The Safford region in central Arizona sits at the base of the Pinaleño Mountains where elevations range dramatically from 3,200 feet in the valley to nearly 11,000 feet at Mount Graham's peak. This creates multiple climate zones within short distances, allowing campers to experience desert lowlands and alpine forests in a single trip. During summer months, temperature differences between lower and higher elevation campsites near Central, Arizona often exceed 30 degrees.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Roper Lake State Park provides accessible fishing with a small lake stocked with various species. "Site 46 is on the lake which hosts a variety of water fowl. The sites are large with plenty of screening for privacy," reports one camper who stayed at the Gila Campground section of the park.
Hot springs access: Natural hot springs attract visitors year-round. "Two night stay. Visited Mt Graham, picnicked and hiked. Enjoyed the hot springs hot tub in the campground. Clean, beautiful and friendly staff," notes a visitor to Roper Lake State Park, though some visitors report temporary closures: "Only down was bathroom had no hot water and springs were down. But still had a great time."
Mountain hiking: Forest trails provide relief from summer heat at higher elevations. "We didn't try fishing but there were a lot of people fishing from the pier. I don't think you can do much shoreline fishing just because of the grass/weeds," explains a visitor who instead enjoyed the walking trails around Hacienda Campground.
What campers like
Temperature variations: The dramatic climate change within short distances allows campers to escape extreme heat. At Arcadia Campground, visitors appreciate "the shaded campsites and quiet atmosphere. The campground is close to the road, but still feels deep in the forest."
Clean facilities: State park maintenance receives consistent praise. A visitor to Gila Campground noted, "The facilities are immaculately clean. I mean the cleanest campground restrooms I've ever seen. We stayed in a cabin and it was nice and quiet."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Designated swimming areas and accessible amenities make camping with children easier. "Very nice campgrounds, close to the lake. Plenty of space between campsites. Kids were able to ride bikes on the numerous paths around the campgrounds and lake," reports a family that stayed at Roper Lake.
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access to mountain campsites requires careful vehicle consideration. A visitor to Riggs Flat Campground warns: "Road is super rough and narrow in spots going up Mt Graham. Drove up end of June 2020 and there were so many cars parked that you could not drive the camp ground loop to check out the sites."
Wildlife encounters: The area hosts diverse wildlife including skunks, deer, and birds. "There were a lot of skunks in the area and they will get into your things at night if you don't clean up," cautions a Riggs Flat camper, while another notes excellent bird watching opportunities.
Seasonal closures and maintenance: Facilities may close temporarily or seasonally. One recent visitor noted: "Sadly, there is construction going on in the park right now. It is windy and cold. The sites are pretty private and there are nice picnic table covers. Unfortunately, the dump station is closed for a while."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Swimming areas provide relief from heat. "Went 7-6-2020. Campsites are good size. Had power and water hook ups. Virtually no spots have shade. Lake is small. Has a little 'beach' area to swim. Water felt great," reports a visitor to Hacienda Campground.
Child-friendly activities: Bike paths and fishing opportunities keep children engaged. "This was a wonderful place to camp. The restrooms and shower areas were very clean and the park was quite and beautiful," notes a family that enjoyed the developed amenities.
Cabin alternatives: Round the Mountain Campground offers a compact camping experience when cabins are unavailable. "This tiny little campground is perched on the side of the road in another of AZ's Sky Islands. Just 3 campsites, not big enough for large RV's, though Hamlet-sized trailers and camper vans are fine."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Mountain roads limit RV access. "RV's up to 22' and vehicles with trailers less than 21' are recommended. Longer vehicles have difficulty negotiating the switchbacks on the road up the mountain," confirms a camper who visited Arcadia Campground.
Dispersed options: For RVers seeking more space, Haekel Rd Dispersed Camping offers free sites with mountain views. "Wide open area, gravel road to access camping areas. No designated sites but plenty of flat open areas to stop. Hiked to some sort of dam in a dry gulch. Open skies great for star gazing," writes one RVer who found this area accommodating for larger vehicles.
Hookup availability: Full hookups available at some lower elevation sites. "Nice Spot. Easy to find, and easy to find a spot. Big Rig friendly in the 1st area. Gets a little tighter the further down you go like most places," reports a visitor to Haekel Rd camping, adding, "Free dump station at the Water Reclamation Plant in Safford, just sign in, dump, sign out."
