Best Tent Camping near Scottsdale, AZ

Tent camping near Scottsdale, Arizona provides access to diverse desert landscapes within the Sonoran ecosystem. McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood offers dedicated tent campsites with both walk-in and back-in options set away from the main park areas. The campground features well-spaced sites among native cacti and desert vegetation. Peralta Regional Park Primitive Remote Campsites provide a more rustic tent camping experience southeast of Scottsdale, while Hackamore Road Dispersed camping on BLM land offers free primitive tent camping with mountain views approximately 20 miles east of the city.

Most tent campgrounds in the Scottsdale area require preparation for desert conditions. McDowell Regional Park provides drinking water, flush toilets, and picnic tables, but lacks on-site showers. Peralta Regional Park offers vault toilets and fire rings but no drinking water. Dispersed camping areas like Hackamore Road have no facilities, requiring campers to pack in all water and pack out all waste. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making fall through spring the optimal tent camping seasons. Rattlesnakes are present throughout the region, requiring vigilance when setting up camp and hiking. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, particularly in dispersed camping areas.

Backcountry tent camping experiences near Scottsdale showcase the unique Sonoran Desert ecosystem with its iconic saguaro cacti and desert wildlife. The Point Campground, accessible only by boat on Canyon Lake, offers tent-only sites with picnic tables, fire pits, and composting toilets in a remote canyon setting. According to reviews, "The sites are spaced out and in general it's very quiet, although the park is popular with mountain bikers," notes one visitor about McDowell Regional Park. Another camper at Peralta Regional Park reported, "Clean dark sky for star watching. Each campsite has plenty of space in between." Primitive tent camping areas provide excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution, particularly at higher elevation sites.

Best Tent Sites Near Scottsdale, Arizona (15)

    1. McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood

    4 Reviews
    Rio Verde, AZ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 506-2930

    "This campground in McDowell Regional park is for tent camping and small Vans, etc. Mix of both walk in sites and back in sites. It is set back a ways from the rest of the park. No showers here."

    "One restroom, flush toilets, water spigot outside, dumpster. Friendly to camper vans. Showers down the road. Lots of hiking and biking."

    2. Hackamore Road Dispersed

    11 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 580-5500

    "It's on BLM land, so you are out of the reach of the Arizona Land Permits.

    The road is a bit tricky."

    "It’s got great views of the mountains, TONS of awesome trails to walk/ride love the access to the little ghost town nearby."

    3. The Point Campground

    1 Review
    Tortilla Flat, AZ
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 610-3300

    "About 2 miles upriver from the Mormon Flat Dam, the Tonto National Forest maintains 4 official campsites, complete with a covered picnic table and fire pit at each, as well as composting toilets and a"

    4. Boulders OHV Area

    7 Reviews
    Wittmann, AZ
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 580-5500

    "If you dont mind occasional off road vehicles driving through during the day, its a good spot with plenty of room."

    "Nobody else on Friday night, plenty of space

    The typical rumble strip dirt road to this point but easily doable.

    Service: 1 bar Verizon"

    6. Peralta Regional Park Primitive Remote Campsites

    3 Reviews
    Gold Canyon, AZ
    36 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "Restrooms were great. Each campsite has plenty of space in between. Literally no complaints at all."

    "Very close to popular hiking trails. We enjoyed the rustic campsite. The camp host was very friendly and helpful (Darell)."

    7. Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin lake)

    7 Reviews
    Crown King, AZ
    46 miles

    "(There’s also a much more difficult trail from lake pleasant that requires very experienced off-roading 4x4). Great food and drinks(alcohol) at the crown king saloon and Mimi’s Cafe."

    "The Hazlitt Hollow campground and Horse Thief Basin Lake are ~7 miles from the main city of Crown King and definitely require a high clearance vehicle (4x4 highly recommended)."

    8. Childs Camping Area

    4 Reviews
    Strawberry, AZ
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 203-2900

    "NOT family friendly...unless you don't mind your tiny humans seeing naked people wandering around. Other than that, awesome place to visit!! Dispersed camping right on the Verde River."

    "Trails to a hot spring and next to fossil creek water fall. Vault toilet and camping right next to the river. Watch for bulls roaming the campground!"

    10. PJ's Hangout

    2 Reviews
    Payson, AZ
    47 miles
    +1 (916) 670-8385
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Showing results 1-10 of 15 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Scottsdale, AZ

616 Reviews of 15 Scottsdale Campgrounds



Guide to Scottsdale

Scottsdale, Arizona, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and stunning landscapes.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Tent campers should check out local attractions

Features that enhance your camping experience

  • Enjoy the convenience of amenities like drinking water and picnic tables at McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood, making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • Experience the freedom of dispersed camping at Boulders OHV Area, where you can find plenty of space and explore miles of desert trails.
  • Camp at The Point Campground, which offers beautiful views and a boat dock for those looking to enjoy water activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Scottsdale, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Scottsdale, AZ is McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Scottsdale, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Scottsdale, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.