Best Glamping near Gold Canyon, AZ

Lost Dutchman State Park Campground and Mesa-Apache Junction KOA provide luxury glamping accommodations beneath the dramatic backdrop of the Superstition Mountains. Both locations feature well-appointed glamping options with essential amenities including electricity, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and nearby restroom facilities. The sites accommodate various glamping structures including safari-style canvas tents and modern yurt accommodations with ample space between neighboring sites. According to a camper, "The campground is very large with multiple different loops, some with large open RV sites and some more secluded. The view was amazing!" Both glamping destinations maintain clean facilities with hot showers available at no additional cost, making them ideal for travelers seeking comfort while experiencing Arizona's desert landscape.

Hiking trails accessible directly from Lost Dutchman State Park allow glampers to explore the iconic Superstition Mountains without leaving the property. The challenging Siphon Draw Trail, leading to spectacular vista points, begins within the park boundaries for convenient adventure access. Nearby attractions include Apache Junction's western-themed establishments and the historic "ghost town" tourist destination. One visitor noted, "Bathrooms were spotless and the showers were available at no extra cost, which was great! Site was wonderful for just lounging around and relaxing." Most glamping accommodations remain available year-round, though spring and fall offer the most comfortable desert temperatures. Winter glamping provides surprisingly pleasant conditions with cool evenings and moderate daytime temperatures, making outdoor relaxation and stargazing particularly enjoyable during these seasons.

Best Glamping Sites Near Gold Canyon, Arizona (14)

    1. Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    83 Reviews
    Superstition Mtn, AZ
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 982-4485

    $35 - $99 / night

    "Due to extreme heat, I recommend visiting in the fall. Winter, spring, and summer can tend to very uncomfortable. Loved the variety of hikes here, anything from easy to medium-difficult."

    "We opted for a site with electrical and water ($30 vs $20) so there were mostly RVs. Large pull through with fire pit and bbq grill and metal picnic table."

    2. Usery Mountain Regional Park

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

    "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."

    "Good price, friendly staff. Clean restrooms, and fire pits. The hosts are incredible Ty yu"

    3. Mesa-Apache Junction KOA

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

    "Very clean. some sites have an outdoor kitchen. close to the road but we didn’t notice noise. A decent size dog run and a small rec center that I didn’t have a chance to see."

    "I arrived after hours, but some of the staff still on site saw me grab my check in materials at the office."

    4. Sun Life RV Resort

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

    5. Windy Hill Campground

    9 Reviews
    Roosevelt, AZ
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 225-5395

    $25 - $50 / night

    "Make sure you secure EVERYTHING at your camp or you will come back to an unpleasant surprise when you return from you lake fun. There were no hook-ups where we were, but we didn't need then anyway."

    "We wanted to get close to the water but that was not what we ended up doing. We had to drive to take our kayaks to the water. There was an old cost ramp there but is was completely unusable."

    6. Cave Creek Regional Park

    18 Reviews
    Cave Creek, AZ
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 465-0431

    "Very well kept full service campground with super helpful staff."

    "The park has beautiful hiking trails and a great nature center, which offers activities. Some hiking trails are within walking distance of the campground, others you will need to drive to. "

    8. Picacho-Tucson NW KOA

    17 Reviews
    Picacho, AZ
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 466-2966

    "Excellent facilities- laundry, bathrooms, pool area, dog run, and clear tent spots."

    "This place had a very friendly staff and the new own is on sight and working to make it even better. Our stay was 3 days, 2 Night and we enjoyed the weekend."

    9. Pioneer Pass Campground

    7 Reviews
    Globe, AZ
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 402-6200

    "The campground is nestled in a secluded canyon amongst the Ponderosa Pines and next to an intermittent mountain stream."

    "There are 17-21 sites dispersed & in groups that include cement picnic tables, metal ring fire pits, and some sites also have Bear Boxes. There are 3-4 outhouses, no running water or amenities."

    10. Upper Pinal Campground

    3 Reviews
    Globe, AZ
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 402-6200

    "To the South is Unit 1 (where we stayed) and it’s an uphill driveway with a raised area with a fire pit and metal picnic table."

    "If you're afraid of heights this might not be the drive you want to take as most of the way you are looking off the side of the mountain with no rails."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Gold Canyon, AZ

2 Photos of 14 Gold Canyon Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near Gold Canyon, AZ

196 Reviews of 14 Gold Canyon Campgrounds


  • Ryan D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Pioneer Pass Campground

    Great place for a quiet night amongst the pines while you explore the Pinal Mountains

    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.

    The campground and bathrooms were clean. Some of the sites are a little close together, but others are nicely separated.

    Each site has a nice fire pit with a grill gate and a concrete picnic table.

  • Stephanie S.
    Aug. 1, 2018

    Mesa-Apache Junction KOA

    Very nice

    Very clean. some sites have an outdoor kitchen. close to the road but we didn’t notice noise. A decent size dog run and a small rec center that I didn’t have a chance to see.

  • Erik J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2023

    Cave Creek Regional Park

    Friendly and beautiful

    Very well kept full service campground with super helpful staff. I recommend sites with canopies if you don't have solid air conditioning as it can get hot in the sun and there's very little natural shade. All sites have power and water. There's a dual lane dump station on the way out of the park.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Close to the city, deep in the wilderness

    Reservations are necessary, as many people grab these spots, and often for long stays (14 day maximums). Due to extreme heat, I recommend visiting in the fall. Winter, spring, and summer can tend to very uncomfortable.

    Loved the variety of hikes here, anything from easy to medium-difficult. The individual sites are pretty small and hard to put a tent anywhere but the paved drives into each nook, much of the ground is covered in small plants and cacti. There's a picnic table/bench thing at each spot, plus a fire pit grill (which is the only place you can burn). Bathrooms and showers are on site and worked great during our stay. Bring plenty of water to hydrate with!

  • Jess B.
    Oct. 4, 2019

    Pioneer Pass Campground

    Real Mountain Top View

    This campground is Free. There are 17-21 sites dispersed & in groups that include cement picnic tables, metal ring fire pits, and some sites also have Bear Boxes. There are 3-4 outhouses, no running water or amenities. To get there from Globe it’s 7 miles of dirt one lane switchbacks on the side of the mountain. I have seen campers before but it is not very easy to get up there with them. There are bears and other wildlife. Even have seen a tarantula (pictured). Like many state land out here they have cattle loose and they do travel the road up the mountain so keep that in mind.

  • Janet H.
    Mar. 11, 2021

    Usery Mountain Regional Park

    Pleasantly surprised

    Checked in on a Sunday for a one night stay at Buckhorn CG. 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. I expected to hear traffic in and out, but the site sits a nice distance back from the CG entrance road. Parking area was large enough to accommodate a couple of vehicles, and the site was roomy, with a few tent location possibilities. Site was raked and free of any trash, and a good distance from neighboring site. Loved the large concrete picnic table. Nice metal firepit and water on site. Really quiet— just the nearby chatter of birds and coyotes serenading. You won’t get a ‘dark sky’ night here, but the light noise from Phoenix makes for beautifully silhouetted saguaro cacti. Restroom and shower facilities were clean.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2019

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Large sites, great view of the Superstition Mountains

    Camped here for two nights and enjoyed it very much. Sites are large and well maintained. We opted for a site with electrical and water ($30 vs $20) so there were mostly RVs. Large pull through with fire pit and bbq grill and metal picnic table. Many have views of the Superstition Mountains. We reserved ahead of time which is good as the campground was full when we arrived. There is overflow camping if no sites available. Bathrooms were clean and one had showers and filtered water, a nice bonus. I only saw two bathrooms (there might have been another in the newer loop but we didn’t explore that) so they were not real close to our site. Several hiking trails directly accessible from the park. A variety of ranger led programs but unfortunately none during our stay. You do have to put up with the annoying train whistle from about 10-6 from nearby Goldsfield “Ghost town” but otherwise it is probably the quietest campground I’ve ever stayed at. Only issue we had was with over-eager volunteers who yelled at us and told us we couldn’t park outside the showers. (We had moved from our site to use the showers after our hike and before leaving).

  • Sarah M.
    Feb. 3, 2021

    Mesa-Apache Junction KOA

    Such a pleasant stay!

    I stayed here for two nights while I was in the Phoenix area after having to reroute a trip due to unexpected winter weather at my original destination. I camped in a 22 foot rental motor home.

    This was my first KOA experience, and it was such a delight. I arrived after hours, but some of the staff still on site saw me grab my check in materials at the office. He lead me to my sight in his golf cart, helped us get backed in and all settled for the night. Staff called the next morning to finish check in and verify our stay info. The staff this whole stay was so kind, it was amazing.

    Our site (I believe most as well) was gravel but naturally pretty level. We had plenty of space between us and adjacent sites. The whole KOA has some nice touches as far as landscaping, sites with grills, etc. Very clean and well kept.

    Location is about 45 minutes from Phoenix, which was perfect for us. We spent a little time in old town Scottsdale as well which is about the same distance. I would 100% stay here again if I’m in the area.

  • Ellen W.
    Oct. 3, 2019

    Cave Creek Regional Park

    Great for hiking and relaxing

    Maricopa County Park in Cave Creek. Very well taken care of. 

    The park has beautiful hiking trails and a great nature center, which offers activities.

    Some hiking trails are within walking distance of the campground, others you will need to drive to. 

    The campground itself is very clean. It is quiet and the campsites all have electric and water hookups, picnic table and fire pit. 

    There is an older area, sites 1 through 42, which offers more space in between the spaces. the newer area, sites 43 through 55 are closer to each other, but still doesn't feel crowded.


Guide to Gold Canyon

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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Gold Canyon, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Gold Canyon, AZ is Lost Dutchman State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 83 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Gold Canyon, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 glamping camping locations near Gold Canyon, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.