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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Fort Mcdowell, AZ

936 Reviews

Eagle View RV Resort at Fort Mcdowell accommodates pets in all sites with spacious grounds and walking paths throughout the property. This full-service RV resort maintains clean facilities with regular security patrols. Campers can access electric hookups, water, sewer connections, and trash disposal. McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers another pet-friendly option with large, private sites spaced well apart for privacy. The park features clean bathrooms and allows pets on many of its hiking and mountain biking trails. The campground provides water and electric hookups at each site but no sewer connections.

Mountain biking enthusiasts with dogs appreciate McDowell Mountain Regional Park's extensive trail system where pets can join their owners on outdoor adventures. The park's natural desert setting creates a peaceful environment with views of the Superstition Mountains and opportunities to hear coyotes singing at night. Box Bar Road Dispersed camping allows pets in a more primitive setting with basic toilets but no hookups or drinking water. Wild horses occasionally appear near Eagle View RV Resort, adding to the natural experience. Both developed campgrounds enforce leash requirements for pets, and campers should prepare for goat head stickers that can be painful for pet paws. The nearby town of Fountain Hills offers pet supplies and veterinary services about 15 minutes from McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Fort Mcdowell, Arizona (191)

    1. Usery Mountain Regional Park

    35 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 984-0032

    "Outstanding layout, great hosts, spectacular location. "

    "Campsite 6 is the first one on the right, across from the Camp Host site, and as close to the entrance has you’re gonna get."

    2. Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping - North Entrance

    27 Reviews
    Fort Mcdowell, AZ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 610-3300

    $10 - $80 / night

    "This is a nice, clean spot close to town and lots of outdoor activities! We saw some of the most beautiful sunsets and cacti here. The road is a little sketchy but was passable in our 19’ trailer."

    "I use the north entrance off Bush highway. I've camped here 5 or 6 times. No water or bathrooms. Leave no trace. You need a permit and gate code. Most ATVers but not loud during the week."

    3. McDowell Mountain Regional Park

    19 Reviews
    Rio Verde, AZ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 506-2930

    $32 / night

    "Lots of hiking and bike riding trails with a bike course! Playground. Pet friendly. Very clean and friendly hosts. Close to fountain hills if you need anything in town."

    "Gorgeous views, very spaced out sites, and access to great mountain biking and hiking trails. Even the overflow area where we had to spend a couple of nights has a very nice bathroom and shower."

    4. Eagle View RV Resort at Fort Mcdowell

    10 Reviews
    Fort Mcdowell, AZ
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 789-5310

    $41 - $84 / night

    "Walking paths and trails are throughout the park. A dog park is available. Town is about 10 minutes away on a winding back road."

    "We have met great people here and enjoy that you can walk or bikeride directly from the RV Park. The park is always clean and well cared for, and we like that its not in the city center."

    5. Box Bar

    7 Reviews
    Rio Verde, AZ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 595-3301

    $8 - $80 / night

    "It's very nice up on Box bar rd as well 5 minute walk to the river. I've seen a skunk a couple of wild horses and several shooting stars. It's definitely a must see area. Enjoy Arizona"

    "At Box Bar there is a small dam that holds the water in just enough for a calm small lake to appear. There is also quicker waters that can be kayaked or floated on."

    6. Canyon Lake Marina & Campground

    17 Reviews
    Tortilla Flat, AZ
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 610-3300

    "Enjoyed our December visit to Lake Marina campsite 201. Will say campsites are close together. Awesome families close to us made it fun."

    "So if you had sleepless because of noise and did not call for assistants shame.on you not canyon lake. The gentleman i checked in with would corrected the situation."

    7. Tortilla Campground

    16 Reviews
    Tortilla Flat, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 610-3300

    $20 / night

    "Rode the scenic Apache Trail Arizona route 88 looking for some BLM land. Couldn’t find a flat place to pull over. Grateful to find a campground near the end of 88."

    "The road is close by, but you don’t hear much of anything after dark.  "

    8. Mesa-Apache Junction KOA

    18 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 982-4015

    "It has a small dog park but it gets the job done. The people in the park are very nice and the staff are extremely kind and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here."

    "Standard KOA amenities of pool, hot tub, playground, and dog park. We’d stay again."

    9. Box Bar Road Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Rio Verde, AZ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 225-5200

    "My blue eyed cat went missing here at 9pm on 4/7. Please email me if you see him.

    Caroline.cingari@gmail.com"

    "You can camp next to your car , wich there might be campers running generators, or you can hike towards the river and set up camp to get away from that."

    10. McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood

    4 Reviews
    Rio Verde, AZ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 506-2930

    "We stayed in site 27 which was close to the kids playground.  We only stayed for 1 night .  Lots of bikers at this location.  "

    "Lots of hiking to do around if you're looking for something flat (but close access to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve if you're looking for something more strenuous)."

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Fort Mcdowell, AZ

59 Photos of 191 Fort Mcdowell Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Fort Mcdowell, AZ

936 Reviews of 191 Fort Mcdowell Campgrounds

  • Carol E.
    Jan. 25, 2022

    Eagle View RV Resort at Fort Mcdowell

    Nice quiet park out of town

    We got the last spot in the park to stop over for 3 nights. Lots are spacious. We have a view of the tribal land. Other sites have valley views and are more preferable. The amenities are very nice. Large laundry $3/load. Central courtyard with gas grills, a pool and hot tub. DVDs to borrow are available in the office as well as jigsaw puzzles, and books. Walking paths and trails are throughout the park. A dog park is available. Town is about 10 minutes away on a winding back road. The road behind the park is not used much so no traffic noise to speak of. Coffee and donuts in the clubhouse in AM. The only negative would be the goat head stickers! They track in and are painful for the pets as well. We saw wild horses, woodpeckers, and heard the distant coyotes carrying on.

  • Jeni G.
    Oct. 18, 2019

    Tonto National Forest Riverside Campground

    Cool spot, too much trash

    The river was beautiful! The camp spots were close to the river with nice big fire rings. Just like a lot of low desert camping in Arizona it’s dusty and dry with lots of prickly plans. But the trail and the trees near the river were lush. My biggest complaint about the spot was all the garbage everywhere. Come on people, burn your trash or take it home! There’s no need to trip over piles of water bottles & beer cans, cigarette butts, McDonald’s wrappers and plastic bags.

  • Stacy R.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Tonto Creek Trail RV Park

    Quiet Desert Gem with Beautiful Mountain Views

    We loved our stay at Tonto Creek Trail RV& MHC! From the start, the staff was warm and welcoming, making us feel right at home. The park is peaceful, clean, and well-maintained—exactly what we were looking for in a relaxing getaway. The location couldn’t be better. Nestled in Tonto Basin, the park is just minutes from Roosevelt Lake, which was perfect for fishing, boating, and soaking in the views. We also enjoyed exploring the nearby Tonto National Forest trails—ideal for hiking and ATV adventures. As pet owners, we were thrilled that pets stay free! The community is very pet-friendly, which made traveling with our furry family stress-free. The grounds are safe and quiet, with beautiful mountain views all around, giving us plenty of space to relax after a day of exploring. Between the friendly community vibe, the great amenities, and the unbeatable location, this is a hidden gem in Arizona. We’re already planning our next trip back to Tonto Creek Trail RV—highly recommend it!

  • Kimberly O.
    Jan. 2, 2022

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Beautiful boondocking

    I didn't like paying $25 a night for a space with no hookups, but we did choose a site near the shower house, so that was good. Superstitions are awesome! Coyotes yip at night. Quail ran thru my site. The dog park is great!

  • M
    Jan. 13, 2023

    Mesa-Apache Junction KOA

    Quiet little park

    This is a nice little KOA. It’s a small resort with all the amenities. It has a small dog park but it gets the job done. The people in the park are very nice and the staff are extremely kind and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here.

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

    Mesa-Apache Junction KOA

    Solid KOA with wide sites

    We arrived just after dark yesterday and will leave this morning. Convenient campground for a stay after visiting family in Phoenix before heading to Tucson. Wider sites than normal at a city RV park. Clean bathrooms, though a tad dated. Quiet. Standard KOA amenities of pool, hot tub, playground, and dog park. We’d stay again.

  • Clint G.
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Encore Mesa Spirit

    Great value as a TT member

    We stayed at this property from 12/28/2020 - 01/11/2020.  This was our first experience with a TT/Encore property.  The RV site we were assigned has a rock pad, was moderately spacious, level, in full sun, and a fire ring or picnic table was not provided.  There was a pool, hot tub, lodge, pickleball, mini golf, shuffleboard, dog park, laundry and a fitness center on the grounds.  The nearest grocery store was within 5 miles as well.

  • Becca C.
    Sep. 29, 2024

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    SUPERStition Views

    This State Park campground located in the Superstition Mountains is a frequent quick camp spot for me if I don feel like trying to beat the crowds to some favorite local dispersed sites.

    They offer sites with electric and water, and sites for dry camping, along with some cabins and group sites you can reserve. The sites offer as much privacy as one can expect in the desert and are not super close together, except for the site numbers 70+ which are only available in winter typically. There are plenty of hiking trails and activities in the park and nearby. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained, and they even have a small dog “park” for your best pal to run off some energy.

    Favorite things about the park: The views and the wild life. We have seen so many beautiful birds, from quail and owls to roadrunners and vultures, along with several different types of squirrels, lizards, hare, and coyotes.

Guide to Fort Mcdowell

Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Fort McDowell, Arizona, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Fort McDowell

  • At Usery Mountain Regional Park, you can explore numerous trails perfect for hiking with your dog, ensuring both you and your pet stay active and engaged.
  • McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers scenic mountain biking and hiking trails, making it an ideal spot for adventurous pet owners looking to enjoy the outdoors.
  • Enjoy the beautiful surroundings at Cave Creek Regional Park, where you can take your dog on trails that wind through stunning desert landscapes.

Pet owners appreciate the amenities

  • Tortilla Campground features spacious sites with water and sewer hookups, making it convenient for pet owners who want to ensure their pets are comfortable during their stay.
  • At Canyon Lake Marina & Campground, you’ll find a mix of available sites and amenities like picnic tables, perfect for enjoying meals with your pet by your side.
  • Eagle View RV Resort at Fort McDowell provides a well-maintained environment with ample space for pets to roam, along with convenient access to nearby attractions.

Tips for camping with dogs near Fort McDowell

  • Always keep your dog on a leash at Bartlett Flat to ensure their safety and the comfort of other campers, especially in busy areas.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet while exploring the trails at Apache Lake Marina & Resort to keep them hydrated and energized during your adventures.
  • Make sure to clean up after your dog at Mesa-Apache Junction KOA to maintain the campground's cleanliness and ensure a pleasant experience for all campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fort Mcdowell, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fort Mcdowell, AZ is Usery Mountain Regional Park with a 4.8-star rating from 35 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fort Mcdowell, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 191 dog-friendly camping locations near Fort Mcdowell, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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