Best Campgrounds near Prescott Valley, AZ

The Prescott Valley area encompasses a range of camping environments within the transition zone between Arizona's high desert and pine forests. Prescott National Forest manages several developed campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, including Lynx Lake Campground and Hilltop Campground, both offering tent and RV sites with basic amenities. Point of Rocks RV Campground sits uniquely positioned above Watson Lake, providing full hookup sites for RVs year-round. For those seeking higher elevation experiences, Mingus Mountain Campground offers spectacular views overlooking both Prescott Valley and Cottonwood from its perch at over 7,000 feet. Most developed sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while amenity levels vary from primitive to full-service.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping options around Prescott Valley. Many Forest Service campgrounds like Lynx Lake and Hilltop operate only from April through October, closing during winter months. As one camper noted, "I came spring and fall and never summer. Weather was gorgeous 80 high/50 low. I have camped late October and slept in my tent in 19° weather." Summer monsoon storms typically arrive in July and August, bringing afternoon thunderstorms and occasional flash flooding. Fire restrictions commonly take effect from May through July during the driest period. Road conditions vary widely, with some campgrounds accessible via paved roads while others require high-clearance vehicles. Cell service is generally available near developed campgrounds but becomes spotty in more remote areas.

Campers consistently highlight the region's diverse landscapes and proximity to recreation. Watson Lake receives particular praise, with one visitor noting, "The short walk to the stunning Lake Watson makes this park a must visit. You'll feel like you're in the wilderness of the mountains yet be a DoorDash call away from pizza at your door." Highway noise affects some campgrounds, particularly White Spar and those near major roads. Dust can be problematic at certain sites during windy conditions. The elevation difference between campgrounds creates notable temperature variations, with higher sites like Mingus Mountain offering relief from summer heat. Most campgrounds maintain good spacing between sites, though weekend crowding occurs at popular locations like Lynx Lake. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting everything from elk to bears in the surrounding forests.

Best Camping Sites Near Prescott Valley, Arizona (240)

    1. Point of Rocks RV Campground

    32 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 445-9018

    $51 - $66 / night

    "Pros: uniquely located in the rocks above Watson Lake. Very strong wifi. Good location between Prescott and Prescott Valley. Cons: Dusty. Store/office still closed (March 2022) due to Covid. 🤦‍♂️"

    "The short walk to the stunning lake Watson makes this park a must visit."

    2. White Spar Campground

    42 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $18 - $36 / night

    "This was not necessarily true of the other loops that we heard in the distance."

    "Prescott, Arizona. Nice sites, 3 of which are first come first serve. We got one of those. Wooded area with drinking water pumps scattered about, trash receptacles, and toilets."

    3. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Cottonwood, AZ
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 634-5283

    $25 - $70 / night

    "Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park."

    "The 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. "

    4. Lynx Lake Campground

    19 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $18 - $36 / night

    "Very busy and popular US Forest Service campground, conveniently located near Prescott and Prescott Valley, AZ."

    "It was not to far from the lake, a short hike down the hill. The Hosts were great. They would check to see if we needed anything or just drive through & wave."

    5. Potato Patch Campground

    20 Reviews
    Jerome, AZ
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 567-4121

    $18 - $36 / night

    "Water and bathroom was close by. Campground was well kept and very clean throughout. The lower loop had better shade and spots were still more spread out."

    "This campground is a nice place to get away from it all. The campground is clean, has water and compost toilets. The toilets have a unique ventilation system leaving no unpleasant odors."

    6. Mingus Mountain Campground

    13 Reviews
    Jerome, AZ
    11 miles
    Website

    "You can over look Prescott valley or on the other side of the mountain you can over look cottonwood."

    "In one word views, views for miles some of the best I’ve seen in Arizona."

    7. Hilltop Campground

    10 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $18 - $36 / night

    "US Forest Service campground, conveniently located near Prescott and Prescott Valley, AZ. Only Loop A is first come, first serve."

    "Quieter than Lynx Lake campground but a bit further out. Still it's beautiful. I am local so of I forget something I can go home and come back out. Host normally has firewood for sale."

    8. Watson Lake Park

    9 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 222-1767

    "This is probably the most unique lake in Arizona! Incredible views! Rock formations instead of shoreline make this a little less user friendly, but worth the effort."

    "This park is such a beautiful place and escape the Arizona heat. You can't go in the water but they rent kayaks at the park and there's plenty of places you can stand with your feet in the water."

    9. Willow Lake RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 445-6311

    $51 / night

    "We chose this RV park because of it's proximity to Whiskey Row and the road to Jerome. We brought our motorcycle specifically for that ride. Showed up after office hours (closed at 6pm)."

    "But - location, location, location!! 5 minute walk from our site on the far side of the park (no view but that's okay) to some trails to the Granite Dells and Willow Lake."

    10. West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping

    72 Reviews
    Coconino National Forest Recreation, AZ
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 203-2900

    "The best dispersed camping options in Sedona Arizona! There are many options off of the main road."

    "My friend from Maryland came to visit me here in Arizona, I told him we had to go to Sedona so we decided to camp, I heard about forest road 525 and it exceeded my expectations, never saw more stars in"

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Recent Reviews near Prescott Valley, AZ

1549 Reviews of 240 Prescott Valley Campgrounds


  • G
    Oct. 28, 2025

    White Spar Campground

    Convenient and clean

    Great spot, easy to get to, clean and has the facilities I needed car camping. I'm here mid week.

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Cave Springs

    Packed and not Rv friendly

    The sites are super small and close together. For camping with groups it may work but for RV I do not recommend. Such a tight fit in (we are 32 fr and barely fit in the site)

    No electric or water

    But it is a beautiful forest and creek and super close to slide rock state park which is a plus!!

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Forest Road 525 Camping Area

    Beautiful off grid

    We needed a place to stop for the night and happened to find this gem Such gorgeous Mountain View … quiet … a perfect and safe place to sleep .

  • Jeremy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Forest Road 525 Camping Area

    Perfect spot to stop for the night!

    Easy to get to, quiet, about 8 other campers and a few tents. Exactly what we were looking for!

  • Sam E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Forest Service Rd 253 Dispersed

    A Decent Spot!

    First time off roading, didn’t feel like driving all the way out to the Edge of the World. Saw a herd of elk.

    Your basic site, good fire ring, good spots for tents.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Edge of the World (East Pocket)

    So Worth it!

    I rented a camper van for my desert road trip with my daughter, and read about this spot on Dyrt, the pictures look breathtaking and I really want to try and get here to see it for myself. I greatly underestimated how long it would take to get here as the road was terrible, mostly because it was severely washboard nearly all the way and there were several large “puddles” we needed to navigate around and some muddy spots that made me nervous because we didn’t have any service most of the way if we got stuck. I highly recommend taking a vehicle with good suspension and higher clearance just because it was very bumpy. We didn’t arrive until nearly 10pm, so what looked like an hour drive in my maps, took nearly 2.5hrs.

    Hoping and praying the whole time that I didn’t make a bad decision, and that it would be worth all the trouble, we found the dispersed camping sites and after winding down and enjoying the amazing stars because the light pollution was nearly nonexistent, we went to bed.

    I woke up just as the sun began to rise, and walked toward where I thought the cliff was, passed through some bushes and lo and behold.. a breathtaking view from atop a Canyon at “The Edge of the World” East Pocket, as the sun illuminated the Sedona valley below me… it was so worth “the trouble” 1000 times over! 🥹 The journey, the stars, the view, the canyon at nearly 8,000 ft.. this was my most memorable and favorite part of our road trip.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Windmill Camp

    Nice place for a night or two

    I got here around 9pm on a Tuesday evening and it was somewhat full. Pulled into a "spot" and everything was good. I was surprised at how quiet it was. Not a creature was stirring except some crickets. This is just a circle of dirt with a couple of porta-potties. It's not very level, so try and find a level spot if you can. Some beautiful views. Great hiking opportunities. There were some dump trucks that came through the main road around 7 am and I'm sure that is what woke everyone up. There are a couple of trees around the site, but none in the site.

    The only reason I gave 4 stars is because no campfires are allowed. Personally doesn't matter to me, but some people are big on campfires. The porta johns were clean. The entire campsite is trash free! No other services. Any car can access the site and there is space for large RVs.

    Very conveniently located between Cottonwood and Sedona. Visit Belfry Brewing in Cottonwood and get the Ruben it's amazing!

  • Greg H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Forest Road 104, near Mingus Mtn, AZ

    Several spots along this Forest Road

    Was going to head deeper along the road but came across this spot a little hidden back among the trees. All the spots are close to the road but this was set back about 50 yards. You can get something as big as a "skoolie" if you finesse a bit. there is a couple of fire rings. So you could easily get a couple of vans back there.


Guide to Prescott Valley

Camping near Prescott Valley, Arizona, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet place to unwind, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. A reviewer at Flagstaff KOA said, "Bathrooms were clean. Beautiful setting with mountain right behind the campground."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. One visitor at Houston Mesa Campground mentioned, "We love the ample space at each campsite, allowing us to park comfortably."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground hosts. A reviewer at Cave Springs said, "The camp host was very friendly and put me on a wait list for a first come first serve."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds lack certain facilities. A camper at Forest Road 525 noted, "There is zero privacy, and absolutely nowhere to use the restroom responsibly."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near highways. A visitor at White Spar Campground mentioned, "Quite a bit of highway noise."
  • Busy Seasons: Expect crowds during peak times. A reviewer at Cave Springs said, "Packed in like sardines. Spaces are pretty small."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. Campers at Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort mentioned, "There are a few activities for the kids."
  • Plan for Privacy: Some sites can be close together. A camper at Houston Mesa Campground advised, "The bathrooms are well-maintained and clean, ensuring a comfortable stay."
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring items to keep your family comfortable. A reviewer at Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground said, "Campsites have covered pavilions with a picnic table, fire ring, and gravel drives."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Flagstaff KOA noted, "With that said there was enough room for big rigs to maneuver around."
  • Use Your Own Facilities: Some campgrounds have limited amenities. A camper at Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground mentioned, "Most people with RV's use their own showers."
  • Be Prepared for Weather Changes: Temperatures can drop at night. A reviewer at Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) said, "Temperature drops at night are huge so definitely prepare for that."

Camping around Prescott Valley, Arizona, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there RV parks in Prescott Valley with long-term stay options?

Point of Rocks RV Campground is strategically located between Prescott and Prescott Valley, offering a unique setting among the rocks above Watson Lake. This park features strong WiFi connectivity making it suitable for longer stays, though be aware it can be dusty. For those willing to travel a bit further, Verde Ranch RV Resort in Camp Verde offers resort-style amenities including a pool and recreational facilities, making it well-suited for extended stays. Both locations provide good access to services while maintaining proximity to Prescott Valley's amenities.

What campgrounds are available in Prescott Valley, AZ?

Several campgrounds are located near Prescott Valley. Hilltop Campground is a USFS site with Loop A available for first-come, first-serve camping, offering beautiful tent and RV sites under tall pines. Lynx Lake Campground is another popular option nearby, though it operates primarily on a reservation system. Both are conveniently located to town while offering forest settings. For those seeking a unique camping experience, Mingus Mountain Campground provides incredible views overlooking Prescott Valley and Cottonwood from its elevated position. Additional options include Willow Lake RV Park and Watson Lake Park, both offering water access and facilities for various camping styles.

How far is Camp Verde from Prescott Valley?

Camp Verde is approximately 45 miles from Prescott Valley, with the drive typically taking about an hour via AZ-69 E and I-17 S. This makes it accessible for day trips while camping in the Prescott area. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground is a popular camping destination near Camp Verde worth considering if you're looking to stay closer to that area. Another option in Camp Verde is Potato Patch Campground, which offers drive-in access with water and toilet facilities. The drive between these locations offers scenic views of Arizona's diverse landscapes.

What lakes can I visit while camping in Prescott Valley?

Several lakes are accessible from Prescott Valley camping areas. Watson Lake Park offers distinctive granite boulder landscapes and water recreation opportunities just minutes from town. Lynx Lake is another popular destination with a campground nearby, offering fishing, boating (electric motors only), and hiking trails around its shoreline. For those willing to venture a bit farther, White Horse Lake Campground provides a peaceful lake setting with fishing opportunities. Additionally, Willow Lake in Prescott offers water activities and nearby camping options. These lakes provide refreshing alternatives during Arizona's warmer months.