Hello fellow explorers! As a native Arizonan, I’ve spent countless hours under the expansive desert skies and traversed our diverse landscapes, from the towering cacti forests to the serenity of our majestic rivers. My years of exploration have allowed me to create a finely tuned list of the best camping locations throughout our beautiful state.
Ready to journey into Arizona’s wilderness? Let’s dive in and uncover the 50 best places to go camping in Arizona that encapsulate the heart and soul of Arizona’s natural beauty. Onward to our shared adventure!
Table of Contents
The 10 Best Arizona Camping Locations
Lockett Meadow Campground is located in the Coconino National, near Flagstaff, Arizona. This primitive campground offers campers an amazing view of the San Francisco Peaks and access to multiple hiking trails. The campsites in this campground are on a first-come-first-serve basis and offer fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets.
This is a great place to camp for those who want to have a mountain camping feel with amazing views and quick access to hiking trails. This campground is definitely one of the best in Arizona.
Hawley Lake campground offers great camping sites right next to the lake. There a quite a few first-come-first-serve campsites. The campsites include campsite tables, campsite grills, fire rings, and restrooms. An Apache Reservation camping permit is required, but they are very affordable at only $9/night.
This is a great location for families and for those who love fishing. The campgrounds are well maintained, and this is truly an awesome camping location in Arizona.
Woods Canyon Lake is a great place to camp, which offers lots of activities, beautiful views, and lots of amenities. There are 4 different campgrounds around Woods Canyon Lake that are great for tent campers as well as RV campers.
Camping at Woods Canyon Lake is great for those who love to fish and hike. The lake is regularly stocked, and there is easy access to multiple hiking trails. Woods Canyon Lake Recreational Area is about a 40 min drive from the city of Payson. This makes it easy to jump into town if the need arises.
This is an awesome place to camp in Arizona and makes a great camping location for families.
Havasupai is one of the premier camping locations in all of Arizona. This is an amazing camping location with some of the best scenery there is to find in Arizona. The campgrounds can hold up to 200 people and only allows tent camping and camping under the stars.
While this is such an amazing camping location, it’s not a great option for young families. To get to the campground, you’ll need to hike 10 miles. So this wouldn’t be a great option for younger kids. If you have older kids, this would make a great camping place.
If you want a place with awesome swimming and amazing waterfalls, Havasupai campgrounds are the place you want to be. There is a fee, but it’s not too much. The problem you might have is trying to get a reservation. They only let a specific number of people in each year, and permits sell out quickly. If you want to get one, you’ll need to be quick and get permits as soon as reservations open.
Coconino National Forest is one of the best places to camp in Arizona. There are many different campgrounds to choose from in lots of different settings. In addition to campgrounds, there are lots of great places for dispersed and car camping.
Coconino National Forest is a great place for summer camping as it is often cooler here during Arizona’s hot summer days. There are many great campgrounds, including RV campgrounds, so it should be relatively easy to find an awesome place to camp.
Monument Valley is a great place for camping that will provide you with awesome views of some amazing landscapes. Monument Valley is actually on the border between Arizona and Utah. So while we still consider this an Arizona camping location, some campgrounds and places to camp are actually in Utah. There are campgrounds, RV parks, as well as dispersed camping locations.
Camping in Monument Valley is best for those who enjoy desert camping. There is limited vegetation, but you will be surrounded by the beauty of the desert. Monument Valley is actually part of the Navajo Nation, and permits are required for camping and hiking. This is a great place for families of all sizes and ages and will provide you with some great pictures and memories.
Airplane Flat campground is a great location for families who want to camp away from roads and buildings. The campground is 4 ½ miles on a dirt road, which gives you the feel of being away from cities and most people. The road is well maintained and is accessible by almost any vehicle.
The campground is amount tall ponderosa pines and provides enough room for approximately 20-30 different campsites. There is a small stream, Canyon Creek, within walking distance, which is great for trout fishing. This is a great family campground that offers lots of open space for kids to run around and play.
Patagonia State Park offers great lakeside camping for families and individuals who enjoy camping in campgrounds with a few extra amenities. The park has 105 developed campsites spread between multiple campgrounds that can be reserved in advance. There is a fee, which varies based on the exact campsite you reserve.
This is a great place to camp if you want to be close to a lake, want to do some fishing, want to do some fishing, like a more developed campground, or like to meet new people and have some neighbors while camping.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful places to camp in all of Arizona. There are many great views and scenery to enjoy as well as wildlife to see. There are multiple campgrounds at The Grand Canyon, which are good for both tent camping and RV camping. Additionally, dispersed or backcountry camping is also allowed with a permit.
This is an awesome location to go camping and is great for families. There are a ton of places to see and visit as well as learn about. Much of the camping at The Grand Canyon has a desert feel, but there are still a lot of pines and vegetation. If you want to camp in a location that will make memories that will last a lifetime, The Grand Canyon is the place for you.
Clear Creek campground is a great place for camping for those who love camping near a creek. The campground has flat grassy areas with lots of shade as there are tall mature cottonwood trees. With the creek nearby, this is a great place if you want to do some fishing, swimming, or simply relaxing by the stream.
Clear Creek campground makes a great camping place for families of all ages. There is a fee for this campground, but reservations are not required outside of group sites. Additionally, there is a 7-day stay limit, so if you are wanting to stay longer than a week, this campground won’t work for you.
5 Best Places to go Camping in Northern Arizona
Toroweap/Tuweep campground is a great place to camp on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Not far from the campground is Toroweap overlook, which will provide you with a dramatic view of the Grand Canyon from the edge of a sheer drop-off.
The campground is often uncrowded and gives you a feeling of really roughing it in the desert. Permits are required for overnight camping. Getting to this campground is not the easiest, and high clearance vehicles are recommended. If you want a rugged desert camping experience with some great views of the Grand Canyon, this is the place for you.
The North Rim Campground gives you the opportunity to camp at the Grand Canyon and in the pines at the same time. This campground allows you to have quick access to the Grand Canyon and tends to be less crowded compared to campgrounds on the South Rim.
This is a great location for families and for those who want to visit the Grand Canyon while doing some camping. The campground is only open between May 15 and October 31. There are a total of 90 campsites and also quick access to a general store and additional facilities. This campground is perfect for those who want to beat the Arizona heat, see the Grand Canyon, and do some camping in the pines.
Cave Springs campground is a beautiful camping location in the Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona, Arizona. This campground is a great summer location as it tends to be much cooler in the canyon and near the creek. With easy access to nearby attractions such as Slide Rock State Park, fishing and swimming in the creek, and a plethora of wildlife, this is a very popular campground.
This is an awesome location for families as there are lots of activities for all ages as well as quick access to the city of Sedona, if necessary. There is a fee for camping at Cave Springs campground, but it is definitely one of the best places to camp in Northern Arizona.
Jacob Lake campground is a nice campground that gives you easy access to the Grand Canyon without the crowds. This campground also offers quick access to hiking and biking trails as well as lots of opportunities for wildlife sightings. The campground sits amongst tall ponderosa pines and often has relatively comfortable temperatures during the summer.
The campground is located in Jacob Lake, AZ, and is only 30 miles south of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This would be a great place for a family to camp if they would like to take a day trip to the Grand Canyon but want to have access to other activities outside of the Grand Canyon.
Wahweap campground is a great campground right on Lake Powell. This campground is perfect for those who want to spend some time on the lake as well as camp on the lake. The campground has 139 campsites with full RV hookups as well as 39 tent-only sites.
The campground is situated in a desert setting with the main purpose being access to Lake Powell. There is a fee to stay in the campground, but it is open year-round. This is a great campground for those that also want to do some boating on Lake Powell.
5 Best Places to go Camping in Eastern Arizona
Upper Log campground is a great campground located in the White Mountains of Arizona on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. This is a great location for families. The campground sits along the North Fork of the White River. This area of Arizona is a great place for summer camping as it stays cooler during the hot season.
The campground offers many campsites, fishing along the river, easy access to Hawley Lake, and an opportunity for lots of wildlife sightings. Access to this campground is easy on a well-maintained dirt road. Most cars will be able to make it to the campground. This is a great location if you want to camp near a river and amongst the tall pines of the White Mountains.
Buffalo Crossing campground is situated on the banks of the Black River. This campground has 16 sites that can accommodate RVs up to 32’ long. These are the largest campsite along the Black River and offer ample room for families and larger groups.
These campgrounds are a great spot for those who love to fish and want to camp in the pines of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. There is a fee for camping at the Buffalo Crossing campground, but there are no reservations needed. If you are looking for a large campsite along the Black River, this is the campground for you.
Big Lake Recreation Area is one of the best places to camp in Arizona. There are 9 separate campgrounds located around Big Lake. The area is wooded with aspen trees mingled in amongst the ponderosa pines. It can be cold during the winter, but the summer tends to have pleasant weather.
This recreation area has easy access to hiking trails, biking trails, trout fishing on the lake as well as on the Black River, as well as lots of wildlife viewing. This is a great place for families and outdoor enthusiasts to camp. There is a fee to stay in the campground, and reservations are required, but there are campgrounds dedicated to tent camping as well as RV camping.
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area is a good camping area for families that don’t want to be too far away from a city but still want to be in the pines. Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area is located on the outskirts of Show Low, AZ. There are multiple campgrounds and campsites situated along the bank of Fool Hollow Lake.
This makes a great place for families as there are even a couple of playgrounds where children can play. The campgrounds are great for tent campers as well as RV campers as there are electrical and sewer hookups. The recreation area is open year-round but you do need to make reservations prior to your camping trip.
Reservation Lake Campground is located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. This is a quiet place to camp in the White Mountains of Arizona. There is great fishing on the lake and nearby hiking and biking trails. The campground consists of 60 individual sites that can accommodate tents as well as trailers.
The Reservation Lake Campground is a good option for those who want to do some fishing and boating. Here you will be able to camp among the tall pines without the crowds of more popular campgrounds. There is a fee for staying at this campground, which will need to be obtained from the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
5 Best Places to go Camping in Central Arizona
Cascade Campground is a nature photographer’s ideal camping location. The campground is located along Workman Creek. This area is a great location to get away from city life and feel like you are truly camping in the great outdoors. This area is populated with lots of wildlife, including bears, mountain lions, elk, turkey, and more.
This is not the easiest campground to get to, and 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. The campground does not require reservations or fees but stay is limited to 1 day. Trailers are also not recommended as getting to the campground could be difficult. This is a great place for camping if you are wanting a more remote area with opportunities to see wildlife and enjoy nature.
Coon Bluff is the closest campground to Mesa and Phoenix. The campground is only about a 20 min drive outside of Mesa. This is a great location for families to go camping but don’t want to drive very far. Situated on the Salt River, this campground is great for fishing, birding, and enjoying the outdoors.
The campground requires a permit, and overnight camping is not allowed from May 2nd – September 30th. While there are quite a few mesquite trees, the vegetation is a desert environment. Tent camping and RV/trailer camping are permitted, but RVs over 40 feet will not fit.
Located near Roosevelt Lake in central Arizona, Indian Point Campground has 54 campsites suitable for tent, car, and RV camping. Access to the campground is very easy as all roads to the campground are paved. There is a boat ramp nearby, which makes this a great campground for those who want to do some boating.
The setting for the campground is definitely a desert environment. There is vegetation but not many tall trees or thick undergrowth. This is a great campground for those who want to do some boating or fishing on Theodore Roosevelt Lake. A Tonto Pass is required to camp at this campground, but there are no prior reservations required.
Knoll Lake Campground is an awesome location for camping in Arizona. The campground is located in a secluded area with easy access to fun activities. Many people love camping at Knoll Lake for easy access to trout fishing, boating, canoeing, hiking trails, biking trails, horseback riding, and the sheer beauty of the area.
This is a great campground for those who want to be in a slightly more secluded area but don’t have a 4×4 vehicle. Access to this campground is suitable for all types of cars, and the roads are either paved or maintained gravel roads. There is a fee for camping at this campground, and stays are limited to 14 days.
Riverside Campground sits on the banks of the Verde River with a great view of Bartlett Dam. This campground gives campers quick and easy access to the Verde River as well as easy access to Bartlett Reservoir. Motorized boats are not permitted, but it is a great place for canoeing and kayaking.
This campground is great for those who want quick access to the Verde River to do some fishing or boating activities. This campground is first-come-first-serve, so reservations are not available, but there is a fee for staying at the campground.
5 Best Places to go Camping in Southern Arizona
Cochise Stronghold Campground is located in some of the most stunning and beautiful rock formations in all of Arizona. Camping here is in a desert environment, which includes the beauty of both the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. This campground is a haven for those who love to explore and enjoy desert vegetation and wildlife.
This campground offers access to nearby hiking trails, opportunities for lots of rock climbing, as well as the ability to enjoy beautiful sunsets. There are oak trees that offer shade at the campground, but the individual campsites are not large. This would be a great place for quick getaways as well as smaller groups who want to spend some time camping in the desert.
Bob Springs Campground is a small quiet campground with paved access all the way to the campsites. This is a good campground for all types of campers in any type of vehicle. This campground is a little smaller but can still accommodate RVs and trailers up to 22’.
Many people come to this campground because of the natural beauty that can be found. This is a great area to enjoy Southern Arizona and snap some great pictures of the natural Arizona beauty. Additionally, there are multiple nearby trails, which makes this campground great for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riding.
Rose Canyon Campground is a beautiful campground with 73 campsites. Half of the sites can be reserved in advance, but the other half is on a first-come-first-serve basis. This campground is situated amongst tall ponderosa pines as well as a scattering of oak trees. The Rose Canyon Campground truly gives you the feeling of camping in the forest.
There are multiple hikes near buy as well as the Rose Canyon Lake, which provides fishing for stocked trout. This is an awesome campground for families that want to camp in the forest and have easy access to nearby activities. There is a fee for camping here, and RVs are limited to 22’. This is a great campground for both tent campers as well as RV campers.
Cunningham campground is a great campground for those who want a more dispersed feel as well as those who want to do some horseback riding. The campground consists of 10 campsites that are less developed than many other campgrounds. Additionally, there is a public corral that can be used for those that bring horses for some horseback riding.
In addition to horseback riding, there are many great trails for hiking and mountain back riding. The campground is an open grassy area that sits amongst aspens and tall fir pine trees. This is a wonderful campground that allows you to connect with the forest and give you easy access to lots of great nearby trails.
Picacho Peak State Park offers a total of 85 total campsites for both tent and RV campers. This state park is a great place for families to do some camping in a desert environment at a more developed campground. You’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran Desert in an easily accessible campground with great amenities.
This state park is a great location for families as it provides easy access to hiking trails, historical markers, playgrounds, and other fun activities. This campground does require advance reservations as well as a fee. Ultimately, this is a great desert campground that makes it easy for families and individuals to enjoy the desert without having to drive off-road.
5 Best Free Places to go Camping in Arizona
Lower Juan Miller campground is located in eastern Arizona and is a wonderful quiet campground. This is a smaller campground that is not heavily used. If you are wanting to find a campground where you will be on your own, this is the place for you. It is shaded by Gamble oak and Sycamore trees and offers lots of wildlife viewing.
There is no fee for staying in this campground, and reservations are not required. If you want to stay in a campground that will fill more like dispersed camping, the Lower Juan Miller campground is a great campground for you. There are only 4 campsites in this campground so even if it is full, which is unlikely, you still won’t feel like you are camping with a crowd.
Pinal & Upper Pinal Campgrounds are a great way to camp in a more remote and beautiful area of central Arizona. The campgrounds are located 13 miles south of Globe, AZ, and do require traveling on dirt roads to reach the campgrounds. Pinal campground has 13 campsites while Upper Pinal campground has only 3 sites.
These are great campgrounds for those who love hiking. There are many trails located within a mile of the campgrounds. The hikes give campers the opportunity to explore and see some of the natural wonders and beauty of Arizona. There are no fees or passes required to camp in these campgrounds, and they are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Bear Canyon Lake and Camping Area is a wonderful place to camp for those who want to do some fishing as well as have access to hiking and biking trails. The camping area offers a partially developed campground among pine, oak, and aspen trees. There is no trash service, so the campground is a pack it in – pack it out area.
This campground is ideal for families who want to get away and spend some time in an area that feels more remote and less developed. There is no fee for camping here but the road to get to the campground is not always open. The road will sometimes be closed for forest restoration work as well as for weather conditions.
Los Burros Campground is a quiet campground off the beaten path. The campground consists of 10 individual sites situated amongst the tall grass. The campground sits on the edge of a beautiful meadow among tall pines and aspen trees. From the campground, there is quick access to multiple hiking and biking trails.
Access to the campground is easy on maintained gravel roads and signs. There is no fee for camping in this campground, and it would make a great location for families that want to camp in a quieter location. Spring and summer will offer the easiest access as you will need to be aware of snow during the fall and winter seasons.
Sycamore Campground is located on the west side of the Chiricahuas Mountains in a beautiful wooded area. Turkey Creek flows along the edge of the campground, giving the area a wonderful sense of rugged beauty. This is not a developed campground and is more like a group of dispersed campsites.
There are multiple trails a short distance from the campground, giving hikers lots of areas to explore and enjoy. There is no fee for staying in this campground, and the campground is open year-round. This is a great place if you want to camp somewhere in Southern Arizona, near a creek and have access to lots of hiking trails.
5 Best Places to go Tent Camping in Arizona
Lo Lo Mai Springs campground is one of the most beautiful campgrounds near Sedona, Arizona. The campground is not specifically tent-only camping, but there are tent-only campsites right along Oak Creek. The campground gives campers unpatrolled access to Oak Creek, where you can swim, wade, and fish.
The campground is only minutes from Sedona and is very accessible as it is right off the main highway. This is an awesome place for families that love to tent camp but also want to have the convenience of a developed campground. There is a fee for staying at Lo Lo Mai Springs, and reservations are required.
Cutthroat Campground sits on the banks of Big Lake and is a tent-only campground. The campground consists of 18 individual sites. The campsites are decently spread out, and some are situated right on the shore of Big Lake. This is a very pretty campground that is found amongst tall ponderosa, spruce, and aspen trees.
Cutthroat Campground is a good choice for those who love to tent camp and won’t want to share the campground with RVs and trailers. Additionally, this is a great location for those who want to do some fishing as well as have close access to hiking, biking, and horseback trails. There is a fee to stay in this campground, and access can be difficult during the winter if there is much snow present.
Petrified Forest National Park is a great place to go camping in Arizona. Here you can enjoy the natural beauties and wonders of this amazing national park. In the park, you can enjoy finding petrified trees, fish, leaves, seeds, and more. Additionally, you can visit and experience the beauty of the Painted Desert.
There are no campgrounds in the national park but dispersed, or backcountry camping is allowed. Permits are required, but they are free, and no reservations are required. This is a great place to camp for people who want to experience the wonders of this national forest in an arid desert environment.
Aspen Campground is the main campground for Woods Canyon Lake. This campground is not a tent-only campground, but it is still a great location for tent camping. The sites are well separated, and you won’t feel like your neighbors are camping right on top of you.
This makes a great campground for those who want to do some tent camping near an awesome fishing lake. A portion of the campsites is first-come-first-serve, while the other portion accepts reservations. This is a heavier traffic campground, so make sure you either secure a reservation or arrive early to get a campsite. Additionally, this campground is only open from May 1 – October 31 annually.
Workman Creek is a tent campers’ dream. The area is beautiful, and the vegetation is amazing with the ability to camp right on the creek. This area lends itself to tent camping as the roads can be more difficult to travel. This makes it unlikely for campers to bring RVs and trailers.
There are multiple campgrounds along Workman Creek as well as lots of great dispersed camping locations and opportunities. This is often a fond area for fishers, and it is well stocked and a little more remote. If you have a high clearance 4×4 vehicle and want to do some tent camping that feels more remote, this is a great place for you to camp.
5 Best Places to go RV Camping in Arizona
Camping at Lake Havasu State Park is a great location for RV campers. There are a total of 50 sites, and all have 50-amp hookups and access to potable water. This is a very popular location for RV campers as the campground sits right on Lake Havasu. This gives everyone easy access to the lake for swimming, fishing, and boating.
If you want a well-maintained and developed campsite, want to camp right on the lake, and have easy access to other activities, this is the campground for you. There is a fee for staying in the campground, and stays are limited to 14 days. As the campground is quite popular, it is recommended that you book your reservation early to be able to get the dates you would like.
Meteor Crater RV Park is a great place for RV campers who want to enjoy the natural wonders of the desert and Meteor Crater. This park has full electrical and waste hookups and can accommodate RVs up to 60 ft. In addition to short camping stays, the RV park also has extended stay options.
If you are wanting a desert camping experience near one of Arizona’s natural wonders, Meteor Crater RV Park is right for you. The RV Park is pet and child-friendly and is a great place to meet other RV campers. There is a nightly fee for staying at the RV park, but you can get discounted tickets to Meteor Crater.
The Tombstone RV Park is an awesome place for RV campers. This RV park has lots and lots of amenities, including even a pool. This is an awesome place for families to camp as there is a playground on site as well as easy access to local attractions. This is a larger RV part with over 85 individual sites.
Tombstone RV Park is a great option for RV campers who are looking to experience the wonder of the old west as well as stay in a very nice park with lots of amenities. There are fees associated with staying in the RV park, but the park does offer easy to lots of great activities and sites in the local area.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is arguably the best place for campers who also want to do some boating. There are lots of places and locations to camp right on Lake Powell as well as in campgrounds. Here you will have unfettered access to the lake for swimming, fishing, boating, and all kinds of water activities. This is a very popular area, but it is also very large so finding somewhere to camp shouldn’t be too hard.
There are fees associated with campground camping, but there are no fees for primitive camping along the shoreline. This is a great place to bring your family camping as there are lots of activities on the lake as well as great activities off the lake, such as hiking and wildlife watching. If you are someone who wants to do some camping as well as boating, this might just be the best place to camp in Arizona.
Apache Trout Campground is the best option for RV campers at Big Lake. It is the only campground at Big Lake that has full RV hookups. Additionally, they have large campsites so if you want to camp with friends, this is the best place for you.
The Apache Trout Campground is great for RV campers because it gives you all the conveniences of a developed campground but allows you to feel as if you are camping out in the middle of the undeveloped woods. There are lots of activities around Big Lake, which makes this a great campground for families and those who want to stay busy while camping.
5 Best Places to go Dispersed Camping in Arizona
The Apache Sitgreaves Nation Forest offers some of the best camping in Arizona. There are many rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, and more to enjoy in this national forest. Here you can find many campgrounds, from the completely developed with full RV hookups to free dispersed camping without a hint of civilization to be found.
In the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest, dispersed or backcountry is allowed without any fees or permits required. You can simply pull off the road or hike through the backcountry to find your next campsite. This is a great place to take your family camping and offers some of the best scenery and outdoor activities in Arizona.
Coronado National Forest is a great place for camping in Arizona as it offers a wide variety of environments and habitats. Much of Coronado National Forest is a desert environment, but there are mountain forest areas as well. Like all national forests in Arizona, dispersed camping is permitted without any fees or permits.
In addition to dispersed camping, there are many fully developed and partially developed campgrounds to enjoy. The Coronado National Forest is a great place to go camping as it provides campers with lots of activities, scenic views, and exposure to the beauty of southern Arizona.
Tonto National Forest is one of the most popular places to go camping in Arizona. The national forest is also the 5th largest national forest in the entire United States. This means there is no end to the places you can camp in the Tonto National Forest. The forest consists of Saguaro cactus deserts and pine-covered mountains. The environments are so vast here that everyone can find somewhere that is right for them.
There are many designated campgrounds and camping areas available in the national forest, but dispersed camping is also permitted with no fees or permits required. No matter if you are looking to camp near a river, or lake, in the mountains, in the desert, or wherever else, you can find it in the Tonto National Forest.
Kaibab National Forest is located in northern Arizona and encompasses some of the best areas for outdoor activities. If you are a hiker and want to do some exploring, Kaibab National Forest is for you. With over 300 miles of trails, you will find some of Arizona’s most beautiful trails. Additionally, this national forest offers great scenic views and even includes the Grand Canyon.
There are many campgrounds that provide lots of great places to tent camp, RV camp, car camp, or whatever type of camping you like doing. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout the forest and does not require a fee or permit. This is a great place for dispersed camping as there are some many awesome places and environments to choose from.
Fort Apache Indian Reservation is a dream for those who love to go dispersed/primitive camping. The reservation sits among the White Mountains of Arizona and has some of the lushest and thickest forests you will find in all of Arizona. There are many lakes, creeks, mountains, and natural wonders that make this such a great place to camp.
Dispersed camping is allowed on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation with a permit. Once you obtain your permit, you are allowed to camp wherever you want on the reservations, with a few exceptions. There are many trails and secluded areas that will allow you to find private and quiet places to camp. This is a great place for campers who want to go camping in the mountains amongst the pine and aspen forests.
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Thank you so much for all the recommendations! This is one of the best blogs with such fantastic detail. I thought I have camped everywhere in AZ but it looks like I haven’t even scratched the surface yet.