Camping opportunities around Clifton, Arizona range from high-elevation forest sites at 6,000+ feet to desert settings along the Gila River. The area spans multiple ecosystems including juniper woodlands, riparian zones, and Sonoran desert terrain. Temperature variations can exceed 30°F between the highest and lowest elevation camping areas, allowing for year-round camping options by choosing the appropriate elevation for the season.
What to do
Stargazing at Cosmic Campground: Located about 90 minutes from Clifton, this free campground is designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. "The night sky is dark and the campground is quiet and peaceful," notes Brendon S. Cosmic Campground has concrete pads specifically designed for telescopes and tripods, with campers reporting exceptional views: "We woke up at 3am for the best Milky Way view."
Hiking near Riverview: Just a short walk from the Gila River with access to multiple trail systems. "Biking trails, horse trails, hike trails, OHV trails all close," reports Shane W. Riverview Campground offers a central location for various outdoor activities, with one camper noting, "Bonita creek drive is gorgeous and provides creek water you can get in. Was a beautiful escape and very green post rain."
Hot springs soaking: Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area offers two small pools filled with geothermal water daily. "Hot wells right next to our spot were amazing," shares Christian M. The wells operate on solar pumps, so timing matters: "They fill up about an hour after sunrise and about an hour after sunset it drains."
What campers like
Privacy and spacing at mountain sites: Black Jack Campground offers secluded camping in pine forest at higher elevation. "We discovered a lovely little campground in the pines. The site we chose had a fire pit and a picnic table," reports Tyler C. A series of trails from the campground leads to viewpoints where "you might be lucky to see deer in the area if you sit still."
Affordable camping options: Many forest service campgrounds near Clifton have minimal fees or are free. "Open well kept campground. 5 bucks a night," notes Jacob M. about Riverview Campground. At Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area, campers appreciate the value: "$3/night and you have two hot wells to soak in during the day."
Seasonal diversity: The elevation range allows for comfortable camping even during summer. One camper at Granville Campground noted, "Nice little campground, high enough elevation that it was noticeably cooler than lower elevations. Heavily wooded, super quiet and secluded."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating rough roads. For Riverview Campground, "The road in turns to dirt for a brief minute, then back to paved. It winds and there are some tight turns." At Juan Miller, a camper reported, "Dirt road in from 191 was in great shape."
Limited amenities at forest service sites: Most campgrounds outside established RV parks have basic facilities. "There are no services except for 2 very clean toilets," reports a camper at Cosmic Campground. For water, some campers share local knowledge: "There's a ranger station about 20 minutes down the road past Glenwood that has a WATER spout."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies dramatically between locations. At Lower Juan Miller Campground, the remote location affects connectivity, while Shane W. reports "No Verizon signal" at Riverview Campground. Conversely, at Cosmic Campground, multiple campers report "3-4 bars on my Verizon" despite the remote setting.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer safe exploration opportunities. "Lots of room" at Riverview Campground makes it suitable for families. At Roper Lake State Park, "Kids were able to ride bikes on the numerous paths around the campgrounds and lake."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to spot desert wildlife. "You might be lucky to see deer in the area if you sit still," reports a camper at Black Jack. Another notes, "The desert and the surrounding area is full of life, you just have to look for it."
Weather preparation: Temperature swings can be significant, particularly at higher elevations. "We were there during the 2019 spring 'super bloom' and desert wildflowers were everywhere," shares a camper about Hot Well Dunes. Seasonal timing greatly impacts the camping experience, with spring offering wildflowers and fall providing milder temperatures.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions on forest roads: Many campgrounds have limited access for larger rigs. "Wouldn't take anything over 35' 5th wheel," cautions Shane W. about Riverview Campground. For Buckhorn RV Park, a camper noted the strong community aspect: "Fellow campers were incredibly friendly and helpful, making it feel like more than just a stopover."
Site selection for RV camping near Clifton: Sand can be problematic at some locations. At Hot Well Dunes, campers advise: "Be careful to stay out of the soft sand, or off the popular OHV trails." At Granville Campground, "I was able to easily get a 24' class C in and maneuver around."
Solar considerations: For boondocking or dry camping, solar panel efficiency varies by location. At Hot Well Dunes, even the hot springs operate on solar power: "The wells are pumped by a solar pump so cloud coverage or night mean the solar pumps aren't pumping." This makes sunny sites particularly valuable for RVers relying on solar power.
