The best camping in Arizona.

The Copper State can get extremely hot during the summer, but in general, Arizona features a welcoming climate year-round that makes it excellent for exploration. The north-central town of Sedona works well as a spot from which to plan your camping travels. You'll find a bunch of national parks within a three-hour drive. Check out historic Montezuma Castle National Monument or the famous Petrified Forest National Park.

Grand Canyon National Park also sits within three hours of Sedona. The Grand Canyon is a mile deep and 18 miles across at its widest point, and it's a must-see. Its fame makes its national park extremely busy all year round, though. If you can arrive by 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m., you'll have more luck avoiding the crowd crush.

If you prefer a more verdant, less populated area, aim for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. There are over 2 million acres of wilderness for exploration here. Forest rules prohibit any mechanized vehicles, so get ready to hoof it. Alternately, ride a horse and let the horse hoof it!

Big Lake Dam Parking Fishing Site sits on the east edge of the enormous forest. Here you'll find multiple campgrounds and plenty of hiking and canoeing options.