Best Tent Camping near Central, AZ

We love Roper Lake. Great sites with full hook ups, no sewer. Group camping and tent camping available. Hot springs hot tub. Great hiking. Very busy in the winter months and during holidays. Early reservations required.

Everyone was super kind and sweet, restrooms/laundry center were very clean and well maintained. Tent camping spots are in front of the park, where the truck wash across the street can be heard prevalently. Cats everywhere are cute and sweet but I’m pretty sure they use the tent spots as their litter box.

Great camping experience! We were pleased with our camping experience. Good amenities. A couple camping areas/campgrounds to choose from within the park. Camping is designed for Rv's it seems but tent camping is easy to do as well. We had a small 'pavilion' type structure at our site over the picnic table which was a nice feature. Camping cabins were also a nice feature of the park we may utilize on our next trip :) We heard about people having issues with excessive partying/noise, but we were there during the week and didn't have an issue with this. Hot Springs were a nice attraction of the park as well.

Roper lake state park is a beautifully well kept state park. It's $20 a night for tent camping, $30 a night for full RV hookups. (which is kinda high for this area and amenities offered).

This is my local state park so I visit almost every weekend and kayak the lake. There is a lot of fishing, swimming, and hiking available. There are also some really nice cabins available to rent!

The camp sights are a small size but offer some privacy from other sites. There are fire rings in every site, as well as a Covered pick-nick tables!!!

They also offer some full hookup sites, as well as sewage dump and potable water.

There is a group sized hot tub available for public use that is filled with natural hot springs water as well as a swimming beach and day use area.

My husband, myself and our 2 small dogs live in Tucson, AZ. We recently acquired a roof top tent and we’ve been trying out various campgrounds across the Southwest.

The drive up scenic highway 366 is worth a trip regardless. There are some amazing views of the Pinaleños. Since it’s still February, the road to the top of the mountain was closed to us so we decided to stay at Arcadia since it’s open year round.

We were the only people staying overnight, which surprised us since it was a holiday weekend. We did see a group picnicking when we first arrived though. Also, we could hear sports cars on the highway at night. Probably racing down the tight switchbacks.

No water, so make sure to bring your own. Toilets were clean, pit toilets and there were 2 sets. Campsites are pretty spread out. Some were 30-50 feet from the main road and wouldn’t really suit our needs as RTT campers. Lots of trash cans and a few bear boxes. Each site has a fire pit with a cooking grate and a cement picnic table. For camping in AZ, it is well suited for tent camping. We stayed in site 12. Most other sites wouldn’t not be ideal for RTTs.

I would definitely return to the Pineleños, but I’m going to wait until April, when we can access the sites at the top of the mountains.

Overall, it’s a nice wooded area, but with only 1 hiking trail (to Shannon Campground, 10mi r/t) and no vista views from the site, I don’t think it’s worth $20 a night. We decided to only spend 1 night here.

This State Park is very well cared for and a pleasure to stay in. It has three campgrounds, with sites for tents and RV's, as well as eight camping cabins for rent. The lake has fishing, swimming, and is perfect for kayaks and SUP's ... no gas powered motors allowed. The restrooms are nice and clean, with showers. There is also a dump station for RV's to use. There are several miles of walking paths - the wildlife and bird-watching is good. There is also a charming spring-fed natural stone hot tub!

Nothing beats the summer Arizona heat like escaping to the top of the Pinaleños.

At 8800 ft elevation, this corral and campsite offers amazing weather in the summer and gorgeous views off the edge of the mountains.

Be prepared to bring in anything you might need, including water. There are only about 3 campsites located near the vault toilets, but their are dispersed sites further down the forest road.

This forest road is gated off during the winter months and this area is not accessible.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the Male showers/restroom was under construction and not usable.

Gravel drive-through and back-in spots for RVs with 30 or 50 amp connections, water and sewer. Two tent spots. North of Willcox, but the city is small enough that the whole town is within walking distance (we walked to the center of town in about 15 minutes).

This is basically an old trailer park that has been upgraded to accommodate RVs around the perimeter and a couple of tents near the park/restroom area.

The shower/restroom area also has laundry facilities.

We didn't go into the rec room, but were told it has a pool table and a book/video exchange-type library.

The Rodeo grounds are a short drive across the freeway (don't follow your GPS if it tells you to use airport road - take the route that uses Rex Allen Drive) at Quail park (about 2 miles away - straight shot).  This is a very convenient park to the Rodeo Grounds.

This park, as was all of Willcox (even though it was Rex Allen Days weekend) is VERY QUIET. Didn't see anyone other than a couple of dog walkers in the morning and the staff when we checked in.

We found the ranger to be very helpful in terms of outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, etc.) The park has great spaces for tent campers and big rigs, with electricity for 30 and 50 amp campers. They also have several cabins right on the lake. 

Our spot had a picnic table and was right beside the beach. There is a great hike only minutes from the campground where you can see Mt. Graham. 

The bathrooms, showers, and sinks were all well maintained. Also, the spot is great for stargazing.

We are looking forward to returning. The town of Safford is charming and has some nice restaurants too.

Alaskan RV Park is conveniently located off of I-10 at Exit 366 near Bowie. The park features affordable RV sites at $20/night. The sites are all spacious pull-throughs. There is a dump station on site($10), and water refill available (based on tank size, but not more than $20). The park is handicap accessible and pet friendly. No breed restrictions. Tenting is also available. There are showers and laundry available. Alaskan RV Park is Bowie's best kept secret as it was the site of the Sideman Jamboree each year and featured music from country stars. The park hopes to bring music back to the stage in the future.

There is plenty to do at Roper Lake. Great spots for RVs, tents, and cabins too. This is a popular area so get your reservations in early. The lake was low in December and it was windy and cold, but we made the best of it and enjoyed the views of snow capped Mt. Graham. Campground was clean and very dog friendly. They have a dog park. The have a junior ranger program... fun for the little ones! We did notice that many weren’t following covid protocol in bathrooms and around the campsite. But we had no problem social distancing and keeping to ourselves, even with our loop completely full. We felt safe and comfortable. Your stay also includes access to Dankworth Pond State Park, a 10 min drive down the road. The pond is small, but you’ll catch more fish here. There are also great educational hiking paths with information & replicas of tribal villages. Worth the drive!

Loved it.Great family friendly camping! Very clean and well kept park, beach swimming area is very large and never felt crowded by people!  Plenty of shaded picnic areas, campsites big, and on site bathrooms very clean and showers have hot water and great water pressure! Only downfall was the hot springs was closed, but not necessary when campinge in Arizona!

If you like fishing you mihght be a bit disappointed. you could see a ton of fish around the dock, but sadly none of them were biting or we just didn't have the right kind of bait.We don't come here too often because you have to pay each time you come unless you get a pass. But it's a fun place to swim and fish and be by some water when it's ridiculously hot.

Loved the pool and cabins even though we have a camper

Riggs Flat Campground is located in the Pinaleño Mountains 40 miles southwest of Safford, AZ. The lake is not all that big, a bit under whelming to be honest after such a great drive, although if your lucky you may be able to catch some trout and bass for dinner (you'll need a valid Arizona fishing license and trout stamp). I don't believe many people come to the lake to specifically "camp", what this location offers is a scenic drive and a base camp for much better nearby activities such as hiking, mountain biking, birding, caving and swimming.

There are no services or first Aid, the nearest would have to be Mt. Graham Community Hospital in Safford, 42 miles away. RV Camping is 22 feet and less. Boats permitted on the lake may be powered by no more than a single electric trolling motor. RV’s up to 22' and vehicles with trailers less than 21' are recommended. Longer vehicles have difficulty negotiating the switchbacks on the road up the mountain (AZ 366). Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in campground. Limit 2 vehicles and 10 persons per site. 14 day stay limit.

The drive up starts out paved and well maintained, but half way turns to a semi-maintained dirt road. You'll climb from 3200 feet to 9000 in a matter of miles, Mt. Graham is known for is amazing diversity from the surrounding desert. You'll climb through many different Biospheres and witness wildlife change from Lizards, Snakes, and desert dwellers to Deer, Endanged Red tree squirrels, and black bear. There are many other camp grounds on the way but if they are all full then this is your… 15th or so choice!

If your a hiker you can find traces of the Anasazi Indians that once inhabited this area.

Keep in mind the cabins you will pass on the way up are PRIVATELY OWNED, and are not for rent.

*I live nearby and chose to write a more accurate description for the community members. As I am under 55 yrs old I have not stayed here, although I've worked throughout this park for many years.*

This is a large, multiple-block Senior Citizen community. There are RV spots available with restrictions. this is in town and not a camper's ideal location for outdoor privacy.

RV rates are based on two adults, 55 years with NO PERSON UNDER 40 years of age.

Daily:$40.00 

Weekly:$150.00 

Monthly:$265.00(plus electric) 

Year: Limited availability–$2,300.00(plus electric)

Here are just some of the wonderful features for our active seniors and winter visitors:

Warm winter days, cool winter nights Sunshine 340 days per year average

The backdrop of Mt. Graham stands nearly 11,000 feet high! 

Municipal Golf Course and Country Club nearby

The best location for hunting and fishing, hiking, and dune buggies 

A birder's paradise! 

Blocks from Mt. Graham Community Hospital 

Shopping and restaurants nearby(including Super Walmart and Home Depot)

In-season planned activities 

A local airport right in Safford 

Firing ranges, radio-controlled aircraft parks, and paintball courses 

All with spectacular painted desert sunsets

This is, so far, my least favorite of the AZ State Parks. Maybe because of the season, maybe because of all the kids running around wild... All AZ State parks are clean and have hook-ups, water and bathrooms. There is some nice hiking around the lake and Mt. Graham is very close by, so more hiking there. I got there on Thursday afternoon and all was nice and quite and calm. 

They started to come in droves, Friday afternoon. Little kids on bicycles (many, many of them) riding in the roads like crazy people and making so much noise, it was dangerous and annoying. Saturday was more of the same but now we can add intense heat and crazy wind into the mix. I ended up staying in the teardrop, eating an edible gummy and watch the Matrix trilogy (maybe not the best idea, but in the moment it seemed good). Sunday I drove up Mt. Graham till the road turn to dirt and enjoyed the cold and quite. By the time I came back down the Mt. and went back to camp, all those little Kamikaze bicycle turds had left and it was back to quite. 

I have never experienced that much kid chaos at any of the other state campgrounds.

The sites are close together and there were so many people playing loud music and running ATVs. There is an observatory nearby and it seemed like few people respected the rules about nighttime light pollution. The lake is beautiful and I would consider going back for a day trip, but would not camp there again.

Great scenery. Spots are spacious. Seemed kind of pricey at $20 a night. If you luck out and get respectful neighbors, can be an amazing experience.

We stayed there for three nights in Fall 2022. Wonderful quiet lake and walking trails. Near to shopping if needed. Great birding!

This campground is well maintained. It is on roper lake. They have cabins that overlook the lake and plenty of camping spots for both tints and rvs. They also have a day use area with a designated swimming area and lots of picking tables