Camping options near Kearny, Arizona range from established forest campgrounds at elevations up to 7,900 feet to lakeside sites with varied amenities. Most dispersed camping in the area requires high-clearance vehicles due to rough mountain roads with switchbacks. Temperature differences between desert floor and mountain campgrounds can exceed 20 degrees, making mountain sites popular escapes during summer months.
What to do
Explore ancient cliff dwellings: Visit the Tonto National Monument across from Windy Hill Campground for excellent examples of early Puebloan cliff dwellings. "The mountains surrounding the area are stunning, and there are fantastic hiking trails in the area," notes one camper.
Hike mountain trails: The Pinal Mountains offer excellent trail systems with varied difficulty levels. A visitor to Pioneer Pass Campground shares, "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."
Enjoy water recreation: Roosevelt Lake provides opportunities for boating, swimming and fishing. At Windy Hill, campers should know that "depending on the time of year it can be rowdy and crowded. Week days are relaxing and quiet."
What campers like
Escape from desert heat: The elevation change provides welcome temperature relief in summer months. At General Hitchcock Campground, "The weather here is 10-15 degrees cooler than the city. This campground is small, with tent sites tucked away between pine trees."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The transition zones between desert and mountain ecosystems support diverse wildlife. At Pioneer Pass, campers might encounter "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."
Quick access from metro areas: Many campgrounds are accessible for weekend trips. Lost Dutchman State Park Campground serves as a "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."
What you should know
Road conditions can be challenging: Mountain access requires appropriate vehicles. At 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."
Wind can be severe: Some areas experience strong winds that require extra preparation. At Windy Hill, "It's named windy hill for a reason. Stake everything down well and don't leave shade pop up tents up while you're out, they might be gone to the wind when you get back."
Seasonal closures: Many higher-elevation sites close during winter months. The season for Pioneer Pass and Upper Pinal runs "May to November" due to snow and road conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with playground facilities: Some locations offer dedicated children's areas. At Mesa-Apache Junction KOA, families appreciate "a small fenced playground with a tetherball, swing set, merry go round, and a table with an umbrella."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds have better sound separation between sites. At Lost Dutchman, one visitor cautions, "The scenery was beautiful, but didn't love the fact that people were blaring their music here until 2AM in the morning."
Look for group sites: For family reunions or larger gatherings, specialized areas work best. At Timber Camp Recreation Area, "We reserved this spot for a large family gathering and it served our needs perfectly. The spot is in a great patch of Ponderosa Pines... It is a very large space and each family can spread out as much as they want - and still have space for wiffle ball!"
Tips from RVers
Assess site dimensions carefully: Many mountain campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Pioneer Pass, campers note it's "not very easy to get up there with them [campers]" and suggest you "wouldn't advise a 'big' rig."
Look for premium sites: Some campgrounds offer upgraded spaces with additional amenities. Mesa-Apache Junction KOA features "some upgraded RV spaces that have outside grill areas with sinks and counter space," making it ideal for luxury glamping in Kearny, Arizona and surrounding areas.
Check dump station locations: Not all campgrounds provide on-site services. At Windy Hill, finding the dump station can be challenging: "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."
