Best Campgrounds near Carefree, AZ

I was very exhausted after the hiking but the land was worth it indeed

! It was so pleasant and Scenic here I really enjoyed our visit and we plan to return next year!

We really wanted to like this park. It had some nice features, but elements of it were rather alarming.   

First of all, It's not a resort actually, but rather an unsecured clean rv parking area with hookups and mostly level gravel sites with concrete patio pads. There were only a few sparse trees throughout the property and nothing for shade on the sites. There were no park models, and there were only a few permanent residents. It was mostly transient travelers, which was fine during the high-season, but there was no sense of community at all. 

The park had absolutely no security whatsoever. Strangers wandered into the park at night to use the main dog park from off the noisy main road, Meridian, which the park was located on. We heard of a dog attack related to a stranger coming into the park with their animal. There were no park employees on site in the evening, night, or early morning hours. The amenity areas were all located behind locked key pad entries for a reason. 

It was supposed to be an age-restricted park, but nobody seemed to follow the rules. There were teenagers staying there who had absolutely nothing constructive to do to occupy their time. 

There was a nice pool, a small library, a laundry facility, community bathrooms with shower stalls, and an absolutely tiny fitness room. There was a separate building with a pool table and cornhole.

After dark, the park became something odd. Most people never ventured outdoors. There were occasionally dances that took place in the main amenity area, but other than that, it was practically a ghost town. After management left for the day, all park rules went out the window. Strangers coming into the park. Dogs running around unleashed or tethered outside to trailers. People staying in a hauler, literally like a horse hauling trailer. There was even a police helicopter search where the target of the police search was hiding in a parked vehicle in the park until the police gave up. In general, we felt a bit of unease at night knowing that there was no one even monitoring the property, and there was no security gate. 

Management was a myth. We never once saw the actual park manager. This person stayed in their office and never came out and had zero interest in their guests. The woman at the front desk was quite efficient, but management was non-existent. 

We really tried to make do with the situation at this property, but we can not recommend it, particularly for older people who are more vulnerable to random crime, nor shall we ever return.

Everything about this facility exceeded our expectations. Easy checkin and checkout, super clean showers and restrooms, and a well maintained park overall! Highly recommended!

Our site #48 Buckhorn was really spacious and private. Great views all around. Table and fire pit. The park has tons of trails for hiking and MTN biking. The only downside is the light pollution at night being so close to Phoenix.

Smaller spots only for tents or shorter RV/trailers. Great area for hiking and river splashing.

We arrived just after dark yesterday and will leave this morning. Convenient campground for a stay after visiting family in Phoenix before heading to Tucson. Wider sites than normal at a city RV park. Clean bathrooms, though a tad dated. Quiet. Standard KOA amenities of pool, hot tub, playground, and dog park. We’d stay again.

This spot was so special, I took the advice of a previous reviewer and took the first left and followed to road down a little ways. There was the most amazing canyon view perfect for watching the sunset. There were no other people there and it felt magical. definitely want a high clearance vehicle!

Quiet and quaint except in the wrong neighborhood urban camping allowed for $37 at night hot showers maybe they have a nice pool table in their rec room. Nice 24/7 spa hot tub and pool available 365 and a half days a year thanks to Happy trails RV Park and now urban camping ground two thumbs way up!

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 in the weekends, usually. The temps are a little cooler because of the proximity to Lake Pleasant. But, you’re only minutes to Peoria from here for supplies and North Phoenix and Anthem are very close too.

We stay here every year for a week. The campground is large and the spots have plenty of space. Campground staff is great. No complaints... we love it here!

A nice spot. has pit toilets and water but $27 a night is way too high.

Staff very helpful when we came to help us park, but office & store were closed at 3pm on a Saturday. Couldnt get supplies or change for laundry.

Nice & quiet. All paved. 3 dog pens side by side to unleash pet for pottying and a long dog run I another area with toys & balls.

1/2 the Laundry machines did not work with card. Had choice of 8 quarters per load or card. I had plenty of cash if they’d had a change machine, but they didn’t & it was frustrating that 1/2 the machines didn’t work with card. Everything else was nice. Expensive but we expected that. $92-95 for pull thru full hook-up.

Store closed at 3 on Sat & closed Sun.

I had a great couple nights here. I pulled off the road short of the Dyrt directions and found a cute little place with a fire ring. If you follow the Dyrt directions, you'll find a much more established campground. Would return. Great ATT and Verizon service.

GPS: 34.512929, -111.965125