Best RV Parks & Resorts near Fort Mcdowell, AZ

Fort McDowell features several RV resorts accommodating various motorhome sizes and preferences. Eagle View RV Resort provides full hookup sites with 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer connections on level pads suitable for larger rigs. Monte Vista RV Resort in nearby Mesa offers concrete parking pads with patios and meticulously maintained gravel surrounds between sites, particularly accommodating for big rigs up to 45 feet. Encore Mesa Spirit and ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort both feature big-rig friendly sites with full hookup capability, though spacing can be tight in some areas. "Spaces are close together. This park is more than a RV Park with amenities than a rv resort," noted one visitor about Countryside RV Resort.

Most RV parks in the region remain open year-round, allowing winter visitors to escape colder climates. Pull-through sites are limited at some facilities, with many parks offering primarily back-in spaces that require careful maneuvering. Cell service is generally strong throughout the area due to proximity to Phoenix and Scottsdale. Many parks enforce age restrictions, with several designated as 55+ communities. Pet policies vary significantly - Eagle View and Monte Vista welcome pets while others maintain strict limitations. Dump stations are available at Eagle View and Mesa Spirit, though not all parks offer this amenity. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, reservation policies become particularly important during winter months when "it can be hard to get into because of its popularity."

Best RV Sites Near Fort Mcdowell, Arizona (180)

    1. Encore Mesa Spirit

    8 Reviews
    Mesa, AZ
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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. "

    "We stayed here 2 weeks when we were new Thousand Trails members (it came with the RV), but since we showed up the first night at sunset, we were curb-parked that night.."

    2. Encore Countryside

    6 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Great Campground, close to everything."

    3. Monte Vista RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Mesa, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "My wife and two mini-Daschunds stayed in a 40 ft Fifth Wheel. All the sites are back-in but all have concrete parking pads and patio."

    "Great staff, awesome upgraded amenities. Large RV sites good for Large Rigs."

    4. Encore Golden Sun

    1 Review
    Apache Junction, AZ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Pool, hottub(not very hot), laundry, weightroom, ballroom with weekly music & dance, etc..."

    5. Eagle View RV Resort at Fort Mcdowell

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

    $41 - $84 / night

    "Love this park because it is out of the busy city, yet close to everything. Feels more "campy" than most RV resorts in the Phoenix area, and they do a great job of maintaining the park."

    "It is a great location: close to the big city facilities, but out of the hustle and bustle. Small to medium-sized for AZ campgrounds. Has pool and pickle-ball court and nice laundry."

    7. Valle Del Oro RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 984-1146

    "Everything for activities, concerts, games and shows. Great for snowbirds or somewhere you need to stay a few months."

    8. Sun Life RV Resort

    1 Review
    Mesa, AZ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 981-9500

    9. Weaver's Needle RV Resort

    1 Review
    Apache Junction, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 982-3683

    "The park is very friendly and clean with several amenities including a laundry room, pool and hot tub, tennis court, bocce ball, fire pit area for a small group etc."

    10. Mesa Gardens RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Salt River, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 964-1102

    $48 - $55 / night

    "Great campground centerally located to Phoenix and Scottsdale. Was only planning to stay 2 nights but ended up extending my stay. Full hookups and laundry/showers in house."

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RV Park Reviews near Fort Mcdowell, AZ

703 Reviews of 180 Fort Mcdowell Campgrounds


  • Melissa S.
    Nov. 6, 2021

    Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground

    Great canpgroup

    This was our first time camping here and we will most definitely be back. You can reserve all odd numbered campsites online. Even numbers are first come first serve. There is a boat ramp located at the front of the campground. Not ideal lake access for fishing or swimming because of steep hills down to lake. Potable water available. Dump station is currently open 24/7. Bathrooms have running water and flush toilets and also showers. Multiple playgrounds. Each spot has covered table and fire ring. Loose gravel pads. Most are fairly level. Some spots aren’t big rig accessible.

  • Erin H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2022

    Budget RV Park

    Now called Sundance West RV Resort

    I think if you're  looking for a place to winter, this is a good Campground.  

    Pros: Very clean, nicely landscaped for AZ, staff friendly, good grocery & dining options nearby. Lots of OTA channels, pool, corn hole, laundry, dog park, activities  etc. 

    Cons: pull through was long, but not quite level, WIFI does not reach the pull through sights in the back at all .... and they know it. Couldn't figure out how to hook to their cable. Permit to wash your rig $10 for the season.

    Guess that should have been our first clue... they have a season. Sort of winter camp for snowbirds. If that is what you are looking for, it is very nice.

    We were in the area to visit friends, dump/pump/resupply after boondocking, and do Taxes. Not having wifi was kind of a big deal for us. Being told we'd have to use the internet in the clubhouse wasn't  going to cut it. Who wants to drag all their personal financial information to a common area?

    Normally  it would not have been a big deal, we do have a Hotspot, but at $431 weekly rate, $80 nightly, in this day & age, routers for wifi to the whole park should be a given.

    Otherwise we did enjoy our stay here, and met some great people.

    8nts, 34` 5th wheel

  • 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!

  • Elisabeth Q.
    Mar. 18, 2021

    Old Airstrip Camping & Staging Area

    Free and Beautiful!

    We have a 4WD truck, so we were able to get past most of the RVs and toy haulers, but they all seemed like family friendly people! The burros are no joke! You can hear and see them all around you. We also heard a few coyotes right after dusk which was cool. We had our two dogs with us and just kept them on the leash so we had no negative cactus experiences... Overall, a really cool place to be even if you don’t have an OHV. We got in around 6PM and were able to find a secluded spot with a fire ring already there, no problem.

  • Robin
    Oct. 27, 2020

    McDowell Mountain Regional Park

    Great sites with great views!

    Very quiet! 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. Close to town but very much felt like you where away on vacation no hustle bustle in the desert! The views where fantastic. Sites where clean and spacious a lot of space between each site for privacy! Will definitely be back!

  • Deborah C.
    May. 6, 2021

    Houston Mesa Campground

    Great spot

    We spent 4 nights in #3 Mountain Lion loop. Pull through site that our 30' toy hauler fit nicely in. Would be tight for anything larger.

    Really beautiful place with many trees. Convient toilets and showers. Showers are $3 for 6 minutes. We didn't use them. Lots of bear proof dumpsters.

    Hosts were friendly and not intrusive. Firewood available for $8 a bundle. You can get the same firewood at the Circle K in Payson for $6.

    Water fill and dump station at the campground entrance and several water hydrants throughout the campground.

    The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars is because of the road and aircraft noise. It was pretty loud during the day but we didn't have any trouble sleeping.

    Would definitely come back here.

  • Sara R.
    Feb. 3, 2020

    White Tank Mountain

    Peaceful retreat

    This park is so close to town, but far enough to get some quiet night sky! There are standard campsites and a more primitive camping area. The Willow Canyon site is big enough for a full length Sprinter, though the office says 16’ is the length limit.

    Lots of trails for hiking, biking and horses. Brand new showers, restrooms and a dishwashing area. Dogs allowed too!

    I’m on Verizon and only got a single bar in the park. The library is near the entrance if you need to get your WiFi fix!

  • Roy S.
    Oct. 9, 2021

    Monte Vista RV Resort

    This park really lives up to its Name “Resort”

    My wife and two mini-Daschunds stayed in a 40 ft Fifth Wheel. All the sites are back-in but all have concrete parking pads and patio. Gravel surrounds each campsite and we have noticed maintenance crews raking the gravel every other day. Close to all the fun stuff on the Superstition Mountains. This park is associated with a very large senior retirement village. All amenities you would expect and meticulously maintained. All the staff that we came in contact with was very nice and helpful. You can’t go wrong staying at this park

  • Ellen W.
    Oct. 3, 2019

    White Tank Mountain

    Close to town, yet far enough away for hiking and relaxing

    Another Maricopa County parks campground which is great for hiking and relaxing. 

    Very well taken care of. The park has beautiful hiking trails and a great nature center, which offers activities and the regional library. There are a couple of playgrounds in the park as well. 

    Some hiking trails are within walking distance of the campground, others you will need to drive to.  Maricopa trail runs through the park. 

    The campground itself is very clean, including the restrooms and showers. It is quiet and the campsites all have electric and water hookups, picnic table and fire pit. Sites are far enough from each other so it doesn't feel crowded. Not much vegetation on the campground itself, so sunshine in abundance.


Guide to Fort Mcdowell

RV sites near Fort McDowell, Arizona provide convenient access to the Sonoran Desert landscape characterized by saguaro cacti, mesquite trees, and the nearby Verde River. The region experiences extremely hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F from May through September, while winters remain mild with daytime highs in the 60s-70s. Cell service strength varies significantly between resorts, with stronger signals closer to Mesa and weaker coverage in outlying areas near the Fort McDowell Reservation.

What to do

Hiking with desert views: The areas surrounding Eagle View RV Resort at Fort Mcdowell offer walking paths directly accessible from the campground. "We like 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," noted one regular visitor.

Wildlife watching: The desert surroundings provide opportunities to observe native wildlife. At Eagle View, campers report, "We saw wild horses, woodpeckers, and heard the distant coyotes carrying on." Some RV parks are situated where wild horses occasionally roam nearby.

Desert golf: ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort caters to golf enthusiasts with on-site facilities. Several other nearby RV parks provide easy access to public courses, though tee times book quickly during winter months when snowbird populations peak.

What campers like

Community activities: Many resorts organize regular social events, particularly in 55+ communities. At Valle Del Oro RV Resort, visitors appreciate the structured programming. "This community has so many organized activities for residents. They have almost everything you would need on site. Everything for activities, concerts, games and shows," reports one camper.

Recreation facilities: Weaver's Needle RV Resort offers diverse amenities beyond standard hookups. "The park is very friendly and clean with several amenities including a laundry room, pool and hot tub, tennis court, bocce ball, fire pit area for a small group etc," writes a winter visitor.

Central location: Many campers value proximity to urban amenities while maintaining a desert feel. "Great campground centerally located to Phoenix and Scottsdale. Was only planning to stay 2 nights but ended up extending my stay," notes a visitor to Mesa Gardens, highlighting the convenience of accessing city services while camping.

What you should know

Age restrictions: Many RV resorts near Fort McDowell enforce 55+ age policies, especially during peak winter season. At Sun Life RV Resort, one turned-away camper warns: "I did not stay here because this is a 55 and older community. Seems strange to have it on an app like this. I am writing this review so others can see that this is a community for retirees."

Site availability: Advance reservations are essential during winter months (November-March). Some parks maintain waiting lists for cancellations. The popularity of the region among snowbirds means spots fill quickly.

Park composition: Many campgrounds feature a mix of RV sites and permanent residences. At Countryside, a camper observed: "Countryside is a park with lots of sites dedicated for seasonal travelers. I believe of 500 sites with over half the park being cabins and pad trailers."

Hidden fees: Some campgrounds charge additional costs not included in the base rate. A visitor to Mesa Gardens noted: "If you book less than a 30-day stay you pay a fee of $4. And the electric charge that is listed for Monthly stays is charged for a few nights as well."

Tips for camping with families

Age policy verification: Before booking, confirm family-friendliness as many area RV parks restrict children. One family had an unfortunate experience at Mesa Spirit: "When she showed up, she was told she would have to leave as children were not welcome. They should've caught this in the reservation information weeks in advance."

Access to green spaces: Look for RV parks near public recreation areas. Mesa Gardens offers convenient playground access: "RV park backs up to a park with a coded gate so easy access to playground/big grass area for dogs."

Swimming options: Monte Vista RV Resort provides well-maintained pool facilities appreciated by visitors. "Beautiful park. Expensive but worth every penny. Unbelievable amenities," writes a recent guest. Multiple pools help spread out crowds during busy periods.

Tips from RVers

Site spacing: Many RV parks in the area feature tight spacing between sites. At Mesa Spirit, a visitor commented: "This is basically an RV parking lot with lots of traffic noise and nothing pretty to look at. Don't look at the pictures as they do not reflect what you are dealing with."

Internet considerations: WiFi quality varies significantly between parks. Several reviewers mentioned connectivity issues, including one at Mesa Spirit who noted: "Internet is crap, you have to spend $100 to get decent service."

Back-in navigation: Most sites require back-in parking rather than pull-through spots. At Monte Vista, even large rigs can manage: "All the sites are back-in but all have concrete parking pads and patio. My wife and two mini-Daschunds stayed in a 40 ft Fifth Wheel."

Alternative stay options: Some parks offer flexible overnight solutions. Mesa Spirit provides a unique option: "One of the very lovely security staff there let us know that it's less expensive to get one of those curb spots (with electric, & close access to showers, pool, laundry) than to get a regular spot."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular RV campsite near Fort Mcdowell, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Fort Mcdowell, AZ is Encore Mesa Spirit with a 3.8-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find RV camping near Fort Mcdowell, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 180 RV camping locations near Fort Mcdowell, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.