Camping sites near Sun City West, Arizona range from established facilities to primitive dispersed camping options within a 30-mile radius. The terrain consists primarily of Sonoran Desert landscape at elevations between 1,100-2,500 feet, with vegetation dominated by saguaro cacti, palo verde trees, and creosote bush. During winter months, temperatures typically range from 40-70°F, attracting seasonal campers seeking milder weather than northern states.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 1-mile trail at White Tank Mountain Regional Park leads to seasonal falls. "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.
Burro watching: Free wildlife viewing opportunities at dispersed camping areas. "Woke up to a donkey eating out watermelon, making donkey noises and rolling on the ground so cute!! Campsites always clean," reports Jeana R. about her Lake Pleasant experience. Wild burros also frequent BLM land with one camper noting, "Wild burros wander through occasionally, and coyotes make their presence known as well."
Educational programs: Nature center activities at White Tank Mountain offer learning opportunities. "The park has beautiful hiking trails and a great nature center, which offers activities and the regional library. There are a couple of playgrounds in the park as well," writes Ellen W. Ranger-led sunrise hikes and astronomy presentations occur regularly throughout winter months.
What campers like
Desert night skies: Light pollution minimal at certain sites despite proximity to Phoenix. "Campsites are behind a rise, so you see stars, not city lights," states Rusty T. about White Tank Mountain. Another camper at the same location mentions, "Fantastic park for seeing the stars and getting away from Phoenix city lights."
Spacious sites: Privacy varies by location and time of year. At Roadrunner Campground, "The sites were clean and level. The restrooms and showers were clean. The park was huge in size and well maintained," reports Dawn G. White Tank sites are "well spaces" with some campers noting that "Sites are far enough from each other so it doesn't feel crowded."
Swimming options: Lake access at multiple locations provides cooling during warmer months. "Great little place to camp near Phoenix. The lake is beautiful and I recommend taking the Roadrunner hike — even easy for kids!" writes Ashley C. Another review mentions, "Lots of shoreline access for swimming. Roadrunner campground is very nice. Quiet and beautiful views."
What you should know
Permit requirements: State trust land needs annual permit. "A $15 annual permit is required and a maximum stay of 14 days per year is allowed, however the state really has no way of enforcing this," explains one camper at AZ State Trust Land. The permit can be purchased online for most visitors but international travelers face challenges as "only US address can be entered."
Site selection factors: Reservation timing crucial during winter. "Spaces are large and spread out making it a great fit for tent campers or RV campers," notes one reviewer. Sites closest to facilities fill fastest, with campers recommending sites 19-20 at White Tank for easy hiking trail access.
Noise considerations: Aircraft and OHV activity varies by location. For Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort, "It is located on the flight path for an airbase and can get noisy but the amenities far outweigh the short bursts of noise." Dispersed areas experience weekend traffic: "Since it was a nice weekend there were a gazillion trucks with their OHVs. I must say I didn't really mind, plus if you have 4x4 you can access more distant parts of the area for calm and privacy."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Recreation areas at specific locations. "There are a couple of playgrounds in the park as well," mentions Ellen W. about White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Another camper notes there are "restrooms, a picnic area and a playground near this trailhead."
Wildlife encounters: Animal viewing opportunities with safety precautions. At Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground, "Burros would hang out in our camp grazing grass completely unfazed by the barking dogs and screaming kids," reports Tom W., while another cautions: "There was a very assertive donkey that had no issue trying to steal our food. Be sure to keep food contained at all times."
Cactus hazards: Pet and child safety requires vigilance. "All the cacti so close is a bit hazardous for pets and small children, my dog already got spines in her paws," warns one camper at BLM land. Several reviewers recommend closed shoes and careful supervision, especially for off-trail exploration.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Power and water options vary significantly. At Pleasant Harbor RV Resort, "Sites are rustic, they've water and electricity, no sewer. There's a dump station as you leave the park. No store, be sure you're well stocked with everything before you head out," advises Ted S. Many sites offer electric service with 30-50 amp options.
Road conditions: Access challenges for some dispersed areas. "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," notes William M. about the Old Airstrip area.
Off-season benefits: Lower occupancy during weekdays and summer. "Weekdays are best... Quite weekdays, loud weekends due to motor vehicles," shares a camper at dispersed sites. Cell service remains strong even at remote locations with one camper reporting "Really good cell phone service (Verizon - I got 3-4 bars of 4G, which got me 75+ mb/s download speed)" at BLM sites.
