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Gila Campground — Roper Lake State Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Water recreation enthusiasts will find Gila Campground at Roper Lake State Park positioned directly along the shoreline, offering immediate access to fishing, swimming, and waterfowl viewing. The campground operates two distinct sections: a hookup loop with full utilities for RVs up to 63 feet, and a non-hookup area that provides more spacing between sites. All sites include water spigots, fire rings, and picnic tables, with several featuring covered tables in the Gila Loop.

The facilities receive consistent praise for cleanliness, with restrooms and hot showers maintained to high standards. Beth G. notes "All sites have water, a fire pit and a table" while pointing out that "Most sites don't have much of a view." The campground accommodates both tent campers and RV users, though reviewers indicate only certain sites work well for tent camping due to limited shade and tree cover.

Walking trails extend throughout the area, including routes that lead to mesa overlooks above the lake. The park maintains a boat ramp, fishing docks, and beach area for water activities. Cell service appears reliable for most carriers, and the location serves as a convenient base for exploring places to camp near Safford. Site 46 sits directly on the water, hosting various waterfowl species that provide early morning viewing opportunities.

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Warning 4 Alerts are In Effect

There are 4 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Campers arriving prior to 12:00 pm will be charged the day use fee.

Campers who are going to arrive after 9PM, must call the Park before 4PM.

Maximum of 2 motorized vehicles (including ATV, UTV, motorcycle, etc) at a site. 2nd vehicle will be assessed a $15/night fee if not registered to same person or address as primary vehicle.

**Get up to two discounted nights of camping in addition to your Friday and Saturday reservation at Buckskin Mountain, Kartchner Caverns, Lost Dutchman, or Roper Lake state parks! **

Discount applies $15 off per night (up to two nights) when added to a Friday and Saturday night reservation at standard price. Promo code can only be used for advance bookings on sites with electric/water hookups (does not apply to cabin/rustic site reservations). No same-day bookings. Reservations must be made online or via the call center at 877-MY-PARKS. Promotion is available once per park for each customer.

Offer applies to Kartchner Caverns State Park reservations taking place between September 8-23, 2026. All stays at Kartchner Caverns under promotion must be completed by September 23. USE CODE: 15OFFKA

Offer applies to Buckskin Mountain, Lost Dutchman, and Roper Lake state parks reservations taking place between September 8-30, 2026. All stays must be completed by September 30. USE CODE: 15OFF

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Map & DirectionsGila Campground is located in Arizona near Safford

Public Campground

Address

101 East Roper Lake Road
Safford, AZ 85546

Coordinates

32.7560285747263 N
109.708154172932 W

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T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 8/28/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 32 users
Last on 8/28/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/28/26

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Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 8/28/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 32 users
Last on 8/28/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/28/26

Access

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Site Types

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

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
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

Reservations

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Drive Time

1 hr 33 min from Sierra Vista, AZ
1 hr 43 min from Tucson, AZ
2 hrs 50 min from Las Cruces, NM
2 hrs 59 min from Phoenix, AZ

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Gila Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

5.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the clean, spacious sites and exceptionally maintained facilities. Many mentioned the peaceful atmosphere and friendly staff as key strengths, with good value pricing noted for the amenities provided.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

A. S.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 27, 2026

Scenic, clean and plenty of space

Roper Lake State Park is so peaceful. The mountains behind the camp grounds are stunning and picturesque! The lake is not large but still big enough to go kayaking and fishing. The bathrooms are pristine and cleaned daily left spotless. There are showers separate from toilets. If you have a dog, there's a small dog park on the campgrounds filled with shade. There are also hiking trails that are easy to find and follow. This location is perfect for a peaceful getaway.

Site47

Month of VisitMay

(8) View All

Ryan R.

Traveler

Reviewed Nov. 21, 2022

Father and Son Getaway

For starters the staff here is very friendly. The facilities are immaculately clean. I mean the cleanest campground restrooms I’ve ever seen. We stayed in a cabin and it was nice and quiet. We will definitely stay here again.

SiteRoadrunner Cabin

Month of VisitNovember

(6) View All

Colby F.

Traveler

Reviewed Nov. 19, 2021

Clean, quiet, comfortable

We visited in November, so temperatures ranged from the 80s during the day down to the 40s in the night. The campsites were very clean and well-maintained, and at the time we visited, the campground was very quiet. Waking up early to watch waterfowl on the lake at sunrise is going to be one of my most memorable camping experiences.

They had some minor plumbing problems related to other people flushing improper things down toilets, so nothing I'd fault the campground itself for. There was internet access, although I didn't use it very much.

Site48

Month of VisitNovember

(4) View All

Lisa S.

Ranger

Reviewed Dec. 29, 2020

Great in December

Camped for a week over Christmas 2020 and really enjoyed the serenity in the “non-hook up” loop? Tables, fire rings and grills, and water all available. Site 46 is on the lake which hosts a variety of water fowl. The sites are large with plenty of screening for privacy. I would not stay in the hook up loops which are more typical Arizona State Park Campgrounds offering no privacy with sites usually crammed together. Walking trails all over the place including one that leads up to the Mesa top. There’s a beach,several docks for fishing and a boat ramp. Excellent staff.

(6) View All

Beth G.

Legend

Reviewed Feb. 17, 2020

Nice area- if you get the right spot

My husband, myself and our 2 small dogs live in Tucson, AZ. We recently acquired a roof top tent and we’ve been trying out various campgrounds across the Southwest.

Water recreation areas in AZ are sparse, so this place holds a certain appeal. The facilities are nice and clean but if you’re not careful you could end up with only a view of your neighbors. We didn’t stay at the tent cabins, but they also looked nice. I’d come back to stay in the cabins with a group of friends or as a one night stop on the way somewhere else. It’s a great place to stop, swim, shower and hit the road for another adventure. When you haven’t seen a shower in days, they are so beckoning.

Pros: larger sites and further spaced out then your typical RV park. Several sites include a covered picnic table(most in the Gila Loop do not). All sites have water, a fire pit and a table. Also- fishing! $20 a night for non-electric site is a good price since you can take free hot showers in the park. Cell phone service (T-Mobile) and WiFi).

Cons: Most sites don’t have much of a view. Very few trees. Only a few sites are suited for tent camping. Busy park, expect to see a lot of other campers. Hot tub is permanently closed.

(7) View All

Jessica P.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 22, 2016

Roper lake

Great Southern AZ swimming hole and hotspring. Both cabins and camping spaces are nice. Full bathroom and showers available. Clean and peaceful location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cabin accommodations are available at Roper Lake State Park?

Roper Lake State Park offers comfortable cabin accommodations that provide a peaceful and quiet lodging option. The cabins are well-maintained and offer a nice alternative to tent camping. They're particularly appreciated for their cleanliness and the serene lakeside setting. Visitors find these accommodations ideal for enjoying the park's natural beauty while having access to modern amenities. The cabins are suitable for families and those traveling with small dogs.

What does a typical campsite look like at Roper Lake State Park?

Campsites at Roper Lake State Park are spacious and well-maintained with good privacy screening between sites. They include tables, fire rings, grills, and access to water. The non-hookup loop offers particularly serene sites, with some situated right on the lake (like site 46). These lakefront sites provide excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, especially waterfowl. The campground maintains clean facilities, with exceptionally well-kept restrooms and showers. Sites are organized into different loops, with hookup and non-hookup options available for different camping preferences.

What are visitors saying about their experience at Roper Lake State Park?

Visitors consistently praise Roper Lake State Park for its exceptional cleanliness and friendly staff. The park is valued as a peaceful retreat with immaculately maintained facilities—many noting these are among the cleanest campground restrooms they've experienced. Campers enjoy the serenity of the setting, particularly in the non-hookup loop, and appreciate watching diverse waterfowl on the lake at sunrise. The park is highlighted as a great Southern Arizona swimming destination with a hot spring. While water recreation areas are scarce in Arizona, this park stands out for its lake access and natural beauty, making it a popular destination for return visits.

Keep Exploring

Gila Campground — Roper Lake State Park

Description

RV Road Trip Guides

Camping The Route 66 Road Trip

Amarillo to Kingman: 4 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Map & DirectionsGila Campground is located in Arizona near Safford

Address

Coordinates

Connectivity

Is Gila Campground — Roper Lake State Park sold out?

Connectivity

Access

Site Types

Features

For Campers

For Vehicles

Contact

Drive Time

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Gila Campground

5.0

Scenic, clean and plenty of space

Father and Son Getaway

Clean, quiet, comfortable

Great in December

Nice area- if you get the right spot

Roper lake

September 2026

What cabin accommodations are available at Roper Lake State Park?

What does a typical campsite look like at Roper Lake State Park?

What are visitors saying about their experience at Roper Lake State Park?