Best Campgrounds near Anthem, AZ
The Anthem, Arizona area encompasses a range of camping environments from established RV parks to primitive dispersed sites. Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground offers developed sites with electric hookups and picnic tables, while several dispersed camping areas exist on BLM land and Arizona State Trust Land within 15 miles of the city. Maddock Road Dispersed camping on State Trust Land and the Old Airstrip Camping & Staging Area provide alternatives for those seeking more remote experiences. Accommodation types vary widely, with Pleasant Harbor RV Resort offering cabin rentals alongside traditional RV and tent sites, and Cave Creek Regional Park supporting tent camping, RVs, and glamping options.
Access to camping areas varies significantly by location and season. Many dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles, particularly during monsoon season when dirt roads become rutted or washed out. Arizona State Trust Land camping requires a $15 annual permit with a 14-day maximum stay limit per year. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F from May through September, making winter and spring the preferred camping seasons. Lake Pleasant and nearby water-based camping areas provide relief from heat but fill quickly during peak periods. Cell service is generally reliable near Anthem but becomes spotty in more remote areas. A camper noted, "It's not bad most days. The wind gets pretty strong out here and there are a lot of side by sides that run very late into the night on weekends. The temps are a little cooler because of the proximity to Lake Pleasant."
Waterfront camping at Lake Pleasant receives consistently positive reviews, with several campgrounds offering shoreline access. The lake area provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming, making it popular year-round. Dispersed camping areas offer greater solitude but fewer amenities, requiring visitors to pack in all supplies including water. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers appreciate the proximity to urban conveniences while still enjoying desert landscapes. "So thankful for this desert and the solitude it brought. The further off Carefree you get, the more solitude you'll find," wrote one visitor about the Maddock Road area. Dust and wind are commonly mentioned challenges, particularly in open desert areas, while proximity to off-road vehicle trails can create noise issues on weekends at certain locations.
