Camping near Surprise, Arizona typically draws visitors seeking desert adventures with daytime temperatures that can exceed 100°F in summer and drop to the 40s at night during winter. The Sonoran Desert terrain surrounding Surprise features saguaro cacti, palo verde trees, and occasional wild burros wandering through camping areas. Accessible water recreation exists primarily at Lake Pleasant, where fluctuating water levels depend on seasonal irrigation demands.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: White Tank Mountain Regional Park offers numerous trails for different skill levels. As one visitor noted, "Great little place to camp near Phoenix. The lake is beautiful and I recommend taking the Roadrunner hike -- even easy for kids!" Multiple reviewers mention the Waterfall Trail as particularly worthwhile, though the waterfall only flows after heavy rain.
Water activities: Pleasant Harbor RV Resort provides excellent water access with a shuttle service to help transport gear. "Great place to RV camp to get familiar with my new camper. Chose the dry site 'Vista Point' and at first was a little weary but was pleasantly surprised how many others were doing the same. The views from my spot were pretty epic," shares a camper who enjoyed fishing from the shoreline.
Wildlife viewing: The desert surrounding Surprise hosts various wildlife encounters. At Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground, visitors regularly spot wild burros. One camper recalled, "Woke up to a donkey eating out watermelon, making donkey noises and rolling on the ground so cute!!" Another mentioned, "Burros would hang out in our camp grazing grass completely unfazed by the barking dogs and screaming kids."
What campers like
Desert stargazing: White Tank Mountain Regional Park offers exceptional night sky viewing despite proximity to Phoenix. A regular visitor mentioned, "Fantastic park for seeing the stars and getting away from Phoenix city lights." Another noted, "Campsites are behind a rise, so you see stars, not city lights."
Level, spacious sites: Most campgrounds near Surprise feature well-designed camping areas. At Roadrunner Campground, "The sites were clean and level. The restrooms and showers were clean. The park was huge in size and well maintained." Many dispersed camping options also provide ample room, with one camper at Old Airstrip Camping stating, "We have a 4WD truck, so we were able to get past most of the RVs and toy haulers, but they all seemed like family friendly people!"
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs enhance camping experiences in the area. At White Tank Mountain, "I've also joined two ranger-led hikes here (Black Rock Loop for sunrise hikes) as well as a county-sponsored astronomy night with access to multiple large telescopes and an astronomy presentation. Check the park website for their activities calendar."
What you should know
Permit requirements: Some dispersed camping areas require permits. For state trust land, "A $15 annual permit is required and a maximum stay of 14 days per year is allowed." Verify requirements before arrival, as one visitor to State Land Trust/Inspiration Point discovered: "Coordinates led to a cattle guard that is fenced closed. No access to the site."
Seasonal considerations: Weather dramatically affects camping comfort. "This campground was mainly an overnight as we continued to head west but I am glad we took the time to hike the waterfall trail before leaving," shared one visitor to White Tank Mountain. Winter brings more moderate temperatures while summer can be extremely challenging for tent campers without shade.
Facility variations: Roadrunner Campground - Lake Pleasant offers water and electric hookups with central facilities. "The bathhouse is located in the center of the loop and was clean. Sites on the inside have paths leading to the bathhouse but if you are on the outside of the loop, access is via a path between sites 34 and 36 or sites 11 and 13," explained a recent visitor who noted the limited sink facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Secure food storage: Wild animals frequently visit campsites. "Be sure to keep food contained at all times or you might get a donkey thief," warns a camper at Roadrunner Campground who encountered "a very assertive donkey that had no issue trying to steal our food."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer recreation areas for children. At White Tank Mountain Regional Park, "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."
Cactus safety: Maddock Road Dispersed - AZ State Trust Land requires extra vigilance with children and pets. One visitor to dispersed camping areas cautioned, "We hiked the Waterfall and Black Loop Trail for a little exercise as well. Didn't do any others as our dog had an encounter with a stray cholla ball. This would be the only concern for those traveling with pets."
Tips from RVers
Dump station locations: Most developed campgrounds provide dump facilities. At White Tank Mountain Regional Park, "There is a double lane for the dump at egress point. 50/30 amp service and water at each site," notes a recent RV camper.
Site selection strategy: For optimal experiences at Lake Pleasant, "Make sure to book a spot up on cliff overlooking the water. Great sunsets. Free shuttle to haul kayak to boat ramp." Sites at White Tank Mountain are described as "far enough from each other so it doesn't feel crowded. Not much vegetation on the campground itself, so sunshine in abundance."
Power availability: At Pleasant Harbor RV Resort, "There are several different RV/Camping options: 1) In the resort with Full Hookups, 2) Out on the 'flat' with just water and power (dump station on site), 3) Out on the 'flat' with no hookups (can also tent/car camp)." This flexibility accommodates different camping styles and budgets.
