24 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Little Elden Springs Horsecamp provides dedicated horse camping near Mormon Lake, Arizona, with 15 pull-through sites specifically designed for horse trailers, many accommodating 4-horse live-in trailers. Each horse campsite 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, improving overnight comfort.
Houston Mesa Campground offers another solid option for horse camping in the region. Located near Payson, this 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 practical base for exploring the surrounding area on horseback. Together, these horse campsites near Mormon Lake give equestrians reliable options with the infrastructure needed for traveling with horses.
"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."
from $42 - $84 / night
Check Availability"Aside from all the other reviews here detailing what a great affordable campground this is, I'll point out that it is literally right next door to the Pepsi Amphitheatre which means walking distance to"
"All amenities are shared so we had access to a large playground, basketball and volleyball courts, the store, and the bathhouse."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Mormon Lake is an astonishing campground: all in alpine forests, at about 6500’. Mild summer, with cool nights, many escape the heat of PHX up here."
from $20 - $46 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $22 - $170 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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"
from $34 / night
Check Availability"Cool in the Arizona summer, and there are bonfire pits (did not use due to heat/fire warnings)"
"Less busy then FR 525 yet great views and easy drive in."
GuideMormon Lake is an astonishing campground: all in alpine forests, at about 6500’. Mild summer, with cool nights, many escape the heat of PHX up here.
Many 30/50 amp full-hook up sites, with a laundry and shower room( though, this time, the showers were closed for repairs.
Mormon Lake is a huge natural flat spot in the Coconino National Forest, that even when full, might only be 5’ feet deep.
GuideStayed 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.
GuideWe 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.
LegendDead 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.
GuideThe 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.
LegendWow, 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!
TravelerAll 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.
TravelerFor 5 years we had coming to Dead Horse RV Park. And about 5 to 6 times every year. Easy access to nearby towns.
LegendWe 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.
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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.
Equestrian camping near Mormon Lake, Arizona offers access to extensive trail systems at elevations around 7,000 feet. The area features ponderosa pine forests with seasonal water levels that fluctuate, making Mormon Lake sometimes completely dry depending on precipitation patterns. Campgrounds in this high-elevation region experience significant temperature drops at night, even during summer months.
Trail riding on Hangover trail: Located near Rancho Sedona RV Park, riders can access scenic routes within walking distance. "Walking distance to trails (Hangover trail was our favorite) and restaurants. Can't beat the location. City of Sedona shuttle connect can pick you up directly from campground," notes Daniel Z.
Explore historic sites: The Shofly Indian ruins provide cultural interest for equestrians taking a break from riding. "2 miles East on Houston Mesa rd. Away you can drive to shofly Indian ruins," recommends csey R. from Houston Mesa Campground.
Water activities at nearby lakes: The Mormon Lake area offers seasonal lake access when water levels permit. "There are about eight small cabins as well. This park offers a much needed break from the Arizona heat in the spring and summer months. The 'lakes' are really more like ponds but plenty large enough to fish in as is the Verde River," explains Audrey R.
Shade protection: The tall ponderosa pines provide relief from summer sun. "Sites are spaced out a bit; not as tight as some other RV parks. There are huge shade trees. You can walk down along the creek and find some peaceful rocks for sitting on to read or contemplate," shares Kim G. from Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground.
Well-distributed campsite layouts: Campers appreciate the thoughtful arrangement of sites. "Well distributed sites. Very clean. Camp host extremely helpful. 10 minutes into Flag. Recently changed some sites to reservation on rec.gov which changes the dynamics of staying here a bit," reports Ted M. about Canyon Vista Campground.
Water access points: Multiple creeks and small water features enhance the camping experience. "An exceptionally well run site, easy out of hours check in, very clean. We stayed in the adults only section near ish to the creek. Very shady, and really good sized spaces. The creek is lovely to sit in or swim in and chill down," states Karen D.
Road noise proximity: Some campgrounds have traffic sound from nearby highways. "The noise from the highway is pretty annoying in the lower half of the park," notes Bryan S. about Williams-Circle Pines KOA.
Water supply limitations: Some sites have restricted water availability. "Limit is 5 gallons per day for each site. A market about 10 minutes SE sells water to fill at a reasonable rate. Can fill into containers or direct into the RV," advises Roger W.
Strict quiet hours: Certain campgrounds enforce noise restrictions. "This place is located right in the heart of Sedona, the bathrooms were clean, sites are shaded with lots of trees around. I gave it 4 stars because they are a little ridiculous with the quiet times, they don't like you coming and going in vehicles after 10 pm, and all lights must be off too," explains Estefania R.
Activity variety for children: Multiple recreation options keep younger campers engaged. "We love this campground! We have camped here around 5 times and always had a great stay. They have a pool and hot tub, mini golf, playground, pickle ball court, clubhouse, and lots of crafts and activities for the kids!" reports Mstwister E. from Verde River RV Resort & Cottages.
Space for play areas: Look for sites with sufficient room for children to explore safely. "We've camped at Houston Mesa Campground several times and consistently have a fantastic experience. Our kids adore playing in the dirt and exploring the trees," shares Brad & Britany B.
Swimming access for cooling off: Natural water features provide relief from heat. "2 miles north on 260 is creek on the West side of the road," suggests csey R., offering a nearby option for children to cool down during hot days.
Site leveling challenges: Some campsites require significant adjustment. "So unlevel that I ran out of leveling blocks trying to compensate. And the worst part the sewer connection was HIGHER than my TT so every time I had to empty my tanks I had to jack my trailer up higher than the drain," warns Chris N.
Spacing between large vehicles: RV campers should consider site dimensions. "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," explains Derek C. from Mormon Lake Lodge RV Park & Campground.
Solar access considerations: Site selection impacts power generation capabilities. "Solar: Good in most sites. Sites: a bit more secluded, less solar: 8,10, 14. Better Solar and a bit more secluded: 7,9, 5,6," advises Roger W., providing specific site numbers for solar-dependent RVers.
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 4.7-star rating from 43 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mormon Lake, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 equestrian camping locations near Mormon Lake, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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