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Best Equestrian Camping near Mormon Lake, AZ

256 Reviews

Little Elden Springs Horsecamp provides dedicated equestrian camping near Mormon Lake, Arizona. The campground features 15 pull-through sites specifically designed for horse trailers, many accommodating 4-horse live-in trailers. Each horse site includes two large corrals, providing secure containment for equines while camping. The campground offers water access points throughout the property and clean toilet facilities. Sites are spacious enough for large trailers, making it convenient for equestrians traveling with their animals. The campground was updated in 2022 with new pit toilet buildings, enhancing the comfort for overnight stays.

Houston Mesa Campground offers another excellent option for horse camping in the region. Located near Payson, this well-maintained facility features multiple sites with small corrals for horses. The campground provides paved driving access and campsite parking, except in the equestrian area which has no hookups. Campers appreciate the clean restrooms and showers. The trails near Houston Mesa are somewhat rocky but serviceable for riding. The campground's proximity to Payson makes it a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area on horseback.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Mormon Lake, Arizona (22)

    1. Rancho Sedona RV Park

    40 Reviews
    Sedona, AZ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 282-7255

    $42 - $84 / night

    "Compared to another campground close by that is a little less but we had double the space and trees and a creek behind us. They’re very busy and we were only able to get two nights."

    "Sites a little close to each other. Grounds were surrounded by nature and close by main Sedona street. Check in after hours were smooth."

    2. Canyon Vista Campground

    18 Reviews
    Flagstaff, AZ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 526-0866

    $30 - $22 / night

    "It's remarkably close to the city, Flagstaff, but tucked away in the forest, it feels remote. We went in June 2019, and it wasn't crowded at all. The hosts were absolutely wonderful."

    "Good forest service camp close to Flagstaff. Sites are spread out and there were a variety of camper types there. Can hike or rock climb nearby. Price is now $26."

    3. Fort Tuthill Luke AFB Recreation Area

    21 Reviews
    Flagstaff, AZ
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (623) 856-3401

    $10 - $25 / night

    "All amenities are shared so we had access to a large playground, basketball and volleyball courts, the store, and the bathhouse."

    "Nice campground if you are staying close to conveniences of Flagstaff or to watch a concert at Pepsi amphitheater. We got a group site, 5 vehicles and 6 or 7 tents. We had plenty of space!"

    4. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Cottonwood, AZ
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 634-5283

    $25 - $70 / night

    "They have a lake to fish in and equestrian center to go on horse back rides."

    "Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park."

    5. Mormon Lake Lodge RV Park & Campground

    2 Reviews
    Mormon Lake, AZ
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 354-2227

    $20 - $46 / night

    6. Playa Ponderosa

    Be the first to review!
    Munds Park, AZ
    8 miles
    Website

    7. Verde River RV Resort & Cottages

    12 Reviews
    Camp Verde, AZ
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 202-3409

    "Which is OK in the Arizona winter, but not when it is still hot.

    We were here when it as really slow, not sure what it will like when the campground is full."

    "There are lots of trees and it’s a great park to walk around. At the back you have the River you can walk around and you are surrounded with mountain views."

    8. Houston Mesa Campground

    37 Reviews
    Payson, AZ
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 468-7135

    $22 - $170 / night

    "All paved driving and campsite parking except equestrian area no hookups they have places to fill water and to dump. Restrooms and showers nice a clean."

    "Each horse site has two large corrals, a fire pit, and picnic table.  There is water locations around the campground as well as bathrooms."

    9. Williams-Circle Pines KOA

    29 Reviews
    Williams, AZ
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 635-2626

    "This KOA is very clean and has ton's of amenities on site, very nice showers and bathrooms, some of the amenities are mini golf, pan for gems, trails, go karts, peddle cars, playground, laundry room, store"

    "Lots of forest roads to play on near by as well if you have off-road toys."

    10. Little Elden Springs Horsecamp

    2 Reviews
    Flagstaff, AZ
    26 miles
    Website

    $34 / night

    "The Little Elden Springs Horse Campground is a reservation HORSE/MULE ONLY campground. There are 15 pull-through sites, many that can accommodate 4-horse live-n trailers."

    "Nice trails"

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Mormon Lake, AZ

3 Photos of 22 Mormon Lake Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Mormon Lake, AZ

256 Reviews of 22 Mormon Lake Campgrounds

  • Derek C.
    Jun. 11, 2020

    Mormon Lake Lodge RV Park & Campground

    Nice area but very cramped accommodations

    Stayed here for 4 nights. The Mormon Lake area is very nice and secluded. However, the RV sites are so packed together that you barely have room to put out your slides or awnings. They do have a few sites with 50amp hook ups. The remaining hook-up sites are 30amp. There is sewer and water at each of the sites as well. There is a general store on property that has many things from groceries to camping supplies as well. Only the first three rows of sites are wooded, the rest are basically just in an open field.

  • Jeffrey P.
    Nov. 25, 2021

    Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    Very nice campground

    We stayed here for our first trip with a TT in December 2020. Water and electric hookups. They have a dump station. They have a lake to fish in and equestrian center to go on horse back rides.

  • M
    Jul. 5, 2016

    Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    Homebase for great National Monuments

    Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park. It is also a great home base because it is down the street from Tuzigoot National Monument and close to Sedona and Monetzuma Castle National Monument. It is just outside the charming city of Cottonwood.

  • L
    Jul. 16, 2021

    Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    Hot in July, but quiet and enjoyable

    The forest was closed in Northern Arizona so I decided to camp out at Dead Horse Ranch SP.  I was pretty pleased overall with my trip.  My campsite was comfortable and private enough, considering how close the sites are at this campground.  I had some shade trees to help keep my travel trailer cool but definitely needed to run the AC all night in order to stay comfortable.  The RV sites here have fresh water and power, but no sewer.  There is a dump station at the park entrance that is easily accessible when both entering and exiting the park. I enjoyed fishing, hiking, and bike riding while I was here but had to limit my outdoor activities to the morning hours due to the heat.  

    One afternoon I went into old town Cottonwood, which is only a couple of miles from the park.  It's a great place to visit if you're into antiques or wine tasting.

  • Candy P.
    May. 2, 2021

    Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    Northern Arizona Treasure

    Wow, what an awesome state park! Camping here with little ones was awesome, it had so much to do. The three small lakes are a great spot to fish and lots of shade. A horse stable and playground are nearby. There are 4 camping loops, 1 tent only. The cabins are on a separate road and have so much space and shade between. There is also river access. Close to national monuments and wineries. Not too far from Sedona and Jerome. Lots of day trips close by. We will be back!

  • N
    Apr. 20, 2019

    Houston Mesa Campground

    Nice NFS well kept

    All paved driving and campsite parking except equestrian area no hookups they have places to fill water and to dump. Restrooms and showers nice a clean.

  • Tara S.
    Feb. 22, 2023

    Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    Great Amenities, Little Privacy

    We pulled into our spot at Dead Horse Ranch as the temps crept below freezing. This was our first night ever in a campervan, and we were feeling very fortunate for scoring the last site with electricity. 

    .

    It snowed in the night (February) and we woke to discover that the bathhouse was heated with free hot showers. This, combined with dishwashing stations (again with hot water) and friendly campground hosts, made for a lovely stay at Dead Horse Ranch.

    The only downside was the lack of privacy between sites - fine for van or RV camping, but not ideal for tenters. 

    There are a couple of nice trails in the park, one leading into Old Town Cottonwood - try Old Town Cafe for their flaky croissants! Dead Horse Ranch is about 30 minutes from Sedona and fantastic hiking, which we took advantage of all three nights we were there. 

    Bottom line, this was not a wilderness experience, but Dead Horse Ranch provides nice sites and great amenities, and you can't beat the convenience of the location. 

    We preferred the Red Tailed Hawk loop to all the others, and really liked sites 57 - 64 for the views and access to trails.

  • Ted B.
    May. 22, 2019

    Houston Mesa Campground

    Really nice horse campground

    This campground has really nice sites, that can accommodate large trailers. Each horse site has two large corrals, a fire pit, and picnic table.  There is water locations around the campground as well as bathrooms. Across the street is the main non horse campground, there is pay showers if needed and an amphitheater there. The trails weren't my favorite, a bit rocky, but were not bad either. The campground is a great location near Payson.

  • Denee H.
    Jul. 12, 2023

    Williams-Circle Pines KOA

    Horrible place

    This place is a scam! The spots are literally on top of each other. From the front door of your trailer you have 4 feet and then your stepping on someone's sewage line. Then they market all kinds of amenities but they are never even open. The golf carts are only from Thursday at 3 through Sunday. The Cafe is only open Friday through Sunday. The horses... they have a few and there is only 1 ride a day, if you can get a reservation. They have the INDOOR pool closed for the"weather"... it was sunny outside. Not that it is that great anyway. It is so small that you can barely walk around the pool much less sit down. The deck around it is also dirty disgusting. If your looking for somewhere quiet to relax and camp, DON'T go here. It's like grand central station and all you hear at night is the highway. If I was prepared to dry camp, I would have left the second I got there and camped in the woods. Don't let the website fool you like it did me. It was a waste of my vacation.

Guide to Mormon Lake

Horse camping in Arizona offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With various campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • The Little Elden Springs Horsecamp features 15 pull-through sites designed specifically for horse and mule trailers, ensuring easy access and convenience.
  • At Canyon Vista Campground, equestrian campers can enjoy spacious sites with access to nearby trails, perfect for a day of riding.
  • Fort Tuthill Luke AFB Recreation Area offers a well-maintained environment with facilities that cater to both horses and their owners, making it a popular choice for equestrian camping.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • The trails surrounding Canyon Vista Campground provide excellent opportunities for horseback riding, with scenic views and varied terrain.
  • Little Elden Springs Horsecamp is situated near numerous trails that are perfect for exploring the beautiful Coconino National Forest on horseback.
  • Campers at Fort Tuthill Luke AFB Recreation Area can take advantage of the nearby hiking and biking trails, making it a versatile destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Tips for equestrian camping near Mormon Lake, Arizona

  • When visiting Mormon Lake Lodge RV Park & Campground, arrive early to secure a spot, as the campground can fill up quickly during peak seasons.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities at Sawlog Tank South, as it offers a more rustic experience without water or electric hookups, ideal for those looking to disconnect.
  • Always check the weather and trail conditions before heading out from Little Elden Springs Horsecamp to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mormon Lake, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mormon Lake, AZ is Rancho Sedona RV Park with a 4.6-star rating from 40 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mormon Lake, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 22 equestrian camping locations near Mormon Lake, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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