The best camping in McDowell Mountain Regional Park, AZ

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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Marguerita Ranch

98%
(69)
19mi from McDowell Mountain Regional Park · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Cave Creek, AZ
Pitch your tent or park your camper among towering Saguaros with stunning mountain views in every direction. Bring your camera or your horses! This is the perfect spot for relaxing, stargazing, and soaking in those famous Arizona sunsets. You’ll have a spacious, private campsite all to yourself—I only allow one booking at a time to ensure a peaceful and personal experience. Please note: This is a working horse ranch, which means you'll see fencing, trailers, and occasional activity from people helping keep the ranch running. While your campsite is private, our property is just over two acres—so you'll also see neighboring homes. If you're looking for complete solitude with no sights, sounds, or smells of ranch life, I recommend dispersed camping elsewhere. My 2.2-acre private horse ranch is home to: • 8 rescue horses • 2 donkeys • 8 mini pigs and a few chickens! …all ready to meet and greet! Trail access? Absolutely. Hiking and horseback riding trails lead directly from the property into Spur Cross Conservation Area—or take a short 10-minute drive to a main trailhead. Black Mountain Hiking Trail is also nearby and offers panoramic views of the valley. You can even ride your horse into town and tie up at the local cowboy bars! ⸻ A few things to note: • The landscape varies with the season—there won’t be green grass in the summer • Please keep pets away from cactus—they bite! • We’re located in a desert neighborhood, so please respect the nearby homes. My house and neighbors house will be in view from your campsite. • A horse corral (50 ft round pen) is available to rent—message me if interested! ⸻ Looking for more adventure? Lake Pleasant, Bartlett Lake, Tonto National Forest, Seven Springs, and other scenic destinations are a short drive away. Need supplies? Walmart, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, and more are just 10 minutes down the road. Want to explore a truly unique cowboy town? Cave Creek is full of Old West charm, with saloons, quirky shops, live music, and horses sharing the road with motorcycles. Follow and tag us on Instagram: @margueritaranch
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$43
 / night

Saguaro Forrest @ Dragonfly Ranch

97%
(173)
28mi from McDowell Mountain Regional Park · 5 sites · RVs · New River, AZ
*EASY ACCESS WITH LARGE TRAILERS* We invite you to come enjoy our sliver of the Sonoran Desert here in New River. We are situated adjacent to state land that displays a majestic Saguaro forest in the mountains (where our small rural community meets the wilderness). Enjoy easy access to endless mountain trails as you roam through the this densely populated region of saguaros (hike or bring 4WD) . The local wildlife entails a variety of beautiful creatures of varying sizes. All three Saguaro sites provide full RV services (water, electrical, and 30/50 amp hookups) with plenty of space between for enjoyment of the views. Boondocker sites are great for easy in-out dry camping, making for an early start for your trip out of town. Driving paths are covered with gravel throughout the property. Boondocker 2 is by currently closed for renovations. We are just 10 minutes from the I-17 (Lake Pleasant is just a 30-45 minute drive). Phoenix is a close commute, where you will find many more amenities. Rent an off-road vehicle, boat for the lake (or bring yours!), or plan a tour and ENJOY YOUR STAY! We are more than happy to help facilitate your time here. We welcome pets, but do note there are occasional encounters with neighborhood dogs and plenty of wildlife. For their safety, best to keep them leashed or bring an enclosure. In the future, we plan to provide an enclosure for dogs to safely play and run off-leash. Daytime arrival highly recommended! We understand though how travels go, so keep us informed of your ETA and we will help guide you in.
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$45
 / night

Phoenix Citi StarGazer A-Frame

97%
(100)
17mi from McDowell Mountain Regional Park · 1 site · Lodging · Phoenix, AZ
Runner up for best HipCamp in Arizona! Darling camping A-Frame located in NE Phoenix, just 15 minutes from the airport, perfect for a short stay in Phoenix, or if you're heading up to the Grand Canyon or Sedona. The A-Frame is super cozy and has large clear panels above the bed for nighttime stargazing. If clouds obscure the stars then simply enjoy the unique star lighting strategically placed in the Citi StarGazer. Super comfortable queen-sized bed, and wonderful bedding make for the perfect night's sleep. Linens are provided. Campers may use the onsite swimming pool. Small secondary building with portable toilet and newly built outdoor shower (not a tent anymore) with hot water. Perfect economical stay for adventurers in the Phoenix area, the fifth largest city in the US with tons of things to do! Located close to great hiking such as Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. The A-Frame is located in the large backyard of our Phoenix home in a nice neighborhood. We live onsite and look forward to hosting you! Happy (and economical) travels, y'all!
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$60
 / night

Cave Creek Quiet Homestead

98%
(163)
19mi from McDowell Mountain Regional Park · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Cave Creek, AZ
Quiet slice of heaven under the stars on our homestead. We continue to have reduced our camping experience for our winter 2025 season to keep our site secluded and private. Please check back for open dates and sites Our space offers a tranquil setting with several camping options. Site # 1: Glamping Tent is Closed for 2025 season. We are offering tent campers at this site on a limited availability. Site #2: Saguaro Camp site. Bring your tent or rent one of ours. Site # 3: RV Glamping. Queen size bed with a dinette that can be used as an extra bed for the little ones. Site # 4 RV, Pop Ups or Living Quarters with horses/mules Site # 5 Boarding for Horses or Mules We offer Communal Spaces with restroom, grill, table, other seating with larger fire-pit. Feel free to visit our horses, chickens or hike our beautiful trails right from the property. Enjoy the horses, the stars at night and our neighboring coyotes sing if you are lucky. Our home is close by, the little white farmhouse on the hill. Thank you for looking!
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$25
 / night

Red Rock Roping, LLC

100%
(36)
17mi from McDowell Mountain Regional Park · 6 sites · RVs, Lodging · Cave Creek, AZ
Welcome to Red Rock Roping! Where you will be a close 3 mile drive to old town Cave Creek restaurants, bars, and shopping strip. But far enough to enjoy a quiet and peaceful scenery of mountains, sunsets and sunrises. Don’t forget to kick your feet up, and end your night to enjoy a wide open view of the stars! Also, keep your eyes open for desert critters such as rattlesnakes, tarantulas, scorpions, deer, road runners, bob cats, and coyotes. We ask please do not pet, catch, feed or leave any food out that will attract them. Enjoy them from a picture away :) Our 2 accessible acres will give you 360 view of mountains, our Red Rock Roping arena, and a Saloon to gather under to enjoy cool refreshments, and a meal with your friends/family. Right outside our entrance going North on 80th Street you can hike over to the Grapevine Wash which is a short walk away from the Cave Creek Town Trail System for hiking and horseback riding, and if you’re adventurous you can hike up 2 miles of a 800’ climb on a gravel road/trails to “Mexican Hat” for an even more incredible view! We are a 30 amp full hook up (sewer, water & electrical) for 33’ RV’s and living quarters horse trailers. You will also have access to our community laundry area, with a large garbage can to dump a bag if needed. Some suggestions for town; Grab some quick delicous breakfast and coffee at Janey’s. Or American cuisine lunch at The Horny Toad, a Mexican cuisine dinner while watching the turtles in the pond at El Encanto! Ofrenda, right at the end of the road, also has great authentic Mexican cuisine. Many restaurants to choose from all within a short drive. Bashas, Safeway, Target, and Walmart and Sprouts are all within a 3-6 mile drive too! We have two turnout pens for horses. That are located right behind where you will park your trailer. They both have a cover that provides some shade, as well as running water. We do not provide any feed, so please make sure you bring some! We ask that you please do not feed any horses that do not belong to you. Or go into any pen that your horse is not in. For safety and respect :) Thank you in advance. (Horse turnouts are an extra $25 each/per night)
Potable water
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$25
 / night

Mesa Arizona RV Campsite Space

100%
(40)
18mi from McDowell Mountain Regional Park · 1 site · RV · Mesa, AZ
We have one RV space (campsite only-No RV) with full hook ups next to a shared beautiful pool and gazebo. Your RV space has a pedestal with three optional plugs: 50/30/20 amp plugs. All have breaker switches. This RV pad is decomposed gravel and has it's own brick patio. Your RV space is separated via brick wall, vinyl, and pool fencing. The entire property is a quarter acre in a quiet Mesa AZ neighborhood, just North of Gilbert, highway 60, and close to shopping and restaurants. The RV pad is accessed via a 25 foot wide drive up to a 14 foot wide RV gate. Your vehicle will sit on level decomposed granite. Your RV pad is 80 feet long and 20 feet wide. In addition, you have approx. 20'x20' brick patio for chairs, table, and outdoor living space. You can lock up your space via the RV gate, then come and go via the locked walk through gate. The area is great for your pups too! Additional parking is available in front of the RV gate if needed, or you can park on the street too. TPT Lic# 21497128
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$68
 / night
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