White Tank Mountain Regional Park's pet-friendly campsites offer electric and water hookups in both drive-in and walk-in sites accommodating tents, RVs, and even some hiking-accessible locations. Pets are permitted throughout the campground with standard leash requirements. The park maintains exceptionally clean facilities including modern bathrooms and free hot showers that receive consistent praise from campers. Campsites are well-spaced with concrete picnic tables covered by shade structures and fire rings with hammock hooks. Sites remain level and well-maintained with stunning views of mountains, desert landscapes, and iconic saguaro cacti. The bathrooms remain among the cleanest in any Arizona campground with additional amenities like dish washing stations.
The extensive trail network surrounding White Tank Mountain provides numerous pet exercise opportunities, though owners should watch for loose cholla cactus balls that can attach to dogs' paws. Several hiking paths accommodate various difficulty levels, with strategically placed benches along trails for rest breaks. Pleasant Harbor RV Resort offers additional pet-friendly options with cabin accommodations alongside RV and tent sites. Maddock Road Dispersed camping on Arizona State Trust Land permits pets with more primitive conditions requiring a permit, while dispersed camping off Highway 74 provides free pet-friendly options without amenities. The campground's proximity to Phoenix allows for easy access to veterinary services while maintaining a peaceful desert setting with wildlife viewing opportunities including birds, coyotes, and various reptiles.
"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."
"Fantastic park for seeing the stars and getting away from Phoenix city lights."
"Hiked the Waterfall and Black Loop Trail for a little exercise as well. Didn’t do any others as our dog had an encounter with a stray cholla ball."
"We stayed two nights at the Willow walk-in sites (W10). Despite our campsite being close to the bathroom it exceeded our expectations. Campground is well organized with friendly staff."
from $15 - $45 / night
"RV camping on big water in Arizona! We have stayed here a couple of times. Make sure to book a spot up on cliff overlooking the water. Great sunsets. Free shuttle to haul kayak to boat ramp."
"We keep a boat at Lake Pleasant and are part of the Arizona Yacht Club so we are up here all the time."
from $23 - $105 / night
"Right next to the commissary and AAFES. Bathhouse is excellent. Laundry is free."
"Concrete slab to park on and rocks around instead of grass."
from $40 / night
"It is located on the flight path for an airbase and can get noisy but the amenities far outweigh the short bursts of noise."
"A two lane dump station near the Desert Tortoise camping area. Security and cleaning crews passing through keeping an eye on the rigs. Very close to Lake Pleasant."
"It was super hot in the afternoons and you really have no privacy from the campers around you. It was nice having shower facilities but they weren’t the cleanest. The lake was nice to cool off in."
"All paved. 3 dog pens side by side to unleash pet for pottying and a long dog run I another area with toys & balls. 1/2 the Laundry machines did not work with card."
"Near I-10. Close together spots but orange, lemon, and grapefruit trees everywhere. They have 2 fenced dog runs. Pretty pool and hot tub. People are very friendly and helpful."
from $60 / night
"The further you get away from the main road the less people. Will stay here again."
"This was a major travel destination for RV’rs and campers passing through, or staying for a while in close proximity to Phoenix. Major disappointment."
"We arrived after the office was closed, but they had our bathroom keys and paperwork ready for us in the box outside the office."
"Numerous campsites available in an area along State Road 74 and New River/Lake Pleasant Roads, at least 2 or 3000 acres with hundreds of establish campsites."
"Recommend black canyon city for laundry and hiked on the black canyon trail."
GuideBLM property in a desert setting. ATV trails and Badger Spring trail for hiking. Go past the parking lot and pit toilet for boondock sites. Decent cell svc. Access road is dirt and may be worn based on weather. I-17 within view with very little road noise.
GuideI just pulled in here and didn't go very far up the road, it's dark and I'm in my 25ft Class C Motorhome. Not gonna lie, it feels a little bit wrong to be sitting here and camping out 😂 I have never been in this area, and I am hoping it will work out ok. I couldn't see if there were established places to park, so I just found a level spot behind a bush.
LegendGood location. Well maintained. Great friendly staff. Rusty Buckel Saloon is nearby and Tortilla Flat and Canyon Lake is a beautiful 30 drive. Lost Dutchman and Goldfield Ghost Town is 5 miles.
TravelerAbsolute shithole! As soon as I pulled in my truck was swarmed with thousands of flies (no exaggeration!) if I hadn’t just traveled from Colorado and was exhausted I would have immediately left. My trailer was then infested with flies as well. It’s going to take days to get rid of the infestation. Despite that, I did give it a two-star rating for the views.
LegendGreat hiking. Decent size campsites.
TravelerNice size camp sites. Beautiful scenery. Showers.
TravelerWe came here to tent camp as there was an active hurricane hitting the area, gravel roads and easy to drive on. It's right off the highway so it was perfect for us if we needed to pack up and leave quickly because of the storm
GuideThis is a nice easy spot that is close to town. The camp sites have paved parking, fire ring, bbq pit and a picnic table. If you are looking to set up a ground tent, don’t plan on bringing anything too large. Sites do not offer a lot of privacy but they are decently spaced apart
LegendClose to Pheonix. Spacious sites. Good trails. Clean facilities. Some wildlife.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Glendale, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Glendale, AZ is White Tank Mountain with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 165 dog-friendly camping locations near Glendale, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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