Tent camping near Cordes Junction, Arizona offers diverse terrain ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 feet elevation, creating microclimates that can vary by 20°F between nearby sites. Road conditions often deteriorate significantly after rain or snow events, with several campgrounds requiring travelers to navigate washes that cross access roads. Summer monsoon season (July-September) can cause flash flooding in low-lying camping areas.
What to do
Soak in natural hot springs: About a mile hike from Childs Camping Area along the Verde River leads to thermal pools with river views. "Verde Hot Springs is about a mile from the campsite and offers a few pools for soaking with an amazing view of the Verde River. Be prepared though, this is an area that attracts nudists," notes Joshua S.
Fish in high-elevation waters: Horsethief Basin Lake at Crown King Area offers fishing for multiple species at 6,000 feet elevation. Justin M. explains, "Horse Thief Lake is truly a magical place and beyond serene. The lake fish species present include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and Muskie."
Mountain biking on forest trails: The Enchanted Forest Trail Campsites provide access to several well-maintained biking routes. Michael F. reports, "Mountain biking trails are pretty sweet. Well-groomed and challenging. Better trails than Thumb Butte. Lots of variation with mountain lanes covered with shade and wide open. Tough yet giving."
What campers like
Cooler temperatures at higher elevations: The Crown King Area sits at approximately 6,000 feet, offering relief from desert heat. Jacob T. reports, "Just some amazing views!! You can see the entire Phoenix valley! Perfect elevation, 7-8k. About a 3 hr drive from Phoenix."
Creek access for swimming: Manzanita Campground provides direct access to Oak Creek. According to Scotti M., "One of the highlights was the nearby creek, which was perfect for unwinding and added a peaceful ambiance to the whole experience."
Secluded camping with open sky views: The Edge of the World sites offer dramatic vistas and night sky viewing. Lewis M. shares, "Absolutely absurd views and stars. Cannot recommend enough. Bit of a drive but stick on it and see the view. Worth every second."
What you should know
Pack in all water supplies: No potable water exists at most dispersed sites. At FDR79 Trittle Mountain Road, Ryan notes, "We stayed one nite at site 5 in our 24ft Mercedez Sprinter. It's not super level but decent space to maneuver to find your favorite orientation."
Cell service is unpredictable: Coverage varies dramatically based on terrain. Michael F. warns about Enchanted Forest Trail Campsites, "No cell reception, T-Mobile and I were lucky to get a single bar. In this area, the sites sit in a valley. No chance."
Wildlife encounters are common: Proper food storage is essential. At Trittle Mountain Road, Hoonay F. cautions, "Do be careful with your food and trash totes. Javelina got into mine on the second night, so for the rest of my stay, everything was in the van and it was a little unpleasant."
High clearance vehicles required for most areas: Many access roads have rough sections. At Edge of the World, Joe F. reports, "We never made it to the campground. The rocky trail ended with a flat tire on our truck (as we were hauling our truck camper.)"
Tips for camping with families
Visit during weekdays for quieter experience: Weekends bring crowds to many campsites. Peter S. comments about Edge of the World, "However, this place is incredibly busy and you end up with campsites every 20 yards so it's not secluded at all."
Consider established campgrounds for facilities: Manzanita offers more amenities than dispersed sites. Holly R. notes, "We checked in with the camp host, who was very kind and helpful, and set up. The creek running by the campsites is amazing. The campground also sells firewood if you happen to forget it. Vault toilets were very clean."
Research road conditions before departure: Many access roads deteriorate seasonally. Angel T. explains about getting to Edge of the World, "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."
Tips from RVers
Limited level sites available: Finding flat parking requires advance planning. At FDR79 Trittle Mountain Road, Krista Z. advises, "A lot of the spaces were uneven or had rough washes/entrances. About half the spaces are in more pine tree settings and the other half are more of a 'high desert'. We were able to turn our pop up camper around about 1/4 mile past campsite 16."
Prepare for challenging access roads: Many camping areas require significant driving on rough terrain. For Crown King Area, Caitlin S. explains, "Gorgeous easy dirt road ~27 miles from i17/Bumble bee. (There's also a much more difficult trail from lake pleasant that requires very experienced off-roading 4x4)."
Stock up on supplies before arrival: Remote locations have limited or expensive resources. B O. shares about Crown King Area, "The town has supplies but is over priced so fuel up before going up there."
