For those who want to experience Mesa, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. Glamping near Mesa, AZ is a great way to go camping with the tastes of home. These scenic and easy to access Arizona glamping locations are perfect for any adventurer.
The campground has 138 sites: 68 sites with electric (50/30/20 amp service) and water and the remainder non-hookup sites on paved roads for tents or RVs. Every site has a picnic table and a fire pit with an adjustable grill gate. There are no size restrictions on RVs. Well-mannered pets on leashes are welcome, but please pick after your pets. The office at Lost Dutchman is open until 7 p.m. for campsite check-in, but after hours (with campsite reservations) you can grab a map by the ranger station and head straight to your campsite! If you are staying multiple nights, check-in with the camp host, or a ranger to get a vehicle tag.
$25 - $89 / night
Located on central Arizona's largest lake, Windy Hill offers great water recreation opportunities to the public. Because of its close proximity to the Lake, Windy Hill allows fishing, non-motorized and motorized boating, along with hiking trails. There are plenty of developed campsites available at Windy Hill, which allows for an easy, quick escape during any time of the year for families and individuals.
Fishing is popular activity where anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish species, such as Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass; Crappie; Sunfish; Channel and Flathead Catfish. This campground is also situated right on the shore of Roosevelt Lake which is open to boating, kayaking, and other water-related activites. A fully accessible boat ramp and fishing dock are available for easy lake access, and maps and other important site details can be found at the kiosks at the entrance to the campground.
Two National Scenic Byways (AZ Hwy 88 Apache Trail and AZ Hwy 288 Spines to Pines Highway). Roosevelt Dam, Tonto National Monument, the Arizona Trail, endless miles of jeep trails, Towns of Payson and Globe, Superstition, Sierra Ancha, and Four Peaks Wilderness'. Don't forget to stop by the Tonto Basin Environmental Center learn about the history of the area.
$50 / night
Cave Creek Group Site is located 20 miles north of Cave Creek and Carefree, Arizona. It is a historic campground constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This site is a short drive from the blistering heat of Phoenix offering cooler temps, a clear running creek, and plentiful shade to relax and enjoy nature. With food prep areas, grills and covered picnic tables, you're all set for a weekend with your loved ones you'll never forget!
At this site you'll enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, sightseeing, exploring, bird and wildlife viewing, and there is even a game area for volleyball and horseshoes.
This group campsite is nestled in a narrow valley of juniper and sycamore trees providing abundant shade. Water flowing through seven springs is minimal and only several inches in depth. The area has one large open camping area and a nearby trailhead offering access to over 48 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Bring your camera during springtime to get photos of the desert wildflowers in bloom.
Across the road, Cave Creek trailhead offers over 48 miles of hiking trails - great for overnight backpacking trips. Bronco Trailhead further south, offers parking for 40 vehicles plus trailers and six horse pens. Just seven miles south is Sears-Kay ruin. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this site features the remains of an ancient Native American tribe's hilltop village. For spectacular scenic views take Forest Road 562 to Humboldt Mountain. Or, you can simply stay on site and observe nature and hunt for crawdads in the nearby creek.
$150 / night
Ranger
We only got to stay here one night, but it is very beautiful. At the base of the Superstition mountains, which are awesome. Out of the city, so nice and quiet. All the sites are paved and fairly level. There are many sites that have pull through, electric, and water. The showers were good. Many hiking trails in the area. Would love to stay here a little longer.
GuideThis State Park campground located in the Superstition Mountains is a frequent quick camp spot for me if I don feel like trying to beat the crowds to some favorite local dispersed sites.
They offer sites with electric and water, and sites for dry camping, along with some cabins and group sites you can reserve. The sites offer as much privacy as one can expect in the desert and are not super close together, except for the site numbers 70+ which are only available in winter typically. There are plenty of hiking trails and activities in the park and nearby. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained, and they even have a small dog “park” for your best pal to run off some energy.
Favorite things about the park: The views and the wild life. We have seen so many beautiful birds, from quail and owls to roadrunners and vultures, along with several different types of squirrels, lizards, hare, and coyotes.
RangerIf traveling near Phoenix you should make this state campground a number one option.
The towering superstition mountain range is a beautiful site and while we were there we were able to watch a hiker who was rescued. This hiker was not injured, just afraid to come back down the trail. Guess going up is easier than coming down.
The site we had had power and water. The showers in the restrooms were not great but something is better than nothing.
TravelerFairly close to our home (30 miles) but we love to do 1-2 nighters here when we have the time. There is plenty to see around the area. Park is well maintained. Spots are close but not too close to each other. Its a little elevated so the valley views are great. Gets a little warm during the summer - after all it is AZ. Theres an old Gold Mine nearby to visit.
Scout
Not freen 55 plus
Ranger
Gorgeous location and more spaced out than other campgrounds in the area (we stayed at the first loop). Be aware that if you have Verizon you may have bars but no LTE and that access and senior passes don’t work for double sites - also the host made rude remarks to other campers about my partner and I not being seniors because her access pass (she’s very visibly disabled) showed automatically as “senior” when we paid. Bathrooms are clean but bring your own soap!
GuideLost Dutchman State Park isn't just a campground, it's an adventure paradise! I'm giving it a flawless 5-star rating because it truly blew me away. Here's why:
Off-Roading Nirvana: Dust off your UTVs(side-by-sides) and get ready for a blast! The washboard washes (river beds) offer thrilling rides for off-road enthusiasts, with stunning desert landscapes as your backdrop.️
Hikers' Haven: Lace up your boots and conquer one of the park's diverse hiking trails. From challenging climbs to scenic strolls, there's a path for every level and every desire.
Feast for the Eyes: Prepare to be awestruck by the breathtaking scenery. Jagged mountain peaks pierce the azure sky, while the vast desert stretches out before you, creating a postcard-perfect landscape.
History Comes Alive: Immerse yourself in the legendary lore of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. Uncover the park's rich history and explore the stories that have captivated adventurers for centuries.
Camper's Dream: The park offers spacious campsites with convenient power and water hookups, making it a comfortable home base for your desert exploration.(Note: sewer hookups are not available.)
A Final Note: While you're busy conquering the trails and soaking up the scenery, keep in mind that cell service can be limited in certain areas. This might just be the perfect opportunity to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature! Lost Dutchman State Park is an unforgettable experience for anyone seeking adventure, breathtaking views, and a touch of history. I can't wait to get back and explore more of this desert gem!
GuideLoved staying at lost Dutchman. We are full time in our Rv, stayed for a full week and had access to the bathrooms, showers, dump & fill stations. We dry camped with no hookups but were able to use our generator at certain hours of the day. Great AT&T service through our Insty to get internet for work. Mostly loved the copious amounts of trails to walk, hike and run on. Even did a bike ride up the Apache trail to Boulder lake. Such a beautiful location.
ScoutLost Dutchman has amazing views, super clean facilities and spaced out sites. Highly recommend.
TravelerWe really enjoyed this park. Sites were nicely spaced. Beautiful view of mountain and amazing sunsets. Great hikes right from the campground.
Scout
Spent two nights in January. Facilities were clean round the clock, shower water was hot, staff friendly , and hiking trails directly from the campground.
GuideWish we could have stayed longer. Great views and nice people.
GuideQuiet (most of the time) and a beautiful view. Loved that the campsites were spread out. Only complaints are the weekend warriors being noisy at night and no sites have FHU. Only water and electric but still was nice to have those amenities
GuideVery well kept full service campground with super helpful staff. I recommend sites with canopies if you don't have solid air conditioning as it can get hot in the sun and there's very little natural shade. All sites have power and water. There's a dual lane dump station on the way out of the park.
GuideWe stored our RV here for several years and they were easy to deal with. No hassles. The RV Park itself is nice and has a swimming pool and a little social area where they have game nights and parties.
Guide
We enjoyed our two night stay. The staff were helpful and friendly. The place was impeccably maintained. Had a campsite get a bit rowdy with a few choice words and the staff was on it before anyone complained. Top notch place. A bit noisy at night from traffic but almost all campgrounds are.
RangerAfter years of reading rave reviews we finally got the chance to experience Lost Dutchman State Park, and we were fortunate to show up on a delightful Friday spring evening at 7p without a reservation and secure a last minute cancellation of Site 41 with 50 amp electric and water and a stunning view of the sunset on the Superstition Mtns. This is a very nice park, but also very crowded as it is basically within the Phoenix metro area, so it feels a bit congested and overrun compared to many state park campgrounds.
RangerWhile it's on the bottom of our "Fave AZ State Parks" it's only there because, it's busy. It's right outside of Phoenix and folks from the valley frequent it. Being at the entrance to beautiful Tonto NF doesn't help with the traffic either. But, it's still 5 stars. The sites tend to be backwards for hookups vs how you pull in. So, if you have a long hose and power cord, park accordingly. Did not use any bath houses. Thankful we had electricity as we almost hit 100 in April after a chilly AZ winter.
GuideFriendly rangers. Clean restrooms and hot showers. Hiking trails. Start early in the day. It can get hot in April. We hiked the Treasure loop trail to the green rock. Then the PV trail down. 500 feet elevation gain over 2 miles. Loose gavel in some spots. Moderate difficulty.
GuideRanger Sara ROCKS!!! Her upbeat personality and kindness was greatly appreciated after a long day behind the wheel. The entire staff was welcoming and all the bath houses and showers were cleaned multiple times daily. Our site was spacious and well kept. Not a piece of trash to be found. Very convenient to Goldfield ghost town for a day of fun and a flowy 4 mile mtb loop as well. Our daughter did the jr ranger program and loved it!!! Thanks again, great park!
TravelerSpectacular views, quiet and clean. Trails are well maintained.
GuideRight next to the I10 so real easy to get to. Big roomy level spaces, we had a premium spot. There is a cow farm behind the KOA and a train track that uses its horn which can be a bit annoying but really not a big deal when you consider that you're in a safe place to rest for a couple of nights. We enjoyed our stay.
LegendWhile the sites at Lost Dutchman State Park are quite close together, the views and hiking trails are awesome! We camped in a campervan here (site 106) and it was perfect. We were in the 'rustic' loop, which consisted of sites without water or electric, and we could see Flatiron Mountain from our campsite.
My only complaint with the site is that it was quite a long walk to the restroom! Tent campers may not be able to find a suitable spot to pitch as the sites are small, but if you can get a site between 33 and 40, you should have room to pitch a tent. There are also hiker/biker campsites that require a short walk. These have amazing views, as do the cabins.
We would definitely stay here again - maybe in early March so we can see the wildflowers blooming!
ScoutEasy to get to close to several places to visit, half way between Tucson and Phoenix. Highway traffic noise at some times. Gravel pads.
ScoutThis is a nice little KOA. It’s a small resort with all the amenities. It has a small dog park but it gets the job done. The people in the park are very nice and the staff are extremely kind and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here.
ScoutStay for a couple nights on the way up from Tucson. It was perfect and quiet except the trains which is not the fault of the facility. The laundry was perfect although busy and a little small. Over all was a nice experience and cannot wait to come back.
Scout
Let me just start by saying that I would probably be in jail or prison right now if I didn't change my life and have a career that I didn't want to risk losing. We moved to this park in February 2021. On arrival the staff was very friendly and welcoming. The park isn't the prettiest but the staff was friendly to us and our children. The park was alive and children played outside. It was a very comforting feeling. I had absolutely no issues with this park until ownership/management change. Rules started changing, especially for children. They basically made rules to restrict children from being children. One example is that children under the age of 14 cannot be more than 50 feet from their RV site without a parent. They say this is for safety purposes but even if that is true or whether you agree that it's a safety issue, it is an illegal rule in the Great State of Arizona. They claim that this is private property and they can make any rules they want but that also isn't true. I was also told"we have a lawyer that helps us make these rules and approve them". Well get a new lawyer because you were about 1 mistake away from getting sued ma'am When you make an agreement verbal or written to lease part of your property the"private property" laws do not apply as that individual is a tenant. All tenants rights laws apply at that point so no you cannot just make any rule you like. Now moving on to the biggest issue...... While a lot of the stuff was easily overlooked as their dumb illegal rules weren't being strictly enforced, over the last few months they have made aggressive moves to start"enforcing" their[illegal] rules which almost got their"head of security" hurt. I have 2 daughters that are 9 and 10 which I have on weekends and a 15 year old step son. I give my children chores and responsibilities so they grow up with discipline. My children are also very well manored and respectful especially for ages. One of my children's responsibilities were to take out the trash. One day my kids came from taking the trash saying some man said that they couldn't be out there and that they need to go home. Well immediately I told my kids that unless it's someone from the staff telling them anything that they don't have to listen to what some random in the park says just as I'm sure any parent would. Well here's the kicker. This old man that my wife, my children and myself had no idea who he was kept harassing my kids and never identifying himself as staff. He also never identified any rules to my kids. He simply just stalked my children any time they were outside riding around on his golf cart and waiting for them to get to where he was and telling them to go home. One day my kids come home and say the man was here to talk. I go outside and this old man with a really jerk smile on his face came walking up like he was going to tell me the law and I would bow like a dog. To be fair he didn't say anything but the way he presented himself you can tell that he felt he had some kind of authority. I ask"hey do you work here?" He says"I'm the head of security" with a very aggressive attitude. I said"okay?" and he told me they couldn't be outside without an adult. I said"okay, way to flex you'authority'". I felt like this guy just thinks that he is someone but has another thing coming. Well I called the front office and asked for clarification on the rules. They left a booklet with the"new" rules on them for me in the mailbox outside of the office door. I read the entire packet and checked their rules against Arizona State law and found that most of their rules are in violation. At this point I advised my stepson and daughters to ignore their security guard if he speaks to them(this is perfectly legal since security either public or private has no more legal authority than a citizen on the road) and if he harasses them we will take action then. My kids took out the trash one last time and Mr"head of security" harassed my kids and said"your father will be hearing from me" but i never heard anything. I even waited outside for an hour while he drove around on his golf cart. Instead i found a written warning on the windsheild of my work truck the next day. I was very upset because they were illegally restricting my children from being children. The old me would have stopped right there and someone would have gotten hurt but i just decided to ignore it and hope that it would come to an end. So my step son which is 15(above the age of going outside alone) liked to take showers in the shower rooms. One day he goes to take a shower and guess who tells my step son he couldn't be there and would have to go home. Yes Mr"head of security". When my step son came and told me he couldn't take a shower that was the last straw. I immediately walked to the office in hopes to talk this out and resolve this. As I got to the office the old man steps out with the same jerk smirk and aggressive persona and says"ah yes come on in" in a very condescending way. I lost it. This dude has no respect, no idea about the law and no idea what a security guard is supposed to do and neither does the manager Debra. I may have been screaming and cursing at this man but they don't realize that he was 2 seconds from a memorable or I guess possibly hard to remember ambulance ride. If I didn't turn my life around and didn't want to lose my job he would have learned a very valuable lesson that day. Debra threatened me with a 24 hour notice to leave the property. I told her she wouldn't want to try that because if she did she would have a lawsuit. I decided that moment that we had to leave for the safety of my future and their head of security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Mesa, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Mesa, AZ is Lost Dutchman State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 79 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Mesa, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 glamping camping locations near Mesa, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
