Lost Dutchman State Park and nearby camping areas provide desert recreation at elevations between 1,500 and 5,900 feet near Gold Canyon, Arizona. The terrain transitions from cactus-studded desert landscape to ponderosa pine forests in the higher elevations. Temperature swings between day and night can exceed 30 degrees, particularly in winter months when overnight lows regularly drop below 40°F.
What to do
Morning hikes: avoid summer heat at Cave Creek Regional Park where trails range from beginner-friendly to challenging. "The park has tons of trails for hiking and MTN biking," notes Julie F. Most trails offer minimal shade, requiring early starts during warmer months.
Birdwatching: bring binoculars for desert species at Usery Mountain Regional Park. Morning and evening hours provide optimal wildlife viewing. Christine S. reports, "This is a lovely regional park to stay in. The sites are well maintained and the visitor center is worth a look. Wonderful hiking trails around the park."
Water recreation: 15 miles away at Roosevelt Lake from Windy Hill Campground. Boat rentals available seasonally at marina store. Jonathan mentions, "My friends and I stopped for an overnight on a motorcycle adventure. We camped in the Coati Loop on the eastern end of the CG across from the restroom with flush toilets and sink."
What campers like
Dark night skies: stargazing opportunities at higher elevation sites like Pioneer Pass Campground. Ryan D. confirms, "The campground is nestled in a secluded canyon amongst the Ponderosa Pines and next to an intermittent mountain stream. The views on the drive up from Globe to the campground at 5,900 feet are gorgeous."
Quick access: under 1 hour from metro Phoenix to most sites. Chad E. reports about Lost Dutchman State Park: "Perfect for just getting away for the weekend. Only a 45 minute drive from the house, yet far enough that you still feel like you got away."
Wildlife encounters: dawn and dusk viewing especially in less developed areas. Rebecca G. from Lost Dutchman State Park shares, "Beautiful sunset, amazing view of moon rising over mountains. Heard some coyotes in the night, which was exciting. Enjoyed hiking the trails and exploring the landscape."
What you should know
Gate closure times: some parks lock entrances after hours. At Cave Creek Regional Park, Nicole E. warns, "Nothing on website said gate closes and can't get back in after 9 pm."
Winter camping: comfortable days, cold nights with overnight temperatures frequently below 40°F. Loyal B. shares about Lost Dutchman State Park: "Clean facilities, beautiful surroundings, full amenities. We loved staying with a big group of teardrop trailers and home built campers. One of my favorite winter camp spots."
Road conditions: high clearance vehicles required for mountain campgrounds. Michael L. notes about Upper Pinal Campground, "The trip to the top of Pinal Mountains is a journey, very cool and beautiful scenic views, the road is not the best, especially if you don't have a higher clearance vehicle."
Tips for camping with families
Noise levels: weekday visits recommended for quieter experience. Brandon M. reports about Lost Dutchman State Park: "Camped here with my family. The scenery was beautiful, but didn't love the fact that people were blaring their music here until 2AM in the morning."
Alternative glamping in Gold Canyon: KOA cabins at Mesa-Apache Junction KOA provide kid-friendly amenities. Riley B. shares, "Me and my family stayed at this camp ground while we shopped for a new RV. It was clean and the people were very nice and helpful. We got a pull through and had plenty of space."
Secure camp items: high winds common especially at exposed sites. Amanda O. warns about Windy Hill Campground, "There was a storm that rolled in (not on the weather forecast!) It came in FAST! Fortunately we had easy up tents because we had to drop one down fast and put stuff on top of it."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: verify measurements before booking. Terri D. advises about Lost Dutchman State Park: "Highly recommend this park with spacious sites and great views of the Superstition Mountains and night lights of Phoenix. Carefully review the site you select to be sure it will accommodate your rig. Roads are narrow and there are unforgiving drop offs on the sides."
Dump station locations: limited availability in mountain camping areas. Alejandro D. notes about Windy Hill Campground, "There seem to be one super secret place to dump your trailer water, grey & black. While you can dump there for free; you cannot find it without a treasure map."
Generator rules: vary by campground with some areas heavily generator-dependent and others restricting use. Shari G. comments about Windy Hill: "I went for a 45-minute walk around the campground, and counted 13 different generators all going at different frequencies."
