Best Tent Camping near Lakeside, AZ

Looking for the best options for tent camping near Lakeside? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Lakeside. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Lakeside, AZ (37)

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Showing results 1-10 of 37 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews in Lakeside

185 Reviews of 37 Lakeside Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground
    Nov. 25, 2024

    Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground

    Beauty abounds

    The entire Mallard loop has generous paved sites. There is a picnic table and nice fire pit. Plenty of paved space to set up. Pines surround each site and provide ample shade. Each site has easy access to the lake. The bathrooms have showers and were spotless.

  • H
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Canyon Rim Campground (apache-sitgreaves National Forest, Az)
    Oct. 11, 2024

    Black Canyon Rim Campground (apache-sitgreaves National Forest, Az)

    Awesome site, but…….

    Beautiful, huge site! Sites were well spaced. Very quiet campground. The camp host didn’t bother us at all. She was around, just not intrusive. Now the bad. I have been camping in primitive sites for the last 20 years or more. In all those years I have never come across pit toilets as bad as the ones at this campground. We arrived Sunday night. They were really bad, but it was the end of a weekend so I gave grace. On Tuesday the toilets were “cleaned “ out. It didn’t help because no one put chemicals in the pit. The smell of raw sewage was always present in our site.

  • Candy P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rainbow (AZ)
    Oct. 8, 2024

    Rainbow (AZ)

    Arizona’s best kept secret!

    Rainbow campground at big lake is magical! This is the place to beat the heat and make summer memories. Tucked into the pines and aspens this campsite is a quick drive or hike down to the lake. You can’t go wrong with any of the sites, including the first come first serve loops.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground
    Aug. 5, 2024

    Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground

    Great campground in Greer ($30)

    Wonderful campground with flat sites, well spaced. Pit toilets and a shower. Dump on site! A bit expensive for dry camping but there in no dispersed camping in Greer and the neighboring apache res requires a $9 permit to dispersed camp. Three reservoirs nearby to hike to or fish at.

  • Les G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Arizona High Country Campground
    Aug. 1, 2024

    Arizona High Country Campground

    Very nice location

    We had a great site near the rear of the park with many shade trees and plenty of room. In general the sites are quite close together, but the folks were friendly and very helpful.....

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Crossing Campground
    Jul. 15, 2024

    Buffalo Crossing Campground

    Love this river and area

    The location is wrong! This is the coordinates - 33.76672° N, 109.35443° W This was so much more beautiful before the Wallow Fire. Please put out your fires! I grew up not far from here and always enjoy coming. There are small trout in the river and Big Lake, Crescent Lake, Mexican Hat Lake, Reservation Lake, and Lee Valley Reservoir all close. There is picnic tables, potable water in tanks if needed, vault toilets, fire rings all in the campground. The marina store at Big Lake and Crescent Lake both have stores with firewood. At the time of the posting, the camp host at Diamond Rock campground had firewood for sale not far up the road. Watch the corners going in and out as the OHV guys drive pretty fast and the road is narrow in many places. Bear Wallow Cafe is in Alpine and I recommend the pie!

  • Rod D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rainbow (AZ)
    Jun. 25, 2024

    Rainbow (AZ)

    Still a great place to escape the desert heat

    It had been 28 years since we last camped at Rainbow. It is still a great place to escape the desert heat.  It was 115 when we left the big city. Five hours later we found ourselves camped at 9100 feet, enjoying the cool temps in the mid 60's and the passing rain showers.  Aspens, pines, and wildlife were all in abundance.  Big Lake is a good fishing lake too.  

    The sites have plenty of space, shade, and privacy.  Roads are paved and in good shape. The restrooms were constantly cleaned by the very friendly and capable staff from recreation resource management which operates the campground for the forest service.

    Firewood and ice are available (stage 2 fire restrictions were in effect so no campfires), water was convenient as was gray water disposal.  There is a centralized dump station, showers, and a small but educational visitor center.  Trash dumpsters are centralized and easy to access.  

    If you don't fish there is still hiking to Mount Baldy, and short scenic drives to the very small towns of Greer and Alpine.  We enjoyed exploring the miles of scenic forest roads, and wildlife viewing.  We saw 4 Mexican gray wolves which was very special.  

    This is a very popular campground that accommodates all types of rigs. They do have first come first serve sites available, but it is recommended to make reservations at least 4 days in advance.  Reservations can be made at recreation.gov.  It's always best practice to print a copy of your reservation.   There is no cell service in this area. 

    We look forward to camping again at Rainbow.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hulsey Lake Fishing Site
    May. 26, 2024

    Hulsey Lake Fishing Site

    Been a favorite spot since 1985

    Always great fishing here. There is NO camping here. I repeat, NO CAMPING. But plenty of dispersed to be found up the road further all the way to Terry Flat. There are trails up the road and some OHV and a Jeep trail. There is housing when coming off the highway. Be respectful and don’t drive 45 down the road. Take your time and take it in.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Springerville RV Park
    Feb. 29, 2024

    Springerville RV Park

    Nice place to stop

    Just an overnighter, very quiet, looks to very new. Good internet reception. Very level site, we didn't have to unhook.

  • Brodie D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lyman Lake State Park Campground
    Feb. 24, 2024

    Lyman Lake State Park Campground

    Great spot!

    We pulled in after hours and a ranger kindly helped us find our spot. She recommended a cool hiking trail to check out the next morning. Bathrooms and showers are super clean and well maintained. There is only one designated bathhouse building so if you park far, you’ll be walking a ways. Did I mention the views are gorgeous? The views alone are worth staying here.

  • Des R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Elk Horn RV Park
    Feb. 5, 2024

    Elk Horn RV Park

    Gross

    They have a registered sex offender here that hits on you if you cross his path. Meth heads around and dirty spaces. I'd avoid the place. Way nicer parks around with nicer management. It's a gross place. The manager walks around with a gun and they have cameras everywhere due to high crime.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Lyman Lake State Park Campground
    Sep. 28, 2023

    Lyman Lake State Park Campground

    Amazing

    The park was practically empty. The views are always amazing, and the weather was perfect. The wind picked up in the evenings to about 10 mph, but then was calm around 9pm. In the morning the lake was very calm, and taking the kayak out was so peaceful. I spoke with the ranger and ahead said next summer a vendor will have boat and jet ski rentals. Good and bad, but maybe that will help keep camping rates low. Highly recommend a trip here when you have a long weekend.

  • Beth G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Crossing Campground
    Sep. 21, 2023

    Buffalo Crossing Campground

    Perfect Spot for fishing

    -Update- 🛑Currently Closed 🛑

    The NFS is repairing the bridge to this site, so it is closed until 2024.

    ———- Such a nice little campground- perfect for fishing. Right next to the river with trash bins and toilets.

    The lack of trees make this site seem more crowded then it actually is

    Sites are first come , first served.

  • Marie J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Elk Horn RV Park
    Sep. 15, 2023

    Elk Horn RV Park

    STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!!

    THERE IS A a REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER DOING THE MAINTENANCE WORK ON THIS PROPERTY!! KEEP YOUR LOVED ONES AWAY FROM THIS PREDATOR IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOUR FAMILIES!!!

  • Carl L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Brook Char Campground
    Aug. 22, 2023

    Brook Char Campground

    Bogus

    Reserved site #13 on line for August 15th. On arriving this site has no flat areas and you must pass directly through site #12 to access. The entire campground was EMPTY except us. We decided to move to site #12 to get a flat area. I informed the host out of courtesy of our move to the empty adjoining site. He said NO! I had to pay him $20 to make the change. If I did it on-line, it would be zero fee. THERE IS NO CELL COVERAGE at this campground, so it is impossible to go online and make that useless change. Another caretaker drove by and said he didn't see a problem moving if it was his call. The dude at Brookchar would NOT budge...he wanted his $20 bucks ( I have a senior pass and at worst it would have been $8.00). Told him to stuff it and to contact his manager. He refused. The other caretaker guy drove away and and said he would discuss it with her. Bear in mind, the entire campground had zero reservations for that evening besides us. He returned later to inform me that the manger had "OK'ed" the change for no fee. It is zero fee to change a campsites....zero! Unbelievable,,,,Beware....

  • JJ V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Apache National Forest Winn Campground
    Aug. 2, 2023

    Apache National Forest Winn Campground

    Beautiful campground in the Aspen trees

    This campground at approximately 9000 ft elevation, has aspen trees throughout and is just gorgeous. There are two loops - one is reservation, the other is first come first serve. Each space has a table and firepit. The campground host also sells firewood for $10.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lancelot desert camping
    Jul. 19, 2023

    Lancelot desert camping

    Great and helpful host

    Unfortunately I was unable to stay at Lancelot campground due to a highway closure the night of my stay. The host stayed in contact as I figured out my next steps. Was very helpful and provided good directions. Hoping I can stay sometime soon.

  • Charles K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Springerville RV Park
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Springerville RV Park

    Lots of space

    The spots are big and spread out. Clean laundry, clean grounds. Good electricity and water pressure. Only one wifi spot near office. Super nice folks. Verizon 5G is strong but slowish. Close to town. Right on the highway but it was quiet at night.

  • Kevin H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lancelot desert camping
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Lancelot desert camping

    Great quite peaceful place

    Nice little campground and well thought out. The owner is a wonderful person and made sure we had everything we needed and has anything you need to enjoy the campground. We were only there overnight but loved it. The only issue is the road to get to the campground is almost 10 miles of a non maintained road, very bumpy.

  • Ava G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cyclone Lake Campground
    May. 17, 2023

    Cyclone Lake Campground

    Breathtaking Basin!

    Cyclone Lake (Basin?) is nestled in the Arizona mountains and offers a breathtaking escape into nature. The basin is surrounded by dense forests on all sides and provides a serene and picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts. The well-maintained facilities include spacious campsites with fire pits, picnic tables, and clean(ish) restrooms. Wildlife sightings are common, adding to the campsite's allure. Watch out for bears! The poster-child of peaceful ambiance, this hidden gem is a must-visit for those seeking a rejuvenating camping experience in Arizona.



Guide to Lakeside

Tent camping near Lakeside, Arizona offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.

Tips for tent camping near Lakeside

  • Peace of Mind Campgrounds provides a simple yet enjoyable experience with easy access for both drive-in and walk-in campers.
  • Brown Creek Campground is perfect for those looking for seclusion, as it’s tucked away in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, offering plenty of shade and natural beauty.
  • Shush Bezahze features amenities like drinking water and toilets, making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.

Local activities for tent campers

  • At Peace of Mind Campgrounds, campers can enjoy fishing and kayaking in nearby lakes, making it an ideal spot for water activities.
  • Shush Bezahze is close to wildlife viewing opportunities, allowing campers to immerse themselves in the local ecosystem.
  • Brown Creek Campground is situated in a hunting area, providing a unique experience for those interested in outdoor sports.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Cooley Lake Campground offers a peaceful atmosphere, although it is primarily for tribe members, making it a unique spot for those who qualify.
  • Bootlegger features essential amenities like drinking water and toilets, ensuring a more comfortable camping experience.
  • McCoys Bridge Apache Indian Res provides access to drinking water and toilets, making it a convenient choice for tent campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lakeside, AZ?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lakeside, AZ is Brown Creek Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Lakeside, AZ?

    TheDyrt.com has all 37 tent camping locations near Lakeside, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.