Roper Lake State Park cabins offer camping accommodations near Morenci, Arizona in the high desert region. Located at an elevation of about 3,200 feet, the area experiences warm days and cool nights even in summer months. The park encompasses two distinct campgrounds with cabin options approximately 45 miles southwest of Morenci amid sagebrush terrain with mountain views.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at sunrise: Visitors at Gila Campground report memorable experiences watching waterfowl on Roper Lake at daybreak. "Waking up early to watch waterfowl on the lake at sunrise is going to be one of my most memorable camping experiences," notes one camper who visited in November when temperatures ranged from 40-80°F.
Mountain hiking nearby: Roper Lake State Park provides access to nearby mountain trails. "Visited Mt Graham, picnicked and hiked. Enjoyed the hot springs hot tub in the campground. Clean, beautiful and friendly staff," shares one visitor about their two-night stay at Cottonwood Campground.
Lake activities: The park offers multiple water access points for fishing and swimming. "There's a beach, several docks for fishing and a boat ramp. Excellent staff," reports a visitor who stayed in the non-hookup loop at Gila Campground during a December trip.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: The non-hookup loop at Roper Lake provides more seclusion than typical RV areas. "The sites are large with plenty of screening for privacy. I would not stay in the hook up loops which are more typical Arizona State Park Campgrounds offering no privacy with sites usually crammed together," advises a December visitor.
Clean facilities: The maintenance standards receive consistent praise from guests. "The facilities are immaculately clean. I mean the cleanest campground restrooms I've ever seen," reports a father-son group who stayed in a cabin at Gila Campground.
Mountain views: The surrounding landscape creates a scenic backdrop. "Great scenery. Spots are spacious. Seemed kind of pricey at $20 a night. If you luck out and get respectful neighbors, can be an amazing experience," shares a visitor to Cottonwood Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal crowd fluctuations: Weekends and holidays bring more visitors, particularly families. "I got there on Thursday afternoon and all was nice and quite and calm. They started to come in droves, Friday afternoon. Little kids on bicycles riding in the roads like crazy people and making so much noise," reports one camper who visited during a hot, windy weekend.
Construction periods: Maintenance work occasionally impacts facilities. "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," noted a visitor in a recent 4-star review.
Hot springs status varies: The natural hot springs feature may not always be operational. "Great sites. Great atmosphere. Only down was bathroom had no hot water and springs were down. But still had a great time," shares a visitor to Gila Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly biking: The multiple pathways throughout the park work well for children's activities. "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," notes a 5-star reviewer of the family-oriented environment.
Swimming beach space: The designated swimming area provides room for multiple groups. "Very clean and well kept park, beach swimming area is very large and never felt crowded by people! Plenty of shaded picnic areas," shares a family who enjoyed the Cottonwood Campground facilities.
Internet access available: For families needing connectivity, the park provides options. "There was internet access, although I didn't use it very much," mentions a November visitor who appreciated the quiet atmosphere during their stay.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer equal views or privacy. "If you're not careful you could end up with only a view of your neighbors. Most sites don't have much of a view. Very few trees. Only a few sites are suited for tent camping," advises an RV camper who recently visited Behr Art B&B, another cabin option in the broader region.
Holiday planning required: Busy periods see full occupancy. "We are newer to RV camping but really liked this campground. Fairly busy, Easter weekend, but didn't seem like we were on top of each other," reports a 4-star reviewer about their experience during a peak visitation time.
Water and electric hookups: Many sites offer utilities, but not all loops provide the same services. "$20 a night for non-electric site is a good price since you can take free hot showers in the park. Cell phone service (T-Mobile) and WiFi," notes an experienced camper about the non-hookup area amenities.
