the backcountry. Campers can explore the area’s many trails, take day hikes, and enjoy the breathtaking views.

12. Slide Rock State Park

Slide Rock State Park is famous for its natural water slide, which provides campers with a unique and thrilling experience. In addition to enjoying the exhilarating slide, visitors can also explore the park’s numerous trails, partake in day hikes, and bask in the warm sunshine, offering a well-rounded outdoor adventure for nature lovers.

13. Red Rock State Park

Red Rock State Park - stunning red rock formations contrasted against lush green foliage and the tranquil waters of Oak Creek, providing a peaceful oasis for hiking, picnicking, and nature-watching in this scenic park located in Sedona, Arizona.
Red Rock State Park – stunning red rock formations contrasted against lush green foliage and the tranquil waters of Oak Creek, providing a peaceful oasis for hiking, picnicking, and nature-watching in this scenic park located in Sedona, Arizona.

This park is known for its stunning red sandstone cliffs and allows campers to stay along the banks of Oak Creek. Campers can also hike along the trails and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

14. Lake Powell

Lake Powell is renowned for its mesmerizing canyons and picturesque campsites equipped with excellent amenities. Campers can indulge in a plethora of water activities, from swimming and fishing to boating, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a memorable aquatic experience.

15. Sedona

Sedona's famous red rock formations, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte, against a blue sky, showcase the breathtaking beauty and spiritual energy of this popular destination for outdoor activities, art galleries, and wellness retreats in northern Arizona.
Sedona’s famous red rock formations, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte, against a blue sky, showcase the breathtaking beauty and spiritual energy of this popular destination for outdoor activities, art galleries, and wellness retreats in northern Arizona.

This city is known for its stunning red rock formations and provides camping opportunities along Oak Creek and in the backcountry.

16. Havasu Falls

This renowned waterfall is distinguished by its mesmerizing blue waters, offering campers the chance to combine backpacking with camping along the journey. While reaching this destination involves a challenging hike and requires obtaining a permit beforehand, the breathtaking views that await make the effort truly worthwhile.

17. Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park - ancient petrified logs scattered across a barren landscape under a clear blue sky, showcasing the unique geological features and rich fossil deposits of this protected area in northeastern Arizona.
Petrified Forest National Park – ancient petrified logs scattered across a barren landscape under a clear blue sky, showcasing the unique geological features and rich fossil deposits of this protected area in northeastern Arizona.

This park is known for its stunning petrified logs and is a fun place to be if you want to do some backcountry camping. 

18. White Tank Mountain Regional Park

Nestled within a picturesque landscape, this park is celebrated for its panoramic vistas, which captivate visitors with their beauty. Campers seeking a tranquil and scenic retreat will appreciate the prime campsites along the serene banks of the White Tank Wash, which allow for a unique outdoor experience amidst the natural splendor of the surroundings.

19. Catalina State Park

Catalina State Park - breathtaking desert scenery with rugged mountains, blooming wildflowers, and the iconic Santa Catalina Mountains in the background, providing an idyllic setting for hiking, wildlife viewing, and camping in this natural oasis located near Tucson, Arizona.
Catalina State Park – breathtaking desert scenery with rugged mountains, blooming wildflowers, and the iconic Santa Catalina Mountains in the background, providing an idyllic setting for hiking, wildlife viewing, and camping in this natural oasis located near Tucson, Arizona.

Known for its beautiful views, Catalina State Park offers opportunities for campers to stay along the banks of Sabino Creek.

20. Kartchner Caverns State Park

This park is known for its stunning limestone caves and provides camping opportunities along the banks of the San Pedro River. Campers can also explore the area’s many trails, take day hikes, and enjoy the stunning views.

At Oliver Travel Trailers, we understand the excitement of planning your summer adventures and the importance of finding the right travel trailer to make those experiences even more enjoyable. Our team of experts is here to help you find the perfect trailer for your needs. We can help you narrow down your choices based on your budget, vehicle compatibility, and desired features. So let us help you find the perfect trailer for your summer adventures!

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