The Sonoran Desert terrain surrounding Glendale, Arizona ranges from 1,100 to 2,500 feet elevation, creating unique desert microclimates for camping. White Tank Mountain Regional Park sits at the western edge of the Phoenix metropolitan area, allowing campers to experience rugged mountain terrain while staying close to urban conveniences. Camping near Glendale offers year-round accessibility with daytime winter temperatures typically ranging from 65-75°F.
What to do
Hike scenic trails: White Tank Mountain Regional Park offers multiple trail options suited for different experience levels. "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," notes Ellen W. about White Tank Mountain. Many trails can be accessed directly from campsites.
Visit the nature center: The educational facility provides information about local wildlife and geology. "I've also joined two ranger-led hikes here (Black Rock Loop for sunrise hikes) as well as a county-sponsored astronomy night with access to multiple large telescopes and an astronomy presentation. Check the park website for their activities calendar," advises Chenery K. who stayed at White Tank Mountain.
Water recreation: Lake Pleasant offers boating, swimming, and fishing opportunities within a short drive. A camper at Roadrunner Campground - Lake Pleasant shares, "Beautiful lake! Lots of shoreline access for swimming. Roadrunner campground is very nice. Quiet and beautiful views." The lake provides a refreshing contrast to desert camping.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower areas receive consistent praise at most campgrounds near Glendale. "Very well taken care of. 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," reports Ellen W. about White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
Stargazing opportunities: The desert setting creates excellent night sky viewing. "Fantastic park for seeing the stars and getting away from Phoenix city lights. Lots of well marked trails and access to water and facilities as well as access to a county library and education center at the entrance," explains Chenery K. from White Tank Mountain.
Pet-friendly environment: Multiple camping options welcome four-legged companions. At Maddock Road Dispersed - AZ State Trust Land, a camper named Starseed P. reports, "Parked here last two years, 6 months at at time over winter. Quiet, spacious, close to water, stores, lake pleasant." This area offers spacious pet exercise options.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F while winters are mild. "This is a nice place to visit is the cooler months of the year due to no shade and low elevation. We visited in January which was perfect," advises Christine S. about White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
Permit requirements: Some dispersed camping areas require permits. For State Trust Land camping, Rick & Terri J. note, "A $15 annual permit is required and a maximum stay of 14 days per year is allowed, however the state really has no way of enforcing this. In all my years in Arizona if you're not using an OHV, you will most likely never be asked to present a usage permit. Please purchase the permit, it is a small fee."
Campground closures: Some dispersed areas have recently closed. At Dispersed Camping off hwy 74, a camper warns, "Brand new 'No Motor vehicle' signs have been erected this week. Literally I got here yesterday and the sign was up today. The last spot up the road the exact same thing." Check current status before planning your trip.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer educational programs suited for children. At White Tank Mountain, Ryan W. mentions, "The camp is close to civilization enabling quick visits to other attractions, and an easy drive to spring training baseball games." The nature center provides learning activities for various ages.
Wildlife viewing: Desert camping provides opportunities to observe native species. "Wildlife: birds, coyotes, reptiles, etc," notes Ryan W., making it an opportunity for nature education. Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing chances.
Safety with pets: Pet owners should monitor for desert hazards. Teresa A. at Pleasant Harbor RV Resort cautions, "Didn't do any others as our dog had an encounter with a stray cholla ball. This would be the only concern for those traveling with pets. There are quite a few lose even along trails." Bring tweezers specifically for cactus spine removal.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your campsite based on shade and view preferences. "We stayed in the Family Campground so we could take advantage of the electric hookups. The sites are gravel, a good size, well-maintained, and spaced a decent amount of distance apart. Some are pull-through and some back-in," explains Lee D. about White Tank Mountain.
Road conditions: Some access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. At Desert's Edge RV Park, an RVer notes, "The roads coming into the site are narrow and people sometimes have their vehicles parked in part of the roadway which makes it hard to drive your RV around to park it or leave."
Hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of services. At White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Lee D. explains, "There are two campgrounds: The Family Campground (40 sites) with water and 30/50 amp electric hookups and the more 'rustic' Willow Canyon Campground (19 sites) with no hookups. This campground is good for tents, campervans, or small (16 feet or less) trailers."
