RV camping in Arizona means warm weather in winter, gorgeous landscapes, and lots of natural areas. The awesome cities scattered across the state add another great reason to visit.
If you’re planning to go RV camping in Arizona, this article can help you find everything you need. From locating good campgrounds to packing to discovering the unique challenges of camping in Arizona, we’ve got you covered!
- Finding Campgrounds
- Preparing for RV Camping
- Considerations for Camping in Arizona
- Planning Your Itinerary
- Exploring Outdoor Activities
- Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions
- Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in Arizona
Finding Campgrounds
Finding a campsite in Arizona is pretty simple. The whole state is chock-full of campgrounds, including luxury campgrounds, urban campgrounds, and rustic campgrounds in the desert wilderness.
In this section, we will help you find the very best campsite for your needs.
Exploring Public Campgrounds in Arizona
There are many public campground options in the state. These include campgrounds in state parks, national parks, and national forests, as well as campgrounds located on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Generally speaking, public campgrounds are an excellent value, but they tend to be more rustic than many private campgrounds.
National Park Camping
Arizona is home to three amazing national parks, plus a number of other wonderful NPS sites. All three of these parks are well worth seeing. They are:
The Grand Canyon is the only one of these parks to offer RV camping within its borders. The Trailer Village RV Park is at the South Rim and is close to many of the most popular areas of the park. It’s an excellent place to stay and make your home base while you’re visiting the Grand Canyon. It’s also very popular. You can make reservations at Trailer Village up to 13 months in advance, and you’ll want to make them as soon as you know you plan to visit.
Want to visit Saguaro and Petrified Forest? There are plenty of camping options right outside of both of these parks, including some free dry camping sites.
National Forest Camping
In addition to the amazing national parks in Arizona, you’ll also find several beautiful national forests in the state. These include:
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
- Coronado National Forest
- Kaibab National Forest
- Prescott National Forest
- Tonto National Forest
One of the coolest things about these amazing national forests? They offer some of the best camping in the state. From the lovely Rustler Park Campground in Coronado National Forest to the always-wonderful Hilltop Campground in Prescott National Forest, you’re sure to find something you love.
State Park Camping
You’ll also find tons of amazing state parks in Arizona. Our favorites for camping? Dead Horse Ranch State Park may have an off-putting name, but the place is quite beautiful and offers some amazing campsites. We also like camping and enjoying nature’s wonders in Kartchner Caverns State Park, Patagonia Lake State Park, and Buckskin Mountain State Park.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Camping
Last on our list of public campgrounds, we really must mention Bureau of Land Management camping in Arizona. Generally speaking, BLM land is an excellent place to find free dispersed camping. The organization also runs several established campgrounds. These are great for someone who’d like to try camping on government land but isn’t prepared for full-fledged boondocking.
Our favorite Arizona BLM campgrounds include Windy Point Campground and Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, but there are so many great ones that it’s hard to choose.
Exploring Private Campgrounds and RV Parks
For some, the amenities offered by private campgrounds outweigh the public camping options. Arizona has plenty of glamping opportunities, as well as more basic private RV parks. Those private campgrounds still offer luxuries such as clean restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, electrical hookups, and dump stations.
If you think you might prefer amenities over the more rustic camping experiences offered by national forests and state parks, you can try one of the following private campgrounds:
Verde Ranch RV Resort
Verde Ranch RV Resort is the perfect location for day trips into Sedona, Cottonwood, the Grand Canyon, and Flagstaff. While you’re there, relax in the heated pool or the hot tub, take the kids to have fun in the splash pad, or play on one of the sports courts. No matter what you do, you’re sure to have a blast at this resort!
River Sands RV Resort
This RV park sits on the border of Arizona and California and offers peaceful Arizona valleys and the fun found on the Colorado River. It’s a great place for a getaway into nature.
Boondocking in Arizona
Boondocking is a great way to see Arizona on the cheap. By parking your RV in one of the many free dispersed campsites scattered across the state, you’ll save what you would have otherwise spent on camping fees, so you can camp longer and experience more fun while you’re out.
Not sure where to go boondocking in Arizona? BLM land and national forests in Arizona are full to the brim with great boondocking spots, and those are just the beginning. Some of the best dry camping spots in Arizona include Mogollon Rim, Florence Box Canyon, and the area around Stafford and Mount Graham.
Note: Some of Arizona’s boondocking spots do require a permit, and there is a small fee for some permits. Be sure to do your research before you park!
Preparing for RV Camping
The first step in prepping for RV camping is to get a well-equipped RV and a complete packing list so nothing gets left behind.
Choosing the Right RV for Your Needs
Not sure what kind of RV you should rent? You can begin by deciding whether to have the RV delivered or to drive it yourself. If you want to drive the rig, you’ll need to make sure you rent a drivable RV or have a truck that can tow the trailer you rent.
Besides choosing between drivable RVs and trailers, you’ll also want to consider size, floorplan, and amenities. Keep in mind, some campsites won’t be able to accommodate huge rigs. Check your size against campground regulations and restrictions on any roads you’ll be driving.
You can find lots of options for RV rentals right here on our website:
Packing for Arizona Camping
Be sure to check out our packing lists for every occasion. No matter why you’re headed to Arizona, we’ll help you decide what to bring.
Regardless of why you’re in the state, you’ll definitely want to bring some large water bottles to use while you’re out during the day. Arizona has more than 300 sunny days a year, so you’ll also want sunscreen and a protective hat. And while the state has a reputation for being toasty hot, areas like Flagstaff are high in elevation. The town is actually one of the snowiest places in the country. Make sure you pack for the area of Arizona where you’ll be staying!
Considerations for Camping in Arizona
It’s important to note that while the winter weather in Arizona tends to be perfect for RV camping, the state can get extremely hot during the summer months. If you plan a summer camping trip in Arizona, we recommend booking a campsite with electric hookups and renting a rig with air conditioning. You might also consider finding a campground with a swimming pool.
You should also be familiar with the laws surrounding driving and towing RVs.
In Arizona, no rig is can be longer than 65 feet total. Trailer width is limited to just 8 feet, and motorhome width cannot exceed 8.5 feet. A breakaway switch and brakes are required on trailers over 3,000 lbs. Additionally, triple towing is allowed, but only with a fifth wheel with brakes, and only when the weight of the fifth wheel exceeds the weight of the third unit.
Planning Your Itinerary
Of course, you’ll want to make sure you plan plenty of amazing things to do while RV camping in Arizona. Whether you’re looking for things to do outside of Phoenix, attractions in Tucson, or other adventures, we have some great suggestions for you.
Features and Attractions in Arizona
You’ll definitely want to put a scenic drive in Arizona on your list! The state is absolutely stunning, and driving through this scenery is wonderful. Our favorite? Route 66, of course!
While you’re out driving Route 66, be sure to spend time at the Arizona landmarks you pass, including Petrified Forest National Park. You might also want to make stops at some of Arizona’s national sites like Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Walnut Canyon National Monument.
Festivals, Fairs, and Events in Arizona
Why not wrap some awesome Arizona events into your itinerary as well? The state hosts many great festivals, fairs, and other events throughout the year, and planning your trip around one or more of these events adds even more fun to your trip.
One of the best events in Arizona is the Arizona Balloon Classic, which features some amazing hot air balloons. We also really appreciate the Quartzite Rock and Mineral Show (perfect for geology enthusiasts), and the Arizona State Fair.
Exploring Outdoor Activities
Obviously, you will want to spend a good amount of time exploring Arizona’s beautiful natural areas. Whether you prefer hiking, biking, rock climbing, or kayaking, there is something fun for you to do in Arizona’s great outdoors.
Hiking, Biking and Nature Trails
Hiking and biking are some of our favorite things to do while in Arizona. The trails in the state are plentiful, and many are absolutely stunning.
If hiking is your thing, try hitting one of the following trails:
Prefer to bike your way through the places you visit? These bike trails are great choices:
Fishing, Boating, and Water Activities
One of the best ways to cool off in the Arizona heat is to head to the water! Head to one of the state’s lakeside beaches in places like Lake Havasu and Lake Powell. You’ll be able to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy boating and water sports while you’re there.
There’s plenty of fishing in Arizona as well! Roosevelt Lake is a favorite of fishermen, but Patagonia Lake and Lake Powell also have excellent fishing.
Arizona is also home to several waterfalls, and many of them are absolutely stunning! We especially love Havasu Falls, but you do have to have reservations to hike there. If that’s not possible, check out the untouched beauty of Beaver Falls instead.
Wildlife Viewing and Photography
Another great thing to do while enjoying nature in Arizona? Wildlife watching, of course. Arizona is home to a wide variety of animals, including ringtail cats, coyotes, bobcats, Gila monsters, and even bears!
Thanks to the hot weather, many of the animals that call this state home are nocturnal, so some avid wildlife watchers like to take night vision binoculars along to see critters that come out after dark.
Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions
RV camping in Arizona with the kids? Not to worry, there are plenty of things to do as a family in this amazing state. Explore Prescott, Phoenix, or any one of the other Arizona cities for museums, zoos, parks, and more.
Historical Sites and Museums
Arizona is home to a number of great historic sites and monuments. One of our favorites is the amazing Montezuma’s Castle National Monument, which presents the perfect opportunity for learning about Arizona’s native peoples.
As far as museums go, Phoenix’s Heard Museum is the perfect place to learn even more about local native cultures. The Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson is fun for flight enthusiasts of all ages, and the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa is a great way to step back in time.
Amusement Park, Zoos, and Wildlife Refuges
Amusement parks, zoos, and wildlife refuges provide even more fun for families. Fortunately, Arizona has all three!
Arizona’s amusement parks include traditional parks as well as waterpark options. Castles-n-Coasters is a Phoenix favorite, Big Surf Waterpark in Tempe will help you stay cool, and Funtasticks Family Fun Park in Tucson offers even more thrills.
When it comes to zoos, we highly recommend the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park located in Litchfield Park. We also really like Phoenix Zoo, Reid Park Zoo, and OdySea Aquarium.
Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in Arizona
It’s generally easy to stay safe in Arizona, but there are some things you should know before you go.
Weather Conditions and Natural Disaster Preparedness
We’ve mentioned the Arizona heat – during the summer months, it’s no joke. No matter when you plan to visit, be sure to give yourself plenty of breaks while being active outside. You will want to pack lots of water and seek out shade whenever possible.
It’s also important to mention that the Arizona desert has been known to see some serious thunderstorms and flash flooding. Avoid camping in desert washes and park on high ground if possible. If rain is in the forecast and you are unsure if your location is safe, get out of there. If a flash flood warning comes up in your area, follow all safety guidelines.
We recommend downloading a couple of weather apps that will send you severe weather alerts in real time.
Wildlife Encounters and Precautions
Arizona is home to a good number of animals including bears, rattlesnakes, and coyotes.
Most of these animals won’t bother you as long as they don’t feel threatened. Make sure to give wild animals their space and never feed or touch them. If you see an animal that needs help, report it rather than trying to help it yourself, and always carry bear spray when hiking in bear country.
