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Little Elden Springs Horsecamp provides limited equestrian facilities for visitors near Parks, Arizona. The campground accommodates both tent and RV campers with horses, offering drive-in access with drinking water, toilet facilities, and trash services. Sites are reservable but lack electrical or water hookups for RVs. The campground maintains pet-friendly policies, allowing horses and dogs throughout the facility. Sites fill quickly during peak riding season, particularly from late spring through early fall.
Located within Coconino National Forest, Little Elden Springs Horsecamp connects riders to an extensive trail network through northern Arizona's pine forests. While the campground does not feature dedicated horse corrals, riders typically bring portable corrals or use highline systems at their campsites. The primitive facilities require proper manure management and adherence to Leave No Trace principles for horse waste. Trailer parking is available at each site, though larger rigs should verify access conditions before arrival. Riders report positive experiences with the trail access directly from camp, making it convenient for daily rides without having to trailer horses to trailheads. Water for horses is available on-site but in limited supply during drier months.
"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."
"To get to the campground, travel thru the county park and follow the signs to Luke AFB recreation area. The campground is part of a larger complex that includes a lodge, cabins, and yurts."
"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"
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Open meadow with trees in the area, with views of the surrounding mountains when the weather permits. Never packed at this location, even during the summer!"
"The road in was dry but had ruts from muddy times but doable with our 26' travel trailer. 20 min drive back to Flag but there is a truck stop close by."
"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."
"Nice RV Park close to Cottonwood and Jerome and only 30 minutes away from Sedona. Quiet area and well kept that also has Park Model cabins available."
from $42 - $84 / night
Check Availability"Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park."
"They have a lake to fish in and equestrian center to go on horse back rides."
from $25 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
from $80 - $100 / night
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.
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.
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!
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.
ScoutThis 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.
LegendWe are always pleased with our stay here. The park has so many different activities from hiking, horse trail, lakes and access to the verde river. We stayed in spot 97 this time and had some privacy with the bushes and trees from our neighbors. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. There is a fun bike track for the kids or even adults up by the tent loop. Cottonwood is just a few miles and lots to do in town.
GuideThis was definitely the fanciest RV park on our trip. And the most expensive. I think it was about $88/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. Even though it was a bit pricey for the size of the site, the place is maintained like Disney… maintenance driving around fixing things, Gardner’s trimming things, and the bathroom gets cleaned everyday and was always spotless. Showers were nice and ended up being close to our site. Most of the staff are friendly and nice, with an occasional slightly grumpy one. It was also very close to downtown which was nice! Not quite close enough we wanted to walk… but a quick drive. The sites were very pretty, nice gravel, and lots of happy birds singing. Overall very happy, just a tad pricey. But it’s just because of the proximity to Sedona.
Little Elden Springs Horsecamp connects riders directly to an extensive trail system through the Coconino National Forest. The equestrian-only campground offers 15 pull-through sites that accommodate large horse trailers up to 4-horse capacity. The campground features 7 water points distributed throughout the grounds for horse access, with sites filling up quickly during prime riding season when trail conditions are optimal.
Trail riding from camp: Riders can access trails directly from Little Elden Springs Horsecamp without having to trailer horses to trailheads. "The outhouse is the cleanest we have ever seen. Nice trails," notes Jack M. about the camp's maintained facilities and direct trail access.
Visit Bearizona: Located 30 minutes from Williams-Circle Pines KOA, this wildlife park offers drive-through animal viewing. "We went to Bearizona, rode go-carts, played mini golf. Bikes work well here," reports Dave R., highlighting the variety of nearby attractions when taking a break from horseback riding.
Explore Verde River: The river provides natural water access for cooling off during summer months. "At the back you have the River you can walk around and you are surrounded with mountain views," states Christina R. about Verde River RV Resort, making it a good option for horse riders wanting water access for animals after trail days.
Spacious equestrian sites: The sites at Little Elden Springs are designed specifically for horse camping with trailer space. "There are 15 pull-through sites, many that can accommodate 4-horse live-n trailers," explains RvNaut, noting the campground's horse-friendly design.
Clean facilities: Despite being a primitive campground, Little Elden Springs maintains high cleanliness standards. "Camp host was very helpful he keeps the sites looking great. The outhouse is the cleanest we have ever seen," reports Jack M., highlighting the well-maintained nature of this equestrian-focused facility.
Proximity to Flagstaff: Canyon Vista Campground offers another nearby camping option just 10 minutes from Flagstaff. "Beautiful campground with hiking trails, bathrooms and friendly hosts. Conveniently located near Flag and lots of shady sites," notes John R., emphasizing the accessibility of urban amenities while still enjoying forest camping.
Horse-only camping policy: Little Elden Springs Horsecamp strictly requires campers to bring horses, maintaining its dedicated equestrian focus. "The Little Elden Springs Horse Campground is a reservation HORSE/MULE ONLY campground," confirms RvNaut.
Water limitations: Though water points are available, supplies can be limited during dry periods. Riders should bring supplemental water for horses during peak summer months when trail riding demands more hydration.
Weather considerations: The high elevation camping in this region experiences significant seasonal changes. When camping at Fort Tuthill Luke AFB Recreation Area, Owen M. notes, "When there is enough snow, there is a tube run that is so much fun!" showing the dramatic seasonal variations that affect the region.
Equestrian education: Little Elden Springs offers opportunities for children to learn about horses and trail riding protocols, making it an educational experience for families with horses.
Alternative family activities: For non-equestrian families, nearby campgrounds offer family-focused amenities. "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!" shares Mstwister E. about Verde River RV Resort.
Educational opportunities: Dead Horse Ranch State Park provides nature learning experiences for children. "The 'lakes' are really more like ponds but plenty large enough to fish in as is the Verde River, running through the park. Make sure to go down and take a dip during the warm seasons. They've recently improved the playground for young ones," explains Audrey R.
Large rig considerations: For horse trailers with living quarters, site planning is essential. Most sites can accommodate larger rigs, but access routes may have limitations during wet weather periods.
Site selection strategy: When camping with horses, look for sites with adequate space for portable corrals. "Camp sites are close to each other along with the cabins," mentions Jordan H. about Williams-Circle Pines KOA, suggesting the importance of selecting more spacious sites when traveling with horses.
Hookup availability: Most equestrian campgrounds in the area have limited or no hookups. Prepare for dry camping by bringing sufficient water and power sources for extended stays, especially when caring for horses that require additional resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Parks, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Parks, AZ is Williams-Circle Pines KOA with a 4.4-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Parks, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Parks, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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