The desert town of Superior, Arizona connects campers to several good spots throughout the Sonoran Desert. Near Roosevelt Lake, Burnt Corral Campground has big sites where you can easily get to the water for swimming or boating. Just south, Picacho Peak State Park Campground sits at the base of its namesake mountain, which makes a great backdrop for photos and has some challenging trails. Along the Apache Trail, Tortilla Campground gives you nice views and puts you close to Canyon Lake. From these areas, you can take day trips to the Grand Canyon or Colorado River if you don't mind some driving. Most campgrounds are easy to reach, though a few dirt roads might need higher clearance in your vehicle. The facilities differ between places - some just have pit toilets and tables while others offer more. Burnt Corral is pretty basic, so bring what you need. If you want showers, Picacho Peak State Park has them along with proper restrooms. Tortilla works well if you like fishing since it's right by the lake. Some sites have good tree cover for shade and privacy, while others are more out in the open. Try to visit between fall and spring since summer gets really hot out here. Superior's camping works for both active people and those who just want to relax. Just make sure to look up current rules and weather before heading out.
$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."
"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"
"Behind us there was an old road that was a pleasant walk in the evening. View was nice with rock outcropping, sunsets were beautiful against the rocks."
"This is a very popular off road spot for Motocross motorcycles, Jeeps, ATV's, and Side by Sides so be prepared for some dust and some noise from vehicles. There are lots of trails to ride."
"No amenities but perfect place to base out of for off-roading adventures. This place is really popular, so it’s a cool place to ride with other people and check out their rigs."
"Good location for camping not far from Gold Canyon AZ. Numerous different campsites of different sizes. A few large sites that can fit multiple RVs."
"Stayed just one night in my van, late flight plus long drive the next day to my destination opened up possibilities to catch a few z's."
"Apache Leap Road is smooth, with breakout trails that are of various terrain."
"This is for experienced offroad drivers with rock crawl experience. If you rock crawl a lot, this is minimally technical."
$10 / night
"So close to Phoenix with conveniences nearby. The views in all sites are amazing with sunsets that are breathtaking. There is a camp host (me : ) and we're going to tackle the roads soon. "
"Very close to popular hiking trails. We enjoyed the rustic campsite. The camp host was very friendly and helpful (Darell)."
"Phone service, spacious lots right off the trail, with beautiful views."
"Drive through the town of Gold Canyon AZ, and you quickly leave behind the sprawl of suburban Phoenix, but embrace the sprawling landscape of the Sonoran Desert which is brimming with life in the spring"
"* It's Arizona...but there's GREEN stuff everywhere.
- Great view of the mountains here.
- Saguaro cacti everywhere.
- I fed some carrots to a horse this morning.
- The main road is pretty"
GuideThere are three spots that fill up quick on the Apache Trail. The entrance is on the left (heading in from Apache Junction) just past Canyon Lake Vista Overlook. Two spots overlooking lake, the third is up the access road to top of hill under power lines.
GuideGreat sunset views towards Picacho Peak, and washes to walk in to explore. Plenty of room
GuideEasy access via paved roads and paved pads. Raked decomposed granite around picnic table and fire pit. Free showers. Clean restrooms. Scenic views of mountains. Nice sunset. Marked hiking trails.
LegendAt the edge of the Tonto National Forest, you exit the highway north at Queen Valley Road and turn right on Forest Service Road 357. After the parking lot, the road becomes quite poorly maintained, steep and rutted. There are several fire rings and available areas for camping, however, due to the constant sound of gunfire all day and in the middle of the night, not knowing the degree of responsibility the shooters were taking or their state of intoxication, we felt more comfortable in the parking lot. I do see that this area was closed to shooting after January 16th 2026, but that didn't seem to be an impediment to the target shooters. Off-Road vehicles were not a problem. There was some traffic noise and lights from vehicles using Queen Valley Road. The area is particularly beautiful Sonoran desert, with some good rock collecting. About as close to the east side of Phoenix as you can get for free camping.
TravelerMade reservations off internet and ended up next to dumpsters and a fence. After getting rig into site the water and electricity was on wrong side and way too far away. Found Campground Attendant and she moved us to a site that was 100% better and 100% nicer. Alot of long termers and they are all nice. Are right is 35ft and turns in park are almost tight, but all roads are paved. Would stay there again.
TravelerI’ve tried to camp out here 3 times now and it is utterly ridiculous the amount of people in loud trucks, and side by sides blaring loud music. Tons of people drinking and shooting guns all the way in to the 2-3am hours of the night. I do not recommend anything about this spot if you’re looking for a peaceful quiet stay. Nothing like being woke up at midnight because you’re surrounded by people drinking and being loud shooting guns 20 feet from your vehicle.
ScoutVery relaxing not far from shopping and restaurants. I left stuff at the campground and had no problems
GuideRoad coming in was a little rough and narrow, but well worth the scratches i now have to buff out. One of my favorites spots yet.
ScoutGreat mtn bike trails!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Superior, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Superior, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 233 campgrounds and RV parks near Superior, AZ and 57 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Superior, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Superior, AZ is Lost Dutchman State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 90 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Superior, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 57 free dispersed camping spots near Superior, AZ.
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