Best Cabin Camping near Carefree, AZ

Several cabin accommodations near Carefree, Arizona provide varying levels of comfort and amenities for visitors seeking shelter in the desert landscape. Lost Dutchman State Park Campground offers cabins with mountain views, while Mesa-Apache Junction KOA features single-room cabins without bathrooms that can sleep up to six people. Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Shangri La Ranch also maintain cabin rentals with basic amenities. Most cabins include electricity and water hookups, with picnic tables and fire rings nearby. According to one visitor, "We stayed in the cabin and it was beautiful! There are parks or playgrounds for the little ones, the area was peaceful and clean, the cabins are clean and affordable."

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Mesa Spirit RV Resort and Desert Shadows RV Resort provide more developed cabin options with access to resort amenities like pools, hot tubs, and recreation facilities. Most cabins require advance reservations, particularly during winter months when snowbirds flock to the region. Pet policies vary by location, with Shangri La Ranch and Pleasant Harbor allowing pets at their cabin sites. A recent review noted, "The KOA features a year-round heated pool and jacuzzi. Up front they have 4 little single room cabins that say they can sleep 6 but have no bathrooms."

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities range from none to basic microwaves or outdoor grills. Cabins at Mesa Gardens RV Park provide access to laundry facilities and showers in the main building. Several campgrounds with cabins, including Lost Dutchman State Park, have on-site convenience stores for basic supplies, though major grocery stores are typically within 5 miles. Visitors staying at cabins near Apache Junction can access a grocery store approximately 2 miles from the KOA campground. Depending on the season, temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, so appropriate bedding for both hot days and cold nights is recommended.

Best Cabin Sites Near Carefree, Arizona (28)

    1. Pleasant Harbor RV Resort

    18 Reviews
    Peoria, AZ
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 235-6140

    "All spots are fenced descent pool and small store if you need anything. We stayed in the loop near the entrance. Quite loud with all the cars coming and going."

    "Sites are rustic, they’ve water and electricity, no sewer. There’s a dump station as you leave the park. No store, be sure you’re well stocked with everything before you head out."

    2. Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    83 Reviews
    Superstition Mtn, AZ
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 982-4485

    $35 - $99 / night

    "We opted for a site with electrical and water ($30 vs $20) so there were mostly RVs. Large pull through with fire pit and bbq grill and metal picnic table."

    "Due to extreme heat, I recommend visiting in the fall. Winter, spring, and summer can tend to very uncomfortable.

    Loved the variety of hikes here, anything from easy to medium-difficult."

    3. Shangri La Ranch

    1 Review
    New River, AZ
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 465-5959

    "They have 2 pools (one is heated), volleyball, darts, horseshoe, pool tables, hot tub, sauna, nature trails, a cafe open in the weekend, events and tons of other things going on."

    4. Desert Shadows RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Phoenix, AZ
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 869-8178

    "Good Sam rates available."

    "The CG WiFi was pretty decent as well, with speeds up to 4 MB/s, but varied depending on congestion."

    5. Mesa-Apache Junction KOA

    18 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 982-4015

    "The KOA features a year round heated pool and jacuzzi. The pool area was fenced and had some chairs, tables, and what appeared to be covered grills."

    "I camped in a 22 foot rental motor home.

    This was my first KOA experience, and it was such a delight."

    6. Encore Mesa Spirit

    8 Reviews
    Mesa, AZ
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "The RV site we were assigned has a rock pad, was moderately spacious, level, in full sun, and a fire ring or picnic table was not provided. "

    "We loved this park in the Arizona Desert.  Close to everything, yet set up to feel like you're in your own little village. "

    7. Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin lake)

    7 Reviews
    Crown King, AZ
    36 miles

    "Been to this area a few time the sites are amazing quiet and beautiful, the trail up is bumpy and fun. The site had a fire pit and in winter everything was covered in snow and just breath taking."

    "(There’s also a much more difficult trail from lake pleasant that requires very experienced off-roading 4x4). Great food and drinks(alcohol) at the crown king saloon and Mimi’s Cafe."

    8. Mesa Gardens RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Salt River, AZ
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 964-1102

    $48 - $55 / night

    "Great campground centerally located to Phoenix and Scottsdale. Was only planning to stay 2 nights but ended up extending my stay. Full hookups and laundry/showers in house."

    9. Happy Endings Retreat

    4 Reviews
    Crown King, AZ
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 405-5546

    "Scott and Kevin have a great piece of property they love To share!"

    "Lounge at the lake, hike in the fields, or relax in their renovated vineyard. Give them try and share your experience here!"

    10. Leaf Verde RV Resort

    14 Reviews
    Buckeye, AZ
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 386-3132

    "We needed a place in or near Buckeye and located this place. Nice bathrooms, hot showers. We were in a Class B close to the entrance so didn’t have any issues with size of sites."

    "This RV Park has it all..Run by professionals. They even escort you to your space.Facilities are great, they have all of them, lit paved walkways.large spaces, wifi works"

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Recent Cabin Photos near Carefree, AZ

3 Photos of 28 Carefree Campgrounds


Cabin Reviews near Carefree, AZ

196 Reviews of 28 Carefree Campgrounds


  • Krista Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2019

    Mesa-Apache Junction KOA

    All the features of a hotel

    This KOA had some really awesome features and gives you most of the convenience of a hotel with the ability to bring your RV and your personal items with you without the hotel price tag. The KOA features a year round heated pool and jacuzzi. The pool area was fenced and had some chairs, tables, and what appeared to be covered grills. The pool is right outside the office building which also has bathrooms and a small convenience store. If they don't have what you are looking for the is a major grocery store about 2 miles away. This KOA is in town. Don't come here if you're looking for a remote destination. The other side of the exterior fence has houses and businesses.

    Each site has a picnic table and some had a stand up bbq pit. The spaces are really close together and separated by a row of rocks. Up front they have 4 little single room cabins that say there can sleep 6 but have no bathrooms. There are some upgraded RV spaces that have outside grill areas with sinks and counter space.

    The spaces have very little shade if any! Be very aware of the weather when you visit. It'll be hot during the day and very cold at night depending on the time of year. You will be randomly assigned a space unless you pay the fee to have an assigned space.

    The KOA features a small fenced playground with a tetherball, swing set, merry go round, and a table with an umbrella. On the other side of the KOA there is a small fenced dog run. I also saw a stand alone sink near one of the loops. There is an activity center if you're hosting a group event. It had a few standing bbq pits outside. At the entrance was an air pump for filling tires.

  • Clint  G.
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Encore Mesa Spirit

    Great value as a TT member

    We stayed at this property from 12/28/2020 - 01/11/2020.  This was our first experience with a TT/Encore property.  The RV site we were assigned has a rock pad, was moderately spacious, level, in full sun, and a fire ring or picnic table was not provided.  There was a pool, hot tub, lodge, pickleball, mini golf, shuffleboard, dog park, laundry and a fitness center on the grounds.  The nearest grocery store was within 5 miles as well.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2019

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Large sites, great view of the Superstition Mountains

    Camped here for two nights and enjoyed it very much. Sites are large and well maintained. We opted for a site with electrical and water ($30 vs $20) so there were mostly RVs. Large pull through with fire pit and bbq grill and metal picnic table. Many have views of the Superstition Mountains. We reserved ahead of time which is good as the campground was full when we arrived. There is overflow camping if no sites available. Bathrooms were clean and one had showers and filtered water, a nice bonus. I only saw two bathrooms (there might have been another in the newer loop but we didn’t explore that) so they were not real close to our site. Several hiking trails directly accessible from the park. A variety of ranger led programs but unfortunately none during our stay. You do have to put up with the annoying train whistle from about 10-6 from nearby Goldsfield “Ghost town” but otherwise it is probably the quietest campground I’ve ever stayed at. Only issue we had was with over-eager volunteers who yelled at us and told us we couldn’t park outside the showers. (We had moved from our site to use the showers after our hike and before leaving).

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Close to the city, deep in the wilderness

    Reservations are necessary, as many people grab these spots, and often for long stays (14 day maximums). Due to extreme heat, I recommend visiting in the fall. Winter, spring, and summer can tend to very uncomfortable.

    Loved the variety of hikes here, anything from easy to medium-difficult. The individual sites are pretty small and hard to put a tent anywhere but the paved drives into each nook, much of the ground is covered in small plants and cacti. There's a picnic table/bench thing at each spot, plus a fire pit grill (which is the only place you can burn). Bathrooms and showers are on site and worked great during our stay. Bring plenty of water to hydrate with!

  • Mike M.
    Dec. 11, 2018

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Great winter camping

    Campsite 36

    Spent the night close to home as my dog had never been camping and I wanted to see if he liked it (he does!).

    Booked online about two weeks prior for a Monday night stay and most of the campground was available. When I arrived about 75-80% was full, so good idea to book ahead.

    Some of the sites are super close together, especially on the newer loops (sites 75-104 and 106-134). They'd be ok with a trailer, but I'd feel cramped in with my tent. The main part of the campground where I was is a bit more spread out, with vegetation between most of the sites.

    My site had a big pad for the tent that was raked, a picnic table, a fire ring/grill, easy access to the hiking trails, and a great view of the mountains.

    Beware during the winter as the wind can come up during the night and morning hours, so stake your tent down well. It got up to maybe 15 mph, so not super strong, but typical for the edges of the valley.

    Staff was friendly, and the bathroom was clean. I didn't use the shower.

    One specific note about my site 36: don't book it if you'll be taking a 5th wheel or really any trailer. The access road is narrow and the parking spot is at a 90° angle so it'd be very difficult to back into. Better to pick one of the pull thru spots. If you have a campervan or are tent camping then it's a great spot.

    I'm glad I came here. Can't wait to come back! This would be an epic place during a full moon, or really anytime it's clear to see the stars. Too bad it was cloudy my entire stay.

  • Denise G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2022

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Campsite is at the foot of the Superstitious Mountains

    Lost Dutchman is a beautiful campsite however the sites are a little closer than what we prefer. We were in site 98 which was right in front of the Superstitious Mountains with no obstructions. The site was a pull thru but was barely long enough for our Toyota Tundra max cab and 20-foot trailer. A picnic table, fire ring and a couple of camp chairs is about all that fits at this site. If you want your trailer door to be lined up with the table, it will require you to pull the trailer through and park your tow vehicle behind it. Firewood can be purchased for$8 cash from the ranger station and ice for$6. If you want to use the well-maintained bathrooms or showers don’t stay in the 75-104 loop since the bathrooms are almost a half mile away via a trail that I would not recommend without closed toe shoes. We saw Quail and tarantulas on the trail. Although there were multiple signs to beware of rattle snakes we did not run into any. There was also a dog park near the main restrooms and showers. There is a dump station on your way out of the park that was easy to access. Goldfield Ghost Town just down the road, although a tourist trap it is a must see. There are multiple gift stores, a restaurant as well as a hamburger/ice cream stand and bakery, a train ride and Mine tours. Just a little farther down the road is the Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum which is more than just a museum full of old artifacts. There is a great gift shop and 15 acres of mining artifacts, artwork and a movie site Chaple used in a 1968 western called Charro which started Elvis Presley as well as the Apacheland Movie Barn used in multiple westerns. They even have a working 1914 Stamp ore mill which was used to crush boulders that had small pieces of gold within them. When enjoyed our two-night stay at Lost Dutch and spending the day learning about the history of this little community.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 11, 2020

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Beautiful Views

    Beautiful views here, they have both water/electric sites plus dry campsites, all have views with picnic tables and fire ring grill grate. It had been 110 days since rain when we first arrived, so no fires first couple days, but they got rain yesterday 12/10/20 so we can have fires again. This is desert camping, the birds and everything in desert is happy about the rain. Goldfield old mining town is across the street, worth a visit as well for old western town lovers 1883 I believe. Route 88 will carry you through beautiful curvy mountain road over to canyon lake and Tortilla flats, well worth the drive. Lots of hiking from Lost Dutchman State Park. We have seen rabbits, roadrunners, doves, quail and a number other birds, early morning and evening hikes you will see plenty of creatures feeding off the desert. The Saguro cactus are incredible.

  • Whitney W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2019

    Apache Lake Marina & Resort

    Loosely named a "Resort"

    This place is not the type of resort you "girl's trip" to. It's the kind of resort where you plan to spend all day on the lake and come back to a shower and a real bed. You can choose to camp in your tent/RV or start in the motel.

    The resort offers:

    • breakfast, lunch and dinner
    • watercraft rentals
    • two boat ramps
    • convenience store

    There is a $10 fee to use any of their land. Even if you're just launching your boat. Emergency personnel have a base on the property which is comforting. Cell service is scarce on the lake but works great close to the resort. Only gave the resort 4 stars because I prefer camping around less people.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 9, 2022

    Destiny Phoenix RV Resorts

    Good place - Quiet

    Convenient to SE Phoenix area. Far enough from the freeway to be quiet. An oasis surrounded by fields. Clean restrooms, pools, grounds, roads, sites. Nice folks working there. Refundable $20 deposit to get bathroom key. Did not use laundry. Stayed 3 nights. Very open, but a tree between each rig. Not much shade. Full hookups but no CATV. $73 per night. I will. Stay here again when I’m in the area.


Guide to Carefree

Cabin camping near Carefree, Arizona offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and cozy accommodations, perfect for those looking to escape into nature while enjoying modern comforts.

Explore the Scenic Superstition Mountains

  • Experience breathtaking views and numerous hiking trails at Lost Dutchman State Park Campground, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the desert landscape.
  • Just a short drive away, Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin lake) offers stunning off-roading trails and serene camping spots near a picturesque lake.
  • Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and wildlife at Shangri La Ranch, a welcoming community with amenities like pools and nature trails.

Cabin Campers Enjoy These Nearby Activities

  • Fishing and relaxing by the water are popular at Horsethief Cabin, located in the Prescott National Forest, ideal for those seeking tranquility.
  • Engage in outdoor adventures like hiking and biking at Mesa-Apache Junction KOA, which features a range of amenities for a comfortable stay.
  • Discover the charm of Carefree Manor, where you can enjoy community events and friendly neighbors while exploring the surrounding area.

Cabins Are Available at These Well-Reviewed Spots

  • Pleasant Harbor RV Resort offers cabin accommodations with access to a variety of amenities, making it a great choice for families and groups.
  • Experience a unique stay at Sun Life RV Resort, where you can enjoy cabin camping in a vibrant community atmosphere.
  • For a more rustic experience, Happy Endings Retreat provides a peaceful getaway with opportunities for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Carefree, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Carefree, AZ is Pleasant Harbor RV Resort with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Carefree, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 28 cabin camping locations near Carefree, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.