There's no better way to experience Arizona's breathtaking beauty than heading out on a camping trip. Many Valley residents are surprised to discover that the Maricopa County Parks (MaricopaCountyParks.net) offers excellent camping opportunities close to home.
Whether you prefer to head out in a luxurious motorhome, do a bit of glamping in a pop-up camper, or rough it a bit by pitching a tent, you can find a great spot to experience the majestic Arizona scenery. All developed sites in the Maricopa County Parks system have water and electricity. Semi-developed sites have access to restrooms and limited water. All sites have a grill, fire pit, and picnic table.
White Tank Mountain Regional Park
An hour west of Scottsdale, White Tank Mountain Regional Park offers easy access, great camping sites, and incredible hiking. The park is the largest of the regional parks, covering nearly 30,000 acres. Peaks rise to more than 4,000 feet to the west, and city lights cover the horizon in the other direction.
The Family Campground offers large, developed sites ideal for RVs and trailers. If you want to pitch your tent, the Willow Campground offers several tent-only sites from October through April.
There are numerous trails in White Tank Mountain, but the most popular is the Waterfall Trail. This 1.8-mile round-trip easy trail ends at a waterfall in a narrow canyon.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Located less than an hour northwest of Scottsdale, Lake Pleasant Regional Park is a scenic water recreation area covering nearly 24,000 acres. Lake Pleasant offers incredible summer fun on the water. You can camp and take to the water for boating, swimming, and fishing. You can enjoy food, drinks, and live music at the marina. During cooler months, Lake Pleasant is perfect for hiking and stargazing.
Desert Tortoise Campground has developed sites and tent sites overlooking Sunset Cove.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
You can go camping almost in your own backyard at McDowell Mountain Regional Park just north of Fountain Hills. Situated in the Verde River basin, this 22,000-acre park includes more than 50 miles of trails with great views from the 3,000-foot peaks.
There are tent-only sites at Ironwood Campground and developed sites for glamping at the E. I. Rowland Campground.
Cave Creek Regional Park
Cave Creek Regional Park is a smaller park of only 3,000 acres, about a mile north of Carefree Highway. This is a favorite spot for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The park has several easy and moderate hikes and the popular Go John Trail, a 5.8-mile difficult loop.
Camping in the Family Campground is ideal for those who want to be out but prefer a nice, easy drive and flat surface.
Usery Mountain Regional Park
Located east of Mesa, Usery Mountain Regional Park covers 3,648 acres adjacent to Tonto National Forest. This beautiful park sits at the end of the Goldfield Mountains and features hiking on 40 miles of tracks.
Buckhorn Campground offers level, graveled sites close to the trails. You'll also find three competitive bike loops in the park. For hiking, there's something for all skill levels. The Wind Cave Trail takes visitors to the Wind Cave with water seeping from the roof.
With so many options close to home, it's easy to go camping—or glamping—and experience the great outdoors.