Tent campsites near Rio Verde, Arizona are predominantly situated in the Sonoran Desert at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F between May and September, while winter nights can drop below 40°F. Several camping areas close during extreme fire danger periods, typically from May through August.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood features extensive trail systems with varied difficulty levels. "Excellent mountain biking and hiking trails right out of the campground," notes one visitor. Another camper mentioned doing "a short 3 mile hike on the Granite and then Wagner trail" which they found "very nice."
Hot springs access: Childs Camping Area offers access to natural hot springs via a 1.5-mile hike. "The 1.5 mile hike from the campground to the hot springs is absolutely worth the effort. You will have to cross the river, so don't take anything that can't get wet," advises one camper. The springs provide a unique desert soaking experience.
OHV recreation: Boulders OHV Area provides extensive off-road vehicle opportunities with "miles of desert and washes to explore." One visitor notes, "Nearby washes lead to tons of trails near castle hot springs that can lead to various abandoned mine sites (including Anderson Mill)."
What campers like
Spacing between sites: Tent sites at Peralta Regional Park Primitive Remote Campsites are well-separated from neighboring campers. "Each campsite has plenty of space in between," confirms one reviewer who also noted, "Clean dark sky for star watching."
River access: Camping along waterways provides relief from desert heat. One visitor to Childs Camping Area appreciated "camping right on the Verde River" and mentioned the area is "great for fishing, swimming, soaking and hiking!"
Desert wildlife viewing: Multiple camping areas offer opportunities to observe desert fauna. Visitors report seeing coyotes (particularly active around 4am), Big Horned Sheep along river corridors, and numerous desert bird species. Many campers recommend bringing binoculars.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to many dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. Hackamore Road Dispersed has particularly challenging access. "Roads are horrid for RVs... unless you have high clearance. Stay away," warns one camper. Another notes the area "has a love/hate relationship... great views of the mountains, TONS of awesome trails... The road in is just terrible."
Service limitations: Most dispersed sites lack amenities. One visitor to PJ's Hangout reported, "Number listed does not answer and goes to automated voicemail." At McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood, "No showers here. Need to go to the trail head or RV campground for showers which was a bit of a hassle."
Current closures: Some popular areas have recent access restrictions. A visitor to Hackamore Road reported, "The whole area is closed" due to construction. At Peralta Regional Park, one camper noted, "This was my favorite place for dispersed camping! (Not at the established campground) but as of May 2025, they have dug TRENCHES in front of every single dispersed camping site so you cannot access them anymore."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom accessibility: When camping with children, consider sites with toilet facilities. McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood offers "well kept bathrooms" and is "close to the kids playground." One visitor noted they stayed in "site 27 which was close to the kids playground."
Timing considerations: PJ's Hangout and similar locations are best visited midweek. As one Childs Camping Area visitor noted, "If you visit during the week, it will likely be peaceful and not crowded. Weekends are the opposite, with quite a few large groups of loud party types."
Cultural awareness: Some camping areas provide opportunities for cultural experiences. A visitor to PJ's Hangout mentioned enjoying "eating Navajo Tacos with the locals" and the chance to "learn how to enjoy remote beauty of Horses and natural scenery."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood, specific sites offer superior views. One RVer suggested, "I think some of the best sites here are on the Pemberton loop 64,65,66, 68, 70. Unobstructive views but all sites pretty well spaced out."
Leveling requirements: Boulders OHV Area provides "several fenced in and cleared dirt areas to park and pull through trucks, a camper, tent and car, etc." One visitor appreciated that sites were "nice and levelled" and noted "plenty of space" was available even on a Friday night.
Supply planning: Remote tent camping near Rio Verde requires careful provisioning. A camper at Childs Camping Area emphasized this point: "Remember everything you need before coming into child's. It's a long day if you have to run to the store. Trust me, I spent 5 hours there and back."
