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Established Camping

White Tank Mountain

15 Reviews

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About

County

Welcome to White Tank Mountain Campground, a fantastic spot for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of Phoenix. This place is perfect for both tent and RV campers, offering a mix of amenities to make your stay comfortable. The Family Campground has 40 sites with water and 30/50 amp electric hookups, while the Willow Canyon Campground offers a more rustic experience with 19 sites that are ideal for tents, campervans, or small trailers.

The sites here are spacious and well-maintained, with gravel pads, picnic tables, BBQ grills, and fire pits. Some even have covered picnic shelters. The bathhouse is centrally located and kept clean, though it can get a bit busy. Hot water is available, which is always a plus.

For activities, you can't beat the hiking trails. The waterfall trail is a must-see, especially after a heavy rain when the waterfall is flowing. It's a bit of a trek to the trailhead, but the scenic views make it worth the effort. There are also trails for mountain biking and horseback riding, so there's something for everyone.

If you need supplies, the town of Surprise is just 8 miles away and has everything you might need. Just a heads-up, there's a nearby air force base, so you might hear jets flying overhead during the day.

Overall, White Tank Mountain Campground offers a great mix of convenience and natural beauty, making it a top choice for a quick getaway or a longer stay. Enjoy your time here!

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Location

White Tank Mountain is located in Arizona

Coordinates

33.56600085 N
112.49900018 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Good
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Good
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Tent Cabin
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

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Contact

General Info

Lee D.

Legend

Reviewed May. 3, 2022

Convenient to Phoenix

General: Located less than an hour from Phoenix, this campground is an easy getaway. There are two campgrounds: The Family Campground (40 sites) with water and 30/50 amp electric hookups and the more“rustic” Willow Canyon Campground (19 sites) with no hookups. This campground is good for tents, campervans, or small (16 feet or less) trailers. There was a gate attendant when we checked in around 6 pm on a Monday and we were given an information packet with information on the campground, nearby facilities in the town of Surprise, and trails, which was very helpful considering we were not familiar with the area.

Site Quality: We stayed in the Family Campground so we could take advantage of the electric hookups. The sites are gravel, a good size, well-maintained, and spaced a decent amount of distance apart. Some are pull-through and some back-in. In addition to the aforementioned water and electric hookups, each site also has a picnic table, bbq grill, and fire pit. Some have covered picnic shelters but not all. Most of these also have space for tents.

Bathhouse: Is located in the center of the loop and was clean. Sites on the inside have paths leading to the bathhouse but if you are on the outside of the loop, access is via a path between sites 34 and 36 or sites 11 and 13. Three stalls, one sink, and one shower. One sink is not really adequate for 40 sites, but I did not encounter more than one other person at a time. Soap dispenser, rack, and air dryer. The way the water faucets are is wasteful: once you turn them on, they run for quite some time before turning off. Hot water was appreciated. Did not use the shower so cannot comment on that.

Activities: Several hiking trails. The most popular one is the waterfall trail, but you need to drive to the trailhead for this. It is paved for the first half mile (shortly after the petroglypghs) and then it is a rocky, gravel path. The waterfall only runs after heavy rain (I would think this would make access very challenging). There was water in the “pool” and it is scenic so it was worthwhile to go despite no running falls. There are restrooms, a picnic area and a playground near this trailhead. Some of the other trails are used by mountain bikers or horseback riders. The information you receive at check-in details the usage for each trail.

This campground was mainly an overnight as we continued to head west but I am glad we took the time to hike the waterfall trail before leaving. If you need groceries or other supplies, the town of Surprise, about 8 miles to the east, would have everything you need. Note there is a nearby air force base and you will hear jets flying by, although this was during daylight hours.

Site23

Month of VisitApril

(15) View All

jeff B.

Guide

Reviewed Dec. 12, 2021

Excellent Phoenix area campground

Super regional campground in the west Phoenix area. Clean hot showers and bathrooms. Solid mtb and hiking trails in the park.

SiteA11

Month of VisitJanuary

Tony C.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 8, 2021

Chollas everywhere, plenty of options

This park is quite large and has many camping options: day passes, tent camping, semi-developed sites, and fully-developed sites with awnings for big rigs.

There are many hiking trails too, for every level of difficulty.

The nature is splendid, with hummingbirds, chipmunks, and plenty of chollas and prickly pear cactai.

The ambience is quite festive, much more than what I am used to (although the noise may be due to the fact I went on NASCAR weekend).

Sitedeveloped 9

Month of VisitDecember

(9) View All

Patti S.

Guide

Reviewed May. 29, 2020

Beautiful and close to town

This park is so close to town, but far enough that you feel like you are way out. There are standard campsites (water and electric) as well as tent camping area. The sites can fit good sized rigs. There is a ton of trails for hiking, biking, and horses. Brand new showers, restrooms, and a dishwashing area. Dogs are allowed, but please keep them on a leash and pick up after them so we don't lose the privilege!

Here is a link to the Maricopa parks with maps: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/maps/

Month of VisitApril

Lynn C.

Scout

Reviewed Mar. 4, 2020

Beautiful desert

Lush desert campground. Quiet and well run. Very clean.

Sara R.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 3, 2020

Peaceful retreat

This park is so close to town, but far enough to get some quiet night sky! There are standard campsites and a more primitive camping area. The Willow Canyon site is big enough for a full length Sprinter, though the office says 16’ is the length limit.

Lots of trails for hiking, biking and horses. Brand new showers, restrooms and a dishwashing area. Dogs allowed too!

I’m on Verizon and only got a single bar in the park. The library is near the entrance if you need to get your WiFi fix!

Ellen W.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 3, 2019

Close to town, yet far enough away for hiking and relaxing

Another Maricopa County parks campground which is great for hiking and relaxing.

Very well taken care of. The park has beautiful hiking trails and a great nature center, which offers activities and the regional library. There are a couple of playgrounds in the park as well.

Some hiking trails are within walking distance of the campground, others you will need to drive to. Maricopa trail runs through the park.

The campground itself is very clean, including the restrooms and showers. It is quiet and the campsites all have electric and water hookups, picnic table and fire pit. Sites are far enough from each other so it doesn't feel crowded. Not much vegetation on the campground itself, so sunshine in abundance.

Site13

Month of VisitOctober

(7) View All

Chad H.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 21, 2019

Fast get away

From beginning to end always great views from the trials. I can go for a few hours hike or all day.

Michelle W.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 21, 2019

Beautiful

Super clean trails with amazing views and saguaro cacti for days.

(5) View All

Crystal C.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2018

Desert Camping With Great Hiking

If you like rock scrambling there is plenty of that at the White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Staying here you will find that hiking is your major focus as typical desert style camping is made special by the excitement of the trails around you.

The family campground is not one of the largest campgrounds you will find in this region but it fair sized. Spaces are large and spread out making it a great fit for tent campers or RV campers.

When I visited I stayed in campsite 29, on the top of the far side of the loop on the one way drive in. I was a few hundred yards from the restroom facility on a back in space which outlooked toward the desert entirely. The outer ring of the loop, you can literally hike right out of your campsite and be in the middle of everything. I will say however that had I have known a bit more about the area before visiting I probably would have selected sites 19 or 20 which are literally on the hiking loop for Ironwood.

My campsite was pretty typical with a rocky flat area to set up my tent, a grill and picnic table. My site had no shade which was ok when I visited in early spring but would have been way to hot to have stayed here during late spring or summer. This was considered to be a developed site which was $32 a night but I managed to somehow get it for a semi-developed price of $22, still not sure how that happened. LUCKY ME!!

While out here it was truly all about the hiking!! There were over 10 trails which circled and wound around ranging in intensity and distance for any skill level. I tackled the moderate ironwood trail which runs into the Ford Trail, one of the longest trails at the park. I didn't do the entire Ford Trail and instead cut over to another trail at an intersection which looped back into camp. From there I ended up driving to another trailhead, Mule Deer, and moving on from there because it hiked by the nature center.

The nature center here was very cool and I always recommend stopping in if there is one available, if nothing else to get a better idea of what kind of wildlife to watch out for in the area you are visiting.

TIPS:

Bring lots of water. Though there are fresh water stations around, the water seemed to have an odd taste to me, I would recommend bringing water especially if you are sensitive to tastes.
Check out the Ford Canyon or Goat Camp trails if you are really into a challenge. These have a lot of rock scrambling and some of the highest heights in the park. If you want an easy hike with a great view check out the Waterfall Canyon Trail.

Audrey R.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 30, 2018

Bring water and take a hike

This area is best for its hiking and photo ops, in my humble opinion. As with most desert campgrounds in Arizona, there is not much privacy between the sites but take advantage of the beauty. The waterfall trail is an easy hike and very doable with kids. You can only bring a stroller so far unless it's an off-roading stroller but the hike is worth it (especially if there's water flowing). There's a playground across from the trailhead in case all else fails and someone stays behind with he little ones. Restrooms are thoughtfully placed here. DO watch for rattle snakes on this trail and all for that matter. Also, bring a lot of water and then some. Stop at the Visitor Center and library on your way in. You're not far removed from civilization so anything you need is just a brief drive away.

(15) View All

Ray J.

Scout

Reviewed May. 17, 2018

Peaceful

If you like the natural dessert, you’ll love this place. Large camp sites welll spaces.

SiteMultiple stays

Month of VisitMay

Rusty T.

Guide

Reviewed May. 3, 2018

Desert park & campground

County Park located just west of Phoenix metroplex, in White Tanks Mountains. Roomy sites, with a mixture of gravel and sand. Had a picnic table and grill. This was a shakedown for our new travel trailer, so we wanted to be near town in case something went wrong. Lots of nearby hiking trails, and restrooms and showers were clean. Campsites are behind a rise, so you see stars, not city lights.

Site#9

Month of VisitMay

Chenery K.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 14, 2017

Stargazing in the city

Fantastic park for seeing the stars and getting away from Phoenix city lights. Lots of well marked trails and access to water and facilities as well as access to a county library and education center at the entrance.

I just camped in this park last night in space 17 - the family camping is about 35 sites in a big loop with a central restroom and marked pathways from each campsite to the facilities. Some sites are pull-in/back-in, and others are pull-through along the road. The lowest and highest numbered sites are closest to the staff "residences" with their RVs. Each site has a fire ring, grill, concrete picnic table and water/electric posts. I think site 18 is my favorite, and sites 17-21 are closest to the family campground trail leg that leads to the Ironwood Trail for hiking access.

I've also joined two ranger-led hikes here (Black Rock Loop for sunrise hikes) as well as a county-sponsored astronomy night with access to multiple large telescopes and an astronomy presentation. Check the park website for their activities calendar as there's a good chance you can take advantage of some organized education during your visit.

Site17

Month of VisitOctober

(11) View All

Staci R.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 12, 2017

A desert geode!

Located at about 203rd Avenue, on the westside of Phoenix, in Waddell Arizona is a tiny little Campground with phenomenal views. There is also a large group campground and a very primitive "camp ground" available, but primitive desert camping requires a LOT of preparation and packing in/out. There are numerous horseback, hiking and biking trails. Family campground has electric and water hookups with a very clean centrally located restroom, that hosts a shower and flushing toilets.

Views are amazing. Maricopa county operates the campground and has made significant improvements with ramada, gathering areas, grills, fire rings, monthly hikes, educational presentations, a huge public library...every bit in caliber with state and federal campgrounds.

Month of VisitOctober

(11) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Does White Tank Mountain have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, White Tank Mountain has water hookups and sewer hookups.

What is the max vehicle length at White Tank Mountain?

White Tank Mountain allows vehicles up to 40 feet.

Are fires allowed at White Tank Mountain?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at White Tank Mountain, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does White Tank Mountain have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, White Tank Mountain does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at White Tank Mountain?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.