When the urge to go on the road in your van and head to destinations for a camping getaway hits, Arizona has more than its share of locations that create memorable adventures. With outstanding state parks and national forests beckoning, your itinerary will be filled with an assortment of activities. This year, pack your bags and supplies and head out on a journey you won’t forget.
Lost Dutchman State Park Campground
6109 Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Contact: (877) 697-2757
Set the GPS on your van to get you to Apache Junction and the Lost Dutchman State Park Campground, where 135 sites await and are equipped with a fire pit, picnic table, and grill grate. Restrooms and showers are located nearby within the park. All the things needed to ensure a pleasurable stay. The views of the Superstition Mountains are stunning and so is the surrounding landscape. Known for its lost gold mine, thousands of tourists visit each year in the hope of finding a nugget or two. Nearby, visit the Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine Tours or hike the Treasure Loop Trail. Dogs are permitted within the campground but must be on a leash and secured at all times. The campground also provides a fenced-in off-leash dog park. Open year-round. Goldfield ghost town
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
9300 E. 28th Street, Yuma, AZ 85365
Contact: (928) 783-7861
Campers looking for beauty, remoteness, wildlife, and wide-open spaces that go for miles, should consider Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and a stay at one of six campgrounds. The wildlife refuge was established in 1939 and covers more than 665,400 acres in the Yuma desert and is dedicated to wildlife preservation. There is plenty of open space, memorable views, and lots of hiking trails to explore the desert landscape and observe native plants, such as Saguaro cactus, palms, and ferns. Camping within the refuge is free and remote and within driving distance of stores for supplies. Pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash or confined.
Usery Mountain Regional Park Campground
2701 N. McGill Drive, Mesa, AZ 85207
Contact: (480) 984-0032
For campers looking for a place to go near Phoenix but far enough away that the night sky is ideal for stargazing, consider the 75-site campground at Usery Mountain Regional Park. The campground is near the Tonto National Forest and the Goldfield Mountains for extended day trips and offers hiking and biking plus the park’s archery range, along with electricity, restrooms, showers, and bathrooms.
The View Campground
Indian Rte 42, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536
Contact: (435) 727-5555
The View lives up to its name each day as the sun rises, exposing the miles of fine sand and stunning rock structures of Monument Valley. Stay at one of the wilderness campsites for uninterrupted views of the Western and Eastern Mitten Buttes. The campground is located within the Navajo Reservation, providing campers the opportunity to learn about the Native American culture with one of the available guided tours.
Bog Springs Campground
South Madera Canyon Road, Green Valley, AZ 85614
Contact: (520) 261-2296
Located in the Coronado National Forest, enjoy the quiet and cozy atmosphere of the Bog Springs Campground, situated in the Santa Rita Mountains. The area offers plenty of opportunities for short hikes in and around the forest. Open year-round, the campground is equipped with toilets, picnic tables, a fire ring, and drinking water. Pets are allowed but must be on a leash. The campground is open year-round. There are no reservations, so get there early to secure a campsite.
Lynx Lake Recreation Area
344 S. Cortez Street, Prescott, AZ 66303
Situated in the expansive Prescott National Forest, the Lynx Lake Recreation Area is all that and more. This is the place for van campers to head to who want to enjoy the great outdoors and water activities. The 55-acre lake surrounded by ponderosa pines features 35 camping sites fitted with grills, picnic tables, toilets, fire rings, and water. While visiting, enjoy fishing, swimming, boating, mountain biking, hiking, and more. There’s also a store, marina, boat ramp, and rental boats.
Lockett Meadow
1824 S. Thompson Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Peace, quiet, and serenity are what campers can expect with a stay at the Lockett Meadow Campground in Coconino National Forest. Shimmering lakes, forested landscapes, and mountain peaks create a scenic landscape. Lockett Meadow is a true mountain wilderness camping destination ideal for photo opportunities, wildlife observation, scenic hiking trails, birdwatching, and mountain biking. Campsites include vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables
Burnt Corral Campground
3547 AZ-88, Roosevelt, AZ 85545
Contact: (602) 225-5395
A stay at Burnt Corral puts campers near Apache Lake and Roosevelt Dam, which supports plenty of opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and boating. The scenic area is ideal for short walks, photography, and viewing of wildlife species. Open year-round, the campground provides 82 campsites with available water, vault, and composting toilets.
Apache Sitgreaves National Forests
30 S. Chiricahua Drive, Springerville, AZ 85938
Contact: (928) 333-6280
Within the state forest, van campers can relax at the Mogollon Campground with amenities, which include drinking water, vault toilets, and picnic tables. Apache is all about the scenery and alpine views of aspens and pines. Multiple lakes are within the area, which means travelers have access to boating, fishing, and kayaking. For added convenience, supplies and rental equipment are also nearby at the Marina Store.
Tonto National Forest
2324 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Contact: (602) 225-5200
At Tonto National Forest, there is something fun for everyone to participate in. The forest offers lakes and rivers for water sports, miles of hiking trails, and numerous opportunities for wildlife observation. For campers, there are many choices in campgrounds. An example of available amenities includes fire rings, showers, and toilets.
Arizona Van Camping
Whether you plan to see the sights of Arizona during the summer, spring, fall, or even wintertime, there are destinations to discover, places to explore, and natural attractions to enjoy. It’s not too early to start planning your van adventure itinerary and let the roads take you where they may.
