Best Tent Camping near Gold Canyon, AZ

The Sonoran Desert landscape surrounding Gold Canyon, Arizona offers diverse tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. Peralta Regional Park Primitive Remote Campsites provides walk-in tent sites with basic amenities, while Hackamore Road Dispersed camping on BLM land offers free tent camping with more rugged conditions. The Point Campground, accessible only by boat, features four tent-only sites along Canyon Lake in Tonto National Forest. McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood, located about 30 miles northwest of Gold Canyon, provides both walk-in and drive-in tent campsites with more developed facilities.

Road conditions vary significantly across tent camping areas near Gold Canyon. Hackamore Road Dispersed camping requires high-clearance vehicles due to severely rutted access roads with numerous potholes. Diversion Dam offers walk-in tent-only camping where vehicles must remain in the parking lot. Tent campers should pack all necessary water, as many sites like Peralta Regional Park and Devils Canyon Campground lack drinking water. Most primitive tent sites feature fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions are common during dry periods. Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds but absent at most dispersed sites. The summer heat can be extreme, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for tent camping in this region.

In early spring, tent campers at Peralta Regional Park enjoy dark skies ideal for stargazing and well-spaced campsites. According to reviews, Sulphide Del Rey Campground offers "complete silence at night" with stars visible between the pine trees. One visitor noted that McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood features "excellent mountain biking and hiking trails right out of the campground" with sites that are "fairly well spread out." The Point Campground provides a unique tent camping experience where campers must paddle or boat to reach the sites, with opportunities to spot bighorn sheep and various bird species. Campers reported that while some areas like Hackamore Road have "great views of the mountains" and "tons of awesome trails," the proximity to town means occasional noise from other visitors, particularly on weekends.

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Best Tent Sites Near Gold Canyon, Arizona (16)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Gold Canyon, AZ

521 Reviews of 16 Gold Canyon Campgrounds


  • R
    Apr. 13, 2020

    Superstition Mountain AZ state trust dispersed

    Mineral Road Dispersed

    Good location for camping not far from Gold Canyon AZ. Numerous different campsites of different sizes. A few large sites that can fit multiple RVs. We parked a 36ft Toyhauler and a 39ft Toyhauler in the first campsite from the entrance. A lot of RV/off road vehilce traffic during the day but very quiet at night. Good trails for OHV/Atv riding. Will visit again!

  • Tara S.
    Feb. 22, 2023

    Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground

    Peaceful Spot in the Winter

    We spent 3 nights here in February, and while it was chilly, the place was very quiet and the stars were amazing! There are no hookups here, but there are bathrooms with flush toilets (some have showers), and there are faucets with potable water. There's also a boat launch and a few playgrounds for the kids. 

    There were mostly RVs here, but the waterfront tent sites are amazing if you don't mind walking in from the main parking area (it's not a far walk).

    Each campsite has a picnic table with a shaded awning and a fire pit, but you have to bring in your own wood or gather it from the surrounding forest. Saw lots of birds here - cactus wren, quail, finches, warblers, and road runners.

  • R
    Feb. 29, 2020

    Roosevelt Lake - Schoolhouse Campground

    Quiet with Gorgeous Views

    Right on beautiful Theodore Roosevelt Lake. Nice sites, decently spaced (except 204 and 205 are pretty tight), beautiful 360* mountain views. Well kept. Nick, the host, is friendly and helpful. There are no showers, but there are a few flush toilets. No water hookups, but potable water is available at the restrooms. No electric sites, but we had all the 110 power we needed from our solar panels/inverter system. I’d give this 5 stars if there were a dump station, but there isn’t. The boat launch is very nice.

  • KJ G.
    Feb. 16, 2025

    Pinal County Fairgrounds

    Quick practical spot

    We were dry /primitive campers saving our coins here and there camping! This was an easy quick $10 but I do recommend getting there before closing hrs. As you have to call the camp host to let you in. There is no designated camp zones it is a very dry area ofcourse being in the middle of Arizona. But we were prepared with sleeping pads and tent tarps for comfort. But for 10 bucks you can’t beat that! There was an animal 4H fair of some sort going on which we enjoyed even through all our sleep! The animals did seem to “sleep with us!” There is showers and easy convience to I-10/I20? Also Walmart/standard fast food defiantly more RV friendly but with the right gear you should be fine! I love supporting places like this over the hotel industry

  • Whither W.
    Feb. 1, 2021

    Bartlett Flat

    Crowded and loud on weekends, peaceful when not

    Super accessible from the Phoenix area, very easy to find. You can choose your own camping spot, and there are many existing stone fire rings and pits that are spaced out decently across the area. The earlier you arrive, the more spots you'll have to choose from; most are filled by sundown. A sedan can easily get across the Flat with some careful maneuvering. Vault toilets are all the way at the entrance of the Flat so plan accordingly. (Or... bring a trowel.)

    Lots of families, which means kids, music, and laughter. Never a bad thing, but even if they're not particularly loud, there's no trees or shrubs on the shoreline to dampen the sound and it carries pretty far—especially when kids figure out the lake is basically a giant echo chamber!

    The wind can really whip across the lake when it picks up, and it makes it hard to pitch a tent or run a stove. I recommend setting up camp up by the trees if you don't plan on boating/fishing/RV camping to give yourself a bit of shelter from the wind.

    No hiking or trails to be had here, but definitely a relaxing, pretty spot.

  • Jeni G.
    Oct. 18, 2019

    Tonto National Forest Riverside Campground

    Cool spot, too much trash

    The river was beautiful! The camp spots were close to the river with nice big fire rings. Just like a lot of low desert camping in Arizona it’s dusty and dry with lots of prickly plans. But the trail and the trees near the river were lush. My biggest complaint about the spot was all the garbage everywhere. Come on people, burn your trash or take it home! There’s no need to trip over piles of water bottles & beer cans, cigarette butts, McDonald’s wrappers and plastic bags.

  • P
    Nov. 24, 2020

    Canyon Lake Marina & Campground

    Noise all night long and not from Campers

    I don’t know why they bother be so strict with noise from campers after 10:00. You can’t see it, but your 20 feet off the main road and if you are there on a weekend the road noise from the motorcycles and cars racing up and down the road to and from the bar will keep you up until 3:00 in the morning. If you manage to fall asleep finally by 3:00 and you are in a tent, be prepared to be woken up again at 4:30 when the boaters start launching their boats 5 feet from the tent area. I did not find the camp staff helpful, including the fact that we got there at 2:00 which is check in time and had to wait 30 minutes for someone to show up to open the gate. We had very little interaction other than that. Obviously the noise is not their fault, but if you are planning on tent camping there you need to be aware. It may be a good spot for RVs that have some insulation from the road noise and are further away from the boat docks, but if your tent camping, find other places. Note - no water available at all to tent sites. Not even a shared spigot. The bathrooms were not working while we were there. They did provide a temporary trailer for showers and toilet but it was poorly stocked and filthy the entire weekend.

  • Crystal D.
    Jan. 15, 2022

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Beautiful Views

    My husband and I dry camped in our RV here for one night in mid January. Park was very packed, but very clean and quiet. Nice place to get some rest. Gorgeous views of the superstitions. Unfortunately we had to buy an extra day pass to hike in as check in is at 2pm and check out is at noon. If you are planning to hike into the mountains I recommend booking at least 2 nights in the campground. Staff was friendly. Dump station very crowded starting a couple hours before checkout time

  • Matt M.
    Jun. 29, 2018

    Burnt Corral Campground

    Apache Lake, lower Burnt Corral

    Apache Lake is a beautiful desert canyon lake. Getting there is a little difficult via a dirt road known as the Apache Trail. Nice improved maintained sites, most are shoreline and with fire rings, picnic tables. There are some open beach camping spaces as well. Expect a dirt and rock floor, mature desert trees and low scrub. Within the campground is a small boat ramp with dock and a parking lot for your trailer if you bring your watercraft There is a self serve pay station and a camp host. Dumpsters, vault toilets and a few freshwater stations.


Guide to Gold Canyon

Tent camping near Gold Canyon, Arizona offers a unique blend of scenic views and outdoor adventures, perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Tent campers should check out Hackamore Road Dispersed

  • Enjoy the stunning mountain views and numerous trails at Hackamore Road Dispersed, a well-reviewed spot known for its accessibility and natural beauty.
  • This area allows for campfires and is pet-friendly, making it a great choice for families and furry companions.
  • With no permit required and free camping, it’s an ideal option for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Devils Canyon Campground provides a rustic experience with the freedom to have campfires, although it lacks basic amenities like water and toilets.
  • At Bachelor Cove, you’ll find toilets available, making it a convenient choice for those who prefer some basic facilities while enjoying nature.
  • For a more developed experience, McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood offers drinking water and picnic tables, ensuring a comfortable stay amidst the beautiful desert landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gold Canyon, AZ is Hackamore Road Dispersed with a 2.9-star rating from 11 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Gold Canyon, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.