Great BLM Camping and Staging Area

Set on 23,362 acres, Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers 148 sites for RV and tent camping. Each developed site has water and electricity, and a dump station, covered ramada, picnic table, barbecue grill, and fire ring. Each semi-developed site and tent site has a covered ramada and picnic table, barbecue grill, and fire ring. Restroom and shower facilities are offered to both types of campsites.

Located in the Northwest Valley, Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers activities boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing - plus visits to the Discovery Center. Lake water levels can fluctuate throughout the year, typically reaching its highest level in the spring (March and April) and its lowest in the fall (October and November).

Maricopa County Park Lake Pleasant 

Roadrunner Campground offers 71 sites for RV and tent camping. All sites are Developed.

Roadrunner Campground - Lake Pleasant

Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers 148 sites for RV and tent camping within the campgrounds (does not including primitive camping sites)

Each "Developed Site" has water, electricity, dump station, a covered ramada, a picnic table, a barbecue grill and fire ring. 

Each "Semi-Developed Site" and tent site has a covered ramada, a picnic table, a barbecue grill and fire ring, unless otherwise acknowledged in the description or camping map. 

Restroom and/or shower facilities are available at both types of campsites. All sites in the campground may be reserved online at www.maricopacountyparks.org/.
Campgrounds

    Desert Tortoise Campground has 74 campsites: 25 Developed Sites, 39 Semi-Developed Sites, and 10 Tent Sites.

    Roadrunner Campground offers 71 sites for RV and tent camping. All sites are Developed.

    Large groups can reserve the Desert Tortoise Group Campground. The Group Campground includes a parking area for RVs, picnic tables, and ramadas. The use of this area is by reservation only and requires a minimum commitment of 10 camping units.

Shoreline Camping

Lake Pleasant Regional Park also has shoreline/primitive camping during most of the year, depending on water levels. Shoreline camping is only permitted within designated areas for such use, when available.  Day-of availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be reserved during business hours at the park. For information on camping fees, click on this link to be redirected to the "Fees" page.​

The first phase or re-introducing primitive/shoreline camping will be rolled out in late January 2021, with the area of the Dirt Spillway.  Future areas will be included in phases at later dates.

Campers must park in designated parking areas.  Tent camping will be permitted along the shoreline within the designated area.  No vehicles will be permitted to park along the shoreline within the area. 

Check-in time the day of arrival shall occur no earlier than 2 p.m.  Campers must check out the day of departure by 12 p.m. (noon).
Boat-In Camping

Boat-in camping is now available at the 10 Lane Parking Lot.  Roughly 30 assigned parking spaces have been designated for such use.  Each camping/parking space is approximately 45 feet long by 12 ft. wide to accommodate most boat trailers and towing vehicles. Reservations are required. Day-of availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, and can only be reserved during business hours at the park. 

Boaters must camp on the waters of Lake Pleasant – no shoreline camping available at this time.  Camping is not permitted within the parking lot/camp space.  Boat-in camping is a great option for fisherman looking to fish in the late evening/early morning hours.  Boat-in campers must arrive and check-in before the park closes at night (8 pm).

Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground

Pleasant Harbor RV Resort

Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/

Boulders OHV Area

Black Canyon Ranch RV Resort is an exceptional place to live and a dynamic place to visit! We receive so many great reviews because of the extra effort we make to keep our grounds well maintained and clean. Guests also love the tons of amenities we offer, such as our pool, fitness area, and gas grills. They feel right at home because of our friendly staff and family atmosphere. Only a mile from either exit 242 or 244 off I-17, 25 miles north of Phoenix, Black Canyon City is a quaint Arizona mining town.“The Ranch” is far enough from 1-17 to be traffic noise free but close enough for a quick trip to Phoenix or Flagstaff.

Black Canyon Ranch RV Resort


Pioneer RV Resort is more than just a place to rest for the night, it's a destination. Step back and plan on a change of pace as you walk through the resort's many nature paths, or into the natural desert trails. Expect a warm welcome and a shared camaraderie with those who enjoy the park seasonally or year-round.

Pioneer RV Resort

Come and enjoy year round warmth and tranquil desert surroundings at SHANGRI LA RANCH. We believe that the best way to welcome newcomers to the nudist lifestyle is to allow them to ease into the nude environment at their own pace, therefore SHANGRI LA RANCH is clothing optional.
We are a family friendly facility that welcome everyone interested in naturism. Full memberships with the resort are available; inquire with the office staff.

SHANGRI LA RANCH emphasizes the freedom of choice. You select the activity that suits you from quiet relaxation in the hot tub , sauna or on the pool deck, to swimming, volleyball, water volleyball, pickleball, tennis, basketball, horseshoes or hiking trails. A clubhouse, children's playground and laundry are available. The pool is maintained at a comfortable temperature year round.  Note that no bathing suits are allowed in the pool, hot tub, or sauna. 

Our clubhouse features a large fireplace, dance floor, tables and chairs for indoor dining, card games and other social gatherings. In the adjacent conference room we have a library of books and games for your enjoyment. There is a large screen TV with DVD &amp; VCR to enjoy our collection or movies or bring your own. It is also an excellent facility for visiting clubs and organizations needing meeting space that can accommodate large groups and private functions. Soda vending machines are located near the clubhouse for your convenience.

Shangri La Ranch

## Overview

Horsethief Cabin is situated in a clearing of Ponderosa pines at an elevation of over 6,000 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains of the Prescott National Forest.   
  
  
  
The original cabin was built in 1939 as quarters and a staging area for Forest Service crews charged with protecting the southern end of the Bradshaw Mountains against wildfires. The cabin was remodeled and modernized over the years, but eventually fell into disuse by the 1980s.   
  
  
  
The historic structure now enjoys a second life as a rental cabin, providing a unique recreation opportunity for visitors to the Prescott National Forest. To make reservations select the date range on this site or call 1 (877) 444-6777. For general cabin question contact the Bradshaw Ranger District at 1 (928) 443-8000.

## Recreation

Anglers will appreciate the short hike from the cabin to Horsethief Basin Lake, stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish and sunfish. Non-motorized boating is also available at the lake. Hikers have plenty of opportunities to explore the area on trails leading to Horsethief Canyon, Twin Peaks, Castle Creek and Jim Creek. Off-highway vehicles have several roads and trails available for travel, and a Forest Service fire lookout tower and a campground are in close proximity.

## Facilities

The cabin can accommodate up to six people and is furnished with four beds, including, two twin beds, one queen bed, and one double futon. The cabin is equipped with running water, electricity, propane heater, and fans for cooling.   
  
  
  
The kitchen has all the basic amenities including a sink, propane stove/oven, refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, and table with five chairs. The bathroom has a flush toilet, sink, and shower. There is a fire pedestal grill, fire ring, and picnic table on site.   
  
  
  
Although the cabin has several amenities, guests must also provide a few of their own supplies, including food, sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, and garbage bags. It is recommended that you carry a well prepared Emergency Kit for any emergency.

## Natural Features

The nearby Castle Creek Wilderness is defined by rugged and diverse terrain ranging from lower elevations with saguaro cactus, palo verde, mesquite, jojoba, cat claw, and grasslands to higher elevations dominated by piñon pine and juniper.   
  
Dense populations of mule deer and javelina inhabit this area, along with a few mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, coyotes, rabbits, foxes, skunks, and badgers. Snakes and lizards live here, and numerous birds soar overhead, including doves, quail, hawks, owls, ravens, jays, and many smaller species.   
  
The area is rich in history, including early Native American inhabitants and later in the 1860s, home to horse thieves and rustled livestock. Evidence of historical mining activity abounds in this area, especially in the nearby community of Crown King. 

## Nearby Attractions

Horsethief Lookout Tower as well as Hazlett Hollow and Turney Gulch Campgrounds are in close proximity to the cabin.

Horsethief Cabin

## Overview

Turney Gulch is a remote, scenic location for groups of up to 100 people to rest under the stars and towering pines of Prescott National Forest. Site accomodates 30 vehicles or less. The site lies near Horse Thief Lake and is seven miles southeast of the small town of Crown King, Arizona, a former ghost town. Campers can enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing and visiting historic sites in the area. To make reservations click on the availability button to the right to book this site or call 1 (877) 444-6777. For general campground questions contact the Bradshaw Ranger District at 1 (928) 443-8000.

## Recreation

Campers have no shortage of activities both in and around the campground. The shade of the ponderosas invites guests to picnic and relax at the facility, while the nearby Horsethief Lake allows fishing and boating (electric motors and oars only). Anglers cast for largemouth bass, channel catfish and sunfish. Hunting is available in the surrounding forest, and the nearby Castle Creek Wilderness provides numerous trails for hikers to explore.

## Facilities

Turney Gulch is the only group campground near Horse Thief Lake and is close to one family campground. The facility has a rustic mountain feel with a picnic shelter, 15 picnic tables, fire grills and an accessible vault toilet. Drinking water and trash collection are provided for your convenience. The site lies on an unimproved dirt road and the drive can be challenging; campers should use high clearance 4 x4 vehicles to get there.

## Natural Features

The facility is situated in a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 6,000 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains of north-central Arizona. The forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, fox, rabbits, lizards, snakes, bald eagles and other species of birds.   
  
Summer temperatures offer a pleasant relief from the heat of nearby deserts, and winter is cool to cold with occasional snow. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible from late June through mid-September. 

## Nearby Attractions

The small town of Crown King has a general store with basic supplies.

Turney Gulch Group

The road in is several miles of dirt washboard.  But the views are great once here.  Not close enough to lake unless want a mile or so hike.  Most roads are little more than clearings of brush motorcycle trails.   Lots of OHV in the area, so weekends really noisy.   But nice otherwise.    Good desert boindocking spot 

Hard to get into but great once here

A little rough getting here on a couple miles of gravel road. Signs say private property en route but there's other campers here. Brought a Thor Vegas class A. Also looks like a popular place to bring 4-wheelers.

Dry Camping

Very useful sight and amazing locations. Recommend to anyone

Great BLM Camping and Staging Area

Save more with PRO

Do you own or manage this property?

About This Campground

Access

Stay Connected

Site Types

Features

For Campers

Reviews

2022 Explorer Giveaway