Several good camping spots sit within easy reach of Clarkdale, Arizona, ranging from state parks to basic dispersed sites. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground is only two miles away and comes with restrooms and showers. West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping gives you a more basic experience with nice views but no facilities. If you're camping with kids, Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort in Cornville (nine miles from Clarkdale) has both RV and tent sites plus a swimming pool and playground. The Grand Canyon and Sonoran Desert are within driving distance for day trips. Camp here during spring or fall for the best weather - summer gets hot, so bring extra water and find shade. Winter camping works too, but bring warm gear for cold nights, especially at higher spots. Some dirt roads to dispersed sites need vehicles with good clearance, so check conditions before you go. The Colorado River isn't far if you want to fish or swim. Make sure to pack out all trash to keep these places looking good. Clarkdale's camping options work well for both people who want regular campgrounds and those looking for quieter spots.
$25 - $70 / night
"The campground is close to area attractions such as Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument which I both highly recommend."
"Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park."
"The best dispersed camping options in Sedona Arizona! There are many options off of the main road."
"My friend from Maryland came to visit me here in Arizona, I told him we had to go to Sedona so we decided to camp, I heard about forest road 525 and it exceeded my expectations, never saw more stars in"
$59 - $150 / night
"We stayed here in June which is a hot time to camp in Arizona. This campground has Oak Creek running through it which is a great place to cool off."
"Lo Lo Mai Springs has scores of beautiful shaded RV sites, many near the creek beneath the branches of ancient cottonwoods and soaring sycamores."
"Nestled in the red rock country of Arizona, this Thousand Trails campground offers a scenic and tranquil escape."
"This is part of the Encore/Thousand Trails network (although anyone can use it). They do offer a 20% military discount."
$18 - $36 / night
"Water and bathroom was close by. Campground was well kept and very clean throughout. The lower loop had better shade and spots were still more spread out."
"This campground is a nice place to get away from it all. The campground is clean, has water and compost toilets. The toilets have a unique ventilation system leaving no unpleasant odors."
$55 - $85 / night
"There is a nice walking path next to the river and nice places to take your Pet. Everything was very clean and tidy. It is close to many things to see and do."
"What this park lacks in Amenities, it makes up in location and access to nearby adventures. The staff is amazing and they take immaculate care of the facilities. Highly recommended!"
$45 - $85 / night
"Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons: Pros:
Resort-Style Amenities: This resort boasts impressive amenities, including a sparkling pool, a well-equipped rec room, close proximity to sightseeing"
"But what made our stay here awesome was the proximity to everything. Hiking, backpacking, off roading, and of course access to all the cool places in Flagstaff and Sedona."
$42 - $84 / night
"Compared to another campground close by that is a little less but we had double the space and trees and a creek behind us. They’re very busy and we were only able to get two nights."
"Sites a little close to each other. Grounds were surrounded by nature and close by main Sedona street. Check in after hours were smooth."
$18 - $75 / night
"In one word views, views for miles some of the best I’ve seen in Arizona."
"There are awesome views from the rim if you are able to get a site on the edge."
"There are a lot of off roading that goes on in the area but it stops before dusk."
"It was easy to get to and close to Sedona so very convenient. It was pretty crowded and we came after the rain so some cars were getting stuck in the mud."
TravelerCompared to Marshal Lake, where I stayed last week, this place is a downgrade. Less private spots, no fire rings whatsoever, and the dust... So. Much dust and dirt. No grass really to speak of.
LegendRoad around the campsite is quite rutted which is surprising since it's the beginning of camping season. All sites are near the highway so traffic can be heard during the day. Numerous hiking trails and Sedona very nearby so it's really hard to beat the price and natural beauty, especially with a senior pass!
TravelerFor us with a 20 foot RV in tow, this was about perfect. Great well spaced sites in the pines. Hosts were very helpful. Half is first come first serve, other half about is reserved. There were plenty open when we arrived. No hookups, but a good dump and full station which is included in the 34 per night fee or 5$ for fill, 15 for empty.
GuideThursday-Sunday. Was quieter at east end of campground away from FS219. Side by side noise from the convention was not too disruptive.
TravelerLoads of spots and pretty quiet, especially during the week. Somewhat decent cell coverage, too.
TravelerPro: We were able to find a great site not too far off FR128. Right now it's not too busy. We'd come again.
Con: A great free dispersed area needs everyone to pack out what they packed in. Our site had a lot of trash strewn around and what looked to be human waste trash bags left behind. We always try to leave it better so we picked up what we could.
TravelerGreat spot just 15 minutes off the 40. Tucked away, quiet, private, great dark skies (can’t blame the moon for light pollution!). The host Clifford is friendly, easy going, and extremely accommodating. Great stay, would stay again anytime!
GuideMy husband and I have stayed here multiple times. We have boarded our dogs for the day to take the train to the Grand Canyon. Always a nice place to stay.
TravelerPacked on a Friday. Enough room for all. Fire pits.
Dispersed camping areas near Clarkdale, Arizona range from basic forest sites to designated camping zones with partial amenities. The region sits at approximately 3,500 feet elevation, creating a transition zone between desert and mountain environments. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F during daytime hours, while winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations.
Explore river recreation: The Verde River offers cooling relief during hot months. At Thousand Trails Verde Valley, campers appreciate river access for pets and swimming. "River access is available at site C which we stayed at and our furbabies loved it! Sedona is only 45 mins from here so an even bigger two thumbs up!" notes Rebecca N.
Visit historic mining towns: Jerome sits on Mingus Mountain overlooking the valley. "Jerome is just up the hill. Looks like if you had a shuttle car you could probably float the river to or from camp," explains Matt L. from Rio Verde RV Park, adding practical transportation advice for river activities.
Hike nearby trails: Access hiking directly from some campsites. "There are also a couple of hikes accessible 1/4-1/2 mile from the RV park," reports Kim G. at Rancho Sedona RV Park. Several established hiking routes connect camping areas with natural attractions.
Mountain views: At higher elevations, panoramic vistas become the main attraction. Neil H. from Mingus Mountain Campground explains, "Amazing views of Cottonwood and all of Verde Valley from these camp sites...Only 85 at this campground (7800 ft elevation) and only a quick 2 hour drive. I'd definitely recommend this place to beat the heat."
Creek swimming spots: Natural water features provide relief from heat. At Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort, Jordan H. mentions, "Lo Lo Mai Springs is one of our new favorite campgrounds! There's a hot tub and swimming pool, a creek to swim and fish in, nice bathrooms and showers, a dishwashing station."
Shade coverage: Tree canopy becomes crucial during summer months. "Sites are spaced out a bit; not as tight as some other RV parks. There are huge shade trees. You can walk down along the creek and find some peaceful rocks for sitting on to read or contemplate," notes Kim G. when describing camping conditions.
Road conditions: Access to some dispersed sites requires appropriate vehicles. At Edge of the World, Katelin M. advises: "The way up is bumpy and could prove difficult if muddy. We pulled a small 4x8 camper with a jeep wrangler and did okay."
Campsite availability: Securing spots often requires early arrival. "We ended up here pretty late on a Thursday night and luckily found a spot. The campsites are close together so that is not great but they are clean at least," reports Justin C. about Mingus Mountain Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Elevation differences create distinct camping environments. "We were there in June. Kids rode bikes all over. There's a store that sells a bunch of stuff," notes Maura from Lo Lo Mai Springs, highlighting family-friendly summer activities.
Look for camp playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "Play ground and swings for the kids! Right on the river, clean facilities, and friendly staff!" reports Derrick about Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort, highlighting facilities designed for families.
Find kid-friendly swimming: Safe water access provides natural entertainment. According to Audrey R., Dead Horse Ranch State Park offers multiple options: "The 'lakes' are really more like ponds but plenty large enough to fish in as is the Verde River, running through the park. Make sure to go down and take a dip during the warm seasons."
Consider campground activities: Structured recreation helps keep children engaged. "A combination of tents and RVs. Beautiful area, playground and swimming pool, right on the creek which is accessible for swimming," explains Ellen W., detailing amenity options at campgrounds.
Hookup availability varies: Campgrounds offer different utility options. "I am in site 25 which is a non-electric site. In my opinion, it's the best site in the campground. Lots of trees and backs up to a wash," advises Kathy B. about Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground, noting site-specific advantages.
Site size considerations: Not all locations accommodate larger vehicles. Liz W. observed at West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping, "Lots of sites, if anything the popularity is the only downside. Road fine for any car, but was hard to avoid bottoming out getting into my camp spot."
Dump station locations: Plan waste management accordingly. "No sewer unfortunately but if you camp there it's free to dump," notes Melissa S. about Dead Horse Ranch State Park, providing practical RV maintenance information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Clarkdale, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Clarkdale, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 344 campgrounds and RV parks near Clarkdale, AZ and 182 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Clarkdale, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clarkdale, AZ is Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 66 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clarkdale, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 182 free dispersed camping spots near Clarkdale, AZ.
What parks are near Clarkdale, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Clarkdale, AZ that allow camping, notably Coconino National Forest Recreation and Prescott National Forest.
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