tent and car set up by canyons at sunset

The 5 Best Places to Camp Near Phoenix

Arizona is full of great camping sites, and many of them are near the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, you’ll be sure to find a campground in the area that will suit your needs. Here are some of the best places to camp near Phoenix, and what each campground has to offer. 

Five Beautiful Campgrounds Near Phoenix

1: Usery Mountain Regional Park

3939 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa 

Known for its larger-than-life rock sign spelling out “Phoenix,” Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa offers a peaceful camping experience. The 3,678-acre park has a large network of hiking trails, including the popular Wind Cave Trail and Blevins Trail. 

This park offers 73 individual campsites, all of which can be reserved online. Each site has everything you need for a comfortable experience, including a large parking area, picnic table, barbecue grill, fire ring, water source, dump station, and electrical hookup. 

2: Manzanita Campground

5900 N. State Route 89A, Sedona 

The serenity found at Manzanita Campground is perfect for relaxing or watching the wildlife. This campground is situated in Sedona’s Oak Creek Canyon, with stunning views of its unique and colorful rock formations. 

You’ll also be able to swim or fish along Oak Creek, surrounded by beautiful scenery. There are 18 campsites at Manzanita Campground, and each one includes a fire ring, grill, and picnic table. However, only 11 of the sites can be reserved ahead of time, so make sure to book a spot well in advance!   

3: McDowell Mountain Regional Park

16300 McDowell Mountain Park Drive, Fort McDowell 

This gorgeous park is located just northeast of Scottsdale, near Fountain Hills. You’ll find over 20,000 acres of breathtaking views of the mountains and the Sonoran Desert. But that’s not all—there are also over 40 miles of trails throughout the park that can be used for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers 92 individual campsites as well as several group camping sites, which can be reserved online. The amenities at the 76 sites located at E.I. Rowland Campground include water, electrical hook-ups, barbecue fire rings, and more. 

4: Lost Dutchman State Park

6109 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction 

Lost Dutchman State Park is located at the base of the majestic Superstition Mountains, a popular spot for photographers and hikers alike. The park gets its name from the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, an Old West tale that grew into a local legend. 

Although the park covers only 320 acres, it has 134 campsites that can be booked online, each with a picnic table and fire pit. Plus, around half of the campsites have power and water. 

5: Lake Pleasant Regional Park

41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road, Morristown 

Located in the Northwest Valley, Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers magnificent lake views and easy access to the water. There’s plenty to do at Lake Pleasant—besides camping, you can also enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming. The park even offers several unique programs such as history walks, Sunset Hikes, Full Moon Hikes, and more. 

Lake Pleasant Regional Park has 148 sites across two campgrounds. The amenities at each site include water, electricity, a dump station, a picnic table, a barbecue grill, a fire ring, and a covered ramada. 

Protect Your Loved Ones with a Solid Estate Plan

At Phelps LaClair, we know that camping is an excellent way to spend time with your friends and family. We aim to help you provide for those loved ones with expert estate planning services. We’ll help you ensure that your assets end up in the right hands at the right time. Give us a call at 480-892-2488 today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. 

 

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (5/3/2023). Photo by Christian Schrader on Unsplash 



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