Grab your tent and sleeping bags, we’ve got a list of our favorite 10 Family Friendly Campgrounds in Arizona!
Do you consider yourself an adventurer? I think that for a lot of people, their first form of adventuring comes from camping. Camping is great because not only are you sleeping outside under the stars and in the fresh air, but you are experiencing places and things that you would never get the chance to if you stayed inside all the time. This is especially true in Arizona. Whether you live in Arizona, or you happen to be visiting, you know just how beautiful of a place it is. Arizonans are unbelievably lucky to have the outdoor environment that they do and the landscape is simply unmatched. This great state is home to 3 National Parks and an additional 21 National Park Units (monuments, historic sites, wildlife refuges). Those numbers alone can tell you a little bit about how much outdoor life we have here.
We love camping and go almost all year long. These family friendly campgrounds in Arizona are some of our favorites, but before you go make sure to read these camping tips, our must have camping supplies, and grab these easy camping recipes. Then make sure to download this FREE camping checklist. And of course, we have to mention…you need a ton of water. You will need more than think and always check US Forest Service website for closures and fire restrictions before traveling.
If you want to start your adventures through Arizona and our amazing landscaping, then you should start planning out some camping trips! If you are wondering where to go, here are just some of the top campgrounds in Arizona for your adventuring pleasure:
10 Family Friendly Campgrounds in Arizona
- Pine Grove Campground (Flagstaff) – Pine Grove Campground is one of the best campgrounds in Arizona for families to visit. There are lakes nearby for water recreation. You have a significant amount of space between campsites so even though you are in a public campground, you still have a fair amount of privacy. Additionally, there are plenty of amenities for those who like to rough it with a little convenience (toilets, showers, grills, drinking water and more). The campground also has plenty of hiking trails for you to enjoy while you are there. They even have a mini amphitheater for your entertaining pleasure. It’s also good to note that this campground is just a short drive to Sedona in case that is your destination of choice.
- Burnt Corral Campground On Apache Lake (Roosevelt) – If water recreation is your thing, you may want to check out Burnt Corral Campground On Apache Lake. This lake offers something for everyone who likes the water and hiking. You will find opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, water skiing, plus on-land activities such as hiking. There are toilets available as well as drinking water for your convenience. My favorite part about this campground? It’s just $8 per car with no campsite fees!
- Mesa / Apache Junction KOA – Okay, I have nothing against KOA, but I wouldn’t typically add them to a list like this. However, I love this KOA due to its location. Within a short distance of this campground you can view the Superstition Mountains, make your way through the Apache Trail loop, visit nearby lakes, experience the Tonto National Monument, take horseback or off-road tours of the rugged terrain or head out to one of Arizona’s famous Spring Training games. The campground itself also features lots of amenities such as a pool and hot tub.
- Manzanita Campground (Sedona) – This is a great campground for water lovers. You will be camped creekside and have easy access to fishing, swimming, hiking and more. This is also a great place for nature photographers as there are ample opportunities for wildlife viewing.
- The View Campground in Monument Valley – In case you didn’t know, Monument Valley is a famous backdrop used in many Western movies, and for good reason. The view here is amazing and provides an incredible landscape in which to view sunrises and sunsets. The campground itself is quite a tight squeeze, but it is well worth it. Keep in mind though, if you are a hiker, there is only one hike here that you can do on your own, otherwise, most touring of this area needs to be done with a Navajo escort.
- Tucson/Lazydays KOA – I wanted to add this one in for our “glamping” type campers. This is a full on camping resort. With 2 pools, several hot tubs, a nine-hole putting green, bar and grill and so much more, you will find that your time here might feel more like a trip to the spa than a camping trip outdoors.
- Lost Dutchman State Park (Apache Junction) – This campground has a plethora of outdoor activities available to you, plus, it’s dog friendly! This campground features spacious sites, showers, restrooms and even a dishwashing station and gift shop. You will find plenty of hiking trails available that range from easy to difficult and even some rock climbing locations.
- Cave Spring Campground (near Sedona) – This is a great campground for RVers or tent campers and features toilets, showers and drinking water. Cave Spring is near Sedona which, of course, is one of Arizona’s most famous tourist attractions. Additionally, this campground is just a short drive away from Slide Rock State Park which has been named “one of America’s ten most beautiful swimming holes.”
- Pine Grove Campground (Flagstaff) – The Pine Grove Campground is popular with boaters. The campground is surrounded by several nearby lakes (Upper and Lower Lake Mary, Ashurst, Marshall and Kinnikinick). These lakes are good for fishing, boating and wildlife viewing. There are also plenty of hiking trails nearby if you want to get out of the water for a bit.
- N. and S. Rim Campgrounds at the Grand Canyon – If the Grand Canyon is part of your adventuring plans, there are several campgrounds available for you to use either at the N. and S. Rim. There are RV and tent camping options. These campgrounds are mostly developed with bathrooms and drinking water and even dump stations, although, there are also opportunities to hike in and do some primitive camping as well.
More Camping Resources:
Campfire Safety Tips (& S’Mores Trail Mix)
Fun Camping Games
Campfire Ice Cream Cone Desserts
Campfire Popcorn
Camping Margaritas
