Cave Creek Regional Park welcomes pets throughout its developed campground north of Phoenix, offering spacious sites with full hookups suitable for both RV and tent camping. The park maintains standard leash requirements while providing pet-friendly hiking trails that connect directly to campsite areas. Other pet-accommodating options include Desert Shadows RV Resort and Pleasant Harbor RV Resort, both offering cabin rentals alongside traditional camping spaces where pets are permitted. White Tank Mountain Regional Park provides additional pet-friendly camping with maintained trails accessible from the campground. Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings.
For dispersed camping with pets, two areas off Highway 74 north of Phoenix allow free camping with no reservation requirements while permitting pets. Dogs must be kept on leash in these areas due to wildlife concerns and desert terrain hazards. Facilities at dispersed sites are minimal, so pet owners need to pack adequate water for themselves and their animals. The RV parks closer to Phoenix proper, like Desert's Edge RV Park and Phoenix Metro RV Park, maintain clean grounds with designated pet relief areas. Temperature considerations are critical when camping with pets near Phoenix, as ground temperatures can become dangerously hot for paw pads during summer months, with nights often providing the only comfortable walking times.
"Clean, well spaced camping just outside of Phoenix!"
"Surrounded by homes but for its proximity to town its sunset views are fab. Close to a Frys and Home Depot. My onlllly reason for 4/5 stars is the surrounding homes have very noisy dogs."
"We arrived after the office was closed, but they had our bathroom keys and paperwork ready for us in the box outside the office."
"RV camping on big water in Arizona! We have stayed here a couple of times. Make sure to book a spot up on cliff overlooking the water. Great sunsets. Free shuttle to haul kayak to boat ramp."
"We keep a boat at Lake Pleasant and are part of the Arizona Yacht Club so we are up here all the time."
from $23 - $105 / night
"This was a major travel destination for RV’rs and campers passing through, or staying for a while in close proximity to Phoenix. Major disappointment."
"The further you get away from the main road the less people. Will stay here again."
"Fantastic park for seeing the stars and getting away from Phoenix city lights."
"General: Located less than an hour from Phoenix, this campground is an easy getaway."
"A two lane dump station near the Desert Tortoise camping area. Security and cleaning crews passing through keeping an eye on the rigs. Very close to Lake Pleasant."
"It was super hot in the afternoons and you really have no privacy from the campers around you. It was nice having shower facilities but they weren’t the cleanest. The lake was nice to cool off in."
"Numerous campsites available in an area along State Road 74 and New River/Lake Pleasant Roads, at least 2 or 3000 acres with hundreds of establish campsites."
"Recommend black canyon city for laundry and hiked on the black canyon trail."
"Very pleasant .there is no sewerage hook ups you have to drive to dump ech time .the people were friendly there as well"
"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."
"We stayed two nights at the Willow walk-in sites (W10). Despite our campsite being close to the bathroom it exceeded our expectations. Campground is well organized with friendly staff."
from $15 - $45 / night
GuideBLM property in a desert setting. ATV trails and Badger Spring trail for hiking. Go past the parking lot and pit toilet for boondock sites. Decent cell svc. Access road is dirt and may be worn based on weather. I-17 within view with very little road noise.
GuideI just pulled in here and didn't go very far up the road, it's dark and I'm in my 25ft Class C Motorhome. Not gonna lie, it feels a little bit wrong to be sitting here and camping out 😂 I have never been in this area, and I am hoping it will work out ok. I couldn't see if there were established places to park, so I just found a level spot behind a bush.
LegendGood location. Well maintained. Great friendly staff. Rusty Buckel Saloon is nearby and Tortilla Flat and Canyon Lake is a beautiful 30 drive. Lost Dutchman and Goldfield Ghost Town is 5 miles.
ScoutThe GOOD- charming and quaint local amenities; New facilities; Brightly illuminated for safety at all hours.
The BAD- Irresponsibly poor property drainage.
The UGLY- Low staff morale; Antagonistic relationship between owners and locals; empty park.
LegendSome sites are off the road but can be rough. Peaceful quiet nights.
LegendPeaceful. Can be windy. Watch for snakes and tarantulas. Also people leave a lot of garbage.
LegendGreat hiking. Decent size campsites.
TravelerNice size camp sites. Beautiful scenery. Showers.
TravelerWe came here to tent camp as there was an active hurricane hitting the area, gravel roads and easy to drive on. It's right off the highway so it was perfect for us if we needed to pack up and leave quickly because of the storm
Dispersed camping near Phoenix offers varied terrain from flat desert landscapes to mountain foothills with elevations ranging from 1,000-2,500 feet. Summer temperatures often exceed 110°F during daytime hours, making fall through spring the prime camping seasons. Many dispersed sites along Highway 74 and state trust lands provide no facilities but allow for spacious camping with desert vistas.
Hike the Waterfall Trail: At White Tank Mountain Regional Park, this popular trail is partially paved for the first half mile. "The waterfall only runs after heavy rain... There was water in the 'pool' and it is scenic so it was worthwhile to go despite no running falls. There are restrooms, a picnic area and a playground near this trailhead," notes Lee D. about White Tank Mountain.
Watch hot air balloons: Early risers at dispersed sites near Phoenix can catch spectacular aerial views. "Awoke to hot air balloons on the horizon! Great walks! Lovely and remote!" shares Tamra J. about her experience at Maddock Road Dispersed - AZ State Trust Land.
Explore desert wildlife: The nature center at Cave Creek Regional Park houses local wildlife displays. "They have a large Nature Center with lots of desert creatures inside including a big fat rattlesnake, gila monster, black widow spider and some scorpions to safely check out up close, plus a big outdoor enclosure for a desert tortoise," writes Chenery K.
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the ample room between sites at Cave Creek Regional Park. "The sites are spacious and spaced well enough apart from each other," notes Kristin C. about Cave Creek Regional Park.
Desert landscape: The natural vegetation and desert setting create a unique camping atmosphere. "Nice campground, serene with a large cactus next to every spot. Power and water at the spot, toilets & bathrooms available," reports Hans V. about his stay at Cave Creek Regional Park.
Proximity to water recreation: Lake Pleasant offers boating opportunities near camping areas. "RV camping on big water in Arizona! We have stayed here a couple of times. Make sure to book a spot up on cliff overlooking the water. Great sunsets. Free shuttle to haul kayak to boat ramp," recommends Margaret T. about Pleasant Harbor RV Resort.
Night access restrictions: Some parks limit entry after certain hours. "Nothing on website said gate closes and can't get back in after 9 pm," warns Nicole E. about Cave Creek Regional Park, highlighting the importance of checking park rules before planning evening activities.
Train noise at certain locations: Some campgrounds experience regular train disturbances. "There's a train that goes by at least five times a day and night and a freeway just a few blocks away. So it's not super quiet, however, the noise hasn't really bothered me either," mentions Cheri H. about Sundial Mobile & RV Park.
Permit requirements: State trust lands require permits for legal camping. "A $15 annual permit is required and a maximum stay of 14 days per year is allowed... Please purchase the permit, it is a small fee and someone does have to eventually pick up the trash that inconsiderate people leave behind," explains Rick & Terri J. about dispersed camping options.
Playground access: "There are a couple of playgrounds in the park as well," mentions Ellen W. about White Tank Mountain Regional Park, making it one of the more dog friendly campgrounds near Phoenix for families with both children and pets.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences for children. "The nature center here was very cool and I always recommend stopping in if there is one available, if nothing else to get a better idea of what kind of wildlife to watch out for in the area you are visiting," advises Crystal C.
Group-friendly sites: "My visit was to the Cave Creek Regional Park... The best part of this park is the outdoor theater seating for events and HUGE picnic area with paved parking, shaded tables, and even a basketball hoop," shares Chenery K., highlighting amenities that accommodate larger family gatherings.
Limited 55+ restrictions: Finding age-inclusive RV parks can be challenging. "Simple and affordable RV park. Pretty much the ONLY one we could get ahold of in the phoenix area that isn't 55+," explains Juliet L. about Sundial Mobile & RV Park, making it noteworthy for younger RVers seeking pet-friendly campgrounds near Phoenix.
Site marker visibility: "I got in after dark and it was very difficult to find my reserved spot. The site markers are so small that you can't read them from your car unless it's daylight," cautions Cheri H., suggesting arrival during daylight hours.
Campground accessibility: Desert's Edge RV Park provides convenient access to northern Arizona attractions. "Not super close to anything, but wound up exploring Jerome and Sedona to the North and most of Phoenix to the South while I was there with my 35ft rig," explains William F., noting how this location serves as a good base for exploring beyond Phoenix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Phoenix, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Phoenix, AZ is Cave Creek Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Phoenix, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 181 dog-friendly camping locations near Phoenix, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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