The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near New River. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near New River, AZ. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers 148 sites for RV and tent camping within the campgrounds (does not including primitive camping sites) Each "Developed Site" has water, electricity, dump station, a covered ramada, a picnic table, a barbecue grill and fire ring. Each "Semi-Developed Site" and tent site has a covered ramada, a picnic table, a barbecue grill and fire ring, unless otherwise acknowledged in the description or camping map. Restroom and/or shower facilities are available at both types of campsites. All sites in the campground may be reserved online at www.maricopacountyparks.org/. Campgrounds Desert Tortoise Campground has 74 campsites: 25 Developed Sites, 39 Semi-Developed Sites, and 10 Tent Sites. Roadrunner Campground offers 71 sites for RV and tent camping. All sites are Developed. Large groups can reserve the Desert Tortoise Group Campground. The Group Campground includes a parking area for RVs, picnic tables, and ramadas. The use of this area is by reservation only and requires a minimum commitment of 10 camping units. Shoreline Camping Lake Pleasant Regional Park also has shoreline/primitive camping during most of the year, depending on water levels. Shoreline camping is only permitted within designated areas for such use, when available. Day-of availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be reserved during business hours at the park. For information on camping fees, click on this link to be redirected to the "Fees" page. The first phase or re-introducing primitive/shoreline camping will be rolled out in late January 2021, with the area of the Dirt Spillway. Future areas will be included in phases at later dates. Campers must park in designated parking areas. Tent camping will be permitted along the shoreline within the designated area. No vehicles will be permitted to park along the shoreline within the area. Check-in time the day of arrival shall occur no earlier than 2 p.m. Campers must check out the day of departure by 12 p.m. (noon). Boat-In Camping Boat-in camping is now available at the 10 Lane Parking Lot. Roughly 30 assigned parking spaces have been designated for such use. Each camping/parking space is approximately 45 feet long by 12 ft. wide to accommodate most boat trailers and towing vehicles. Reservations are required. Day-of availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, and can only be reserved during business hours at the park. Boaters must camp on the waters of Lake Pleasant – no shoreline camping available at this time. Camping is not permitted within the parking lot/camp space. Boat-in camping is a great option for fisherman looking to fish in the late evening/early morning hours. Boat-in campers must arrive and check-in before the park closes at night (8 pm).
$15 - $300 / night
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
Set in the northeast Valley of metro Phoenix, McDowell Mountain Regional Park covers 21,099 acres in the lower Verde River basin. Campers choose from 76 individual sites for tent or RV camping, which can accommodate up to a 45-foot RV. These developed sites have water and electrical hook-ups, plus a dump station, picnic table, and barbecue fire ring, while all restrooms offer flush toilets and showers. Group camping is also available.
McDowell Mountain activities range from biking, hiking, and horseback riding on over 50 miles of multi-use trails to picnicking, stargazing, and plenty of park-organized programs and events.
$32 / night
Bartlett Flat Bartlett Reservoir and the Arizona Upland phase of the Sonoran Desert. This site offers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains. Bartlett Flat has primitive boat launch opportunities for small boats. River Access Point (RAP) for Verde River. There are no designated campsites at this shoreline area but camping along the shore is allowed. High water levels will limit the amount of available shoreline in this area.
Roadrunner Campground offers 71 sites for RV and tent camping. All sites are Developed.
Set in the northeast Valley of metro Phoenix, McDowell Mountain Regional Park covers 21,099 acres in the lower Verde River basin. Campers choose from 76 individual sites for tent or RV camping, which can accommodate up to a 45-foot RV. These developed sites have water and electrical hook-ups, plus a dump station, picnic table, and barbecue fire ring, while all restrooms offer flush toilets and showers. Group camping is also available.
McDowell Mountain activities range from biking, hiking, and horseback riding on over 50 miles of multi-use trails to picnicking, stargazing, and plenty of park-organized programs and events.
$32 / night
Bartlett Flat Bartlett Reservoir and the Arizona Upland phase of the Sonoran Desert. This site offers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains. Bartlett Flat has primitive boat launch opportunities for small boats. River Access Point (RAP) for Verde River. There are no designated campsites at this shoreline area but camping along the shore is allowed. High water levels will limit the amount of available shoreline in this area.
Guide
We stayed at the Willow Campground for two nights while visiting family and friends in the Surprise area. Hiked the Waterfall and Black Loop Trail for a little exercise as well. Didn’t do any others as our dog had an encounter with a stray cholla ball. This would be the only concern for those traveling with pets. There are quite a few lose even along trails. Other than that the facilities are clean and well kept. Fresh water and showers are available.
Guide
We stayed a couple of nights while visiting family and friends in the area. Gave us a chance to refill water and propane, take some long hot showers and generally recharge before heading back out on the road. Great facilities - very clean and friendly staff.
Scout
Stayed 3 nights. Easy access to/from town, recently graded road as of this writing, and (kind of) level sites. Quiet during the winter season at least and plenty of wildlife. Like most dispersed camping, kooks leave trash everywhere.
Traveler
This was an open spot at night, and we needed to park, so we did, and saw the place covered in broken bottles, paint brushes, garbage, and up the hill someone has been using the bathroom all over the grounds and leaving nasty toilet paper all over. The horse pen is full of broken bottles and empty gun casings, you can see that people come up here to trash the place.
Traveler
Not a fan. Won’t be back with my trailer.
Scout
Camped here with my family. The scenery was beautiful, but didn’t love the fact that people were blaring their music here until 2AM in the morning.
Scout
Had a wonderful time white tail deer walking thru the campsite. Plenty of sites to choose from. The only problem we ran into were the wild pigs trying to open our tote (no food in the store ) board games and camp kitchen utensils.
Traveler
Enjoyed our December visit to Lake Marina campsite 201. Will say campsites are close together. Awesome families close to us made it fun. Need to show up with the mindset that you will be around a lot of people. The lake access is hard to beat. Awesome to sit and watch the kids play on the beach. Can fish 30 ft from your campsite.
Scout
Beautiful camping surrounded by ponderosa pines and boulders. Rich in wildlife.
We were pushing the envelope with a 30 ft camper. Would strongly suggest motorhomes and longer RV's not consider this location. Our family were the only campers during our stay. Lots of activity in and around Crown King. Gas and water available in town. Due to roads, add an hour to any estimated drive time if pulling a trailer.
Guide
Yes, I paid the$15 fee and I've been here a couple weeks. People are pretty great. I had Christmas Eve dinner with a bunch of other campers. A lot of fun
Guide
From what i gather, some dimbasses were taking pit shots at the free roam cattle...I guess they thought they were not owned. Regardless, we had been there about a week when we were abruptly told to pack up and get out of here. So I did. Liked the spots though.
TravelerThe campsite is good, quiet, easily accessible and I met some friendly neighbors. I love all the cacti as well. There is quite a bit of trash and glass around. Full Verizon cell service and nice warm weather in December.
Scout
Beautiful park. Expensive but worth every penny. Unbelievable amenities
Traveler
Quiet and calm vibe. Found some random deer hooves at my site which is a little strange but otherwise it was perfect
Guide
The road in is a little rough, but ok. Two week stay limit, but that's pretty standard for BLM properties. There's no facilities so be prepared. Good level land and plenty of room. Wild burros wander through occasionally, and coyotes make their presence known as well. Fantastic views and quiet atmosphere, so far. Been here two nights and plan to stay for at least another week.
Traveler
Dirt road is a bit washboard but very manageable by any vehicle.
Spots line the road to the left & right as you travel down the road. cell Service can be excellent or poor depending on site you choose (avoid the ones in the dips/valleys if its a concern for you)
No facilities, just good ol’ convenient Arizona boondocking.
I came in mid December and there were only a handful of others.
ScoutCoordinates led to a cattle guard that is fenced closed. No access to the site. You could park next to the road though.
GuidePretty decent selection of sites. Some are right on the road, but others are tucked away quite nice. Less than 10 mins from town, but you wouldn’t know it. Roads in are a breeze with only a few sites where having more clearance might be nice. Enjoyed our stay other than one night where our neighbors got a little wild. Sites aren’t that close but at 100 decibels it doesn’t matter.
TravelerPerfect for just getting away for the weekend. Only a 45 minute drive from the house, yet far enough that you still feel like you got away.
Lots of good hiking, Ghost Town, good views. Worth every second. Easily our favorite quick camping trip.
GuideDirt road in but very drivable. Lots of available places to pull off and camp. Beautiful scenery. In sight of I17 but no sound from it at all. No available shade but my solar set up needs full sun, so it's perfect for me. Will definitely come back
Guide
As soon as I got there, I got the dog out and what do we immediately find? Used drug needles littering the ground around a fire ring. Definitely not somewhere I'd feel comfortable staying the night.
ScoutApproachable, very good spot near the highway, also with a camper van.
Guide
Lots of room all rvs except little ol me, but only for a couple weeks.
Traveler
This is a huge park. 1365 sites. Crammed in pretty tight, but fairly clean and very nice staff. Most of the sites are pull thru so that’s a bonus.
Scout
This is to Mike the owner,
Just wanted to let you know that you are a poor excuse for a human being. We were going to move anyway, but you pushed it ahead, so now my disabled wife and I are in the desert. Thanks.
ScoutBusiness as usual at The lamplighter they specialize in stealing your home throwing you in the street the new manager is an outright liar she lies in open court their concern is themselves and nothing else places infested with rats cockroaches dopers to the family to help start the neighborhood watch we evicted so there's no neighborhood watch anymore but there's lots of dopers I've witnessed the manager the new manager coming out of a dope house in her own risk and you owner Mike pure trash and what can you meet that award-winning staff he has there you have a manager that sleeps with residents numerous residents I believe her last name is basua
Scout
Thanks to the efforts of the environaz- mentality of the last 40 years there are horribly few true sanctioned OHV areas for folks to legally use and enjoy offroad Motorsports, neither FREE or PAID. So OHV owners have nearly zero options. Bulldog Canyon is one those tiny few chances for those OHVers. Campers need to be cognizant of this and respect the OHV'er, not demand OHV'ers respect THEM! If you are looking for a pure silent CAMPground, and are of the "get off my lawn" and or "man/woman shouts at clouds" type, look elsewhere. There are PLENTY of options for such inflexible campers to demand adherence to THEIR level of enjoyment. Bulldog isn't free, OHVers pay for the unlimited access - when allowed that access - to trails WITHOUT time/day/hour exceptions. So if you're a camper, bring some earplugs if the sounds of all-hours OHVers is disturbing to you. Bulldog Canyon is a fantastic area for those campers who enjoy the OHV. I no longer can use an OHV but I enjoy seeing these younger generations doing what mine and earlier gens once took for granted nearly everywhere unrestricted. Highly recommend Bdog Canyon for the fun-lovers and young-at-hearts. For the HOA-loving types, sincerely consider elsewhere for your benefit and those of others.
Camping near New River, Arizona, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax under the stars, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near New River, Arizona, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near New River, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, New River, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 270 campgrounds and RV parks near New River, AZ and 81 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near New River, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New River, AZ is Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 65 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near New River, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 81 free dispersed camping spots near New River, AZ.
What parks are near New River, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near New River, AZ that allow camping, notably Tonto National Forest and Prescott National Forest.
