Camping sites near Superior, Arizona offer desert solitude amid the Sonoran landscape with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 5,900 feet. The area receives approximately 12 inches of rainfall annually, creating a distinct camping experience across seasons. Many locations provide natural buffers from prevailing winds when positioned along canyon walls or in small valleys.
What to do
Bouldering opportunities: Oak Flat Campground provides access to hundreds of bouldering problems for all skill levels. "There is a network of dirt roads which take you back into the desert scrub oak forest and through hundreds of bouldering problems of all levels," notes Danielle A. about this free campground east of Superior.
Visit hidden waterfalls: Explore natural caves with seasonal waterfalls near Oak Flat Campground. "We met a very nice gentleman who was kind enough to show us to a hidden cave that had a water fall due to a recent rain. We would have never found this beautiful location had it not been for Carlos," shares Chuck E., who recommends taking time to explore before this area potentially changes.
Off-road adventures: Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed offers extensive trail riding opportunities directly from camp. "Great trails! Big rig friendly boondocking. Busy dirt road, as there is an active mine off the road. Loud dump trucks and dusty, but a beautiful desert oasis, nonetheless," reports Casey G. The area includes numerous established trails that connect to Box Canyon.
Fishing opportunities: Burnt Corral Campground provides shoreline fishing access along Apache Lake. "Stayed a long weekend with the family and had great time. Fishing within walking distance. Bathrooms are clean and a water spiket/faucet available," explains Roman R. The lake supports bass, catfish, and crappie populations throughout the year.
What campers like
Mountain views: The panoramic views at Lost Dutchman State Park Campground showcase the dramatic backdrop of the Superstition Mountains. "Beautiful sunset, amazing view of moon rising over mountains. Heard some coyotes in the night, which was exciting. Enjoyed hiking the trails and exploring the landscape," shares Rebecca G.
Wildlife encounters: Pioneer Pass Campground offers opportunities to see desert wildlife at higher elevations. "There are bears and other wildlife. Even have seen a tarantula (pictured). Like many state land out here they have cattle loose and they do travel the road up the mountain so keep that in mind," reports Jess B. Morning wildlife viewing is best when temperatures are cooler.
Accessibility to town: Sites near Superior provide camping with nearby access to supplies when needed. "This campground is found between the town's of Superior and Miami, Arizona, so if you are not am experienced camper, you could always drive to town in a pinch if you needed something or forgot something," explains Elliot C. about Oak Flat Campground.
Canyon paddling: Accessing the waterways near camping areas provides unique perspectives of the canyon walls. "We've paddled all over the US and other parts of the world, and the Salt River Canyon still remains one of the most beautiful and most accessible. If you want to avoid boat traffic, go in the early morning or just before sunset," advises Shari G. about staying at Tortilla Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access to some camping areas requires careful driving on unpaved roads. "The road to get to the campground. I wouldn't suggest trying to travel up without decent ground clearance. There was a bit of wash boarding and obvious ruts in the road from where the road was traveled when muddy," warns Krista Z. about Pioneer Pass Campground.
Mining operations nearby: Several campgrounds are located near active mining areas which affects noise levels. "There is a quarry or something at the end of the road, which you wouldn't think would matter, but starting at 4:00am...giant, and i mean GIANT rock hauler semi trucks started barreling down the washboarded road every 5-10 minutes," reports Eric W. about Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed.
Permit requirements: Many sites near Superior require state trust land permits. "This is Arizona State Trust Land so a permit is required but can be purchased and downloaded from their website at a cost of $21.00 and it is valid for 1 year for the family pass," explains Robo A. about Cottonwood Canyon Road camping.
Limited amenities: Facilities at most sites are minimal or non-existent. "There are two pit toilets are the only amenities, but there is plenty of hiking. You can hear road noise from highway 60," shares Carlos B. about Oak Flat Campground, noting that cell service is limited to text and occasional calls on some networks.
Tips for camping with families
Avoid peak summer heat: Plan family trips during spring or fall when temperatures are milder. "We came here for our wedding anniversary in November since it wouldn't be too cold. We enjoyed the peace and quiet," shares Jamey R. about Oak Flat Campground, though they noted security concerns at some sites.
Consider waterfront sites: Burnt Corral Campground offers family-friendly shoreline camping with swimming access. "We loved being right next to the water and it was so peaceful. We stayed in 31D which was connected to 31E - but there is no way to reserve 31E so it was basically two sites in one," notes JJ V., highlighting the spacious waterfront options.
Watch for desert hazards: Be prepared for desert plant and wildlife encounters. "For tent camping finding a spot without a lot of sharp rocks and prickles from the various cacti can be a little challenging but it's totally doable. Use caution when walking about between the cacti. Lots of prickles you can't see well on the ground. Be extra careful if you have dogs," advises Sammy S. about camping at Cottonwood Canyon Road.
Tips from RVers
Consider site placement: For RVs, look for sites positioned away from main roads. "Highly recommend this park with spacious sites and great views of the Superstition Mountains and night lights of Phoenix. Carefully review the site you select to be sure it will accommodate your rig. Roads are narrow and there are unforgiving drop offs on the sides," cautions Terri D. about Lost Dutchman State Park Campground.
Bring solar power: Many sites offer hookups but no electricity. "This campground is unique in that each space has water and sewer, but no electrical…so bring those solar panels and leave the generators at home," recommends Shari G. about Tortilla Campground, which offers these partial hookups from October through March.
Cell service considerations: Research connectivity before arriving if working remotely. "Cell service is pretty darn good. Was getting about 40mps down with Verizon, but AT&T was definitely better at 35 down, but almost 35 up, too. Verizon's up speed was maxing out about 18 mbps," reports Will and Lucinda B. about Peralta Road Dispersed Camping.
