Best Campgrounds near Camp Verde, AZ

Camp Verde, Arizona provides a range of camping experiences across several developed campgrounds and dispersed areas in the Verde Valley. The region includes established sites like Dead Horse Ranch State Park with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations, as well as Verde Ranch RV Resort offering nearly 400 RV sites with full hookups. Multiple camping options extend from the valley floor to surrounding public lands, with several campgrounds featuring riverside access along the Verde River. Thousand Trails Verde Valley and Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort offer mixed-use campgrounds accommodating various camping styles including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and even glamping opportunities.

Road conditions and seasonal weather patterns significantly affect camping experiences throughout the area. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though summer temperatures can exceed 100°F in lower elevations. "Verde Ranch was an amazing stay for us. The Customer Service and Hospitality was truly why we came back. All the amenities one could ask for. But what made our stay awesome was the proximity to everything," noted one camper. Interstate noise affects some riverside camping areas, particularly those near I-17, while higher elevation dispersed sites on Forest Roads 525 and 689 offer cooler temperatures and greater solitude. Travelers should check fire restrictions during summer months when bans are common due to wildfire danger.

Campers consistently mention the strategic location between Sedona and Flagstaff as a primary advantage of Camp Verde area campgrounds. Developed sites typically include amenities like showers, laundry facilities, and hookups, while dispersed camping on nearby Forest Service roads provides free alternatives with minimal facilities. A review from The Dyrt highlighted that "this park is absolutely beautiful! It's so clean and the staff is so nice and friendly. The pool and hot tubs were very clean and well maintained." Water access represents a significant draw, with several campgrounds positioned along Oak Creek and the Verde River. Most developed campgrounds in the area accept reservations, which become essential during peak spring and fall seasons when moderate temperatures attract visitors exploring nearby attractions like Montezuma Castle, Sedona's red rocks, and Jerome.

Best Camping Sites Near Camp Verde, Arizona (326)

    1. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Cottonwood, AZ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 634-5283

    $25 - $70 / night

    "Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park."

    "The forest was closed in Northern Arizona so I decided to camp out at Dead Horse Ranch SP.  I was pretty pleased overall with my trip. "

    2. Verde Ranch RV Resort

    28 Reviews
    Camp Verde, AZ
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (928) 567-7126

    $45 - $85 / night

    "Verde Ranch RV Resort in Camp Verde, AZ offers a pleasurable stay with several top-notch amenities, earning it a 4-star rating. "

    "But what made our stay here awesome was the proximity to everything. Hiking, backpacking, off roading, and of course access to all the cool places in Flagstaff and Sedona."

    3. Thousand Trails Verde Valley

    24 Reviews
    Cornville, AZ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Nestled in the red rock country of Arizona, this Thousand Trails campground offers a scenic and tranquil escape."

    "This is part of the Encore/Thousand Trails network (although anyone can use it).  They do offer a 20% military discount."

    4. Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort

    41 Reviews
    Cornville, AZ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 634-4700

    $59 - $150 / night

    "We stayed here in June which is a hot time to camp in Arizona. This campground has Oak Creek running through it which is a great place to cool off."

    "Lo Lo Mai Springs has scores of beautiful shaded RV sites, many near the creek beneath the branches of ancient cottonwoods and soaring sycamores."

    5. West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping

    72 Reviews
    Coconino National Forest Recreation, AZ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 203-2900

    "The best dispersed camping options in Sedona Arizona! There are many options off of the main road."

    "My friend from Maryland came to visit me here in Arizona, I told him we had to go to Sedona so we decided to camp, I heard about forest road 525 and it exceeded my expectations, never saw more stars in"

    6. Forest Road 689 - Dispersed Site

    22 Reviews
    Rimrock, AZ
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 203-2900

    "Only need 4 x 4 if you go off trail. Lots of biting bugs at night."

    "Great area we camped here for a night not too far away from road or gas station, still had phone service but had great views and a nice layout for our camp. We only had two cars but can fit more."

    7. Verde River RV Resort & Cottages

    12 Reviews
    Camp Verde, AZ
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 202-3409

    "Which is OK in the Arizona winter, but not when it is still hot. We were here when it as really slow, not sure what it will like when the campground is full."

    "There are lots of trees and it’s a great park to walk around. At the back you have the River you can walk around and you are surrounded with mountain views."

    8. Zane Grey RV Village

    12 Reviews
    Camp Verde, AZ
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 567-4320

    $60 - $75 / night

    "If you want a shady site in a cooler location, this is it. The temperature was consistently 5 degrees below the towns of Camp Verde and Cottonwood."

    "Shady, lots of trees, pristine condition of all facilities including dog park, walking trail next to the creek, and large enough sites for our 42' rig. There was live music on night!"

    9. Distant Drums RV Resort

    10 Reviews
    Camp Verde, AZ
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 554-8000

    "The drive getting there is beautiful. It’s intentionally remote but off the highway near a large Casino and a Sonic. Lovely hiking trail across from the main entrance."

    "There’s also a casino adjacent to the resort, if that’s your thing."

    10. FR689 Dispersed Camping

    17 Reviews
    Rimrock, AZ
    12 miles
    Website

    "I found a spot at the end of the trail next to a gated fence. Nice location, nice firepit, very quite. If windy, definitely gets dusty, cover your stuff. No trees, no shade, but still nice."

    "It is close to the highway (convenient if you’re arriving late), but far enough to be isolated from the noise."

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Recent Reviews near Camp Verde, AZ

1974 Reviews of 326 Camp Verde Campgrounds


  • Susan D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2025

    Forest Road 535

    Not my favorite place

    We are towing a 33' fifth wheel. Many sites here are more than adequate to accommodate that size. However, the road in is very rough. You need to go up a hill, which isn't bad, but the road itself is super rocky. Even in just our truck, it's a very rough road. There are many other rigs on our little stretch of road, and there's a pretty regular flow of traffic going by. The site is pretty level, but it is heavily littered with broken glass. By the shimmer I've seen on other sites, this is a universal situation. It's not good if you have dogs. Plus, there's a pile of deer legs and carcasses just off in the woods. All in all, this is not our favorite boondocking spot that we've stayed in. Fortunately, we are only here 2 nights. We will not be back.

  • wayne H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2025

    FR 240 Dispersed Camping

    Quiet and secluded

    We found an awesome area to camp in this disperse area closer to Mormon lake. Very quiet and I don't think a car has gone by while being here overnight. There's plenty firewood.

  • J
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Beaver Flats Road Dispersed

    Free Dispersed Camping near Sedona

    This was a great desert campground that was outside of Sedona. A lot of camping around there was part of the national Forest and was no fires so we went further and found this beautiful spot. Nothing over the top in terms of amenities but it was perfect for our needs, and with a great home base for a Sedona trip. Maybe 20 minutes to the downtown. We went in October and the weather was fabulous. 70s during the day and stayed into the 60s at night.

  • J
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Edge of the World (East Pocket)

    One of A Kind - Incredible Views

    We found this location on the Dyrt and it did not disappoint. The road was definitely unpaved, but not as bad as I expected it to be. It took about 2 hours to get to this site from both Flagstaff and Sedona. So I would not recommend it as a home base for these locations, but to be camping in a gorgeous unique location, it is unparalleled. We went on a weekday and got there around 2:00 p.m. and had no problem finding a spot. We didn't go up the road to see how many there were total, but we did find one pretty easily. Worst case there seem to be a lot of little spots along the road that didn't have the same views. And about halfway up we realized we forgot to buy a firewood, but had no problem shopping enough fallen trees up there to get us through the night! It was definitely chilly at night, and windy in the morning. But the rest of the time was gorgeous weather.

  • Dana V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Milk Ranch Point Road

    It's beautiful

    There are alot of sites and we didn't even get to explore all of them. There are a few with front rim views which are beautiful. Expect that the closer you are to the rim, the more wind and it'll be colder. But the view are stunning. The roads are well paved and easily accessible for a regular car. We came across some cows in the morning .

  • G
    Oct. 28, 2025

    White Spar Campground

    Convenient and clean

    Great spot, easy to get to, clean and has the facilities I needed car camping. I'm here mid week.

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Cave Springs

    Packed and not Rv friendly

    The sites are super small and close together. For camping with groups it may work but for RV I do not recommend. Such a tight fit in (we are 32 fr and barely fit in the site)

    No electric or water

    But it is a beautiful forest and creek and super close to slide rock state park which is a plus!!

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Forest Road 525 Camping Area

    Beautiful off grid

    We needed a place to stop for the night and happened to find this gem Such gorgeous Mountain View … quiet … a perfect and safe place to sleep .


Guide to Camp Verde

Camping near Camp Verde, Arizona, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet place to unwind, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: There are great trails nearby, especially at Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "There are lots of great trails for hiking in the park. Love the saguaros and teddy bear chollas."
  • Fishing and Boating: If you enjoy water activities, Lake Pleasant is perfect. A reviewer noted, "Had a beautiful site facing west, beautiful sunsets! Water and electric."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground said, "The hosts were very nice and the bathrooms were very clean," highlighting the area's natural beauty.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Flagstaff KOA remarked, "Bathrooms were clean. Beautiful setting with mountain right behind the campground."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One reviewer at Houston Mesa Campground said, "We love the ample space at each campsite, allowing us to park comfortably and spread out for a relaxing stay."
  • Friendly Staff: Campground hosts often receive praise for their helpfulness. A camper at Cave Springs mentioned, "The camp host was very friendly and put me on a wait list for a first come first serve."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping, lack basic facilities. A camper noted, "There is zero privacy, and absolutely nowhere to use the restroom responsibly."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can get busy. A visitor at Cave Springs said, "Packed in like sardines. Spaces are pretty small."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near highways. A reviewer at White Spar Campground mentioned, "Quite a bit of highway noise."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. One camper at Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort said, "There are a few activities for the kids."
  • Plan for Privacy: Some sites can be close together, so consider your family's comfort. A visitor at Cave Springs noted, "If a spot here says max vehicle length is 30 then you can be guaranteed to have a little less than 8ft x 30 ft on that pad."
  • Pack for Activities: Bring games and outdoor gear to keep everyone entertained. A camper at Houston Mesa Campground mentioned, "Our kids adore playing in the dirt and exploring the trees."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Flagstaff KOA said, "With that said there was enough room for big rigs to maneuver around."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Some campgrounds may not have full hookups. A camper at Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) noted, "NO electric hookups."
  • Expect Some Dust: If you're in a more rustic area, be ready for dirt roads. A visitor at Edge of the World (East Pocket) mentioned, "It takes about an hour to get to the stunning views but there are campsites everywhere along the way."

Camping near Camp Verde, Arizona, has something for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or tent, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best camping sites in Camp Verde, Arizona?

Camp Verde offers excellent camping options for all preferences. Clear Creek Campground is a top choice, located just 10 minutes from town, making it convenient for supply runs. It's ideal for tent camping with beautiful creek access that's perfect for cooling off during warmer months. For those seeking a more forested experience, Pinegrove Campground provides spacious sites with level paved parking pads and tent areas among the pines. Each site includes a fire pit and picnic table, with amenities like wood for sale, clean bathrooms, and pay showers. The campground's location bordering a meadow offers a scenic backdrop for your camping adventure.

What activities can you do while camping in Camp Verde?

Camp Verde's natural setting offers diverse activities for campers. At Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort, you can cool off in Oak Creek that runs through the property, providing welcome relief during hot months. The area serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby Sedona. For lake activities, White Horse Lake Campground is worth the drive, offering fishing and water recreation. Throughout the Verde Valley, popular activities include hiking, bird watching, swimming in creeks, fishing, mountain biking, and exploring ancient ruins. The region's diverse elevation means you can enjoy shorts weather during the day while experiencing crisp, sometimes frosty nights, especially in fall and winter.

Are there RV parks and campgrounds in the Verde Valley?

The Verde Valley boasts several excellent RV parks and campgrounds. Verde Ranch RV Resort in Camp Verde offers resort-style amenities including a swimming pool and recreational facilities with full hookups. For a cooler, shadier stay, Zane Grey RV Village maintains temperatures about 5 degrees below those in Camp Verde and Cottonwood, though the shade trees may affect satellite reception. The staff and volunteers are known for being friendly and helpful. Another option is Sedona View RV Resort, offering clean facilities, full hookups with 30 & 50 amp service, and reasonable monthly rates compared to other resorts in the area.

Is there free camping available near Camp Verde, AZ?

Yes, free camping options exist near Camp Verde. Childs Camping Area offers dispersed camping directly on the Verde River. While it's free, be prepared for about an hour's drive on a dirt road from the highway, though standard clearance vehicles can manage it. Note that this area is known for its clothing-optional atmosphere, so it may not be ideal for families. Another free option is Forest Road 689 - Dispersed Site, which accommodates both drive-in and walk-in camping and is big-rig friendly. These dispersed camping areas provide a more rustic experience without the amenities of developed campgrounds.