Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Black Canyon City, AZ has a lot to offer. Black Canyon City is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Discover great camping spots near Black Canyon City, reviewed by campers like you.
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).
$15 - $300 / night
White Spar Campground at 5,641 feet in elevation is a short drive of 2.7 miles south of downtown Prescott and east of Hwy 89. Campers will appreciate the mild weather and the cool ponderosa pine forest the campground is nestled in. The campground's convenient location allows for many opportunities for pursuing camping, hiking, mountain biking and bird watching. Several loop trails in the area allow for multiple modes of travel. The Tri-City Community comprising Prescott, Chino Valley, and Prescott Valley has events, functions, benefits, and attractions throughout the year are all within a few minutes' drive. 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.
White Spar Campground is available year-round, but campsites are limited during the winter season. Campsites are designed for RV, trailer or tent camping. Many popular outdoor activities abound in the area. Visitors may enjoy fishing, bird-watching, boating, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, picnicking and just plain relaxing.
White Spar Campground is surrounded by a forest of ponderosa pine, oak, manzanita, and a variety of shrubs and grasses. In the Prescott Basin, the campground is near Granite Basin Recreation Area, Granite Mountain Wilderness Area, Granite Basin Lake, Lynx Lake Recreation Area, and Thumb Butte. Access to these areas can either be made by several interlocking hiking trails or by driving a short distance.
Northwest of White Spar Campground, within ten miles, is the Granite Basin Recreation Area. Granite Basin Recreation Area has several day-use areas, and Granite Basin Lake (five acres), which is known for channel catfish, large-mouth bass, and sunfish. Rising prominently north of Granite Basin Lake is Granite Mountain at 6,874 feet. The Granite Mountain Wilderness Area is comprised of the mountain's rugged topography and mixed vegetation suite. Also, within ten miles, is Alto Pit Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Campground and Day-Use Area. OHV riders of all skill levels can ride the several miles of trails that meander through the area's challenging terrain and vegetative cover. Southeast of downtown Prescott and within eight miles of White Spar Campground is Lynx Lake Recreation Area. Lynx Lake (55 acres) is an popular attraction in the Prescott National Forest that offers a variety of recreation opportunities for all age groups. Activities include fishing, boating, and hiking. West and within four miles, is the Thumb Butte Recreation Area. At 6,515-feet Thumb Butte is quite visible in the Prescott Basin. The Butte is popular for its scenic vistas, jogging and hiking. Rock climbing is allowed, but only between July 16 and January 31 as it is closed to climbing during the peregrine falcon nesting period. Birdwatching is popular outside the closed area. The City of Prescott offers several day-use recreation facilities within ten miles. To the north and northeast are Watson (70 acres) and Willow Lakes and to the south Goldwater Lake (15 acres). Each have unique qualities and recreation opportunities including boating, fishing, birdwatching and hiking.
$14 - $28 / night
Quail Loop Campground
$20 - $60 / night
Horsethief Basin Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities including: hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and OHV riding. Castle Creek Wilderness is located nearby, and Horsethief Cabin and Turney Gulch Group Campground are available by reservation. Day use sites and trails are open year-round; overnight accomodations are not available during the winter. Scroll down (below the recreation map) to learn more about these recreational opportunities. Note: Until further notice, use of a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for those who plan to visit recreation sites in Horsethief Basin.
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).
$32 / night
Planned with relaxation in mind and built with impeccable attention to detail, Verde Ranch Resort has it all. Book now to save your place at this gorgeous RV resort in the heart of Verde Valley, Arizona. Choose from one of 389 full hookup RV sites with 50 amp service, 14 furnished vacation rental cottages, including studio, one- and two-bedroom options; and 10 Glamping options (8 Conestoga Wagons and 2 Luxury Safari Tents)! Verde Ranch RV Resort is an all-ages RV resort conveniently located off Highway 260 and Interstate 17 near local attractions, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Sedona and just two and a half hours from the Grand Canyon.
We are happy to extend a 10% discount on RV site reservations to all Dyrt PRO members for up to a 6 night stay. When making your reservation online at campspot.com/book/verderanchrvresort, type in promo code DYRTPRO to apply the discount. Or you can call 928-567-7226 to make your reservation.
Discount is not available for weekly and monthly rates or on Cabin rentals.
$45 - $85 / night
Traveler
Off the busy roads so very quiet. Nice level spots, good hookups. Nice clean showers and bathrooms. Situated in a rural setting with trees and farm animals nearby. Very nice helpful staff/owners.
Traveler
This is a wonderful place to relax, T-Moble is not great in some places and O in most, Starlink does not work so well out here and there is very tall trees and lots of shade, would make a great place in the summer months. most of the road is very nice and 2wd car can make it, road is 1 lane. Very trailer friendly road and most of the camp spots are big enough for good size trailers. there is 2 ways in one off of 260 and another off of 87, both are about the same condition.
Traveler
Nice sites, 3 of which are first come first serve. We got one of those. Wooded area with drinking water pumps scattered about, trash receptacles, and toilets.
Traveler
The road is extremely washed out with huge potholes. Spaces small and very crowded
RangerArrived on a Monday afternoon and found no other campers but several trucks and OHV trailers parking on the road to the camping area. Made it around them to have my pick of camp sites.
The road goes past the camping area. There are presumably more camping areas down the hill.
The main camping area it the top of a hill where someone cleared all vegetation. Nothing to stop the wind.
There were few level areas. Camping here requires some serious leveling skills.
There is lots of room for longer trailers . HOWEVER, I COULD NOT RECOMMEND IT! This would be an excellent place for R/C jeeps and motorcycles.
The OHV jockeys seemed OK. They did seen somewhat surprised that someone was camping.
Overall the campsite was just a very remote,hilly and sterile dirt parking lot. Lots of garbage, mostly drink containers and tissue paper.
The one good thing was after dark, there was nobody for miles.
Traveler
We chose this camp ground due to it having full hooks up's.
Our spot was a bit tight with camper & 2 SUV's but we managed.
Our stay was the end of April 2024, We're volunteer HAM radio operators assisting with the Zane Grey foot race.
We'll be back in April 2025 to support the event again and have already reserved a spot for our stay.
Scout
We drove to the end and then came back and took a left up a hill next to another campsite! It was a great site and clean. We were presently surprised!
Scout
Really cool spot lots of activities for the whole family very clean an lots of friendly people enjoying the place also
Scout
Easy spot to camp for a night, with pretty good views. Lots and lots of shell casings and related trash, so not great for little kids.
ScoutThis place is gorgeous the sites are spaced well . Unfortunately there's been a lot of homeless and left behind trash when we stay we always leave with bags and bags of trash. We can complain about the problem or be part of the solution.
Guide
Do not waste your time visiting this place. Do not get sucked in by the river because the RV park is the worst I have ever seen. Campers burning down because of bad wiring throughout the park. Long term tenants that refuse to clean up their sites, allow their kids to run wild and trash the place further, an owner that cares only about how much he can can you and suck as much money as he can out of you while providing less than adequate and most often less than safe services and an entire staff that is treated like something the owner stepped in and wiped off his shoes. There are way better places in the area!
Traveler
Our first night we campednat the 2nd or 3rd campsite which wasn't too difficult to get to. Big rocks and ruts but no biggie. The next morning we woke up to a forest ranger saying we had to camp 2 miles from the road. We took our 30 foot camper the 2 miles and boy was it insane off roading for a travel trailer! Dont recommend it as my tire exploded a week later probably from the abuse. The 2 miles rule seems like it is a new rule and they say it's to stop erosion but it seems to stop campers. Because there's only 2 camp spots past 2 miles deep but tons of other awesome campsites on the way. They also just changed the price from $6 for 6 monthes to $80 for the year
Scout
Really cool place something for everybody if ur active an wanna see nature an good views or if you just want a nice relaxing place to get away but don’t gotta go to far.. you will not be disappointed 👍🏽☀️🏜️
Legend
Stayed here for the past 2 years overwinter. 6 months, $15 pass, 36 foot skoolie with zero issues. Close to everything you need as a boon docker/nomad.
Legend
Parked here last two years, 6 months at at time over winter. Quiet, spacious, close to water, stores, lake pleasant. If you drive to the back, off new river road, you can find less people and traffic.
Scout
Nice location with dispersed camping options. When we were setting up a man came up & warned us that it was a popular spot for Nudists. He was not wrong. Be prepared to run into some interesting people.
GuideSo thankful for this desert and the solitude it brought. The further off carefree you get, the more solitude you’ll find. It’s been pretty windy (25-30mph gusts) which causes a lot of dust but it’s gorgeous and warm during the day, even in January. Recommend black canyon city for laundry and hiked on the black canyon trail. Shell by this spot is pricey so make sure to get some stuff at Walmart in Anthem or somewhere else, however the shell is super convenient when in a pickle. Tons of stuff within 15-20 minutes such as groceries, shooting ranges, hiking, trails for the ATV/offroaders. I’d definitely visit again and recommend it. Also, great AT&T service, was able to work off hotspot from Tues-Friday with no incidence.
Guide
It’s gorgeous. Not very many spots but love being right by the river. With this being said it’s tucked in there by the mountains so it gets colder than desert overnight and has wildlife around plus little to no service for AT&T. However, if I didn’t need service this would’ve been perfect since my dog loves the water.
GuideWe stayed at the Willow Campground for two nights while visiting family and friends in the Surprise area. Hiked the Waterfall and Black Loop Trail for a little exercise as well. Didn’t do any others as our dog had an encounter with a stray cholla ball. This would be the only concern for those traveling with pets. There are quite a few lose even along trails. Other than that the facilities are clean and well kept. Fresh water and showers are available.
Scout
Stayed 3 nights. Easy access to/from town, recently graded road as of this writing, and (kind of) level sites. Quiet during the winter season at least and plenty of wildlife. Like most dispersed camping, kooks leave trash everywhere.
Guide
Great dispersed camping spot close to Sedona!
Heads up we camped a little further down on Beaverhead Rd where there were more open spots and an easier dirt road to drive onto. Plenty of spots to choose from which was surprising on a holiday week (Christmas to New Years). The camping was a lot quieter than I expected even though there were a bunch of other campers. Everyone seemed to be able to find a spot far enough from another to have a secluded space.
The location is super convenient from Oak Village and downtown Sedona. There is even a back way on highway 89 if you find yourself in West Sedona and don't want to drive through traffic to get to highway 179.
TravelerNot a fan. Won’t be back with my trailer.
Traveler
Spent a few days here last Spring and loved it. The sites were decent. I was lucky to have one with a view but overall the site was decent. There are quite a few campgrounds and a couple were up the mountain slightly. Def suggest checking those campgrounds out - not much shade in those areas. The Quail campground had ample shade. Nearby towns - Cottonwood, Jerome - have lots of shopping, dining options. Sedona is also not a far drive and beautiful. Definitely recommend staying in this area if not at Dead Horse.
Scout
Had a wonderful time white tail deer walking thru the campsite. Plenty of sites to choose from. The only problem we ran into were the wild pigs trying to open our tote (no food in the store ) board games and camp kitchen utensils.
Traveler
We love this campground! We have camped here around 5 times and always had a great stay. They have a pool and hot tub, mini golf, playground, pickle ball court, clubhouse, and lots of crafts and activities for the kids! The bathrooms and showers are very nice and clean too!
Scout
Beautiful camping surrounded by ponderosa pines and boulders. Rich in wildlife.
We were pushing the envelope with a 30 ft camper. Would strongly suggest motorhomes and longer RV's not consider this location. Our family were the only campers during our stay. Lots of activity in and around Crown King. Gas and water available in town. Due to roads, add an hour to any estimated drive time if pulling a trailer.
Guide
Yes, I paid the$15 fee and I've been here a couple weeks. People are pretty great. I had Christmas Eve dinner with a bunch of other campers. A lot of fun
Camping near Black Canyon City, Arizona, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a place to park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Black Canyon City, Arizona, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the views, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Black Canyon City, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Black Canyon City, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 245 campgrounds and RV parks near Black Canyon City, AZ and 101 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Black Canyon City, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Black Canyon City, AZ is Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 65 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Black Canyon City, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 101 free dispersed camping spots near Black Canyon City, AZ.
What parks are near Black Canyon City, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Black Canyon City, AZ that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
Keep Exploring
