Lakeside camping in Arizona with campfires
Enjoy year-round camping from the Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park to Lake Powell and Havasu Falls in this Southwest state.
84% (778 reviews)
- Arizona
84% (778 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Arizona
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12 top lakeside campgrounds in Arizona with campfires
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GoldBar Ranch Campground
10 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Wilhoit, AZ
Our campground has been operating for years, This is a NEW listing with the same management!
CAMPFIRES ARE ALLOWED IN FIRE PITS PENDING ITS NOT TOO WINDY
FISHING IS CATCH AND RELEASE! BARBLESS HOOKS
We do shut fires down if the county restricts them on a county wide basis but currently it’s allowed!
Retreat at The Goldbar Ranch is nestled in the heart of the Wild West, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for those seeking adventure, relaxation, and connection. This beautiful campground offers endless opportunities for fun and relaxation. Take a dip in the refreshing water, cast for huge fish in the stocked pond (catch and release, Barbless hooks please!), or enjoy a peaceful evening roasting marshmallows by the campfire with friends and family. If you're feeling more adventurous, take your stand-up paddleboard out for a spin, hike to nearby ruins, or try your hand at panning for gold. For those looking for an extra thrill, you can sign up for horseback rides (coming soon), as well as adventure trails for guests with jeeps and side-by-sides. The stunning natural surroundings provide a perfect backdrop for all your outdoor activities, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all. The entire lake is also available for private parties including; business mixers, retreats, and weddings. The onsite partner vendors offer tables, chairs, and catering to make your event planning as stress-free as possible. Visit to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in nature and sunshine. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, there is something for you at Retreat at The Goldbar Ranch. Book your stay today and create memories that will last a lifetime!
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Desert Glamping
20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Meadview, AZ
Meadview Arizona was founded in 1826 by Jedediah Smith on his Southwest Expedition in search for Beaver! Staying a small remote and quiet town it can feel like it would have in the Wild West.
We obtained our campground from a couple that owned it for 20 years but just weren't able to do to it what they had originally planned.. So it was essentially a blank canvas for us to create!! We are the closest town to the Grand Canyon SKYWALK, which is just 40 minutes from us. Meadview, the town we are located, is the only place to obtain Free Entree to the Lake Mead Recreational Center. Our Campground just 10 miles from Lake Mead and 17 Miles from the Colorado River. We have outstanding Lookouts, Top notch Stargazing, Gold Prospecting, Bird Watching, Fishing, Off Roading etc.
Some of the Best Desert Off-Roading through trails within the Joshua Tree National Forest, Please note you must bring your own OHV, horse, etc, there is currently no rentals available. We do have Kayaks to rent upon arrival. There is a hidden water fall in the Grapevine Wash that you can get to with a 4 wheel vehicle and you hike in about 15 minutes in. Stunning views and gorgeous natural spring and waterfall.
We are 45 minutes off the 93 Freeway
Free WIFI provided at the office!.. The town doesn't always have a powerful signal, please keep that in mind in your travels. However, if you have Verizon, it gets GREAT service!
There are three restaurants in town, all just one mile from site... The Boathouse, Anchor Smokehouse and Fishermans Landing Bar. We have a Bakery called Rosemary and Thyme that serves Delicious foods & Pastries and makes great coffees. There is also a Gas n Grub that has ice, propane etc... 5 miles away is a Family Dollar store which we lovingly call the "Mall of Meadview"
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Secluded Alamo Lake Santuary
16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents300 acres · Alamo Lake, AZ
Step back in time and explore the rich history of this property, once a mining camp in 1910, now a ghost town. Slated for strip mining in 2015, the land found a new purpose when I purchased it, safeguarding it for the future. Our non-profit is transforming the area into a conservation area with a purpose.
Today, the Sonoran Desert Sanctuary is an evolving conservation area and private wilderness retreat for veterans and others challenged by PTSD. As we embark on this journey, we invite you to come and witness the transformation as we grow and evolve.
Volunteer opportunities abound for those with a passion for conservation and a love for the desert. Join us in shaping the sanctuary and contributing to the preservation of this unique ecosystem. Your visit and involvement become a part of the story, helping us create a haven for the Sonoran Desert's diverse flora and fauna. The proceeds from your Hipcamp stay go directly to the Anderson-Arroyo Foundation (501c3) and are tax-deductible as a donation.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the desert landscape, participate in our growth, and leave your mark on the future Sonoran Desert Sanctuary. Visit us and explore the unique blend of history, conservation, and community that defines our special corner of the world.
Tours of the ghost town and surrounding canyons are available. You can fish the lake, rent kayaks, go birding, hike, meditate, or bring your telescope for the Class 2 Dark Night skies!
3.5 hours from Phoenix, Vegas. 4 hours from Flagstaff. 2 hours from Lake Havasu or Kingman.
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Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek
4 sites · RVs1 acre · Patagonia, AZ
Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek was created as a place to enjoy the unique treasures of Patagonia, AZ. We wanted to provide a haven for people who value the outdoors to gather and take advantage of the recreational aspects of the area and also be walking distance to town. Our property was once a trailer court. We've done a huge renovation to provide RV spaces, a vintage trailer rental and tent camping.
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La Hacienda Chuparosa
6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents4 acres · Tucson, AZ
When my husband and I were dating in NY we confessed our mutual desire to get back "home" to the west. It made me fall in love with him even faster. So when we married we moved to Washington DC knowing that in time we would make it west. 5 years later, when the traffic and the politics has taken its toll, we made a trip to Tucson and fell in love with this charming property that exudes all the beauty and grace of the Sonoran Desert. We looked at each other as we walked around looking at the stunning Mtn. Views and the mesquite fence and knew we were finally "home."
I've always adored the SW Hummingbirds and wanted to name the property La Hacienda Chuparosa. When we moved in, for the first week, every morning a hummingbird was sipping nectar from one of our plants in the front yard. We knew it was meant to be.
So we added a couple of horses to our dream, built some stalls, and now are ready to welcome you to La Hacienda Chuparosa. We know you will find the same magic here that we do.
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Glamping In Navajoland
10 sites · Lodging40 acres · Page , AZ
We 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. Shash Diné is an ideal basecamp for Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, the Colorado River, Zion, Bryce, Monument Valley, and both rims Gran Canyon
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Wits End Ranch
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.
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Magic in the Mohave
1 site · RV, Tent40 acres · Yucca, AZ
This is a peaceful campsite in the middle of North Americas largest Joshua Tree forest. There are saguaro cactus covered mountains nearby and an abundance of desert wildlife all around. Mountain views in every direction. Come explore this huge property and immerse yourself in nature.
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Stars and silence
2 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · AZ
Do you feel closest to God in Nature? Experience the best of Arizona on a mountain top overlooking all of Phoenix. A birds eye view of all the surrounding mountains, watch from a distance as the coliseum lights up for games and as the hot air balloons rise in the morning sun. Enjoy the wild donkeys and cows as they wonder around and visit you. The silence is unforgettable, only interrupted by the Nature around you. Enjoy near by walks along Cow Creek and all the boating, swimming and exploring or the lake you crave! Watch the world and relax as God intended.
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Stargazing in US's #2 Dark Sky Zone
12 sites · Lodging640 acres · AZ
The stars are unforgettable here. Dark sky stargazing in #2 darkest sky in USA. This remote and peaceful campsite gives you a backcountry wilderness experience you can reach in a regular car. Amateur astronomers love the stargazing and viewing the Milky Way with your bare eyes -- photo of Milky Way Galaxy here was taken at the site.
Boatel class 2 -- in the International Dark Sky Zone. Book during a NEW MOON if you want to see stars like those in the photos here.
Guests also enjoy the abundant wildlife, birdwatching, hiking and taking drives to a hot springs and swimming holes with waterfalls in the region.
The area is also great for 4x4 exploration in your short wheelbase 4x4 or ATV.
No visible city lights, no lighting on site, no passing car headlights, and no signs of civilization. No traffic noise whatsoever.
Winter daytime weather in the 70s, sunny most of the time, 3000-5000 ft elevation and above the heat.
REMOTE FEELING BUT FREEWAY CLOSE
Our base camp site is a 35 minute scenic drive off of Highway 93, between Las Vegas and Phoenix, (2 1/2 hours either way)
We are about 3 hours from the Grand Canyon and 45 miles from Prescott.
We have a few campsites with fire rings you can safely drive to in a regular 2 wheel drive car, minivan, camper van or smaller (not monstrous)
Pull behind trailers are ok if you have a truck. You can pull through the site.
The rest of the ranch is 4x4, hike in camping only.
Roads beyond the Base Camp and in surrounding wilderness are rugged and a great adventure for those with a Subaru, Jeep or ATV -- miles and miles of dirt roads in this adjacent 27,000 acre wilderness.
BETWEEN PHOENIX AND VEGAS
Aquarius Stargazing Ranch is in the Aquarius Mountains, 3 hours and 200 miles West of the Grand Canyon near the ghost town of Nothing, Arizona.
We are 6 hours from Los Angeles or San Diego.
We are halfway between Phoenix and Las Vegas, (2 1/2 hours between either city).
WEATHER
It is usually 10 - 20 degrees cooler than Wikieup or Phoenix. It rains more up here and there are trees and thick brush. Never snows, sunny year round. Summer brings spectacular Monsoon thunderstorms.
ECOSYSTEM
You will notice the landscape starkly changes as you drive from the Highway up into these steep and remote mountains.
The ecosystem is a blend of Saguro Cactus, prickly pear, and cholla cactus, desert sagebrush, Southwestern hardwoods like mesquite and manzanita and deciduous leafy trees like Aspen, Gingko, Cottonwood, and Sycamore. Wildflowers are prolific in Spring and after rains.
WILDLIFE
Wildlife is abundant including endangered species like Bighorn Sheep, Wild Burro, Wild Horses, Pronghorn Antelope, Bald Eagle, Falcon, Great Horned Owl -- 150 species of birds. Bees, dragonflies and butterflies thrive here as no pesticide or herbicide has ever touched this land.
This is a primal experience. No human habitation.
SWIMMING HOLES NEARBY
Surrounded on all sides by 27,000 acres of the very remote Upper Burro Creek wilderness through which a creek flows uninterrupted for 13 miles, year round, enabling wildlife to flourish and creating amazing swimming holes and waterfalls.
There are also hot springs in this area.
HIKING
Hiking is easy and gentle on miles of roads and sandy washes, lovely trails made by wild deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, wild burros, and the occasional stray cow.
ATV ADVENTURE
There is also very challenging and rugged, steep, uphill off trail hiking for the adventurous explorer and miles of 4x4 trails to explore in the surrounding Burro Creek wilderness.
PRISTINE, SACRED LAND
We consider ourselves guardians of this sacred land.
Our intention is to preserve this absolutely pristine, untouched and virtually uninhabited land as a wildlife corridor for future generations, and develop it only according to ecological Permaculture principles.
We also intend to protect the wild horses and wild animals that roam freely here.
As you walk the road that heads into the higher mountain region of the land where volcanic peaks reach above 5,000 feet, you will notice that it is an natural bowl that protects a seasonal stream and canyon.
HISTORY
Native tribes lived here because it was a defensible and safe haven, it is truly a natural fortress of red rock and granite. Before that, dinosaurs roamed this region of Arizona and fossilized remains are evident, as well as petroglyphs.
Nearby Wikieup was once the settlement of the Hualapai Indians, also known as Walapais.
The Native Americans used to cultivate corn and other food crops aided by the rich, river-nourished soil of the valley. They had fierce rivals in the tribe of the Tonto Apaches. Mostly, the two tribes did not seek disputes with each other but all that changed with the coming of the settlers, and later, the Gold Rush and miners.
The settlement of the settlers pushed both tribes farther from their source of livelihood. This resulted in disputes between the white men, the Yavapai Apaches, and the Hualapais.
The natural fortress like formation of the canyon on the ranch was an important refuge because it was easily defensible.
We have found artifacts making it obvious that this was inhabited by aboriginal tribal humans before the Native Americans. Perhaps the land has
not changed significantly since then. Dinosaurs roamed Northern Arizona before that, and this sandy region was once a sea. It does look like an ocean without water.
Explore magical Aquarius and let us know what you discover.
Learn more about this land:
You aren't just here for camping.
You are here for transformation.
"Hipcamp Finalist - Best in Arizona - 2019"
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Guests have described Aquarius Stargazing Ranch as:
A deeply powerful experience.
A spiritual experience.
A life-altering experience.
Silent, mystical and powerful land.
Silence. Serenity. Dark, starry skies. Log off your devices, get way off the grid, and go deep into a remote wilderness that is easily accessible in your 2WD RV, van or car.
Surrender to the silence. So quiet you will hear your heartbeat.
Log off, do a digital detox, leave your electronics behind and tune into a higher frequency.
Clear your head of the clutter of city life, and empty it out here.
Primal -- yet not really that far away from the Interstate 93/11 (35 minutes), Los Angeles (6 1/2 hours), Las Vegas (2 1/2 hours), Metro Phoenix (2 hours), Prescott (1 hour,) the Grand Canyon or Sedona (3 hours.)
Our reviews are mixed because Aquarius Ranch is not for everyone.
If you want electricity, pavement, trash cans, street lights, bug zappers, Netflix, hot showers, dumping stations and a liquor store -- please don't come here, you'll hate it!
If you want to... take a bath alone with your sweetie in a primal geothermal hot spring, swim in a natural spring fed swimming hole, walk barefoot on white sand illuminated by moonlight, follow animal footprints instead of written signs, navigate by stars, hike to a spring or a well for fresh water, watch the flames dance and listen to the Cicadas....if you want a 5 BILLION STAR experience....
Aquarius is for you. Read on.
This is a 2,000 acre, State Park-level beauty, Dark Sky wildlife sanctuary-- uninhabited for over 50 years and never developed. There is nothing here and that's what you came for. (The nearest town is, indeed, Nothing, Arizona.)
The only signs of humans are arrowheads, caves, petroglyphs. The only evidence of the 21st Century are satellites. (Airplanes are rare.)
You will see dinosaur fossils embedded in sandstone. It is literally a Jurassic Park.
The land has a very high frequency as it is covered with pink quartz crystals.
I want to make sure you "get" why you are coming here, and are prepared. Aquarius is a journey -- not a destination.
Yes, it's hard to find and you can't just use your GPS. Sorry.
Put your iPhone away unless you're taking photos or using Satellite to navigate with maps you downloaded in advance.
There are no signs and the only trail markers are rock cairns.
You're going to have to rediscover how to use a map and follow directions. As you hike, you will remember how to observe the stars and the sky and the shadows of sun.
This is part of your DNA, it is part of your soul as a human.
You'll remember Aquarius. Your soul has been here before.
Have you ever seen the Milky Way Galaxy? We are in the Earth's second darkest "dark sky" region. The photo of the sky here was taken by a guest!
You can see the Milky Way here with your naked eyes.
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A VIRTUAL GUIDED EXPERIENCE
I am a trained Red Cross Advanced Wilderness First Responder and trained wilderness guide with Outdoors Unlimited, Desert Survivors and Sierra Club. My partner is a badass level 5-11 rock climber and full time Van Lifer.
We are here as your "virtual tour guides" to guide you and give you advice, directions and guidance during your journey. We're in our 60s and we remember life before the GPS, iPhone and Internet. That said, we are old and still managed to climb and walk around here -- so I'm sure you can manage too.
A minivan or car camping with a tent will be fine here, but this is not a State Park, or a "glampground." The Guide we give you when you reserve your space will give you details on how to pack, prepare, survive heat and cold, and directions to hot springs, swimming holes and hikes.
READ THE GUIDE AND ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU DRIVE HERE.
Aquarius is not really that hard to reach, but it's not convenient, either. "The journey is the destination," and the drive is more amazing than the campsite itself.
This is not "glamping" or a developed campground with wifi and services -- it is a destination for those of us who crave the rare and hard to find experience of total silence, serenity, dark sky and potent powerful land.
It's not for tourist who wants electricity, a faucet, hot shower, and a chlorinated pool -- it's for human BEings who want to firelight, starlight, moonlight, drinking from a well or spring, bathing in a hot spring and a natural spring fed swimming hole.
Remember life, not that long ago, when humans could communicate with each other, plants and animals, without words or devices.
Come here for a personal vision quest, a personal transformational journey, for deep inner healing and reflection.
When you remove the stress of traffic noise, light pollution, EMF, devices, the Internet, signs, radio waves, chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and all the interference of the modern world, you will remember, deep in your intercellular DNA -- what it means to be human.
You will discover how many stars, galaxies and solar systems are out there. This alone could move you to tears.
You will discover who you really are. Not alone in the Universe, and much more powerful than you have been told.
THE SOUND OF SILENCE
Have you ever been somewhere so quiet you can hear your heartbeat? It will happen here. This is not just one of the darkest places on Earth, it is one of the most silent. There is no electrical, noise or light interference -- an experience so rare in the modern world.
Silence is unbelievably restorative. Meditation and states of awareness, inspiration, soul purpose and a connection with Source happen spontaneously in this silence.
SOLITUDE
You are unlikely to see another vehicle once you turn off the main Interstate. Even if we are "busy" (4 or 5 campsites filled, but usually just one) you will find solitude easily if you just wander off a bit up the jeep trail or down one of the ravines.
SELF RELIANT CAMPSITES
These are bare land, flat, drive in campsites and they are accessible with regular 2 wheel drive cars, camper vans or RVs -- or smaller pull behind trailers. These pristine, bare wilderness campsites have large stone fire rings, and there is a shared, community wood pile.
The nearest gas/food is 7 miles away (at 80 mph) plus 14 miles at 20-40 mph. There is a well you can hike to, and there is drinkable water 1 mile down the road.
MOONLIGHT HIKING
For a bright full moonlight hike to the hot spring or hiking the creek beds and canyons around the ranch in the cool of the night. You will not need a flashlight--the sand and canyon walls will reflect the moonlight and you can even see your moonshadow. It's fascinating to hike the desert in moonlight and see bats and other night creatures.
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Accessible in a regular car
These sites are 15 miles from the main Interstate freeway -- far enough to feel remote and totally silent with no light pollution and no traffic noise whatsoever. This silence is worth the (spectacular) drive into the mountains. Keep in mind it will take about 35 minutes to drive here off the freeway -- the journey is the destination. The drive is spectacular, Instagram worthy through the little traveled Aquarius Mountain range, and you will see wild animals so unaccustomed to human visitors that they stand in the road.
DAY TRIP TO HOT SPRING
There is a secret Hot Spring (no sulfur smell, 100 degrees clear water) and we will give you directions to drive to it in a regular 2WD car and hike in -- 1 mile, flat, easy walk on sand though a beautiful canyon.
NEARBY SWIMMING HOLES
From our Base Camp, you can take day trips by a regular 2WD car to nearby swimming holes.
CAVES, PETROGLYPHS, CLIMBING
If you have a mountain bike, are a hiker, backpacker or have an ATV/4X4, (with short wheelbase and high clearance is best -- though Subaru Outbacks have done fine here) you can explore the surrounding vast and uncharted wilderness on miles of jeep trails.
The surrounding wilderness area has a deep creek that flows year round, waterfalls, deep blue pools and swimming holes. There is much to explore here and very few people visit this area, so it is perfect for social distancing.
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HIKE, BIKE OR AWD AND EXPLORE
From here, if you want, you can continue into the ranch on a short wheelbase, high clearance 4x4 vehicle, (Subaru Outbacks have managed it), mountain bike, or a horse. You can hike by foot with day pack or backpack for overnight camping on the three square miles of land of the ranch.
Please book "Isolation Point" if you plan to backpack overnight so we know you are out there.
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SUPERBLOOM WILDFLOWERS
In the Spring, after rains, you will see fields of red, orange, gold, and purple wildflowers, including sweet scented white flowering agave, yellow flowered prickly pear, orange flowered cholla, red flowering Ocotillo, red Indian Paintbrush, fields of orange poppies, violet datura, and blooming purple sage.
Along the ride you will see blooming Joshua Trees, Barrel Cactus and endangered Saguaro and BLOOMING AGAVE FORESTS. Wow. They smell amazing.
A BASE TO EXPLORE THE AREA
We love using the ranch as a base to explore the Joshua Tree Highway, swimming in the creek, hot springs, Alamo Lake, going to the small towns in this lost and lonely part of America, abandoned mines and ghost towns, and wandering the dirt roads around here.
If you love the desert, like we do, you will find this a uncharted, wild, untouched, authentic and untouristy gem in the Southwest.
BE SELF RELIANT
You must be self sufficient with water, food and a full tank of gas -- this is nothing in Nothing, Arizona. It is a very isolated area, even though it's only 3 miles "as the crow flies" from a busy Interstate and 7.5 miles from gas and food.
It's perfect for vans or small RVs and great for camping with a pop up shade structure or 10 x 10 with bug netting and a good cushy pad.
We reveal the specific maps you need, GPS coordinates, precise directions once you register.
ABOVE THE HEAT, BUT MILD YEAR ROUND
The ranch is up high above the heat at 3,900 - 5000 foot elevation, similar climate to Prescott at the higher parts of the ranch, weather like Wikieup in the lower elevations.
Winter is clear and sunny with averages in 50s-60s daytime and lows of 30s-20s at night.
Daytime is mild and sunny 60-70 in January, but nights can dip down to 20s and if it's windy, it's brisk.
Spring is like a summer, in the 70s and 80s, with cool nights in the 50s.
Summer is blazing in the 100s down at the Highway -- but up here in the Aquarius Mountains, it is usually in the 90s, with nights in the 70s, more like Prescott. We get the most rain in the Summer, not the Winter. (Dramatic monsoon thunderstorms!)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
CAN I BRING A DOG?
Yes, and your pet can go unleashed and run -- but bring tweezers in the event that they step on a burr or cactus thorn. (Best to stay on trail.) Leash your pet at night, or bring her into your vehicle in Winter for her warmth and safety.
DO I NEED SHADE?
We recommend bringing shade for your campsite in Summer. We are "Burning Man" desert camping veterans and used to being self reliant in the heat of the desert sun. Some folks like a sheet, tapestry or tarp fastened to their car, SUV, Van or RV. In Summer, bring a pop up shade structure with bug netting.
CAN I HAVE A CAMPFIRE?
Yes, as long as there are no restrictions.
ARE THERE ANY TREES?
For hanging out during the day, there is a nice cottonwood, aspen and gingko forest a short walk from the Base Camp--it is leafy in Spring/Summer and bare in the Winter/Fall. You can hike around and find shade, as the Primal humans did -- rocks, caves, and mesquite trees.
BIRDWATCHING/WILDLIFE
Because of the silence, distance from major roads, lack of fences and natural "bowl" of mountains surrounding from which to observe the distance, the ranch is a sanctuary for Endangered Species, many found only here. If you sit still and very silent, the animals and birds will appear. They are shy and will not bother or beg from you.
Often they will just stare at you, fascinated but unconcerned, as human visitors are so rare for them.
This is primal desert ecosystem, virtually uninhabited for decades. Wildlife abounds including 100 varieties of birds -- quail, blue jays, hawks, roadrunners, raven, owl, blue jays and wild turkey, even black hawks and bald eagles.
If you are silent, you will see desert cottontails, raccoon, skunks (spotted, striped, and hognose), mule deer, pronghorn antelope, elk, bighorn sheep, wild Mustang horses. You will see wild burros along the roads. (Bring binoculars!)
It is rare to find an ecosystem untouched by pesticide or herbicide in which so many species thrive.
There are lizards, snakes, bees, dragonflies and butterflies. You will hear a symphony of cicadas, crickets and birds.
There are predators here but they don't bother humans. They are wild.
PETROGLYPHS AND CAVES
Discover petroglyphs, prehistoric sites, ancient lava fields, volcanic formations and caves, and feel like you are truly the last human (or the first) alive on Earth.
BIKING, HORSEBACK RIDING, AWD, OHV, QUADS
Fat tire Mountain Biker's paradise with miles of winding dirt jeep roads to explore.
We can help you rent an off road vehicle tour from a local outfitter.
GHOST TOWNS
The ghost town of Nothing, to the south has... almost nothing. Signal is another ghost town nearby.
HISTORIC SMALL TOWNS
Wikieup, about 10 miles North, has gas, RV dumping, great classic American road trip food (even great Chicago pizza and steak sandwiches at Dazzo's), homemade pie at Luchia's, and a Trading Post with Native American jewelry and art.
All the food around here is surprisingly good with eclectic decor and fun roadside attractions for the kids, like peacocks!
Wickenburg, 50 miles south, has a great restaurant we love called Cowboy Cookin', and a big grocery store with block ice, water machine outside with filtered water.
Kingman, 60 miles north, is going hipster fast -- this town caters to tourists and truckers with all the services you need, like health food store, camping supplies and laundromat.
Bagdad is the nearest town as the crow flies if you are checking the weather.
Check out the Train Museum, historic downtown, Route 66, funky antique and secondhand clothing stores, flea markets, great tacos, two brew pubs, Black Ridge Brewery for live music. Desert Diamond Distillery for a tour of how Agave cactus is turned into Tequila.
Explore the magic of Aquarius Ranch and let us know what you discover
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Desert's Edge at Lake Havasu
1 site · RV1 acre · Lake Havasu City, AZ
Located just a few minutes from nearby Lake Havasu City, Desert's Edge is set on a one-acre parcel within the Mohave County community of Crystal Beach. With construction only recently completed, the property has been graded and developed specifically with the RV campsites in mind. There is over 1/2 acre dedicated to the camping area, making Desert's Edge an excellent location for a private group gathering, or just one big campsite all to yourself.
Learn more about this land:
You're a couple of minutes from the Castle Rock Bay kayak launch and the beautiful backwaters of the Colorado River. You're just a few steps from the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge where you can enjoy hiking and sightseeing amongst the wild burros that call this place home. Guests will have immediate access to the Arizona Peace Trail and surrounding sand dunes for unlimited UTV and off-road fun. Relax in the country setting with horses as your closest neighbors. Wake to the sounds of roosters crowing along with a multitude of desert-dwelling birds. The night skies are perfect for stargazing as you sit beside the campfire.
Desert's edge has a primary site reserved for a single RV, plus an adjacent second site that can be reserved when groups of family or friends with two RV's wish to camp side by side and share in the fun!
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Antelope Canyon Navajo Hogan
6 sites · Lodging20 acres · Le Chee, AZ
The Navajo Reservation is one of the biggest which is bigger than the state of West Virginia of the Navajo People. The Navajo People are more caretakers of the the beautiful landscape that’s very secluded. The family where I come from own a big property because of our livestock of horses, cattle, goats and sheep. We been on this property for 100s of years and still going strong and it’s the land of the infamous of the “Upper Antelope Canyon” which is literally our backyard. There is so much history and culture meaning to the (Diné)Navajo land that the Diné people hold and cherish.Learn more about this land:We provide a private Navajo Hogan experience with a beautiful view 360 degree view. We are nearby all beautiful locations like the infamous Upper/Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, Antelope Point Marina, Little Colorado.
Potable water
Toilets
Trash
from
$200
/ night
Under $50
Star Hosts in Arizona
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Lakeside camping in Arizona with campfires guide
Overview
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.
States near Arizona
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