The best waterside camping in Arizona

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Arizona draws campers with its rivers, creeks, and lakes—think red rock cliffs reflected in still water, or cottonwoods lining a shady stream. You’ll find over 5,500 waterside campsites here, from the cool banks of Oak Creek to the wide shores of Lake Havasu. Pull up to a spot with a shower, bring your dog, and don’t worry about toilets—they’re standard at most sites. Swimming holes, horseback rides through the desert, and rugged hiking trails are easy to find nearby. Top picks include Hawks Hideaway Camping, LLC (500 reviews), Beaver Creek Oasis (379 reviews), and Camp Land Beyond Zion (261 reviews). Expect average rates around $45 a night, but you can snag a basic spot for as low as $10. Arizona’s water-side camping is straightforward—just pick your vibe, pack up, and dive in.

96% (3.1K) 1,067 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Arizona

Glamping on Navajo

1. Glamping on Navajo

99%
(59)
Page , AZ · 8 sites
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 of the Grand Canyon. Our ranch's views and night sky are breathtaking, dazzling, and quite humbling. We offer comfort while immersed in nature, True outstanding natural beauty.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
Kaibab National Forest

2. Kaibab National Forest

95%
(31)
National forest in Arizona · 291 sites
It’s time to get wild in the wild west! Head into the red rocks, pines, deserts, and canyons and sink your soul into some vast and untrammelled land that is beyond amazing. 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! For all the epicness that the Grand Canyon offers (some of the trails actually follow the rim of the canyon!) without the tourists and crowds, come here and feel like you hit the jackpot. There’s really no other way to say it. You just gotta see it for yourself!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

3. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

96%
(35)
National park in Utah · 55 sites
This million-acre sprawl of desert and lake offers hiking, sightseeing and swimming opportunities.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Lake Mead National Recreation Area

4. Lake Mead National Recreation Area

100%
(8)
National park in Arizona · 306 sites
Cool off in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave at the country's oldest recreation area.
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Potable water
Roper Lake State Park

5. Roper Lake State Park

100%
(3)
State park in Arizona · 53 sites
Fall in love at this small state park that's big on privacy.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Alamo Lake State Park

6. Alamo Lake State Park

100%
(1)
State park in Arizona · 200 sites
Discover Alamo Lake State Park's wild beauty and outdoor adventures.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Patagonia Lake State Park

7. Patagonia Lake State Park

88%
(12)
State park in Arizona · 117 sites
A pristine desert oasis for paddle sports, fishing, and wildlife.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Cattail Cove State Park

8. Cattail Cove State Park

State park in Arizona · 93 sites
Discover Cattail Cove State Park's serene waters and scenic trails.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets

Arizona draws campers with its rivers, creeks, and lakes—think red rock cliffs reflected in still water, or cottonwoods lining a shady stream. You’ll find over 5,500 waterside campsites here, from the cool banks of Oak Creek to the wide shores of Lake Havasu. Pull up to a spot with a shower, bring your dog, and don’t worry about toilets—they’re standard at most sites. Swimming holes, horseback rides through the desert, and rugged hiking trails are easy to find nearby. Top picks include Hawks Hideaway Camping, LLC (500 reviews), Beaver Creek Oasis (379 reviews), and Camp Land Beyond Zion (261 reviews). Expect average rates around $45 a night, but you can snag a basic spot for as low as $10. Arizona’s water-side camping is straightforward—just pick your vibe, pack up, and dive in.

96% (3.1K) 1,067 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Arizona

Glamping on Navajo

1. Glamping on Navajo

99%
(59)
Page , AZ · 8 sites
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 of the Grand Canyon. Our ranch's views and night sky are breathtaking, dazzling, and quite humbling. We offer comfort while immersed in nature, True outstanding natural beauty.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
Kaibab National Forest

2. Kaibab National Forest

95%
(31)
National forest in Arizona · 291 sites
It’s time to get wild in the wild west! Head into the red rocks, pines, deserts, and canyons and sink your soul into some vast and untrammelled land that is beyond amazing. 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! For all the epicness that the Grand Canyon offers (some of the trails actually follow the rim of the canyon!) without the tourists and crowds, come here and feel like you hit the jackpot. There’s really no other way to say it. You just gotta see it for yourself!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

3. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

96%
(35)
National park in Utah · 55 sites
This million-acre sprawl of desert and lake offers hiking, sightseeing and swimming opportunities.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Lake Mead National Recreation Area

4. Lake Mead National Recreation Area

100%
(8)
National park in Arizona · 306 sites
Cool off in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave at the country's oldest recreation area.
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Potable water
Roper Lake State Park

5. Roper Lake State Park

100%
(3)
State park in Arizona · 53 sites
Fall in love at this small state park that's big on privacy.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Alamo Lake State Park

6. Alamo Lake State Park

100%
(1)
State park in Arizona · 200 sites
Discover Alamo Lake State Park's wild beauty and outdoor adventures.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Patagonia Lake State Park

7. Patagonia Lake State Park

88%
(12)
State park in Arizona · 117 sites
A pristine desert oasis for paddle sports, fishing, and wildlife.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Cattail Cove State Park

8. Cattail Cove State Park

State park in Arizona · 93 sites
Discover Cattail Cove State Park's serene waters and scenic trails.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field