We’ve added several new campgrounds for the second edition, including one at Monument Valley that puts the iconic view of the Mittens just outside your tent. At Ashurst Lake, you’ll find great fishing and bird-watching opportunities with a view of the San Francisco Peaks in the distance. Brookchar offers walk-in tent-only sites with sunset views across Big Lake. Creekside Lawrence Crossing, named for a murdered man, is now a green and peaceful base to experience the far more ancient past at the V Bar V petroglyph site.
We’ve also added remote gems like verdant and often-unused Rose Creek in the gorgeous Sierra Anchas, as well as popular Sunny Flat, a perfect setting for bird-watching and exploring the unique geology of the Chiricahua Mountains. For desert bikers and hikers, we’ve included the sprawling, spectacular McDowell Mountain County Park outside of Phoenix.
Prices, websites, and profile text have all been updated to reflect the changes that have occurred over the past 10 years. New categories for the best campgrounds include the best sites for each season, the best free sites, and the best sites to see wildflowers and birds.
What hasn’t changed is the rich history that you get to experience by visiting these campgrounds and the never-ending beauty that is the state of Arizona.
—Kirstin and Kelly
BEST CAMPGROUNDS
BEST FOR BEAUTY
5 Lockett Meadow Campground Northern Arizona
7 North Rim Campground Northern Arizona
8 Tuweap/Toroweap Campground Northern Arizona
28 FR 9350 Dispersed Camping Area Mogollon Rim
36 KP Cienega Campground White Mountains
BEST FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS
10 White Horse Lake Campground Northern Arizona
15 Desert Tortoise Campground Central Arizona
25 Yavapai Campground Central Arizona
27 Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground Mogollon Rim
39 Lyman Lake State Park Campground White Mountains
BEST FOR FISHING
13 Burnt Corral Recreation Site Campground Central Arizona
15 Desert Tortoise Campground Central Arizona
30 Knoll Lake Campground Mogollon Rim
33 Brookchar Campground White Mountains
34 East Fork Recreation Area Campgrounds White Mountains
BEST FOR HIKING
5 Lockett Meadow Campground Northern Arizona
7 North Rim Campground Northern Arizona
19 Lost Dutchman State Park Campground Central Arizona
37 Los Burros Campground White Mountains
42 Bog Springs Campground Southern Arizona
BEST FOR CANOEING AND KAYAKING
13 Burnt Corral Recreation Site Campground Central Arizona
15 Desert Tortoise Campground Central Arizona
22 The Point Campground Central Arizona
39 Lyman Lake State Park Campground White Mountains
47 Riverview Campground Southern Arizona
BEST FOR SWIMMING
6 Manzanita Campground Northern Arizona
15 Desert Tortoise Campground Central Arizona
13 Burnt Corral Recreation Site Campground Central Arizona
27 Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground Mogollon Rim
39 Lyman Lake State Park Campground White Mountains
BEST FOR SUMMER
5 Lockett Meadow Campground Northern Arizona
7 North Rim Campground Northern Arizona
21 Mingus Mountain Campground Central Arizona
36 KP Cienega Campground White Mountains
48 Spencer Canyon Campground Southern Arizona
BEST FOR WINTER