Where can I camp for free in Arizona?

Arizona offers several options for free camping, primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest lands. Some popular free camping areas in Arizona include: Cottonwood Canyon Road near the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Saddle Mountain BLM Dispersed Camping near Tonopah Lone Rock Beach Primitive Camping at Lake Powell Forest Road 525 near Sedona in the Coconino National Forest Craggy Wash BLM Dispersed Camping near Lake Havasu City Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles and check local regulations before setting up camp. Note that amenities are limited or nonexistent at these free campsites, so come prepared with your own water, waste disposal, and other necessities.

Camping in Arizona

Q: Can you camp along the Salt River?

Yes, you can camp along the Salt River in Arizona . There are several developed campgrounds and day-use sites managed by the Tonto National Forest . While Coon Bluff, Phon D Sutton, and Granite Reef recreation sites are popular day-use options, there are other campgrounds available for overnight stays. Additionally, you can find private campgrounds along the Salt River, such as the San Tan Valley Hipcamp. Keep in mind that some sites may require a fee, and it's important to follow any posted rules and regulations while camping in these areas.

Discover and book the best campgrounds, cabins, RV parks, and more.

United States
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Arizona

Camping in Arizona

Enjoy year-round camping from the Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park to Lake Powell and Havasu Falls in this Southwest state.

Top-rated stays

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Meadview RV Park

20 sites · Lodging, RVs10 acres · Meadview, AZOur park is located just twenty-six miles from the West Rim of the Grand Canyon and is the closest RV Park to the Grand Canyon Overlook, home to the world-famous "Skywalk." It is conveniently located near Lake Mead, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States. While you are here at Meadview RV Park you can take advantage of all the available water sports and outdoor activities.

Glamping In Navajoland

9 sites · LodgingPage , AZWe are a Native American owned large acreage working sheep ranch and off grid Glamping hotel offering guests a unique stay at our ranch on the Navajo Nation.

Brewery on an Organic Date Farm

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Wellton, AZWe have an 80 acre Organic Medjool Date farm located at the base of the Gila Mountains in Wellton, AZ. We are a bit off the beaten path but once you get here it's so worth the drive. The star gazing is amazing and if you like off-roading there are trails everywhere out here! We have lots of chickens, a few turkeys, two goats (Phoebe & Mabel), two dogs-a pug named Bob and a three-legged Golden Pyrenees named Nymeria, and a desert tortoise named Miles. Ask us about our organic Medjool dates, farm tours, and farm fresh eggs! We have a nano-BREWERY and restaurant on-site, open seasonally to guests and to the public. High Tanks Brewing Co is open November-April Thurs-Sun from 11-5pm. Throughout this season we offer many fun things to do such as farm tours, live music, cornhole tournaments, yoga, farm-to-table style dinners, and much more. Please check out our website www.hightanks.com or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hightanks for a schedule of events. Learn more about this land: Come shack up in our 1975 Vintage Trailer or bring your own RV/trailer/tent and experience camping nestled among the Date palms at the base of Gila Mountain. We offer Wi-Fi at the brewery but cannot guarantee a signal at your site. Explore the desert! There are many hiking trails in the area and even more places to take your ATVs. We are only a 10-minute drive from our sleepy little town of Wellton and a 35-minute drive from bustling Yuma. Be sure to check the listing carefully for details and feel free to ask questions. Maximum stays are limited to 7 nights.

The Desert Oasis Campground

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Mc Neal, AZAt A "MILD" 4200 Feet Above Sea Level, the campground is on an Arizona desert oasis. For those who love the outdoors, the campground has a panoramic view of the Mule, Swiss Helm, Perillo, Chiricahua, and Dragoon mountains and is located just outside the quaint, historic city of Bisbee, Arizona. In winter, the dry desert air makes it feel a few degrees warmer than the thermometer indicates. Located on a 120-acre ranch we are pet friendly and have over 3 miles of hiking trails. Our accommodations also include camping cabins and RV rentals. For your enjoyment, we have a large well-equipped recreation center with a tv lounge, darts, ping-pong table, and pool table. The Clubhouse also comes equipped with bathrooms and a shower.

Sedona's Most Visited Bnb!

8 sites · Lodging2 acres · Sedona, AZSedona Sacred Rocks is a Metaphysical B&B with peaceful nature, comfortable camping and bnb accommodations, a 'simplified' version of a Bnb. We strive to provide an amazing Sedona experience -- connecting to the beauty of the Red Rocks, horses, ceremony, healing, rest and to truly 'be' in nature. The adjacent 2,000 acres of Coconino Nat'l Forest provide the perfect place with friendly locals, yet it's close to town. Join us for Medicine Wheel ceremonies, Sound Healing, Horse Medicine and Tour Packages. We are committed to providing a cozy and peaceful place for fun experiences with friendly locals, relaxation, healing, and connection to the beautiful surrounding Red Rocks and nature. Check out all of our units by going to our web page, sedonasacredrocks.

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Yucca, AZ"Thar's gold in them thar hills" could've been coined right here. There are gold mines and evidence of miners picking quartz etc. all around us. Cairns marked off areas that are still here over a hundred years later. We are the center of the oldest examples of Arizona cattlemen starting herds right here. Round-ups and branding still go on every year. One of the prettiest areas in the state for all kinds of unique boulder and rock formations, flora and fauna. Wonderful hiking and scenic drives.

Grand Canyon Eco Retreat

6 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Williams, AZLocated on 10 off-grid acres near the Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon Glamping invites you to be immersed in the serene landscape of our Northern Arizona property. This is the native land of the Hualapai, Havasupai, Hopi, and Dine people. Awarded "Best Hipcamp in Arizona" by Outside Magazine! On our mostly untouched hillside you can disconnect from the day-to-day hustle, see local wildlife, lie back in a hammock, and have the chance to interact with the land in its unaltered form. Our number one goal is sustainability and we have built everything man-made here with that in mind. This involves using reclaimed lumber as much as possible, not building with plastics or concrete, and collecting all of our power from the sun. We hope to provide the most comfort possible while keeping the land as close to how we found it as possible. Please respect the land while you are here and the land will take care of you! We started in 2019 with a piece of untouched, hilly land, and created a natural sanctuary for mindful retreats. We now have 3 glamping yurts open half the year, a tiny A-frame cabin which is open year round, a yoga deck, a sauna and cold tub, composting bathrooms and open-air hot showers, a picnic area, and more projects in the works. You're welcome to walk around exploring to see what animals you might see! We also offer 4-day yoga retreats which run most weekends from Friday through Monday. Yoga classes, guided hikes, Reiki, massage, or sauna use are available as add-ons for any guests! Glamping is a great option for first-time campers since you don't have to buy or bring any gear! Our yurts and tiny cabin are fully furnished with comfortable beds, solar power, lights, and lots of extra blankets for those chilly mountain nights! Some listings come with a camp stove and cooking gear, or you can ask about adding on Chef Zach's famous vegetarian breakfast!

Land Beyond Zion Stars & Sunsets

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents3 acres · AZZion National Park is the 3rd most visited park in the US, so when we had an opportunity to purchase property in a rural area outside of the park, we jumped on it. The property is 3 acres surrounded by many acres in all directions that are empty land. Across the street there is a 600 acre cattle ranch, then a vast swath of Bureau of Land Management land you can hike to from the property. Our property has some water and power hook ups that are ideal for vans or small trailer/RVs. NO SEPTIC DUMP on site but one close by that is free. We have shade structures, a BBQ area, a propane firepit (no wood fires in summer please! too dry). Propane is a $5 per use additional fee if you want to have a fire. You can pay per day. We purchased the property from a family down the road and they have helped us develop out the piece we have. Currently we park a trailer on it that we rent out, plus we have 1 glamp tent, 1 little cabin, 1 camping platform and a few areas for tents and vanlifers to pull up! We have a group site with it's own kitchen/BBQ area. There's a bath house with 2 flushing toilets an outhouse and an outdoor heated shower. We also have a great outdoor kitchen with everything you need to cook a great meal! Stove, pots and pans, dishes, etc! Our property is 50 minutes to the east side of Zion. We are 15 minutes away from Coral Pink Sand Dunes state park (you can rent sand boards there) 25 minutes to Hurricane. We are 5 minutes away from a great grocery store (Bee's Market) with EVERYTHING! Just past that is a great microbrewery and pizza place called Edge of the World. Basically you get the quiet and dark skies at night, which are perfect for camping, but creature comforts of a bathroom, outdoor shower, Wifi, firepits and BBQ. We have cool art, horseshoe put, an outdoor kitchen with stove and all the cooking utensils and pots you need! Hot water! Land Beyond Zion is available for group rentals and great if you are trying to plan a camp out with numerous people, but struggling to find a campground that will accommodate. We are kid friendly, dog friendly, BIPOC, LGBTQ and senior friendly. We are not an RV park but can accommodate some smaller rigs, so reach out to us if you are interested in staying. We have room for a skoolie if it's the right size! Up to 24-26 feet vans and skoolies. Inquire if your rig is bigger. DOGS IMPORTANT!!! If you have a dog we ask that you please keep it near you at all times. If there are other dogs on the property you will need to leash up dogs. Also, please walk the property and pick up poop!!! We ask for a $10 fee for dogs. Please pay to our venmo (@shantihodges) Thank you!

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Williams, AZI am an outdoors gal and have been living in the area for more then 20 years! I love Northern Arizona and all the beauty and adventure this amazing area has to offer. I am surrounded by the Kaibab National Forest where you can hike, ATV or hunt to your heart’s content. Kaibab National Forest has got what you need for a Northern Arizona getaway no matter what you are looking for. With three distinct areas: Williams, Tusayan, and North Kaibab, this diverse place will leave you with a perma-smile and a wild streak you didn’t know you had. Also, wait for it...this forest borders both the north and south side of Grand Canyon National Park! You can expect to enjoy biking, boating, fishing, hiking and many other activities! No electricity, water, sewage, or TV connection. Pets allowed as long as they are well behaved. Leashes required otherwise. Campfires are allowed as long as there is not a fire ban in effect. Here in the middle of the Forest the night sky is just amazing, and of course we have those Famous Arizona Sunsets! I am happy to share with you all the knowledge I have, so please don’t hesitate to ask!

Antelope Run Rewilding Camp

28 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Ash Fork, AZWe just purchased this forty acre parcel of open rangeland in Northern Arizona. The land is beautiful but overgrazed and depleted. We are committed to restoring it for the sake of the antelope and other wildlife in the area. Proceeds from campers will help to pay for wildlife permeable fencing and native grass and wildflower reseeding.

5 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · AZOn-site I have one acre, the property has many pinyon pine and juniper trees, site viewing of the San Francisco peaks on the-picnic upper deck, you have picnic table to enjoy a meal or snack.This property is unique because of our history of the Grand Canyon and the discovery’s made by John Wesley Powell.

A Spark in the Dark Campground

15 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Ash Fork, AZThe Spark is a 40 acre "Primitive Plus" camping experience in a mountain/prairie/desert hybrid environment. Only a few sites to ensure you have a huge section of the property to yourself - wherever you choose to set up! Great for large groups or the single camper needing a natural retreat. There are several listing types to suit your camping needs - come camping at The Spark!

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Outdoor stays for every style

Find your new favorite spot.

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Explore the area’s public lands.

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Happiness if found while swaying in a hammock, by the warmth of a campfire, the company in the wild and the food in my belly.

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All camping options

Arizona is full of natural wonders, from the Grand Canyon to Saguaro National Park, with ample outdoor fun ranging from mountain biking to horseback riding. Much of the state is occupied by the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts, but start exploring and you'll quickly discover that Arizona is more than just jackrabbits and cacti—there are lakes, rivers, mountains, forests, and miles of hiking trails. It's also a great place for sleeping under the stars, and while parts of Arizona can get a bit too hot for comfort in summer, those same places offer pleasant camping weather throughout much of the year.

Where to Go

Northern Arizona

While northern Arizona's best-known attraction is the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, there’s plenty more to see and do, from visiting Lake Powell on the Colorado River to backcountry tent camping among the ponderosa pines in the Coconino National Forest, Prescott National Forest, and Kaibab National Forest. Sedona, just south of Flagstaff, also makes a great base for hiking among Arizona's Red Rocks or swimming in Oak Creek Canyon’s Slide Rock State Park.

Western Arizona

Dubbed Arizona's "West Coast," this part of the state offers all sorts of outdoor activities, much of which revolve around the Colorado River. The town of Yuma near the southern border is a popular spot, featuring an old Wild West prison and serving as a good base for visiting the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. Attractions further north include Lake Havasu State Park, where you can swim, camp, or even check out the 19th-century London Bridge. Further north, the massive Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers year-round camping and easy access to two lakes.

Central Arizona

While it's easy to associate central Arizona with Phoenix sprawl, this region offers a lot for outdoorsy types, all within a short drive of the city. Popular spots for outdoors lovers include the Superstition Mountains in the Tonto National Forest, Lost Dutchman State Park, and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. If you're interested in archaeology, the Montezuma Castle National Monument is also worth a visit.

Southern Arizona

Southern Arizona is full of Wild West spirit, with a mix of historic ghost towns and scenic desert landscapes, plus plenty of forests, particularly in the Chiricahua Mountains. Must-visit parks include Saguaro National Park and Catalina State Park—both just outside Tucson. If it gets too hot, make like a local and head to Patagonia Lake State Park, a prime spot to swim and cool off from the Arizona heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can camp along the Salt River in Arizona. There are several developed campgrounds and day-use sites managed by the Tonto National Forest. While Coon Bluff, Phon D Sutton, and Granite Reef recreation sites are popular day-use options, there are other campgrounds available for overnight stays. Additionally, you can find private campgrounds along the Salt River, such as the San Tan Valley Hipcamp. Keep in mind that some sites may require a fee, and it's important to follow any posted rules and regulations while camping in these areas.

Boondocking, or dispersed camping, is not illegal in Arizona as long as you follow the rules and regulations set by the managing agency of the land on which you're camping. Arizona has a variety of public lands, including National Forests, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, and state trust lands, where boondocking is allowed. However, it's essential to check the specific rules for each area, as some locations may have restrictions or require permits. Additionally, you can find boondocking sites on Hipcamp that are privately owned and managed, ensuring a legal and enjoyable boondocking experience in Arizona.

It is not accurate to say that camping is illegal anywhere in Arizona. However, there are specific rules and regulations regarding where you can camp. Camping is generally permitted in designated campgrounds, state parks, national forests, and on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, as well as some private lands. Always check local regulations and obtain necessary permits before camping to ensure you are following the law and respecting the environment.

For a list of campgrounds in Arizona, you can visit Hipcamp's Arizona camping page.

Arizona offers several options for free camping, primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest lands. Some popular free camping areas in Arizona include:

Cottonwood Canyon Road near the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Saddle Mountain BLM Dispersed Camping near Tonopah
Lone Rock Beach Primitive Camping at Lake Powell
Forest Road 525 near Sedona in the Coconino National Forest
Craggy Wash BLM Dispersed Camping near Lake Havasu City

Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles and check local regulations before setting up camp. Note that amenities are limited or nonexistent at these free campsites, so come prepared with your own water, waste disposal, and other necessities.

The best season to camp in Arizona is during the fall and spring months, specifically from October to April. During these months, temperatures are milder and more comfortable for outdoor activities and camping. In particular, the desert areas of Arizona, such as Phoenix and Tucson, offer pleasant daytime temperatures and cool nights. The summer months, from May to September, can be extremely hot and are not recommended for camping, especially in the desert regions.