Glamping options near Chino Valley, Arizona include several locations at elevations between 3,000-7,000 feet, providing varied climate conditions throughout the year. Temperatures fluctuate significantly with summer days reaching 100°F and winter nights dropping below freezing. Camp Verde locations sit at lower elevations compared to Williams options, creating a 15-20°F temperature difference between these camping destinations.
What to do
Fishing at Dogtown Lake: Located 45 minutes from Chino Valley, this Williams-area lake offers fishing for rainbow trout in a forested setting. "Decent fishing, plenty of crawdads to catch and eat during the summer months! They do have a boat ramp and we have brought our kayak before," notes a Dogtown Lake Campground visitor.
Explore Historic Williams: Just 7 miles from glamping accommodations, downtown Williams features Route 66 shops, restaurants, and western charm. "Williams is a cute small town. One of our favorite places to camp!" shares a Dogtown Lake camper.
Verde River activities: Wade, swim or float in the Verde River directly from camp. A Rio Verde RV Park camper states, "Pretty cool spot right on the rio verde river... Looks like if you had a shuttle car you could probably float the river to or from camp."
Visit Bearizona wildlife park: Located in Williams, this drive-through wildlife park showcases native animals including bears, wolves and bison. "Camped in spot 14, for 4 nights 5 days... Close to Bearizona, Williams," mentions a visitor from Railside RV Ranch.
What campers like
Scenic water access: Many locations offer creek or river frontage with swimming opportunities. A guest at Rancho Sedona RV Park shares, "The creek is lovely to sit in or swim in and chill down. It's walking distance from Sedona town, and also walking distance to some great trails."
Proximity to multiple destinations: Glamping spots serve as central hubs for exploring. "Great location to Sedona and Grand Canyon," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Verde Valley.
Year-round availability: Unlike seasonal national forest campgrounds, several glamping locations operate throughout winter. "We went over Thanksgiving and had a splendid time... hot tub and heated pool. There are lots of trees and it's a great park to walk around," reports a Verde River RV Resort camper.
Natural surroundings: Even developed properties maintain natural features. "Tucked into Oak Creek canyon, surrounded by trees, red dirt mountain sides, and a creek this campground is stunning," explains a Cave Springs visitor.
What you should know
Highway noise impacts some locations: Several glamping spots sit near major roads. "There is a bit of road noise but nothing some ear plugs can't help with," advises a Rio Verde RV Park guest.
Early arrival recommended: First-come, first-served policies at popular locations mean planning ahead. "Next time we will do our best to get there as early as possible (noon is the earliest to check in)...as the spots are first come/first serve," recommends a Thousand Trails Verde Valley visitor.
Seasonal variations: Summer heat affects lower elevation sites while higher spots close in winter. "We'd go back in the fall or spring to hot in the summer," mentions a Thousand Trails camper about Camp Verde locations.
Varying cell service: Connection quality differs significantly between properties. "Cell reception and internet were terrible... We paid $15 for a week of WiFi, but ended up asking for a refund as it was even more unusable than our phones," reports a camper at Thousand Trails Verde Valley.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-oriented amenities: Some glamping resorts offer extensive recreation options. "We love this campground! We have camped here around 5 times and always had a great stay. They have a pool and hot tub, mini golf, playground, pickle ball court, clubhouse, and lots of crafts and activities for the kids!" shares a Verde River RV Resort visitor.
Consider proximity to kid-friendly attractions: Locations near wildlife parks and educational sites enhance family trips. At Williams-Circle Pines KOA, a camper notes: "Lots to do here. Camped in 32 Foot Class C. Easy to manuver and great hooks ups. VERY Kid friendly. We to Bearizona, Rode go-carts, played mini golf."
Plan for temperature changes: Higher elevations mean significant day-to-night temperature swings. "They provide a small heater for the cabins, so if you go during the winter season be sure to bring warm clothes and warm blankets!" advises a visitor to Grand Canyon-Williams KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Not all glamping sites accommodate larger RVs equally. "The sites are well-spaced, and the amenities include a pool, hot tub, 2 dog parks, hiking trails, river access and clubhouse," mentions a Thousand Trails Verde Valley visitor.
Different shade conditions: Tree cover varies by property and site location. "We stayed in almost a week here and our spot had a tree with nice shade. Level easy set up, full hookups and a cement pad out our front door," reports a Rio Verde RV Park visitor.
Accessibility considerations: Some glamping areas have challenging roads or site configurations. "Our site (10) backed up to a grassy site that could be another row in the future, but it was great for walking the dog," shares a Railside RV Ranch visitor.
