You have many options when you decide to camp in Arizona. Depending on the place you choose, you can wake up in a forest, beside a lake, or stream to the sound of nature. Camping in the Grand Canyon State ranges from warm nights out in the desert to stargazing beneath the pines, or fishing in a lake.

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Year-Round Camping in Arizona

You can camp in Arizona any time of the year and under any weather condition. Campgrounds are generally well-kept and well placed for travelers who want to experience what the state has to offer in its natural wonders.

Arizona’s warm climate year-round allows you to enjoy all summer camping activities. In winter when campgrounds in places with upper elevation like Prescot, Payson, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon are covered with snow, you can move to the desert campgrounds around Phoenix, Tucson, and areas farther south where the temperatures are pleasant.

Top 5 Camping Places in Arizona

These are five of the best places to camp and the most ideal campgrounds for you to set up your tent, trailer, or RV in Arizona.

1. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. There are two campgrounds within the monument where you can camp. Different amenities are available and campers can choose between modern comforts and rustic wilderness. At either campground, you may be able to see the desert, a dark sky illuminated by countless stars, or shadows torn by a full moon’s glow. The sounds of coyotes or a breeze may lull you to sleep. Wake up to a blazing sunrise and hike one of the trails that originate at the campgrounds.
2. The Grand Canyon. Watching the sunrise or sunset over the Grand Canyon is an experience to behold. You will have great access to some of the most famous sites and hiking trails in the park at Mather campground when you camp on the South Rim. The Grand Canyon’s South Rim is open year-round on the “Arizona” side of the Canyon. There are transportation centers in Williams, Flagstaff, and Phoenix, Arizona, all nearby the South Rim. There are also railroads and an airport on the South Rim. The South Rim is visited by 90% of tourists. Because it is easier to get to, the South Rim is very busy, and during the summer months, campgrounds are bustling and often filled to capacity. We strongly recommend making reservations.

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3. Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Here, you can park your RV or pitch your tent along the shoreline of beautiful Lake Powell. You can likewise park your canoe, boat, or personal watercraft near your campsite if you own one.
4. Lake Havasu State Park. You can expect campsites set among small trees in front of a beautiful stretch of soft-sand beach when you camp at Lake Havasu State Park. It has a spectacular view of the stunning blue water of the lake to the barren hills at the distance.
5. Gilbert Ray Campground, Tucson. Just 15 minutes from Tucson’s main attractions, Gilbert Ray Campground gives you the feeling of wilderness camping. It is quiet and scenic with great hiking just around the corner.

A wide range of fun activities and surprises await you when you camp in Arizona. The above camping locations can be a good start if you’re looking for excellent camp destinations.

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