Tent camping near Chandler Heights, Arizona offers diverse desert environments ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet in elevation. The area experiences extreme summer temperatures often exceeding 105°F from June through September, making fall through spring the prime camping seasons. Winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations, requiring appropriate cold-weather gear.
What to do
Mountain biking from camp sites: McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood provides direct access to numerous mountain biking trails. "Lots of hiking and biking. Friendly to camper vans. Showers down the road," notes Bill about the McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood campground.
Ghost town exploration: Several camping areas provide access to nearby ghost towns and historical sites. "We enjoyed the access to the little ghost town nearby," reports Jordan S. about the trails accessible from Hackamore Road Dispersed camping area.
Stargazing opportunities: The remote nature of many sites creates excellent night sky viewing. "Clean dark sky for star watching," comments chevis L. about their experience at Peralta Regional Park, noting the minimal light pollution.
What campers like
Private, well-spaced sites: Many campers appreciate the space between established campsites. "Each campsite has plenty of space in between," notes chevis L. about their stay at Peralta Regional Park Primitive Remote Campsites, adding "Very quiet and peaceful."
Desert flora surroundings: The native vegetation creates a distinctive camping experience. "This campground is really beautiful. The sites are spaced out and in general it's very quite," writes Albert V. about the desert landscape at McDowell Regional Park.
Accessible water recreation: Some locations offer unique water-based camping. "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 great boat dock for larger boats," explains Shari G. about The Point Campground.
What you should know
Vehicle clearance requirements: Many dispersed camping areas have challenging access roads. "I wouldn't come out here without high clearance and decent suspension. Maybe tie down any loose items as well," advises Francis D. about Hackamore Road.
Seasonal closures and construction: Some camping areas undergo periodic closures. "This was my favorite place for dispersed camping! (Not at the established campground) but as of May 2025, they have dug TRENCHES in front of every single dispersed camping site so you cannot access them anymore," reports Caitlin about recent changes at Peralta.
Water planning essentials: No drinking water is available at most dispersed sites. "No drinking water available, so be sure to bring at least 1 gallon per person per day," recommends Shari G. about preparation for camping at The Point.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer chances to see desert animals. "Keep on the lookout for lots of birds and Big Horned Sheep as you paddle/boat up river to the Horse Mesa Dam area," suggests Shari G. at The Point Campground.
Playground access: Some established campgrounds offer facilities for children. "We stayed in site 27 which was close to the kids playground," mentions Mark L. about his stay at McDowell Regional Park, providing an option for families needing additional recreation.
Noise considerations: Different campgrounds have varying noise levels. "It gets completely silent at night assuming other campers behave. Perfectly dark except for stars between the trees and your fire," describes Rachel W. about their experience at Sulphide Del Rey Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for optimal views: RV campers recommend specific areas for the best experience. "I think some of the best sites here are on the Pemberton loop 64, 65, 66, 68, 70. Unobstructive views but all sites pretty well spaced out and well kept bathrooms and showers," advises Mark L. about McDowell Regional Park.
Road condition warnings: RV access varies significantly across the region. "So unless you have high clearance, stay away. We have a 40ft school bus and we'll if not for the potholes everywhere it's the horrid uneven land," cautions Paranormal N. about attempting to access Hackamore Road with larger vehicles.
Campsite arrival timing: Some campgrounds have strict check-in policies. "We arrived 5 minutes before 1 pm and the guy at the front gate said nothing about not driving in before 1 pm - there was a sign but seriously 5 minutes early is an issue," relates Mark L. about his experience at McDowell Regional Park.
