The Sonoran Desert near Eloy, Arizona sits at an elevation of around 1,500 feet, creating a landscape where temperatures can fluctuate more than 30 degrees between day and night. Camping areas around Eloy feature distinctive geological formations with the prominent Picacho Peak standing 1,500 feet above the desert floor, visible from miles away. Winter temperatures typically range from 40-70°F, making November through March the primary camping season.
What to do
Hiking trails at Picacho Peak State Park: The park offers multiple trails ranging from easy nature walks to challenging summit hikes. The Hunter Trail (2 miles one-way) requires cables and gloves for the steep sections. According to one visitor, "There is a challenging hike. Great stop off or home base to see a lot of great arizona attractions like saguaro national park, tombstone and tucson."
Visit Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch: Located just 10 minutes from camping sites near Eloy, this unique attraction allows visitors to feed ostriches and other animals. One camper at Picacho-Tucson NW KOA noted, "We tent camped here one night. We've stayed at a lot of KOAs across the country and this is the cleanest one I've ever been to. Excellent facilities- laundry, bathrooms, pool area, dog run, and clear tent spots. Staff was so helpful and the camp store was well stocked. 10 minutes from Picacho Peak hiking and don't miss the Ostrich Ranch!"
Stargazing in dispersed camping areas: The desert around Eloy offers excellent dark sky viewing opportunities. At Cactus Forest Dispersed camping, one reviewer commented, "Beautiful desert scenery with view of mount lemmon. Easy to pull into with trailer. There were many campers there but it wasn't shoulder to shoulder there are many dispersed spots to choose from."
What campers like
Desert flora diversity: The Sonoran Desert is the only place in the world where the iconic saguaro cactus grows naturally, and camping areas around Eloy showcase this unique ecosystem. A visitor to Cactus Forest Dispersed camping observed, "Loved this campsite! The cactuses and shrubs provided enough privacy between each site for it to feel like it was just us out there, and shielded us from the road as well. Absolutely beautiful landscape to walk around with Saguaros and Chollas everywhere. Watch out for cactus pieces on the ground when you drive in!"
Covered picnic facilities: Many established campgrounds provide shade structures over picnic tables, especially valuable during warmer months. At Picacho Peak State Park Campground, a camper noted, "The first think I noticed as we choose our camping spot was the wonderful shade covering (like a small roof called a ramada) over the picnic table at the sites. Most sites seemed quite level. Great feature especially for lunch in the heat of the day."
Quality amenities at established sites: While primitive camping options exist, many visitors appreciate the facilities at developed camping sites near Eloy, Arizona. According to a reviewer at Picacho Peak RV Resort, "Great value with weekly rate. Beautiful pool, hot tub, library, pickle ball and so many activities. Spacious sites, FHU, so well maintained!!!"
What you should know
Extreme temperature considerations: The desert climate requires careful preparation, especially outside winter months. At BLM Ironwood Forest National Monument, a camper advised, "I stayed at these sites for 2 nights. Easy to get to with lots of Saguaro cactus to enjoy! Felt safe but I did run into several folks who warned of nearby human trafficking rings. As a solo traveler this made me feel pretty uneasy, so I left the following day. If you are traveling with others I would definitely recommend checking it out."
Water availability varies significantly: Most dispersed sites have no water sources, while established campgrounds may have limitations. A visitor at Picacho Peak State Park Campground reported, "Sites had electric but no water. There was water at the dump station. High speed internet is available for a charge. Verizon 4G5 bars. Very hot."
Train and traffic noise: Several camping areas near major transportation corridors experience noise. One camper at Picacho-Tucson NW KOA explained, "This KOA is a good place for families and it has a lot of amenities. The sites are close together and not private unless you have a patio site for an extra cost. The sites by the playground and clubhouse area are noisy during the day with children playing as children do. There is road noise and frequent trains which didn't bother me."
Tips for camping with families
Campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Some sites offer playgrounds and activities specifically designed for children. A family who stayed at Pinal County Fairgrounds mentioned, "We were dry/primitive campers saving our coins here and there camping! This was an easy quick $10 but I do recommend getting there before closing hrs. As you have to call the camp host to let you in. There was an animal 4H fair of some sort going on which we enjoyed even through all our sleep!"
Watch for natural hazards: The desert environment contains various plants and wildlife that can pose risks to children. At Cactus Forest Dispersed camping, one parent warned, "My only advice here is that it's not fun for dogs. (And maybe not fun for kids either?) It's incredibly prickly everywhere. Imagine that, prickly in the cactus forest? You'll want to avoid wearing sandals too."
Timing your visit: For families, winter and early spring provide the most comfortable temperatures. A camper at Picacho Peak State Park noted, "Another newer, paved State Park CG with 85 sites, all electric. No water or sewer hook-ups. Restrooms with flush toilet, showers also available. You can see and hear the traffic on I-10 about a half mile to the east. Some sites are spaced further apart then others but overall, decently distanced."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV campers should note the type and availability of utility connections. A reviewer at High Chaparral RV Park shared, "Spent two days here in 120 heat. Lots of room and a nice pool. Friendly staff. Drive~ins welcome! Looks like plenty of activities for cooler weather."
Pad surfaces and leveling: Site conditions vary across camping areas. At Picacho Peak RV Resort, an RVer noted, "We arrived on a weekend, so the front office wasn't open. Next to the office door, there are two clear boxes -- one with envelopes and the second with maps. The envelopes have site numbers and are available for short term stays. You can compare the site numbers to the map to make sure you get a spot perfect for you."
Water quality considerations: Some RV parks offer water treatment systems to address hard desert water. One camper at Picacho Peak RV Resort commented, "They filter the hard water that tested very well and soft. The 50amp service was spot on and sewer system running great with absolutely no smell outside, just the fresh Arizona air."
