Camping near Kearny, Arizona ranges from high-desert lakeside sites at 2,000 feet elevation to mountain forest camping at nearly 6,000 feet. The region experiences dramatic temperature differences between seasons, with summer highs often exceeding 100°F while winter temperatures at higher elevations can drop below freezing. Most primitive sites require visitors to pack out all trash and bring sufficient water supplies.
What to Do
Fishing access: Kearny Lake City Park provides a stocked pond for anglers. "The sites don't have a water view, but there are day use areas around the lake. Additional flush toilets in the day use area as well," notes Beth G. about Kearny Lake City Park.
Off-road adventures: Extensive trail networks around Cottonwood Canyon Road support various vehicle types. "Great trails! Big rig friendly boondocking. Busy dirt road, as there is an active mine off the road. Loud dump trucks and dusty, but a beautiful desert oasis, nonetheless," reports Casey G. about the Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed area.
Waterfront exploration: The Shores Recreation Area offers direct river access for swimming and cooling off. "Just Right BLM River Spot... Great spots on the river. We spent the night there and had the place to ourselves. Theirs sunshine and shade, a bathroom, and garbage," shares Carolyn about her experience at the Shores.
What Campers Like
Mountain solitude: Pioneer Pass offers forested high-elevation camping. "My favorite place in the whole wide world. I have been going up there most of my life," says Ron C. about Pioneer Pass Campground, highlighting the emotional connection many visitors develop with this mountain retreat.
Clean facilities: Sites with amenities receive positive feedback. "For a free site, this place is amazing. We stumbled across this city run campsite after a trip to the Tonto National Forest. I almost didn't post a review because I wanted to keep this place a secret," writes Beth G. about her discovery at Kearny Lake City Park.
Free camping options: Several areas offer no-cost camping opportunities. "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," explains Jess B. about Pioneer Pass Campground.
What You Should Know
Road conditions: Access to more remote campgrounds requires planning. "Probably beautiful. Had to turn around and drive all the way back. Do not go unless you have a 4x4 or are positive about the condition at the top. It was 67° in Globe this day. I have an E350 dually and I was sliding," cautions Thomas P. about winter conditions at Pioneer Pass.
Site layouts: Campgrounds near Kearny have various configurations. "This place is a little easier to get to than upper pinal, which is just on the other side of Pinal Mountains. This campground was set up kinda weird, but worked out good," explains Michael L. about his experience at Upper Pinal Campground.
Fee structure changes: Always verify current pricing. "This campsite is not free anymore. It's 14$ per car. You have to pay at townhall or PD 24/24. There are 12 large sites with a picnic table and a bbq. The police patrols several times each night," updates magetju about Kearny Lake City Park.
Tips for Camping with Families
Wildlife viewing: Multiple areas offer opportunities to see desert creatures. "Camp was raided by quail early in the morning and we had some cows visit but they didn't come too close," reports Sammy S. about Lost Dutchman State Park Campground, providing a glimpse into the natural encounters families can expect.
Safety considerations: Some areas require extra precautions. "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," warns Jess B. about Pioneer Pass Campground.
Noise factors: Consider sound levels when selecting sites with children. "Starting at 4:00am...giant, and I mean GIANT rock hauler semi trucks started barreling down the washboarded road every 5-10 minutes until we packed up and left a day early at 10:00am because we couldn't take the noise anymore," cautions Eric W. about Cottonwood Canyon Road.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer partial RV services. "Site 2 has electric hookup and is more like $30," notes magetju about Kearny Lake City Park's RV options, highlighting the price difference for utility access.
Site accessibility: Larger vehicles require careful planning. "Quiet off the beaten path place. Switchbacks most of the way up to the area. Wouldn't advise a 'big' rig. But once there and settled in loved it!" advises Cindy S. about Needles Eye Ranch, noting the access challenges.
Winter considerations: Seasonal closures affect RV camping options. "Me and the family decided to go camping for the weekend and chose this campground. On the website it says that the road is good enough for sedan vehicle which is true in good conditions. If you're afraid of heights this might not be the drive you want to take," explains Eli S. about Upper Pinal Campground.
