148 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The historic mining town of Oatman, Arizona serves as a gateway to diverse camping options in the Mohave Desert region, ranging from free dispersed campsites to full-service RV resorts within a 30-mile radius. The Y Dispersed Campsite sits just 2.5 miles from downtown Oatman, offering free camping with minimal amenities but convenient access to the town's attractions. Black Mountain RV Park, approximately 8 miles from Oatman, provides tent and RV sites with basic amenities. Further afield, established campgrounds near Bullhead City, Laughlin, and Lake Mohave offer varying levels of services, from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots with amenities like showers, laundry facilities, and recreation areas.
Camping in the Oatman area requires preparation for desert conditions, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F. Winter months (October through April) offer more moderate temperatures ideal for camping. Many dispersed sites on BLM land have 14-day stay limits and no facilities, requiring campers to pack in water and pack out waste. As one camper noted, "Bring what you need with you. The closest full grocer is in Kingman which is about 25 minutes away." Road conditions vary significantly, with some dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. Cell service is spotty in remote areas but generally available near towns. Afternoon winds are common in open desert areas, particularly at higher elevations.
The region's wildlife, particularly wild burros, creates a unique camping experience. According to one visitor at The Y Dispersed Campsite, "The scenery is wonderful, and the local wildlife make regular appearances. Burros frequent the area looking for food from travelers and often stand in the middle of the road." These descendants of mining-era pack animals roam freely throughout the area. Campers report varying experiences with noise levels, with sites closer to highways experiencing more traffic sounds. Those seeking quieter experiences should consider campgrounds further from main roads. Stargazing opportunities are excellent in more remote locations due to minimal light pollution. Many campers use Oatman as a basecamp for exploring historic Route 66, abandoned mines, and the surrounding desert landscape.
"Loved being able to set up our Napier Sportz tent with our Subaru at the river's edge on the Colorado River just outside of Bullhead City, Az. (across from Laughlin, NV). So clear!"
"The Colorado river is beautiful and at your door step. Rent jet skis or go on a boat ride from the Casino across the river on the Nevada side in Laughlin."
"Pulled off the highway and yes the road is a bit rough but can be navigated with slow speed and caution. Drive about 1/2 mile to a small area with a fire ring. Level and clean."
"It is on Buckwash Road off of Highway 68. Before you get to Bullhead City."
"This site is a walk away from Needles KOA, so if you need anything small, it's a very short walk to their store (where they carry some foods and drinks)."
"Close to town for meals, shopping and cheap gas across the state line. Could hear big trucks on adjacent freeway but quiet enough for a good nights rest."
"They have a lot of amenities plus if you want to gamble walk across the street to his casino and spend it on up. Rentals from boats to jetskis are all nearby."
"Don Laughlin’s Riverside RV Park Resort offers a prime location along the Colorado River with convenient access to all the entertainment and amenities of the Riverside Resort."
"Telephone Cove is a beautiful and very peaceful location. We visited on a Tuesday in early April. Although it seemed somewhat crowded for a weekday, everyone we encountered was friendly."
"Dirt road in was about 4 miles long from the highway but pretty well graded and easy to drive, big rig friendly. Plenty of camping spots along the water with some shade trees."
"The cool thing here is that the AVI casino is directly across the street and is the only thing around for miles, so you’ll most likely be spending your time there like we did."
"Casino is across the street next to the river. Fireworks are nightly and available to buy at the corner gas station /fireworks store. Grocery stores are very close for any of your needs."
from $63 - $92 / night
Check Availability"Rough crowd around and needles is a disgusting town. It will suffice if you need to stop for a night. Level spots descent size. Well stocked store with very friendly staff"
"Last minute reservation traveling from Yosemite-Tule Lake. Easy access off 40. Carla was very accommodating offering one of the 2 shaded lots available for our dogs sake as it was 92."
"Just a few .miles from historic Oatman. Watch out for the mules! 3 bars of 5g with Verizon."
"I was startled by three burros walking through the camp after dark"
TravelerReally nice place. I did pick up a lot of trash here and put it towards the road. During the day there are locals that come up and shoot. Other than that pretty peaceful. Love the lightning storms. Some of the campsites you definitely need to have a 4x4. Stay closer to the entrance you should be fine.
ScoutFt Beale RV Park is so welcoming! Some of the most friendly people I have gotten the pleasure to meet. Renting monthly and from day 1 my husband and I felt like we belong here. Pool is really clean& wonderful(especially in 100⁰) laundry room clean and machines work great. Front desk has mail slots and Rob& Danni and the whole gang are just great! Ft. Beale has over night parking w/full hook ups. Love the trees in each spot. We would definitely recommend coming here if looking for a safe, quiet and clean RV park.
ScoutCheap enough, but cheap isn’t always good! Don & Sylvia are the worse managers ever! If they decide they don’t like you they make your life miserable! They had it out for us the first week we were there! They lie & are very deceiving people! We were forced out & had to sell our RV’s just to get out! One of our neighbors pulled a shotgun gun on us & another resident threatened 3 times to kill my friend! They did nothing! I did prosecute the guy with the gun & the other guy is still there threatening people! I guess he’s their bodyguard! It was pure hell living there! They had algae in the water and they weren’t telling anybody about it so I did! They don’t like to be questioned And I was threatened to call the sheriff if you do question them! The owner James Kimball isn’t any better he goes along with whatever they say! There’s much better parks around town a little more expensive, but much better than living at Canyon West RV Park! We were there from February to the middle of July and it was pure hell the whole time! I do not recommend this place to anybody. It will only cause you problems down the road. They find a way to get you out if they don’t like you! A very toxic environment!
GuideEvery site has water views. Space between sites. Easy walk to the beach. Boat ramp is a short walk when being picked up for a day on the water. Amazing sunsets. In town so close to everything. We love Lake Havasu State Park and have stayed multiple times.
GuideSites are easy to access. Have stayed a few time and the lower part is less windy. Can get pretty windy in the upper portian. Close to everything yet away from it all.
ScoutWe absolutely loved camping here! The RV site has full hookups (electricity, water, and sewer), plus great Wi-Fi and cable TV. The campground is very nice, quiet, and clean. It's perfect for the summer since the beach is close by and there are stores nearby. The restrooms and showers are also very clean. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend it!" We visited for the 4th of July, and even though it was pretty crowded, we had an amazing time! We luckily grabbed the very last available spot. We got a pull-through site, which was fantastic because we didn't have to back in and could easily drive right through. Although our spot was a bit further back and not on the front line, it was actually great because the restrooms and showers were right next to us. It was an incredible stay!"
RangerSeveral spots up here, spread far apart and providing some much needed shade. We did some hiking in the area and enjoyed the location. No AT&T here.
RangerReally good spot to stay, was nice and quiet. One SXS came by as I was coming in around 2230-2300 but never came back though. If you like to trail ride as well this is a good spot. From easy to a few washouts need a 4x4 though for some areas. But if you stay on the main dirt road you should be okay.
ScoutNice area for an overnight trip. However you will have to beat the locals. It seems that they live here.
Dispersed camping sites make up the majority of free camping options near Oatman, Arizona, with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) overseeing approximately 75% of the surrounding terrain. At 2,700 feet elevation, Oatman experiences large temperature fluctuations, with overnight lows often dropping 30-40 degrees below daytime highs, even in summer. Night temperatures can dip below freezing between November and March, requiring campers to prepare for both heat and cold.
Exploring old mining roads: The Black Mountains surrounding Oatman contain numerous off-road trails leading to abandoned mines. At Old Kingman Highway Dispersed Camping, campers find "great dispersed sites. Nice morning views and if you're on your way to joshua tree it provides an interesting route down to it." Many trails require high-clearance vehicles.
Watersports at Lake Mohave: Located 22 miles northwest of Oatman, Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove offers shoreline camping with water access. "Beautiful spot especially if you have kayaks or small fishing boats, easy to launch from camp," notes one visitor. The lake maintains stable water temperatures year-round due to cold water releases from Hoover Dam.
Wildlife photography: Wild burros frequently visit camps near Oatman. At The Y Dispersed Campsite, "Burros frequent the area looking for food from travelers and often stand in the middle of the road. They also gather among the campers." Morning and evening provide optimal lighting conditions for photography.
Desert night skies: The Black Mountains block light pollution from nearby Laughlin and Bullhead City, creating exceptional stargazing conditions. Campers at the higher elevation sites report minimal artificial light interference. One visitor at Katherine Landing North Campground notes it's "quiet, beautiful and just the right balance of amenities to campsites."
Diverse camping options: The region offers everything from primitive sites to full-service resorts. At Davis Camp Park, "We always get the yearly pass for seniors $20.00. Late night the donkeys walk through the park." The campground provides riverside sites with mountain backdrops.
Solitude during weekdays: Even popular camping areas see significant decreases in visitors Monday through Thursday. During these periods, many campers report having entire sections of dispersed camping areas to themselves. One camper at Old Kingman Highway Dispersed Camping shared: "We loved our stay so much we had to return. The sunsets are just amazing."
Limited cell coverage: Service varies dramatically across the region. While Oatman proper has consistent coverage, signal strength drops quickly in surrounding canyons. Campers should download offline maps before arrival. At Desert View RV Resort, one visitor notes: "I couldn't get their internet to work, but I had enough bars with Verizon to use my cell phone for a hotspot."
Water availability challenges: No public water sources exist in dispersed camping areas. The nearest reliable water access is in Bullhead City, 25 miles from Oatman. Summer campers should plan for at least 2 gallons per person per day. When camping at Katherine Landing North Campground, visitors appreciate that it has "concrete picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grills, modern restrooms, showers, with laundry facilities close by."
Flash flood awareness: The desert terrain channels rainfall quickly through washes and low-lying areas. Never camp in arroyos or washes, even during dry weather. Afternoon thunderstorms can produce dangerous floods miles away from rainfall. One camper at Old Kingman Highway Dispersed Camping observed: "Road in is definitely not RV friendly. We did alright coming in and did find a spot to pull off about a mile in."
Wildlife education opportunities: Turn burro encounters into learning experiences about desert adaptation and mining history. Children should maintain safe distances (at least 50 feet) from wild animals. At The Y Dispersed Campsite, one camper warns: "Just beware the coyotes are hunting your little dogs. An occasional Donkey will walk thru & your dog looks like there enemy, Wile E Coyote!"
Temperature management: During summer, plan activities before 10am and after 4pm to avoid peak heat. Keep cooling towels and spray bottles accessible for children. At Davis Camp Park, one camper advises: "The beaches were VERY crowded so we had to get to the water early to secure a spot. It was also really windy so be prepared."
Accessibility considerations: Not all sites require off-road driving. Several designated camping areas near Oatman can accommodate standard passenger vehicles. When visiting with mobility-limited family members, consider Katherine Landing North Campground where "the roads are paved and great for biking."
Generator etiquette: In dispersed camping areas, observe quiet hours from 10pm to 7am. Position generators away from neighboring campsites and use noise-dampening equipment when possible. At Riverside Casino and RV Park, campers appreciate that "guests can enjoy shuttle service to the casino, restaurants, and movie theater, making it a great blend of outdoor relaxation and vibrant nightlife."
Leveling challenges: The desert terrain around Oatman features gradual slopes. Bring extra leveling blocks as many dispersed sites require significant adjustment. At Davis Camp Park, visitors note: "The sites are mostly level but could use some maintaining. The grounds are very dusty and the roads are a mix of dirt and old pavement."
Shade requirements: Few natural shade options exist in dispersed areas. Portable awnings or shade structures are essential for summer camping. During winter months, RVers often position vehicles to block prevailing northwest winds. At Desert View RV Resort, "Nice tall Oleander shrubs provide shade and privacy between sites. Generous sized pull through sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the wild burros in Oatman, Arizona?
The wild burros of Oatman are descendants of pack animals abandoned by miners in the early 1900s when mining operations ceased. These free-roaming donkeys have become the town's most famous residents, wandering the streets and interacting with visitors. According to campers at The Y Dispersed Campsite, the burros frequently approach campers looking for food and sometimes stand in the middle of the road. While charming, they should be treated with caution – they're wild animals that see dogs as potential threats. Some campgrounds like Crossroads RV Park are fenced specifically to keep the burros out.
What is the history of Oatman, Arizona?
Oatman was founded as a mining camp after gold was discovered in 1915, sparking one of Arizona's last gold rushes. The town boomed quickly, reaching a population of over 10,000. Named after Olive Oatman, a woman who was famously kidnapped by Native Americans in the 1850s, the town's prosperity was short-lived. When Route 66 was rerouted in the 1950s, Oatman fell into decline and became a ghost town. Today, visitors staying at Black Mountain RV Park often explore Oatman's historic buildings and abandoned mines in the surrounding mountains. The town maintains its Old West character with historic structures including the Oatman Hotel, where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard reportedly spent their honeymoon.
Where can I camp near Oatman, Arizona?
Several camping options exist near Oatman. For those seeking the closest accommodations, The Y Dispersed Campsite offers free primitive camping just outside town with frequent wildlife sightings, including burros and coyotes. For more amenities, Tradewinds RV Park provides level sites with concrete patios, laundry facilities, and friendly service. About 8 miles from Oatman, Black Mountain RV Park serves as an excellent base for exploring Oatman and surrounding mining areas. For those willing to drive a bit farther, Davis Camp Park near Bullhead City and Cattail Cove State Park Campground offer waterfront camping on the Colorado River with beaches and developed facilities.
Is Oatman worth visiting?
Oatman is absolutely worth visiting for its authentic Old West atmosphere and unique attractions. The wild burros roaming the streets, historic buildings, and gunfight reenactments create an experience unlike anywhere else. Travelers staying at Moon River RV Resort mention Oatman as a highlight of their trip, appreciating its proximity to Laughlin and Bullhead City while offering something completely different. Kingman KOA guests frequently make day trips to Oatman, finding the winding mountain drive along historic Route 66 to be an adventure in itself. While some gift shops and restaurants have limited hours, the town's character, history, and photogenic burros make it a worthwhile detour.
Keep Exploring
