Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Dateland, AZ

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Dateland, AZ

85 Reviews of 26 Dateland Campgrounds

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  Jan. 20, 2021

  Belly Acres RV Park

  Stay here and explore the town of Ajo

  This is a cozy (read: tight spaces) park to stay in to catch up on laundry and get your RV chores done. It’s also nice that it’s in town and you can easily walk or bike out and explore the small cute town of Ajo(pronounced Ahh-ho, not Ay-ho). Keep in mind that being in town on a main road, this is not a quiet serene park. The noise from the neighboring auto repair business was extremely loud during the day, and there is car noise from the road outside the park. 

  Rates per website are$28/night but it says they offer Escapees, Good Sam, AAA, or Passport America discounts(though they do not appear not the PA website). Passport America is usually 50% off so we expected to pay $14, however, when we asked about it they said they offer too many discount programs to keep track and they simply discount everyone to $25/night. So in other words, the rate is $25. 

  In all the BLM desert land we have stayed in, we have never heard coyotes so loud and close as we did at this RV park. They seemed to be howling from all directions here. Watch your dogs here, though the manager of the park has a small dog that runs loose with him. 

  Park advertises itself as being pet friendly, but there is no dog park or dog walk in the park. We walked our dogs out to the street to go potty to avoid them going potty in front of someone’s space. 

  Our spot only had a 30 amp outlet, but judging by the number of large 5th wheels and toy haulers there I believe 50 amp is also available. Pull through and back in sites both available. 

  Park has wifi and cable. 

  Bulk propane available at $3.50/gal. 

  Laundry room was clean, one shower under construction and the other was dirty- would not use. Showers were 2.5 min per quarter, or 4 quarters at once for 10 minutes. No change or soap machine available, quarters available from manager per sign. 

  There are water and sewer hookups at each site, or there is a dump and water fill available as well. If not staying at park, dump is $7, water is $5, or both for $10. 

  Large trash trailer bin available, as well as a can for aluminum and a can for plastic beverage containers. 

  Good verizon signal, though cell service almost unusable in the evening due to high usage in the area. AT&T signal was weak but usable. 

  Pro tip: the Chevron across the street has a little separate food service establishment in the convenience store where you can get pizza, burritos, breakfast burritos, fresh baked cookies, etc to go! The pizza was surprisingly great! IGA grocery store also in easy walking distance.

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• 

  Marty C.

  Guide

  Jan. 10, 2022

  Copper Mountain RV Park

  Copper Mountain RV Park.

  Paved roads to the spaces which have full hook-ups. Pull through spaces for temporary stays. Military discount year round. Small swimming pool. Different activities each day of the week. Grocery store is in Wellton AZ 10 miles away. Staff and guests are fantastic. This is a 55+ age requirement RV park. Pets are allowed. BLM land borders property so guests bring their ATVs.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  Jan. 26, 2021

  Palms Mobile Home RV Park

  It Is What It Is

  We agree with the previous reviewer’s assessment of this place, however, we decided to brave it and stay the night anyway because we needed hot showers and to get caught up on laundry and this place is very cheap. It is pretty run down but we did not feel unsafe here. There are dog running around loose so if you have a pet watch out for them.

  This is the kind of park where you just have to take things for what they are. When we arrived, there was nobody in the office, so I left a message on the machine and we parked and waited (we did not have a reservation and had not called ahead). Eventually a friendly guy came out, said he was busy repairing something and apologized for missing our call. He directed us to a spot and told us to pay later and went back to work. The cost was$25 ($12.50 with Passport America). We never saw him again and the office was never reopened so we slipped the payment through a slot in the door. 

  We didn’t plug in to power here, as our surge protector’s lights indicated an open neutral. There are loose dogs running around all over the place, and nobody seems to mind. People obviously live here permanently, and you can tell they have been living here a long time based on the happy chatter and greetings, especially when the work day was over and people started coming home from work. Two young entrepreneurs came and knocked on our door and asked if they could clean up the cement pad outside our RV, which was very cute. 

  Early in the morning, around 5am, we heard people getting up and leaving for work, and later in the morning we saw kids on laptops all over the place, doing their schoolwork. 

  The night was loud here, roosters crowing (all night!), dogs barking, trains, and cars. The sign out front said they have showers, but we didn’t see any. The laundry room was functional. 

  Good cell service Verizon and AT&T. 

  Sofia’s Mexican food in walking distance was delicious, and there are several other fast food options in walking distance as well.

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• 

  Emma J.

  Guide

  Feb. 5, 2021

  Tier Drop RV Park

  Great facilities

  We stayed here for one night on our trip and had a lovely stay. Definitely geared more towards people with bigger rigs, and a lot of the residents were long-term. Great laundry and bathrooms/showers. They also organize multiple community gatherings such as potlucks, discussion groups, organized golf and other activities. They also have a pool, which we sadly didn’t have time to enjoy. This RV park is located very close to several golf courses, which my fiancée greatly appreciated. Pet friendly as well. One thing I will say is that there is only one store in town (Del Sol) that sells propane (for stoves) so buying it before arriving is a good idea, as they were sold out when I tried to purchase some. Great nightly rates and close to the highway.

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• 

  Kaysha R.

  Ranger

  Jul. 30, 2018

  Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

  Endless possibiliities

  There are endless camping possibilities in Kofa. Primitive, dispersed real wilderness camping. No water. No toilets, no hookups, generators... and you have to have a 4x4 to get there! Just my kind of spot. I've explored all over this area by jeep, and by foot and never get bored going off on some new abandoned mine trail. There are hidden caves all around and great hikes to get there!

  I'll just share my two favorite hidden gems in the area: Signal Peak is a must, and if you do, I recommend camping around Skull Rock. For a scenic offroad trail + neat cabin stay head to Kofa Mine Cabin!

  For Signal Peak and the Skull Rock stay, you can park regular cars along Palm Canyon Road where the Kofa Natl Wildlife Refuge Brochures and info are and hop into a 4x4 for the rest of the drive. You'll need it. Don't attempt get to skull rock in any regular, vehicle, or anything without high clearance.

  **NOTE: I have left a car in this lot with no issues while camping up in the canyon over night, but of course, do so at your own risk.

  From that parking lot you head up to Kofa Queen Canyon and pick your spots for camping. There are plenty of good spots for tent on ledges, or on cots down near skull rock. Here you can grill and have general campfire fun.

  The road to Skull Rock is undeveloped, needs high clearance and is a tight squeeze for wider vehicles. It will not accommodate campers or trailers. Tent camping only (aside from maybe your serious bug out vehicle!)

  Skull rock camp spot is about a one hour and 45 minute drive from Yuma. From HWY 95 turn (east) onto Palm Canyon Road (not too far past the Border Patrol Checkpoint. Drive east 3.2 miles to Kofa Queen Canyon (KQC) Road on the left (north now). Follow KQC Road northeast about 7.5 miles into the Canyon to where a subsidiary Canyon opens up to your right (south). Passenger cars won't manage this last road. You'll need high clearance and preferably 4wd. The road inside the canyon is alternately rocky and sandy, and braids in and out with the wash. Just follow the 'better-looking' route if unsure at a junction. Enough people come up here you should be able to see lots of tire tracks.

  *NOTE: There is no cell service at the campsite.

  From here we drive down the trail bit further to get to Signal Peak (roughly 4,800ft), it's Kofa's highest peak. This is a strenuous hike with steep slopes and some scrambling, and should only be done by experienced hikers in good physical conditions with proper hiking boots. The beautiful view from from the top is absolutely worth the hike.

  Dogs: Although I know of people who have brought dogs up here, it is a very rocky hike and could be very hot or treacherous for your pup. You may consider bringing a dog only if he is an avid hiker and has very strong paw pads (or hiking boots), and can physically handle the demands of this hike. Also, dogs as per Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Rules - are required to be on a leash at all times.

  For the Kofa Mine Section, head on your way out to the Kofa Mine Museum and then just past it take the turn to Big Eye Mine - 15 mile offroad trail where a real, high clearance truck/jeep 4x4 is needed. There are at least 2 hairy sections that I even got a jeep stuck in for a minute. All of this area is full of mines and great open camping spaces.

  Kofa was established in 1939 to be managed: “…as a representative area of lower Sonoran Desert habitat with a maximum diversity and abundance of native plants and animals and to protect and preserve the desert bighorn sheep and its habitat…” Since 1955, over 560 desert bighorn sheep have been trapped on Kofa and transplanted to other areas in Arizona, as well as to the states of New Mexico, California, Colorado, Texas and Nevada, to re-establish herds extirpated from habitat loss, development and over-hunting.

  Unless you are a skilled Arizona adventurer, I'd advise against hiking or even offloading (in case something goes wrong) during the hot summer months when temperatures can rise to over 115 degrees F.

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• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  Jan. 21, 2021

  Ajo BLM Dispersed

  Close to Town, Lots of Space

  Managed by Lower Sonoran BLM Field Office 

  Very quiet so much glass and old rusted tin cans, possibly from when mining was active here. Lots and lots of shards of broken glass, it’s part of the landscape almost.  There are open mine pits, some fenced off, some not so be careful especially if you let your pets run free. Constant sound of planes overhead from the nearby AFB, with occasional low flying jets. Overall a nice place if you can get past all the broken glass, some areas worse than others. 

  Not too many chollas but there are some road in. Alley Rd was flat and level, some washboarding, ok for any rig just take it slow. Coming off of Alley Rd to pull out spots could be tricky for bigger rigs. There were a few nice looking spots that we didn’t attempt in our 26ft Class C because the road up was too steep.  Deep dip on Alley Rd coming in, about 1.8 miles from where the paved road ends, we scraped our bike hitch both coming and going. At around 32.355867,-112.884902. Any rigs longer than about 26ft probably can’t make it further in than this spot if coming in from the north, or you can enter from the other side of the loop and come in that way.

  Good verizon 4bars on 4GLTE, ATT had 2-3 bars on 3G, very slow.

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• 

  Randall M.

  Guide

  May. 30, 2018

  Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

  Primitive, dispersed with few to no facilities

  A little introduction may be in order. My name is Randy Mahannah, aka Randoo, I am 67 years old, accompanied by my dog and I’ve been on the road since February 23, 2018, as of this writing just over 3 months. I have been in 5 states, 4 Motel 6’s and 10 different campgrounds over 6300 miles and stops at friends and family. I am on the road and I’m enjoying it. Let’s start with a bucket list item.

  There is a place in the far western and southern desert of Arizona called the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. At first glance, one might question the possibility of wildlife even remotely living in such a harsh desert environment but live there these creatures do, most amazingly, desert bighorn sheep. But it isn’t just the critters, it’s the desert, some of the most rugged, badass, beautiful desert in America, the border of the Sonora and the Mojave deserts and amazing country.

  Oh yeah, campground rating, uuhhh, no campground unless you consider the entire refuge as your campground because that’s what it is, primitive camping at its best. At Kofa there are no facilities, no restrooms, no designated campsites, no water, no nuttin’, just a bare spot in the dirt and a place to dig your privy. So in terms of a best-of-five something rating probably zip. In terms of desert lonesome awesomeness, 5 +.

  Take lots of water, you’ll need it, at least two five gallon containers and if you are so foolhardy as to visit Kofa between May and September, take a fiver for each day you will be there, just in case. I was there in March and was quite comfortable, day and night. Winters will be mild daytime, chilly to cold at night, summers, oppressively hot daytime and dance-naked-under –the-moon beautiful at night with more stars than you have ever seen unless you’ve been to Machu Pichu under a new moon. 

  As for things to do, desert hiking both flatland and in the mountains is what is offered. Take a camera and try to get a sheep shot. If that doesn’t work the native palms in Palm Canyon that stand still and won’t run away from you and the landscapes under a changing desert sun are wonderful.

  I spent three nights there and was enchanted by a desert landscape I’ve wanted to visit since I was draft eligible. It’s all about timing and tolerance but if you find yourself in the neighborhood of Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, 23 miles south of Quartzite, 60+ miles north of Yuma, Arizona, allow yourself a night or two. Might pleasantly surprise you.

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• 

  Brad | Britany B.

  Guide

  Feb. 29, 2024

  Painted Rock Petroglyph Site And Campground

  Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground: Escape to Tranquility!

  If you're seeking a secluded escape under a vast, star-studded sky, then look no further than Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground! 

  This hidden gem deserves a glowing 5-star review for its unique charm and abundance of off-the-beaten-path adventures. 

  Pros Galore: 

  Off-the-Grid Oasis: Nestled amidst the desert landscape, this campground offers a true escape from the hustle and bustle. 

  Spacious Freedom: Spread out and enjoy the vastness with massive campsites, perfect for relaxing and soaking in the serenity. 

  Tranquil Escape: The lack of crowds creates a peaceful and uncrowded atmosphere, ideal for those seeking solitude. 

  Dry Camper's Delight: Embrace the simplicity of dry camping and experience the true essence of self-reliance under the desert sun. 

  Stargazer's Paradise: With minimal light pollution, prepare to be dazzled by the spectacular night sky. Witness a dazzling display of stars, planets, and even the Milky Way on a clear night. 

  Off-Roading Playground: Dust off your UTV(side-by-side) and explore the surrounding desert terrain. The area offers plenty of exciting trails for off-road enthusiasts. Treasure 

  Hunters Unite: Test your skills and embark on a geocaching adventure. Search for hidden treasures scattered throughout the campground and surrounding area. 

  Friendly Faces: The welcoming camp hosts are a bonus, adding to the overall positive experience. 

  A Note: Be prepared for the lack of amenities like showers and laundry facilities. Pack accordingly and embrace the rustic charm of this remote desert escape. Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground is a hidden gem for those seeking a unique and unforgettable camping experience. If you crave adventure, tranquility, and starry nights, this is the place for you! I highly recommend it and can't wait to return for another adventure under the vast desert sky.

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• 

  Larry B.

  Legend

  Dec. 26, 2020

  Aho Elks Lodge Camping - Members Only

  Great location, Usable only for Elks Members and their Guests

  This is a very nice location central in the small city of Aho.

  There is a large space behind the lodge for DRY camping. The charge for staying here is listed as a recommended donation. The area for camping is a bit tricky to get into as it requires backing in and making a 45 degree turn, but there is room for full size class A or truck with trailer. I Have a 24" trailer and there was also two Class A RVs there with additional towed vehicles. Parking lot is well lit.

  Nice area behind the lodge for a dog walk along the old railroad tracks. Wi-Fi is available to lodge members in and near the building. I had T-Mobile and Voice coverage was Great, but data was roaming which was used up if a couple hours.

  The town is only a very short walk from the Gallery which has a Market, Café , thrift shop, art gallery and Public Library (which has free computer access and Wi-Fi) Wi-Fi Can also be access from outside the library 24/7.

  No big box stores or fast food in town, but there is Olsen's Market/Ace Hardware, Dollar General and Dollar Tree stores.

  The Staff and Members of the Lodge are very friendly and food is served several nights a week. The American Legion has Dinner to the Public on Fridays and is only about a mile away. The Copper mine is well worth the view and the Museum is very interesting. (operates on donations).

  I stayed here  a couple days and when I needed to dump and fill fresh water, I went for the weekend at Organ Pipe National Park which was about 45 minutes away (Reviewed separately). then returned to the Elks Lodge for a few more days before leaving. There are also several RV parks and gas stations nearby where you can dump and fill Propane tanks.

  This may not be in the Boondocks, but sometimes I like camping out near the convenience of civilization like the laundry mat near by.

  I was here in December and the City Christmas decorations on the street lights were a nice reminder Christmas was near.

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