Arizona RV Camping and Campgrounds

Recreational Vehicle Camping In Arizona

Arizona has an abundance of great RV camping sites, many located close to some of the most spectacular areas anywhere. Winter is a great time to visit Arizona, and the Snowbird migration and their thousands of RVs certainly help prove it. Spring, summer, and fall on the other hand, are the best times to see much of the incredible scenery of Arizona. The area around Grand Canyon National Park has free RV camping areas on the north and south rim, and sights that should be seen by everyone.

Free RV camping, and public campground topographical location maps follow Arizona RV camping resources.

Arizona Resources for RV Camping Information

• Private RV Parks - Research tools for finding private RV parks and campgrounds in Arizona.

• National Park Service - NPS information about National Park Service administered lands in Arizona. Some of the nations best RV camping locations are in Arizona.
• US Forest Service - USFS information about National Forests in Arizona. Great RV camping sites in remote and designated campgrounds.
• Bureau of Land Management - BLM information about Bureau of Land Management Field Offices and lands in Arizona. LTVA's (Long Term Visitor Area), dispersed RV camping (boondocking), and designated campgrounds.
• US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about Corps lakes in Arizona. Recreation information including RV camping.
• US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Arizona. There are great remote camping areas available.

• Arizona State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in Arizona.
• Arizona State Parks - From the Parker strip along the Colorado River, to great mountain RV camping sites, the Arizona State Park system offers many types of recreation and varied camping locations.
  • No Camping Reservations are available for Arizona State Parks
• Arizona Game & Fish - Information about Arizona State Wildlife Areas. Most areas allow camping as well as other recreation activities.

• Camping Reservations - Arizona Federal Campground Reservations

• Current Weather - From the National Weather Service
• Historical Weather - Know what to pack. Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean temperature,GPS location and elevation.

• RV Dump Stations in Arizona

• Sanidumps.com - RV Dump stations in Arizona listed by town. 
• RVDumps.com - Places to dump in Arizona.

RV Camping pages with more information

• USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.
• BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Vast areas of the western USA are available for free RV camping on lands managed by the BLM. Rules and policies about recreation and RV camping.
• USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.
• NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.

Arizona State Land Recreation Permit

Free RV camping on Arizona State Land Department/Trust lands is allowed for 14 days providing you have the proper recreation permit. For those RV camping that also enjoy motorized off highway activities, the permit allows use of state lands for motorized recreation. The family permit fee of $20 is well worth it for a full year from date of issue if you wish to stay on state lands in Arizona. The fine for not have a permit is substantial, and for those wishing a short stay near Phoenix or Tucson, the state lands may offer you a wonderful close to town yet remote RV camping location. To see the official web site and how to obtain the RV camping and recreation permit, Click Here

Free Camping and Boondocking Locations

Free RV camping is available throughout Arizona on public lands administered by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), and the USFS (US Forest Service). State parks, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service and more allow free RV camping as well. The following list is just a sample of free RV camping possibilities. Free RV camping locations are primitive which means there are no RV hookups

To find free RV camping sites, you need a good map. We recommend Benchmark Maps and the Arizona Atlas & Gazetteer to find RV camping locations and as great paper recreation atlas'. Put that together with DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and you have a versatile set of tools to find RV camping sites all across Arizona.

AJO

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge - Free RV camping information about the Refuge, remote access, and necessary permits . Very isolated! There is also BLM public land surrounding AJO available for free RV camping. The Yuma BLM Field Office administers this area.

ASH FORK

South of Ash Fork along highway 89 are numerous USFS (US Forest Service) access roads. Close the gate behind you. There are many lovely free RV boondocking sites in this area. The Prescott National Forest manages public lands in this area.

BOUSE

Surrounded by BLM administered lands, Bouse has virtually unlimited places for free RV camping. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Lake Havasu Field Office manages RV camping in this area. The town has RV camping facilities including RV dump, fuel, groceries, water, trash restaurants, museum and post office. Patton's troops of WWII trained in this area.

GOLDEN SHORES

North of town on old Route 66 about 3 miles is an extensive BLM (Bureau of Land Management) ATV and off road vehicle area. Suitable for any size RV. There are also several good pull out areas off old Route 66 heading north towards Oatman. BLM's Kingman Field Office administers this area.

GRAND CANYON

South Rim RV camping information from the NPS (National Park Service) Official Web Site...we couldn't say it better ourselves...

Dispersed Camping - Camping "at-large" is permitted in the national forest outside the park. Camping must be at least 0.25mile/0.4 km away from Highway 64. Other restrictions may apply. Contact the Tusayan Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest, P.O. Box 3088, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 or call (928) 638-2443 for information.

KOFA

King of Arizona National Wildlife Refuge. Free RV camping is available with a 14 day per year maximum limit. This area is located northeast of Yuma and southeast of Quartzsite. Remote dispersed RV camping (boondocking) is also available on most BLM lands around the Refuge boundary.

LAKE HAVASU CITY

Surrounded by BLM (Bureau of Land Management) administered land, you will have no trouble finding dispersed RV camping (boondocking) locations. RV camping locations are located both north and south of town. The BLM's Lake Havasu Field Office manages this area and offers extensive information for the RV camping enthusiast.

NEW HOPE

Free RV parking is available at the truck stop. Scenic free RV camping is available on BLM administered lands north of the KOFA NWR (National Wildlife Refuge), as well as on the Refuge itself. Large open RV camping areas are available in a remote desert setting.

PARKER

East of Parker are large areas of BLM administered land with good access for free RV camping. Shea Road is asphalt heading east for nearly 15 miles before turning into good gravel. There are numerous free RV camping sites along both sides of this road.

PHOENIX

Arizona State Land Trust has numerous parcels available for free RV camping surrounding Phoenix. Click Here for information on obtaining required permit and Land Trust location maps.

PRESCOTT

Designated dispersed camping (boondocking) sites are available in the Prescott Basin. This area is managed by the USDA Prescott National Forest, and offers organized campgrounds too. This is a popular area for RVers trying to escape the desert heat.

QUARTZSITE

Free RV camping is available at 5 BLM designated 14 day camping areas surrounding Quartzsite. Free camping is permitted in designated areas only. Click Here for more information about BLM camping and LTVA's (Long Term Visitor Area) in the Quartzsite area. The La Posa LTVA is very popular with Winter visitors. Over 1 million RVers show up during the Winter months, and there is a lot of information written about this interesting RV camping area.  The Quartzsite area is our December 2007 - Campsite Of The Month.

SENTINEL

Free RV camping is available north of Sentinel on the road to the Oatman Massacre site not too far from Painted Rock Dam. Go north on asphalt road approximately 1 mile to first gravel road and turn right. Large area suitable for any size RV is located about 1 mile down the gravel road. More sites available further up road, but we recommend smaller RV's for these camping locations.

SWANSEA

This historic ghost town offers free RV camping facilities. There are several free campsites suitable for smaller RV's and tents. Bureau of Land Management is spending a considerable amount of time and money on this area. Improved RV camping sites, and building restoration projects make this an interesting RV destination.

WICKENBURG

State Land Trust parcels are available for RV camping south of Wickenburg with a required permit, as well as BLM administered lands. There are free RV camping sites along Vulture Peak Road, and Vulture Mine Road. The Vulture mine offers $ dry RV camping, and has self guided tours of the historic mine. Wickenburg offers a full range of RV camping supplies, RV dump, fuel, food and more.

WILLIAMS  

USDA Kaibab National Forest offers free dispersed camping (boondocking) at many locations. A good free overnight camping area is located west of Williams just off Interstate 40.

YUMA

There are free RV camping sites (must have $20 State issued permit) just East of Yuma on parcels of the Arizona State Land Trust. There is also BLM administered Public Lands with LTVA's west of Yuma on the California side of the Colorado River. Check our BLM Section for more LTVA (Long Term Visitor Area) information and rules.

Our Boondocking Section has information about finding free RV camping locations.

Arizona Public Campgrounds

RV camping in Arizona is perfect for the Snowbirds of Winter. BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and Arizona State Parks offer RV camping on a first come first serve basis only, and the same is true for most County and Community parks. Most parks have no length of camping stay limit. USFS (US Forest Service) campgrounds offer cooler locations to escape the Summer heat. Amenities range from dry RV camping with only trash and pit toilets to RV camping sites with full RV hookups. This is only a partial listing of RV camping opportunities at public campgrounds.

CEDAR POCKETS

The Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area offers RV camping. This BLM area has 75 developed camping sites are available with pit toilets, fire rings, and trash. There are pull thru sites as well for large RVs.

CHLORIDE

We've been to both these campgrounds with our 36' motor home. We don't recommend a vehicle this big, but it can be done if you are determined.

• Windy Point campground isn't just a clever name either. This campground is situated on top of a mountain with spectacular views. Pit toilets, fire rings, and trash. No water

• Pack Saddle campground is near Windy Point and has the same BLM Internet page. This campground is more suitable for small RVs and tents. Limited room to turn around. Very scenic!

COTTONWOOD

Located north of Phoenix near Cottonwood, Dead Horse Ranch State Park offers RV camping sites with electric and water, as well as dry camping.

FLAGSTAFF

RV camping is available near Sunset Crater National Monument at the USDA Forest Service (USFS) Bonita Campground which is located across the road from the National Park Visitor Center.

GILA BEND

Well dispersed campsites are available at the Petroglyph/Painted Rock BLM Campground.

GRAND CANYON

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon is a site everyone should experience if they can. RV camping is allowed within the park at designated campgrounds. This is a very popular camping location, and we recommend reservations at the National Park Service (NPS) campgrounds. Pictures can never fully capture this unique landscape.

KINGMAN

RV camping is available at...

• BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Wild Cow Springs Recreation Area. Located at 6200 feet elevation, this is a great wooded campground with fire rings and pit toilets. No water.

• Hualapai Mountain Park - This Mojave County regional park offers 11 RV camping sites with water, electric, and sewer on top of a mountain.

LAKE HAVASU CITY

RV camping facilities can be found at...

• Lake Havasu State Park

• Cattail Cove State Park

• Buckskin Mountain and River Island State parks.

RV dump, water, fishing, boating. No reservations accepted. No length of stay.

PARKER

North of Parker is the...

• La Paz County Park offering long term RV camping along the Colorado River.

• BLM Parker Strip Area - This area is very scenic along the Colorado River. First come first serve RV camping.

PHOENIX

• RV camping is available at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Some full hookup spaces. Located near Goodyear

• Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities are available at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Hillside RV camping sites with scenic lake views.

• Primitive camping is offered at the Buckeye Hills Regional Park. No water.

• Cave Creek Regional Park has water and electric RV camping sites. RV dump in campground.

• RV camping is available at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. 76 water and electric sites with RV dump, picnic tables and trash.

• Usery Mountain Regional Park offers 73 water and electric RV camping sites. Picnic tables, RV dump, trash.

• White Tank Regional Park is another of Maricopa County administered regional parks. Offering 40 dry RV camping sites with picnic table, barbecue grill, and trash.

PRESCOTT

USFS (US Forest Service) campgrounds offer RV camping in the area.

• Yavapai - Located at 5600 feet with paved road access.

• White Spar - 5700 foot elevation with 40 foot RV maximum RV length. 14 Day limit.

• Lynx Lake - Located at 5600 feet next to man made lake. 39 spaces suitable for RV camping.

• For more USFS campgrounds in the Prescott National Forest, Click Here.

QUARTZSITE

South of Quartzsite are the large and very popular La Poza LTVA (Long Term Visitor Area). Hundreds of thousands of Snowbirds descend on Quartzsite with their RVs every Winter. Much has been written about this interesting RV camping destination. Our BLM Section has more information about LTVA's and their rules.

SALOME

Dry RV camping sites are available at Centennial County Park. The campground has RV dump and water available.

TEMPLE BAR

This National Park Service campground located in Lake Mead National Recreation Area has 153 camping sites and is located on Lake Mead north of Kingman.

WENDEN

RV camping and other activities are available at Alamo Lake State Park 38 miles north of Wenden. The campgrounds have electric and water sites, and RV dump station

WHY

RV camping is available at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument campgrounds.

WICKENBURG

• Community park located 2 miles NE of town across from the Rodeo grounds on Constellation Road has RV camping. Has trash but no water or dump. Restricted length of stay.
• The Community Center has RV camping facilities for RV club rally and group events. Reservations required. Wickenburg Community Center. Office Hours 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Please call 928-684-7656

WIKIEUP

South of Wikieup is the Burro Creek Recreation Area. This large recreation area has flush toilets, large RV camping sites, RV dump station and drinking water.

YUMA

North of Yuma on the California side of the Colorado River is...

• BLM Squaw Lake Campground. Tent and RV camping facilities include showers, boat launch near the Imperial Dam on the Colorado River.

• Imperial Dam LTVA is also located near Yuma. This long term RV camping area allows stays of months if desired.

• Our BLM Section has further information about LTVA's and their rules.