Best Campgrounds near Clarkdale, AZ

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Clarkdale, Arizona (316)

    1. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Cottonwood, AZ
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 634-5283

    $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."

    2. West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping

    72 Reviews
    Coconino National Forest Recreation, AZ
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 203-2900

    "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"

    3. Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort

    41 Reviews
    Cornville, AZ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 634-4700

    $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."

    4. Thousand Trails Verde Valley

    24 Reviews
    Cornville, AZ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    5. Potato Patch Campground

    20 Reviews
    Jerome, AZ
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 567-4121

    $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."

    6. Rio Verde RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Cottonwood, AZ
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 634-5990

    $55 - $85 / night

    "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!"

    "Loved this campground, nice walking path, beautiful river view and friendly staff. Would definitely stay again"

    7. Verde Ranch RV Resort

    28 Reviews
    Camp Verde, AZ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 567-7126

    $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."

    8. Mingus Mountain Campground

    13 Reviews
    Jerome, AZ
    6 miles
    Website

    "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."

    9. Rancho Sedona RV Park

    40 Reviews
    Sedona, AZ
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 282-7255

    $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."

    10. Edge of the World (East Pocket)

    53 Reviews
    Sedona, AZ
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 527-3600

    "The road in is bumpy and rocky, but not impossible (a Ford Mustang in the site next to us clearly made it)."

    "It is a bumpy road with large portion of potholes so drive cautiously but once you get to the location you get a number of different spots to camp at."

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Recent Reviews near Clarkdale, AZ

2041 Reviews of 316 Clarkdale Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Windmill Camp

    Nice place for a night or two

    I got here around 9pm on a Tuesday evening and it was somewhat full. Pulled into a "spot" and everything was good. I was surprised at how quiet it was. Not a creature was stirring except some crickets. This is just a circle of dirt with a couple of porta-potties. It's not very level, so try and find a level spot if you can. Some beautiful views. Great hiking opportunities. There were some dump trucks that came through the main road around 7 am and I'm sure that is what woke everyone up. There are a couple of trees around the site, but none in the site.

    The only reason I gave 4 stars is because no campfires are allowed. Personally doesn't matter to me, but some people are big on campfires. The porta johns were clean. The entire campsite is trash free! No other services. Any car can access the site and there is space for large RVs.

    Very conveniently located between Cottonwood and Sedona. Visit Belfry Brewing in Cottonwood and get the Ruben it's amazing!

  • Greg H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Forest Road 104, near Mingus Mtn, AZ

    Several spots along this Forest Road

    Was going to head deeper along the road but came across this spot a little hidden back among the trees. All the spots are close to the road but this was set back about 50 yards. You can get something as big as a "skoolie" if you finesse a bit. there is a couple of fire rings. So you could easily get a couple of vans back there.

  • Greg H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Soda Springs Road

    Red Clay but wide open next to the canyon

    Drove up here from Jerome AZ, plenty of spaces and you are next to Beaver Creek Canyon.. If you are willing you can set up about 40 feet from the edge. If it has been raining the road can be a bit of a challenge but I made it in an SUV just fine. Not many there on a Sunday evening but you can easily get a trailer in, plenty of fire rings. Spotty cell coverage. Truly roughing it car camping.

  • Kim G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Flagstaff KOA

    Beautiful setting in the pines

    This KOA feels more like a National Forest Service site but with the added perks of electric hook-up and hot showers! Yes, the entry driveway and roads are narrow, but for our class B they were fine. We were greeted warmly by the young staff and given the low-down, including access to hiking trails and biking trails right from the location. The campground is fairly empty on October 16 so doesn’t feel crowded. The laundry is $3 wash, $2 dry - about what I’m used to paying. And the machines take credit cards! Yay! The bathrooms are a tad dated, but clean and adequate. We would definitely stay here again.

  • Brooke C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping

    Not good for tent camping

    Just looked like parking lots packed full with rvs and trucks. Not recommended if you are looking for somewhere scenic to relax with your family. We turned around and found some first come first served camping at Pine Flat

  • Stacia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Grand Canyon Railway RV Park

    Loved this place — The town is beautiful too

    This was a great stop on our trip. Great RV park in a cute little town. We loved staying here. Showers were great, laundry was cheap and you get access to the hotels pool and spa!

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping

    Easy off/on I-17 dispersed camping

    Easy on and off. Road is well packed and in good condition with a few smaller ruts, but not bad. Nice views. There is some road noise from the interstate on the closer areas. Nice night sky.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    169 BLM Camp

    Nice spot easy off 17!

    BLM site is only a mile off I-17. Great night sky! Typical dispersed type site. Road was actually pretty decent to drive on for my small SUV. A tiny bit of road noise, but not much (and I didn’t go far in).

  • e
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Forest Service Road 245

    Basic site but well located between flagstaff and Grand Canyon

    The site is off of a gravel road with many potholes - take this slowly and carefully if in 2-wheel drive. Good spot to access lava tubes (which we highly recommend doing!). No toilets or water available. It rained overnight during our stay and our site flooded quite significantly so check weather.


Guide to Clarkdale

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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 316 campgrounds and RV parks near Clarkdale, AZ and 164 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 62 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clarkdale, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 164 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.