Best Tent Camping near Carefree, AZ

Dispersed tent camping options surround the Carefree area in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, with several primitive sites available within an hour's drive. Juniper Dispersed Camping Area offers free tent camping north of town, while Hackamore Road Dispersed provides accessible tent sites to the east near the Superstition Mountains. McDowell Regional Park's Ironwood campground features designated tent sites with more amenities for those seeking a more established camping experience within Maricopa County parkland.

Access to most tent camping areas requires preparation, as many sites have minimal facilities. Hackamore Road demands high-clearance vehicles, with recent reviews noting "the road is atrocious" and "horrid for RVs," though tent campers with appropriate vehicles can navigate the terrain. The Boulders OHV Area provides more accessible dispersed camping with actual restrooms, though campers should expect dust and occasional noise from off-road vehicles. Most tent sites lack drinking water, so campers must bring adequate supplies. Fire restrictions frequently apply during dry seasons, particularly in summer months when temperatures can exceed 100°F.

Tent campers at McDowell Regional Park enjoy well-spaced sites with flush toilets and access to extensive hiking and mountain biking trails. The campground provides a more structured experience with picnic tables and water spigots, though showers require a drive to another section of the park. For those seeking greater solitude, the dispersed areas offer unobstructed desert views and stargazing opportunities. Childs Camping Area, though farther from Carefree, provides riverside tent camping with nearby hot springs access. One camper described the area as having "great views of the mountains, tons of awesome trails to walk/ride," highlighting the appeal of these primitive desert camping experiences.

Best Tent Sites Near Carefree, Arizona (15)

    1. McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood

    4 Reviews
    Rio Verde, AZ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 506-2930

    "This campground in McDowell Regional park is for tent camping and small Vans, etc. Mix of both walk in sites and back in sites. It is set back a ways from the rest of the park. No showers here."

    "One restroom, flush toilets, water spigot outside, dumpster. Friendly to camper vans. Showers down the road. Lots of hiking and biking."

    3. Boulders OHV Area

    7 Reviews
    Wittmann, AZ
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 580-5500

    "If you dont mind occasional off road vehicles driving through during the day, its a good spot with plenty of room."

    "Nobody else on Friday night, plenty of space

    The typical rumble strip dirt road to this point but easily doable.

    Service: 1 bar Verizon"

    4. Hackamore Road Dispersed

    11 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 580-5500

    "It's on BLM land, so you are out of the reach of the Arizona Land Permits.

    The road is a bit tricky."

    "It’s got great views of the mountains, TONS of awesome trails to walk/ride love the access to the little ghost town nearby."

    5. Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin lake)

    7 Reviews
    Crown King, AZ
    36 miles

    "(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."

    "The Hazlitt Hollow campground and Horse Thief Basin Lake are ~7 miles from the main city of Crown King and definitely require a high clearance vehicle (4x4 highly recommended)."

    7. Childs Camping Area

    4 Reviews
    Strawberry, AZ
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 203-2900

    "NOT family friendly...unless you don't mind your tiny humans seeing naked people wandering around. Other than that, awesome place to visit!! Dispersed camping right on the Verde River."

    "Trails to a hot spring and next to fossil creek water fall. Vault toilet and camping right next to the river. Watch for bulls roaming the campground!"

    8. The Point Campground

    1 Review
    Tortilla Flat, AZ
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 610-3300

    "About 2 miles upriver from the Mormon Flat Dam, the Tonto National Forest maintains 4 official campsites, complete with a covered picnic table and fire pit at each, as well as composting toilets and a"

    9. Peralta Regional Park Primitive Remote Campsites

    3 Reviews
    Gold Canyon, AZ
    45 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "Restrooms were great. Each campsite has plenty of space in between. Literally no complaints at all."

    "Very close to popular hiking trails. We enjoyed the rustic campsite. The camp host was very friendly and helpful (Darell)."

    10. PJ's Hangout

    2 Reviews
    Payson, AZ
    41 miles
    +1 (916) 670-8385
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Showing results 1-10 of 15 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Carefree, AZ

677 Reviews of 15 Carefree Campgrounds



Guide to Carefree

Tent camping near Carefree, Arizona offers a unique blend of stunning desert landscapes and outdoor adventures, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Local Attractions for Tent Campers

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Tips for Tent Camping Near Carefree

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carefree, AZ is McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Carefree, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.