Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Cave Creek? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Cave Creek with tent camping. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Cave Creek's most popular destinations.
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.
Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources. Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days (12 months in Alaska). Campsite Selection Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked. Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before. Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.
The beach on the Verde River is generally rocky, but attracts many people during the hot summer months. The area is noted for its unusual rock formations. Nearby is a protected riparian area, the Mesquite Bosque. This popular water recreation area attracts many people trying to escape the Arizona summer heat. The rocky beach area is surrounded by beautiful towering rock formations. Near the recreation site is a fenced unique biological area, a stand of mesquite. Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons are frequently seen in this vicinity.
Rattlesnake Cove provides direct access to Bartlett Reservoir. Rattlesnake Cove has a sloping beach suitable for use in many water recreation activities. This area boasts of beautiful vistas of the desert with mountains in the background. The beach at Rattlesnake Cove is generally gently sloping with gradual change in water depths. Enjoy this primitive area with your friends and family by bringing your own grill and gear.
In 1908 the Arizona Power Company began construction of the Childs Power Plant. For more than 90 years, the water of Fossil Creek had been diverted by a system of pipes and flumes from its natural course to power the turbines of the Childs and Irving hydroelectric plants. During this time, Fossil Creek had been reduced to a mere trickle, compared with the normal one million gallons per hour flow once witnessed by early inhabitants of the region.
In 2004, APS, the current owner of the plants, agreed to decommission them and restore the creek to its natural flow. (From "Pine-Strawberry Archeological and Historical Society")
The area is now a very popular dispersed camping area. It sits below the remnants of the old power plant buildings on the edge of the Verde River. A short hike upstream and some wading will get you to the ruins of the Verde Hot Springs, a once famous resort.
Boat access only.
The Point is located in the Mesa Ranger District and is mostly known for boat access only camping on Canyon Lake. There are only three designated camp units at this site, but the camp units can also be used as picnic sites for day use. Boaters enjoy The Point during summer months along with fishermen because of the courtesy dock. No garbage collection. Pack it in, Pack it out.
The southern-most wilderness area on the Prescott National Forest shares a boundary with the Tonto National Forest. Recreational opportunities include: hiking, backpacking, and horse riding. Mechanized equipment of any kind is not allowed in wilderness areas. Trails in the Pine Mountain Wilderness include: Nelson Trail #159 Buck Basin Trail #158 Pine Flat Trail #165 Tule Rim Trail #162 Verde Rim Trail #161 Willow Springs Trail #12 The USFS Wilderness Stewardship brochure explains more about designated Wilderness and how you can become involved in helping care for this precious resource.
Traveler
Stayed a long weekend with the family and had great time. Fishing within walking distance. Bathrooms are clean and a water spiket/faucet available.
Traveler
This is a huge park. 1365 sites. Crammed in pretty tight, but fairly clean and very nice staff. Most of the sites are pull thru so that’s a bonus.
Ranger
We only got to stay here one night, but it is very beautiful. At the base of the Superstition mountains, which are awesome. Out of the city, so nice and quiet. All the sites are paved and fairly level. There are many sites that have pull through, electric, and water. The showers were good. Many hiking trails in the area. Would love to stay here a little longer.
Guide
I really like the place, however, and this is a big however. The road in is 20 miles or so, and it's all unprepared, so for a smaller vehicle like mine, I had to be very careful. That 20 miles takes about an hour and a half. Remember everything you need before coming into child's. It's a long day if you have to run to the store Trust me, I spent 5 hours there and back. Hot springs are a mile from my campsite. River seems pretty nice. Gonna wet a worm see if the sucker's. biting although there are a couple protected species of suckers.
Traveler
We left late from Phoenix on the Senator Highway from Meyer and we should’ve stopped while we were ahead. We ended up at the North end just outside of Prescott in the dispersed sites. Disgusting. Every single site looked like this one. We’ve got a RTT so thankfully it was a quick set up for the night and we’re outa here. If we’d have had adequate trash bags (a dumpster would’ve been ideal) we’d have spent the next few days cleaning up. If you pack it in pack it out. It’s real easy. That all being said- if you’ve got a large group with sxs and you enjoy the Senator, this is definitely the perfect spot.
GuideThis State Park campground located in the Superstition Mountains is a frequent quick camp spot for me if I don feel like trying to beat the crowds to some favorite local dispersed sites.
They offer sites with electric and water, and sites for dry camping, along with some cabins and group sites you can reserve. The sites offer as much privacy as one can expect in the desert and are not super close together, except for the site numbers 70+ which are only available in winter typically. There are plenty of hiking trails and activities in the park and nearby. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained, and they even have a small dog “park” for your best pal to run off some energy.
Favorite things about the park: The views and the wild life. We have seen so many beautiful birds, from quail and owls to roadrunners and vultures, along with several different types of squirrels, lizards, hare, and coyotes.
Traveler
About like most Forest Service campgrounds. Quiet. Easy access. Some nice big sycamores for shade.
RangerIf traveling near Phoenix you should make this state campground a number one option.
The towering superstition mountain range is a beautiful site and while we were there we were able to watch a hiker who was rescued. This hiker was not injured, just afraid to come back down the trail. Guess going up is easier than coming down.
The site we had had power and water. The showers in the restrooms were not great but something is better than nothing.
Traveler
We liked it there. Nobody else on Friday night, plenty of space
The typical rumble strip dirt road to this point but easily doable.
Service: 1 bar Verizon
Scoutרקדניותחשפנותבתלאביב:ביןבידורלביקורתחברתיתתלאביב,המוכרתבכינוי"העירשלאנרדמת",מציעהמגווןרחבשלבידורלילי,אשרביניהםנמנותגםמועדוניחשפנות.התעשייההזו,אףעלפישנתפסתלעיתיםקרובותכחלקבלתינפרדמהבידורהמבוגרים,מעוררתגםויכוחיםעזיםוביקורתחברתית.מועדוניהחשפנותבתלאביבמציעיםשללהופעותומופעיםאשרמגווניםבהתאםלדרישותהקהל.המבקריםבמועדוניםאלומחפשיםבידורוהתרגשות,אךמאחוריהקלעיםעומדותסיפוריםשלרקדניותאשרלאתמידמרוצותמהמצבהנוכחי.המרחבהחברתיוהתרבותיבופועלתתעשייתהחשפנותבתלאביבמורכב.מחד,ישנםקולותהטועניםכיהתעשייהמאפשרתביטויעצמיואוטונומיהלנשיםהמופיעותבה.מאידך,קולותביקורתייםמדגישיםאתהצדדיםהפחותמועדפיםשלהעניין,כגוןהתייחסותמזלזלתואובייקטיביזציהשלהאישה.המאבקיםהמשפטייםוהחברתייםסביבנושאזהרביםומגוונים.בשניםהאחרונות,נערכוקרבותבבתיהמשפטעלשאלותשלזכויותוחופשעבודהמולהצורךלהגןעלכבודהאדםולמנועהפליהושימושלרעה.עדיין,קהלהמבקריםוהתומכיםבמועדוניםאלוממשיךלהיותרחבומגוון.עלרקעזה,עולההשאלהעלהתפקידשלהמדינהוהחברהבפיקוחובקביעתמדיניותבתחוםזה.האםישלחזקאתהפיקוחעלמועדוניהחשפנותלשםשמירהעלכבודהרקדניותוהקהלהרחב,אושמאישלאפשרחופשפעולהרחביותרתוךכדישמירהעלהזכויותהפרטיותוהעסקיותשלבעליהמועדונים?הוויכוחסביבתעשייתהחשפנותבתלאביבממחישאתהמתחביןחירותלביןזכויותאדם,ומדגיםאתהאתגריםהעכשווייםשלהחברההישראליתבטיפולבשאלותשלמוסר,תרבותוכלכלה.זהודיוןשמשקףגםאתהצורךלהתמודדעםתופעותחברתיותנוספות,כגוןשוויוןמגדריוהתמודדותעםדימוייגוףומיניות.בסופושלדבר,הדיוןעלרקדניותחשפנותבתלאביבמציעהזדמנותלחשובמחדשעלהדרכיםבהןחברהיכולהלקדםתרבותרחבהיותרשלכבוד,הוגנותושוויון,תוךכדישמירהעלעקרונותשלחופשפרטיוביטויעצמי.
ScoutMy friend and I stayed and the host was very respectful and sweet. Make sure you keep your shoes close because he has some cool pups but they love to take shoes haha
Guide
Secluded dispersed camping in the woods just outside of the town Crown King. 4x4 is recommended, campsites are not accessible when snowfall has occurred. Beautiful wildlife including deer always nearby.
TravelerFairly close to our home (30 miles) but we love to do 1-2 nighters here when we have the time. There is plenty to see around the area. Park is well maintained. Spots are close but not too close to each other. Its a little elevated so the valley views are great. Gets a little warm during the summer - after all it is AZ. Theres an old Gold Mine nearby to visit.
TravelerTakes a little 4 wheeling to get there or you can access it from the water. Basic dispersed camping but gets a little warm during the summer months. Views are nice and its a nice pack it in, pack it out spot.
Guide
Nice spot, pretty clean. Pretty easy to get to. There is a dirt road leading up to it. I think most size rigs could make it.
Ranger
Been staying here off and on for over a decade. Great place to hang out with the family. Water hookup and electrical hookup. No sewer. They have a truck that will come pump your tank for a small fee. You can launch your boat and then bring to the campsite and tie off for easy access. Lots of parking available. You have to pay for extra vehicles. Dolly the Steamboat is available to ride around the lake and ticket purchase is at the marina. There is also a restaurant and bar at the marina. The campground has a mix of available sites. Day use also. Large grassy area for kids to play. Drive in can seem daunting if you haven’t experienced it before. Not bad, however. Hauled a 32’ 5th wheel with no problems at all.
ScoutCould not Enter. Closed
GuideMiles of desert and washes to explore with tons of dispersed camping sites. Can get busy on holiday or event weekends but worth it otherwise. Some weekends have horse or Dirtbike events. Nearby washes lead to tons of trails near castle hot springs that can lead to various abounded mine sites (including Anderson Mill). Obviously not ideal camping in the summer but GREAT for the fall/winter/spring months.
Guide
Gorgeous easy dirt road ~27 miles from i17/Bumble bee. (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. There are amazing camping areas just past the main town, and even all the way up near Horsetheif Basin which is about 7 miles past crown king(requires 4x4). There is also an amazing ~30 mile trail from crown king that leads all the way to Prescott called Senator Highway. This also requires experienced 4x4 and like the trail to Horsetheif basin, there are many areas that are only single vehicle width. Amazing weather all year round, but extremely limited travel available while snow is on the ground.
GuideThis 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
Traveler
Very large park with many different levels of camping experiences. From dry camping to full on glamping ! I stayed at Vista Pt. Dry camp. The views were beautiful. I stayed 10 days and as a single women I felt very safe. Security makes it's rounds and you can't get into the park after leaving without your pass. The one thing I would mention the drive up to the PT is rather steep, but there were different sized rigs up there is it is doable. I didn't use the amenities as I was away most days visiting with my daughter who lives in the valley.
Traveler
State land trust, good spot for a few nights. Gunshots in the distance, but no incidents/casualties lol. Pulled my 31ft TT back into a spot for a week. Close 10 min drive to stores like WinCo and Safeway and gas stations. Quite weekdays, loud weekends due to motor vehicles breaking the rules. (Not a ohv area but treated as such)
Scout
I have tried to contact the ranch and got no response. I assume they aren't in business anymore.
Guide
Camping for one night and it was 30$. Very clean restrooms and showers!
We were almost only campers there and lots of spots available. Closest campgounds were full or expensive.
Scout
The whole are is closed
Legend
Pros:
Cons:
ScoutThere are quiet areas and also areas where people run ATVs and dirt bikes
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cave Creek, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cave Creek, 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 Cave Creek, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Cave Creek, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
