Tent Camping Near Scottsdale, AZ
Looking for the best options for tent camping near Scottsdale? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Arizona tent camping excursion.
Best Tent Sites Near Scottsdale, AZ (16)
1. McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood
Rio Verde, Arizona4 Reviews•8 Photos•27 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
2. Hackamore Road Dispersed
Apache Junction, Arizona10 Reviews•8 Photos•77 SavesCamping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources. Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days (12 months in Alaska). Campsite Selection Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked. Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before. Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. Needle Rock Campground
Rio Verde, Arizona1 Review•8 Photos•16 SavesThe beach on the Verde River is generally rocky, but attracts many people during the hot summer months. The area is noted for its unusual rock formations. Nearby is a protected riparian area, the Mesquite Bosque. This popular water recreation area attracts many people trying to escape the Arizona summer heat. The rocky beach area is surrounded by beautiful towering rock formations. Near the recreation site is a fenced unique biological area, a stand of mesquite. Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons are frequently seen in this vicinity.
- Pets
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Alcohol
4. Tonto National Forest Rattlesnake Cove
Rio Verde, Arizona1 Review•9 SavesRattlesnake Cove provides direct access to Bartlett Reservoir. Rattlesnake Cove has a sloping beach suitable for use in many water recreation activities. This area boasts of beautiful vistas of the desert with mountains in the background. The beach at Rattlesnake Cove is generally gently sloping with gradual change in water depths. Enjoy this primitive area with your friends and family by bringing your own grill and gear.
- Tents
5. Boulders OHV Area
Wittmann, Arizona5 Reviews•9 Photos•32 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
6. The Point Campground
Tortilla Flat, Arizona1 Review•7 Photos•130 SavesBoat access only.
The Point is located in the Mesa Ranger District and is mostly known for boat access only camping on Canyon Lake. There are only three designated camp units at this site, but the camp units can also be used as picnic sites for day use. Boaters enjoy The Point during summer months along with fishermen because of the courtesy dock. No garbage collection. Pack it in, Pack it out.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
7. Tonto National Forest Dispersed Camping at Lake Roosevelt
Roosevelt, Arizona6 Reviews•25 Photos•245 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
8. Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin lake)
Crown King, Arizona7 Reviews•63 Photos•91 SavesHorsethief Basin Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities including: hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and OHV riding. Castle Creek Wilderness is located nearby, and Horsethief Cabin and Turney Gulch Group Campground are available by reservation. Day use sites and trails are open year-round; overnight accomodations are not available during the winter. Scroll down (below the recreation map) to learn more about these recreational opportunities. Note: Until further notice, use of a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for those who plan to visit recreation sites in Horsethief Basin.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Cabins
9. Childs Camping Area
Strawberry, Arizona4 Reviews•8 Photos•75 SavesIn 1908 the Arizona Power Company began construction of the Childs Power Plant. For more than 90 years, the water of Fossil Creek had been diverted by a system of pipes and flumes from its natural course to power the turbines of the Childs and Irving hydroelectric plants. During this time, Fossil Creek had been reduced to a mere trickle, compared with the normal one million gallons per hour flow once witnessed by early inhabitants of the region.
In 2004, APS, the current owner of the plants, agreed to decommission them and restore the creek to its natural flow. (From "Pine-Strawberry Archeological and Historical Society")
The area is now a very popular dispersed camping area. It sits below the remnants of the old power plant buildings on the edge of the Verde River. A short hike upstream and some wading will get you to the ruins of the Verde Hot Springs, a once famous resort.
- Pets
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Trash
- Toilets
- Alcohol
Recent Tent Reviews in Scottsdale
586 Reviews of 16 Scottsdale Campgrounds
William M.
Guide
Old Airstrip Camping & Staging Area
Worth the trip
The road in is a little rough, but ok. Two week stay limit, but that's pretty standard for BLM properties. There's no facilities so be prepared. Good level land and plenty of room. Wild burros wander through occasionally, and coyotes make their presence known as well. Fantastic views and quiet atmosphere, so far. Been here two nights and plan to stay for at least another week.
- LLacey W.
Scout
State land trust/Inspiration Point
Closed
Coordinates led to a cattle guard that is fenced closed. No access to the site. You could park next to the road though.
- CChad E.
Traveler
Lost Dutchman State Park Campground
Far enough…yet not to far.
Perfect for just getting away for the weekend. Only a 45 minute drive from the house, yet far enough that you still feel like you got away.
Lots of good hiking, Ghost Town, good views. Worth every second. Easily our favorite quick camping trip.
Roman R.Traveler
Burnt Corral Campground
Great convenience with fishing
Stayed a long weekend with the family and had great time. Fishing within walking distance. Bathrooms are clean and a water spiket/faucet available.
- DDebbie H.Traveler
Leaf Verde RV Resort
Nice Park
This is a huge park. 1365 sites. Crammed in pretty tight, but fairly clean and very nice staff. Most of the sites are pull thru so that’s a bonus.
Lisa M.
RangerLost Dutchman State Park Campground
Amazing view and great hikes
We only got to stay here one night, but it is very beautiful. At the base of the Superstition mountains, which are awesome. Out of the city, so nice and quiet. All the sites are paved and fairly level. There are many sites that have pull through, electric, and water. The showers were good. Many hiking trails in the area. Would love to stay here a little longer.
- GGregg T.Guide
Childs Camping Area
Be prepared
I really like the place, however, and this is a big however. The road in is 20 miles or so, and it's all unprepared, so for a smaller vehicle like mine, I had to be very careful. That 20 miles takes about an hour and a half. 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. Hot springs are a mile from my campsite. River seems pretty nice. Gonna wet a worm see if the sucker's. biting although there are a couple protected species of suckers.
- Becca C.Guide
Lost Dutchman State Park Campground
SUPERStition Views
This State Park campground located in the Superstition Mountains is a frequent quick camp spot for me if I don feel like trying to beat the crowds to some favorite local dispersed sites.
They offer sites with electric and water, and sites for dry camping, along with some cabins and group sites you can reserve. The sites offer as much privacy as one can expect in the desert and are not super close together, except for the site numbers 70+ which are only available in winter typically. There are plenty of hiking trails and activities in the park and nearby. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained, and they even have a small dog “park” for your best pal to run off some energy.
Favorite things about the park: The views and the wild life. We have seen so many beautiful birds, from quail and owls to roadrunners and vultures, along with several different types of squirrels, lizards, hare, and coyotes.
- Patricia N.Ranger
Lost Dutchman State Park Campground
Spectacular views
If traveling near Phoenix you should make this state campground a number one option.
The towering superstition mountain range is a beautiful site and while we were there we were able to watch a hiker who was rescued. This hiker was not injured, just afraid to come back down the trail. Guess going up is easier than coming down.
The site we had had power and water. The showers in the restrooms were not great but something is better than nothing.
Cas M.Traveler
Tonto National Forest Dispersed Camping at Lake Roosevelt
Coyotes!
Beautiful desert camping, lots of birds and wildlife. I heard coyotes in the middle of the night that woke me up, and was glad for a rooftop tent.
- RRalph S.Traveler
Boulders OHV Area
Nice and levelled
We liked it there. Nobody else on Friday night, plenty of space
The typical rumble strip dirt road to this point but easily doable.
Service: 1 bar Verizon
- kkarolkoliScout
Desert Sands RV Park
חשפניות בבאר שבע
רקדניותחשפנותבתלאביב:ביןבידורלביקורתחברתיתתלאביב,המוכרתבכינוי"העירשלאנרדמת",מציעהמגווןרחבשלבידורלילי,אשרביניהםנמנותגםמועדוניחשפנות.התעשייההזו,אףעלפישנתפסתלעיתיםקרובותכחלקבלתינפרדמהבידורהמבוגרים,מעוררתגםויכוחיםעזיםוביקורתחברתית.מועדוניהחשפנותבתלאביבמציעיםשללהופעותומופעיםאשרמגווניםבהתאםלדרישותהקהל.המבקריםבמועדוניםאלומחפשיםבידורוהתרגשות,אךמאחוריהקלעיםעומדותסיפוריםשלרקדניותאשרלאתמידמרוצותמהמצבהנוכחי.המרחבהחברתיוהתרבותיבופועלתתעשייתהחשפנותבתלאביבמורכב.מחד,ישנםקולותהטועניםכיהתעשייהמאפשרתביטויעצמיואוטונומיהלנשיםהמופיעותבה.מאידך,קולותביקורתייםמדגישיםאתהצדדיםהפחותמועדפיםשלהעניין,כגוןהתייחסותמזלזלתואובייקטיביזציהשלהאישה.המאבקיםהמשפטייםוהחברתייםסביבנושאזהרביםומגוונים.בשניםהאחרונות,נערכוקרבותבבתיהמשפטעלשאלותשלזכויותוחופשעבודהמולהצורךלהגןעלכבודהאדםולמנועהפליהושימושלרעה.עדיין,קהלהמבקריםוהתומכיםבמועדוניםאלוממשיךלהיותרחבומגוון.עלרקעזה,עולההשאלהעלהתפקידשלהמדינהוהחברהבפיקוחובקביעתמדיניותבתחוםזה.האםישלחזקאתהפיקוחעלמועדוניהחשפנותלשםשמירהעלכבודהרקדניותוהקהלהרחב,אושמאישלאפשרחופשפעולהרחביותרתוךכדישמירהעלהזכויותהפרטיותוהעסקיותשלבעליהמועדונים?הוויכוחסביבתעשייתהחשפנותבתלאביבממחישאתהמתחביןחירותלביןזכויותאדם,ומדגיםאתהאתגריםהעכשווייםשלהחברההישראליתבטיפולבשאלותשלמוסר,תרבותוכלכלה.זהודיוןשמשקףגםאתהצורךלהתמודדעםתופעותחברתיותנוספות,כגוןשוויוןמגדריוהתמודדותעםדימוייגוףומיניות.בסופושלדבר,הדיוןעלרקדניותחשפנותבתלאביבמציעהזדמנותלחשובמחדשעלהדרכיםבהןחברהיכולהלקדםתרבותרחבהיותרשלכבוד,הוגנותושוויון,תוךכדישמירהעלעקרונותשלחופשפרטיוביטויעצמי.
Caitlin S.Guide
Dispersed camping near Crown King
Gorgeous secluded camping
Secluded dispersed camping in the woods just outside of the town Crown King. 4x4 is recommended, campsites are not accessible when snowfall has occurred. Beautiful wildlife including deer always nearby.
Jim A.TravelerLost Dutchman State Park Campground
Great place to Stay
Fairly close to our home (30 miles) but we love to do 1-2 nighters here when we have the time. There is plenty to see around the area. Park is well maintained. Spots are close but not too close to each other. Its a little elevated so the valley views are great. Gets a little warm during the summer - after all it is AZ. Theres an old Gold Mine nearby to visit.
- Jim A.Traveler
Saguaro Cove
Remote Camping
Takes a little 4 wheeling to get there or you can access it from the water. Basic dispersed camping but gets a little warm during the summer months. Views are nice and its a nice pack it in, pack it out spot.
- SShane W.Ranger
Canyon Lake Marina & Campground
Fun lake, weekends exceptionally busy
Been staying here off and on for over a decade. Great place to hang out with the family. Water hookup and electrical hookup. No sewer. They have a truck that will come pump your tank for a small fee. You can launch your boat and then bring to the campsite and tie off for easy access. Lots of parking available. You have to pay for extra vehicles. Dolly the Steamboat is available to ride around the lake and ticket purchase is at the marina. There is also a restaurant and bar at the marina. The campground has a mix of available sites. Day use also. Large grassy area for kids to play. Drive in can seem daunting if you haven’t experienced it before. Not bad, however. Hauled a 32’ 5th wheel with no problems at all.
- Lynnae P.Scout
Lake Pleasant Dispersed Camp
Sign "No Mortorized vehicles allowed"
Could not Enter. Closed
- SShane W.Ranger
Picket Post
Quick Night
Good place to pull off in a pinch for free. You do hear road noise. Close to Arizona Trail, where it crosses 60 so you can hike both directions if you decide to, or take the trail up to the top of the mountain. Very beautiful area
- Caitlin S.Guide
Boulders OHV Area
Tons of spread out dispersed camp sites
Miles of desert and washes to explore with tons of dispersed camping sites. Can get busy on holiday or event weekends but worth it otherwise. Some weekends have horse or Dirtbike events. Nearby washes lead to tons of trails near castle hot springs that can lead to various abounded mine sites (including Anderson Mill). Obviously not ideal camping in the summer but GREAT for the fall/winter/spring months.
- Caitlin S.Guide
Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin lake)
Gorgeous secluded town for off-roading & camping
Gorgeous easy dirt road ~27 miles from i17/Bumble bee. (There’s also a much more difficult trail from lake pleasant that requires very experienced off-roading 4x4). Great food and drinks(alcohol) at the crown king saloon and Mimi’s Cafe. There are amazing camping areas just past the main town, and even all the way up near Horsetheif Basin which is about 7 miles past crown king(requires 4x4). There is also an amazing ~30 mile trail from crown king that leads all the way to Prescott called Senator Highway. This also requires experienced 4x4 and like the trail to Horsetheif basin, there are many areas that are only single vehicle width. Amazing weather all year round, but extremely limited travel available while snow is on the ground.
- kkenneth B.Guide
Leaf Verde RV Resort
The high life
This RV Park has it all..Run by professionals. They even escort you to your space.Facilities are great, they have all of them, lit paved walkways.large spaces, wifi works
- Julie H.Traveler
Pleasant Harbor RV Resort
Beautiful Vista
Very large park with many different levels of camping experiences. From dry camping to full on glamping ! I stayed at Vista Pt. Dry camp. The views were beautiful. I stayed 10 days and as a single women I felt very safe. Security makes it's rounds and you can't get into the park after leaving without your pass. The one thing I would mention the drive up to the PT is rather steep, but there were different sized rigs up there is it is doable. I didn't use the amenities as I was away most days visiting with my daughter who lives in the valley.
- BBrent T.Traveler
State land trust/Inspiration Point
Weekdays are best
State land trust, good spot for a few nights. Gunshots in the distance, but no incidents/casualties lol. Pulled my 31ft TT back into a spot for a week. Close 10 min drive to stores like WinCo and Safeway and gas stations. Quite weekdays, loud weekends due to motor vehicles breaking the rules. (Not a ohv area but treated as such)
- Bob A.Scout
Happy Endings Retreat
Not open?
I have tried to contact the ranch and got no response. I assume they aren't in business anymore.
Emmi O.Guide
Goldfield Ghost Town Dry Camping
Camping for one night
Camping for one night and it was 30$. Very clean restrooms and showers!
We were almost only campers there and lots of spots available. Closest campgounds were full or expensive.
Mariann M.ScoutOld Airstrip Camping & Staging Area
So far easy to navigate and use pretty rad !
Haven't had the chance to camp at the sites in here. Going to start tonight
Lucy P.Ranger
Windy Hill Campground
Very pretty, kinda cramped
Gorgeous location and more spaced out than other campgrounds in the area (we stayed at the first loop). Be aware that if you have Verizon you may have bars but no LTE and that access and senior passes don’t work for double sites - also the host made rude remarks to other campers about my partner and I not being seniors because her access pass (she’s very visibly disabled) showed automatically as “senior” when we paid. Bathrooms are clean but bring your own soap!
Guide to Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and stunning landscapes.
Tent campers like these nearby activities
- Enjoy scenic views and numerous trails at Hackamore Road Dispersed, perfect for hiking and biking.
- Experience the beauty of the desert while camping at McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood, where you can explore the Granite and Wagner trails.
- Discover the peaceful surroundings of Needle Rock Campground, ideal for hiking or horseback riding along the river.
Tent campers should check out local attractions
- Visit the nearby ghost town while camping at Hackamore Road Dispersed for a unique glimpse into Arizona's history.
- Take advantage of the mountain biking trails accessible from McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood, which are popular among outdoor enthusiasts.
- Explore the Tonto National Forest and its stunning landscapes while staying at Tonto National Forest Rattlesnake Cove, a great spot for day use and family activities.
Features that enhance your camping experience
- Enjoy the convenience of amenities like drinking water and picnic tables at McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood, making it a comfortable choice for families.
- Experience the freedom of dispersed camping at Boulders OHV Area, where you can find plenty of space and explore miles of desert trails.
- Camp at The Point Campground, which offers beautiful views and a boat dock for those looking to enjoy water activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Scottsdale, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Scottsdale, AZ is McDowell Regional Park-Ironwood with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Scottsdale, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Scottsdale, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.