Best Equestrian Camping near Superior, AZ

Frazier Horse Campground in Tonto National Forest serves as the primary dedicated equestrian camping area near Superior, Arizona. Located approximately 13 miles from Superior along Highway 88, this primitive campground caters specifically to riders with horses and offers basic amenities. The campground provides space for horse trailers and vehicles, though the area lacks drinking water, electrical hookups, and shower facilities. The sites include picnic tables suitable for equestrian camping needs, with sufficient space for tying horses or setting up portable corrals. The primitive nature of this campground appeals to experienced horse campers seeking a more rustic outdoor experience.

Trail access from Frazier Horse Campground connects directly to several bridle paths within Tonto National Forest, making it an ideal base camp for day rides. Riders can explore miles of surrounding terrain while enjoying views of the Superstition Mountains and desert landscape. Water for horses must be brought in, as natural sources are unreliable in this desert environment. The campground operates on a reservation system through the Tonto National Forest, with specific guidelines for manure management and horse containment. Some riders camp at nearby Oak Flat Campground as an alternative, which doesn't have designated horse facilities but offers more developed camping with vault toilets. The expansive network of dirt roads surrounding Oak Flat provides numerous opportunities for horseback riding through desert scrub oak forest and granite formations.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Superior, Arizona (12)

    1. Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    83 Reviews
    Superstition Mtn, AZ
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 982-4485

    $35 - $99 / night

    "It kind of poked off the main loop away from other neighbors which is why we picked it, very close to the mtb trail and easy access to the trail leading to siphon draw. Very little shade."

    "One of my favorite trails in Arizona."

    2. Oak Flat Campground

    10 Reviews
    Superior, AZ
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 402-6200

    "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"

    "We went for the day to explore the area due to it possibly being lost to the nearby copper mine soon. Didn't really have a destination other than to just hike and look around."

    3. Usery Mountain Regional Park

    35 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 984-0032

    "Outstanding layout, great hosts, spectacular location. "

    "Campsite 6 is the first one on the right, across from the Camp Host site, and as close to the entrance has you’re gonna get."

    4. Peralta Regional Park Primitive Remote Campsites

    3 Reviews
    Gold Canyon, AZ
    16 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "Very close to popular hiking trails. We enjoyed the rustic campsite. The camp host was very friendly and helpful (Darell)."

    5. Windy Hill Campground

    9 Reviews
    Roosevelt, AZ
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 225-5395

    $25 - $50 / night

    "We wanted to get close to the water but that was not what we ended up doing. We had to drive to take our kayaks to the water. There was an old cost ramp there but is was completely unusable."

    "A water spigot was nearby with great water. We were fortunate to have inherited a host named Larry who was there for a few months because Covid prevented him from traveling to Europe. "

    6. Goldfield Ghost Town Dry Camping

    4 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 983-0333

    $30 - $40 / night

    "Great spots for your horse and trailer. Good size corral. More space on the pit side. Stay a week or month! Great trails out from camp. Water at corrals."

    "It was fun to walk right up to the town and walk around. Cowboy Dan who owns and runs the steakhouse is hilarious and his wait staff was helpful and accommodating."

    7. McDowell Mountain Regional Park

    19 Reviews
    Rio Verde, AZ
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 506-2930

    $32 / night

    "Gorgeous views, very spaced out sites, and access to great mountain biking and hiking trails. Even the overflow area where we had to spend a couple of nights has a very nice bathroom and shower."

    "Lots of hiking and bike riding trails with a bike course! Playground. Pet friendly. Very clean and friendly hosts. Close to fountain hills if you need anything in town."

    8. Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Globe, AZ
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 402-6200

    $16 - $150 / night

    "The campground is right off the highway so there was a fair amount of traffic noise, but not unbearable."

    "Biggest downside it is RIGHT off the highway so expect road noise. About the loop (single spaces called Brundrett 1): There are 12 spaces with co-ed bathrooms (toilet only)."

    10. Sun Life RV Resort

    1 Review
    Mesa, AZ
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 981-9500
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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Superior, AZ

171 Reviews of 12 Superior Campgrounds


  • Jamey R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2018

    Oak Flat Campground

    Desert Camping

    We came here for our wedding anniversary in November since it wouldn’t be too cold. We enjoyed the peace and quiet, but not much else to say. The sites were pretty small, but we have a pop up so not bad. It was very busy that weekend. It was only 5 minutes from Superior, which was nice for gas, food, water, etc. There was a few vault toilets throuout the grounds. Each site had a fire ring and tables. It was clean for the most part, but there was some sketchy people there and a couple sites reported theft. There was recently some vandalism as well. It’s only about an hour from Phoenix, but we probably won’t go back

  • Elliot C.
    May. 13, 2019

    Oak Flat Campground

    Nice semi remote campground

    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.

    Some of the campground is along a wash, with a small pond on the west side. The official campground site is relatively small and has more established sites, but remote camping is found further down the road. Oak Flats Road provides a few miles of rougher trails (some might call them Jeep trails, but someone who knows what they are doing could get through most of it in a car) and would be great for a short overland type camping experience.

    There are some great views with just a short hike and can make for a rewarding one day camp, or camp for a couple days.

    There are is a bathroom within the small, more established campground, but no other facilities (including trash) so you must pack in and pack out whatever you are going to use.

  • Randall G.
    Jul. 6, 2022

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Stunning View Superstion Mts

    Our site was at the top of the loop closest to Mts but furthest from restrooms. It was a 1/3 mile hike to restrooms. Keep that in mind with kids! Our site itself (120) was perfect for one tent and our car. It kind of poked off the main loop away from other neighbors which is why we picked it, very close to the mtb trail and easy access to the trail leading to siphon draw. Very little shade. Actually close to park edge we could see peoples houses to the SE. would camp at this campground again, but for this site would do RV with own restroom. Even in late April early May need EZ up for shade or almost too hot. Fun family stuff at ghost town across the highway.

  • L
    Feb. 9, 2021

    Goldfield Ghost Town Dry Camping

    Goldfield Mine horse group camp

    Great spots for your horse and trailer. Good size corral. More space on the pit side. Stay a week or month! Great trails out from camp. Water at corrals. Nice showers and restroom a short walk away. Plan to go back!!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 23, 2020

    Goldfield Ghost Town Dry Camping

    Stay right at Goldfield ghost town

    The have a few electric and water sites, then more dry sites. Also horse corals, its neat being able to walk right into town, well worth a stop, sites are hard dirt, but adequate, spaced a little more apart on the dry sites, the electric/water sites back up to the town small railroad tracks and are much closer together. This is a great alternative when the lost Dutchman is full. 20 dollars to dry camp, but being able to walk into town was pretty cool. Seen roadrunner, quail, and doves, rabbits. A few coyotes howled at the moon at night, which was pretty cool to, off in the distance. I'd stay here again for the convenience.

  • Bob L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 3, 2021

    Usery Mountain Regional Park

    Usery Mountain is an Awesome campground

    Outstanding layout, great hosts, spectacular location.  Good hiking and sites nearby whether you are looking for lakes, wild mustangs in the Salt River, a scenic drive to Tortilla Flats or just enjoying the Arizona weather.  

    Hiking in the park to accommodate all levels.

    Campsites are well maintained.  Quiet in the evenings.  Could not ask for more.

  • Jordan H.
    Jul. 17, 2019

    Oak Flat Campground

    Well it had a bathroom...

    While working on the Woodbury Wildland Fire here in Arizona my Ambulance was staged at Oak Flat Campground. It was nothing but desert, a few picnic tables, with some trees with nice shade and two bathrooms. It’s probably the least nicest campground I’ve been to. Luckily we weren’t staying there for the night just parked there during the day. It appeared to be free, it was a decent distance off the main highway. If you’re just looking for a place to stop and rest for the night then it’s not a bad spot but I wouldn’t take my family there for a vacation.

  • Danielle A.
    Apr. 6, 2017

    Oak Flat Campground

    Basic, Easy, and Free Campsite with Bouldering Nearby

    Oak Flat is a Forest Service campground in the Tonto National Forest and is about 90 minutes from Phoenix. It's a short distance off a windy mountain highway which means it's easy to get to but traffic can be heard from camp. (Luckily it's not a busy interstate and traffic is pretty infrequent at night.) It's not spectacular location but there are decent views of the oak scrub desert surrounding the camp.

    There are a handful of campsites with picnic tables and firepits, plus several flat and open areas for RVs or tent cities. Some sites are open and others have a few shady tree for hammocks, slacklines, and more. There is a bathroom which was clean and well-stocked with toilet paper, despite the campground being quite full when I stayed here for a few nights in April. There is no water, however, so be prepared with as much as you'll need. The elevation is just shy of 4,000' which means nights are typically a few degrees cooler than in the Phoenix area.

    There are no hiking trails from the campground but 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. Just a few miles away, however, the Arizona Trail crosses the highway and heads north into the Superstition Wilderness.

    This campsite is pretty basic but is a good place to kill some time, especially given that it's free! It's also a great place to set up your base camp if you want to do some bouldering.

  • Carlos B.
    Mar. 9, 2019

    Oak Flat Campground

    Primitive campground with vault toilets

    Just south of highway 60, West of Superior, AZ (about 4 miles). Paved road to the turnoff for the campsite and then dirt but not too rough. My Prius made it just fine. Though there are definitely some roads farther on that are extremely uneven granite dells.

    Two pit toilets are the only amenities, but there is plenty of hiking. You can hear road noise from highway 60. There’s a nearby mine and I occasionally heard muffled explosions but I did not feel them. On two of the days I was there I saw or at least heard low flying fighter jets (but within FAA regs) go by and a couple of multi-rotor helicopters. Had the skies not been overcast I’d have seen all of them. They were very loud but it was maybe five minutes total out of my week-long stay.

    There’s no WiFi, even if you have a yaggi antenna. There’s enough cell service for text and phone calls (maybe/iffy) on the Verizon network.


Guide to Superior

Equestrian camping near Superior, Arizona centers around the high desert terrain of the Tonto National Forest. Located approximately 60 miles east of Phoenix at an elevation of 2,400 feet, this region experiences dramatic temperature shifts between seasons, with summer highs often exceeding 100°F and winter lows dropping below freezing. The surrounding landscape features saguaro cacti, mesquite trees, and granite formations that create distinctive riding trails through the Sonoran Desert.

What to do

Desert hiking excursions: Lost Dutchman State Park Campground offers excellent day hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "Lots of good hiking, Ghost Town, good views. Worth every second. Easily our favorite quick camping trip," notes Chad E. The park sits at the base of the Superstition Mountains, providing direct access to wilderness trails.

Horseback riding trails: Oak Flat Campground, located just west of Superior, serves as an alternative base for equestrian activities. "You can drive ahead this campground and take the dirt road to some of the most wonderful places, I was able to get really deep with a road motorcycle so you don't really need an 4*4," mentions Ahmed D., highlighting the accessible riding terrain surrounding the campground.

Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours offer opportunities to observe native desert wildlife. "Heard some coyotes in the night, which was exciting. Enjoyed hiking the trails and exploring the landscape," shares Rebecca G. about her experience at Lost Dutchman State Park. Campers regularly spot roadrunners, quail, jackrabbits, and occasionally coyotes.

What campers like

Spacious campsites: Usery Mountain Regional Park, approximately 30 miles from Superior, features well-designed camping areas. "Our site #48 Buckhorn was really spacious and private. Great views all around. Table and fire pit. The park has tons of trails for hiking and MTN biking," reports Julie F. These sites provide ample room for horse trailers and camping equipment.

Scenic mountain backdrop: The dramatic profile of the Superstition Mountains creates a distinctive backdrop for horse camping experiences. "Nestled right at the base of the Superstition Mountains - this is a great location that is close to excellent hiking and riding," states Brad B. about Lost Dutchman State Park Campground.

Proximity to services: Some riders appreciate campsites with easier access to necessities. "It's only about 5 minutes from Superior, which was nice for gas, food, water, etc. There was a few vault toilets throughout the grounds. Each site had a fire ring and tables," explains Jamey R. about Oak Flat Campground.

What you should know

Limited water sources: Most equestrian camping areas in this region have minimal or no water available. "There is no water, however, so be prepared with as much as you'll need," advises Carlos B. about Oak Flat Campground. Riders must bring sufficient water for both themselves and their horses.

Weather considerations: Temperature extremes affect camping comfort significantly. "It was 90 the day we left (~March 23rd), night temp was cool and windows left open," notes Mark M. from Usery Mountain Regional Park, highlighting the dramatic daily temperature swings typical of this desert region.

Reservation requirements: Popular camping areas fill quickly during peak seasons. "Suggest you make reservations well ahead for busy winter months!" recommends Debbie W. about Lost Dutchman State Park. Winter and early spring represent the busiest periods for equestrian camping near Superior due to moderate temperatures.

Tips for camping with families

Noise considerations: Family-friendly camping locations vary in noise levels. "Camped here with my family. The scenery was beautiful, but didn't love the fact that people were blaring their music here until 2AM in the morning," warns Brandon M. about Lost Dutchman State Park Campground, suggesting midweek visits for quieter experiences.

Educational opportunities: Peralta Regional Park offers educational experiences about desert ecosystems. "Very close to popular hiking trails. We enjoyed the rustic campsite. The camp host was very friendly and helpful (Darell)," shares Julie F. Families can arrange guided nature walks with advance notice.

Safety precautions: Desert camping requires specific safety awareness. "Amazing stay! Came across a rattle snake when hiking. Very quiet and peaceful," reports Chevis L. at Peralta Regional Park. Families should carry extra water, wear closed-toe shoes, and teach children to watch for wildlife.

Tips from RVers

Site selection importance: RV sites vary significantly in access and maneuverability. "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.

Generator etiquette: Some campgrounds have restrictions or unspoken rules about generator use. "I went for a 45-minute walk around the campground, and counted 13 different generators all going at different frequencies. It was not unlike a walk in a pleasant park while the maintenance staff gather all the leaves with the power of multiple leaf blowers," observes Shari G. at Windy Hill Campground, suggesting solar power as an alternative.

Dump station access: RVers should note the availability of waste disposal facilities. "There seem to be one super secret place to dump your trailer water, grey & black. While you can dump there for free; you cannot find it without a treasure map, a devining rod, and a map of the stars," humorously notes Alejandro D. about Windy Hill Campground, recommending advance research on facility locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Superior, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Superior, AZ is Lost Dutchman State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 83 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Superior, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Superior, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.