Best Campgrounds in Arizona: 2026 Guide

Arizona camping flips the script on everything you think you know about outdoor comfort. Forget the stereotype of an oven-hot wasteland — this state offers cool pine forests above 7,000 feet, monsoon-fed creeks that roar through desert canyons in late summer, and some of the darkest night skies remaining in the continental United States. Yes, summer in the low desert will test your heat tolerance with temperatures that can exceed 110°F. But Arizona campers know the secret: go high in summer, go low in winter, and always, always carry more water than you think you need. Those who learn the rhythm of the desert are rewarded with landscapes so otherworldly they feel like camping on another planet.

Why Arizona Stands Out

Elevation range is Arizona's hidden advantage. Phoenix bakes at 1,100 feet, but the White Mountains in the east rise above 9,000 feet with campgrounds surrounded by ponderosa pine and aspen. Flagstaff at 7,000 feet offers cool summers within sight of volcanic craters. The Sonoran Desert in the south produces the iconic saguaro-studded landscape that defines the state's image. And then there are the geological marvels — Chiricahua's towering hoodoos, the red rock formations near Sedona, and the canyon-cut lakeshores of the Salt River chain. Arizona also delivers some of the best stargazing in the country, with multiple International Dark Sky designations protecting its celestial views.

Top Campgrounds to Explore

Bonita Canyon Campground

In Chiricahua National Monument near Willcox — the "Wonderland of Rocks" — Bonita Canyon places you among stunning rock columns and hoodoos sculpted by millions of years of erosion. The hiking trails here wind through formations that look like a fantasy novel come to life, and the dark skies above are exceptional.

Bonito Campground

Eighteen miles northeast of Flagstaff near Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments at 6,900 feet, Bonito sits on the edge of a lava flow. The volcanic landscape surrounding camp adds a geological dimension to your stay that few campgrounds anywhere can match.

Alamo Canyon Campground

At the base of the Ajo Mountains in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, this primitive campground delivers pure Sonoran Desert immersion. Saguaros and organ pipe cacti frame every view, and the International Dark Sky Park designation means the stargazing here is world-class.

Burro Creek Campground

Along the 57-mile Burro Creek at 1,960 feet near Kingman, this campground sits in a transition zone between the upper Sonoran Desert and lower desert scrub. Spring wildflower blooms and winter warmth make this a popular snowbird destination with surprising riparian beauty.

Burnt Corral Campground

On the shoreline of Apache Lake along the historic Apache Trail south of Roosevelt Dam, Burnt Corral offers desert lake camping at its finest. The canyon-walled reservoir creates a dramatic backdrop, and the drive in on the winding Apache Trail is an adventure in itself.

Brookchar Campground

A small tent-only facility on the banks of Big Lake in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona, Brookchar delivers cool-elevation camping surrounded by tall pines and alpine meadows. Walk-in sites keep things quiet and primitive — a welcome retreat from the desert heat below.

Apache Trout Campground

One of five campgrounds at the Big Lake Recreation Area in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Apache Trout is especially popular for group camping. The elevation keeps summer temperatures pleasant, and the namesake Apache trout in nearby streams add a uniquely Arizona fishing experience.

Aspen Campground

A scenic hideaway for anglers and photographers near Heber and Payson in north-central Arizona, Aspen sits in a dense pine and aspen forest. The contrast between this cool, forested setting and the desert floor just an hour's drive below captures Arizona's remarkable elevation diversity.

Alto Pit OHV Campground

At the foot of Granite Mountain Wilderness near Prescott at 6,200 feet, Alto Pit serves the off-highway vehicle community with direct trail access. Even non-OHV campers appreciate the elevation, the ponderosa pine setting, and Prescott's charming downtown just a short drive away.

Planning Tips

Think vertically. Arizona camping is all about elevation — plan high-country trips (above 6,000 ft) for June through September and low-desert trips for October through April. Water is life. Carry a minimum of one gallon per person per day in desert campgrounds, and more if you're hiking. Dehydration can become dangerous within hours. Monsoon season is real. July through September brings intense afternoon thunderstorms, flash floods, and dramatic lightning — never camp in a wash and monitor weather closely. Protect the dark skies. Many Arizona campgrounds are near dark sky preserves — bring a star chart and leave the bright lanterns at home to experience some of America's best stargazing.

Find More Arizona Campgrounds

Explore all Arizona camping options on our Arizona campgrounds page, or browse our full campground directory to discover your next desert adventure.