McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood, near Scottsdale, Arizona, is a fantastic campground that offers a blend of relaxation and adventure amidst stunning desert scenery. With sites that are nicely spaced out, it’s a great place to unwind while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding cacti and mountains.

This campground is perfect for tent campers and small RVs, featuring essential amenities like drinking water and flush toilets. Visitors have highlighted the excellent hiking and biking trails right outside your door, making it easy to explore the natural beauty of the area. One camper noted, “Lots of hiking and biking,” which speaks to the variety of outdoor activities available.

If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, you’ll appreciate the quiet atmosphere, although it can get lively with mountain bikers enjoying the trails. Campers have mentioned the well-kept facilities, including bathrooms, which add to the overall comfort of your stay. Plus, the nearby McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers even more hiking options for those seeking a bit more challenge.

Whether you’re here for a quick overnight trip or a longer stay, McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood provides a welcoming environment for all types of campers. Just remember to pack your sense of adventure and enjoy the beautiful Arizona sunsets!

Ironwood Campground - McDowell Mountain Regional Park

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Rio Verde. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Rio Verde campgrounds just for you. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Rio Verde

The Best Camping Near Rio Verde, Arizona

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.  Need to go to the trail head or RV campground for showers which was a bit of a hassle.  Excellent mountain biking and hiking trails right out of the campground.  

Excellent Regional Campground

This campground is really beautiful. The sites are spaced out and in general it's very quite (although the park is popular with mountain bikers). Lots of hiking to do around if you're looking for something flat (but close access to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve if you're looking for something more strenuous).

Gorgeous area

Sites are fairly well spread out. One restroom, flush toilets, water spigot outside, dumpster. Friendly to camper vans. Showers down the road. Lots of hiking and biking. 

Nice campground amongst the cactus 

We stayed in site 27 which was close to the kids playground.  We only stayed for 1 night .  Lots of bikers at this location.  We did do a short 3 mile hike and it was very nice on the Granite and then Wagner trail.  Other than the camp host who was a complete jerk ( we arrived 5 minutes before 1 pm and the guy at the front gate said nothing about not driving in before 1 pm - there was a sign but seriously 5 minutes early is an issue, you would have thought I kicked his dog the way he acted )?  A beautiful night and wished we had stayed a few more days.    I think some of the best sites here are on the Pemberton loop  64,65,66, 68, 70.  Unobstructive views but all sites pretty well spaced out and well kept bathrooms and showers.

Photos of Ironwood Campground - McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Real photos from real campers