White Tank Mountain Regional Park accommodates pets across its variety of campsites, including family campground spaces with electric and water hookups. Campers can bring dogs to both the developed RV sites and walk-in tent areas, though pets must remain on leashes throughout the park. The campground features clean facilities with flush toilets and free hot showers, making extended stays with pets more comfortable. Guests should be aware of loose cholla cactus balls along trails that can be hazardous to pets, as noted by campers who have experienced problems with their dogs encountering them. Despite this concern, the park offers numerous hiking trails where dogs are welcome when properly leashed, including the popular Waterfall Canyon trail.
Dispersed camping options near Surprise include Old Airstrip Camping & Staging Area and Maddock Road Dispersed camping on Arizona State Trust Land, both allowing pets in a more primitive setting. State Trust Land camping requires permits, while BLM dispersed sites are generally free. Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Leaf Verde RV Resort provide more amenities for RV campers with pets, including full hookup sites. Weekday camping tends to be quieter than weekends when some areas experience increased off-road vehicle activity. The desert environment presents specific challenges for pets, including hot ground temperatures in summer months and wildlife encounters. Campers should bring ample water for pets, protective footwear, and be vigilant about checking for cactus spines after walks.
"We stayed at the Willow Campground for two nights while visiting family and friends in the Surprise area. Hiked the Waterfall and Black Loop Trail for a little exercise as well."
"We stayed two nights at the Willow walk-in sites (W10). Despite our campsite being close to the bathroom it exceeded our expectations. Campground is well organized with friendly staff."
from $15 - $45 / night
"There was a gate attendant when we checked in around 6 pm on a Monday and we were given an information packet with information on the campground, nearby facilities in the town of Surprise, and trails,"
"This park is so close to town, but far enough to get some quiet night sky! There are standard campsites and a more primitive camping area."
"RV camping on big water in Arizona! We have stayed here a couple of times. Make sure to book a spot up on cliff overlooking the water. Great sunsets. Free shuttle to haul kayak to boat ramp."
"We keep a boat at Lake Pleasant and are part of the Arizona Yacht Club so we are up here all the time."
from $23 - $105 / night
"A two lane dump station near the Desert Tortoise camping area. Security and cleaning crews passing through keeping an eye on the rigs. Very close to Lake Pleasant."
"It was super hot in the afternoons and you really have no privacy from the campers around you. It was nice having shower facilities but they weren’t the cleanest. The lake was nice to cool off in."
"Really cool cactus variations all around, you can hear coyotes. And there are wild burros in the area you can def hear them and during the week it's likely you will see them!"
"This is a staging area for off road vehicles, so there are a lot of quads, ATV, and OHV there. But no one seemed to be running around at all hours of the night like at other areas."
"The further you get away from the main road the less people. Will stay here again."
"This was a major travel destination for RV’rs and campers passing through, or staying for a while in close proximity to Phoenix. Major disappointment."
"Numerous campsites available in an area along State Road 74 and New River/Lake Pleasant Roads, at least 2 or 3000 acres with hundreds of establish campsites."
"Recommend black canyon city for laundry and hiked on the black canyon trail."
"The spots are relatively close to each other and tent camping is also allowed. Water is clear and very nice. Wild donkeys from old miners back in the day still roam around."
"There are many campgrounds on Lake Pleasant- we stayed at Roadrunner which is near the Discovery Center."
from $32 / night
"The pool is refreshing and if you aren’t into swimming there is a pool table, dog park and shuffle board to keep you busy. The sites are gravel and close together but nice."
"Easy to get to from the 10 freeway, good sized RV park w decent sized sites, park is kept clean, pool, Pickleball courts, cornhole area, dog park, huge laundry room, and the people are nice."
"Right next to the commissary and AAFES. Bathhouse is excellent. Laundry is free."
"Concrete slab to park on and rocks around instead of grass."
from $40 / night
GuideBLM property in a desert setting. ATV trails and Badger Spring trail for hiking. Go past the parking lot and pit toilet for boondock sites. Decent cell svc. Access road is dirt and may be worn based on weather. I-17 within view with very little road noise.
GuideI just pulled in here and didn't go very far up the road, it's dark and I'm in my 25ft Class C Motorhome. Not gonna lie, it feels a little bit wrong to be sitting here and camping out 😂 I have never been in this area, and I am hoping it will work out ok. I couldn't see if there were established places to park, so I just found a level spot behind a bush.
TravelerAbsolute shithole! As soon as I pulled in my truck was swarmed with thousands of flies (no exaggeration!) if I hadn’t just traveled from Colorado and was exhausted I would have immediately left. My trailer was then infested with flies as well. It’s going to take days to get rid of the infestation. Despite that, I did give it a two-star rating for the views.
TravelerWe came here to tent camp as there was an active hurricane hitting the area, gravel roads and easy to drive on. It's right off the highway so it was perfect for us if we needed to pack up and leave quickly because of the storm
GuideThis is a nice easy spot that is close to town. The camp sites have paved parking, fire ring, bbq pit and a picnic table. If you are looking to set up a ground tent, don’t plan on bringing anything too large. Sites do not offer a lot of privacy but they are decently spaced apart
LegendClose to Pheonix. Spacious sites. Good trails. Clean facilities. Some wildlife.
LegendClose to Pheonix. Spacious sites. Good trails. Clean facilities.
GuideStaff were very friendly. We did not reserve because there is a $10 booking fee. Lots of space available this time of year. Asphalt pads would easily accommodate 2 22foot vehicles backed in. Pull throughs would also. Toilets and showers spacious and clean. Suggest the backin sites at Roadrunner campsite numbers 17, 19 or 21 or the pull thru sites 15,16,18 or 20 for great view of the lake.
ScoutNice campground, serene with a large cactus next to every spot
The Surprise area sits in the Sonoran Desert at approximately 1,175 feet elevation, characterized by saguaro cacti, desert washes, and rocky terrain. Winter temperatures typically range from 40-70°F, while summer months can exceed 110°F. Dispersed camping options require permits on State Trust Land, with fees typically $15-20 annually compared to free BLM sites.
Hiking waterfall trails: At White Tank Mountain Regional Park, the Waterfall Trail offers a paved path for the first half mile with petroglyphs visible along the route. "The waterfall only runs after heavy rain (I would think this would make access very challenging). There was water in the 'pool' and it is scenic so it was worthwhile to go despite no running falls," shares Lee D. from White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
Stargazing: Camp at sites farther from city lights for optimal night sky viewing. "Fantastic park for seeing the stars and getting away from Phoenix city lights. Lots of well marked trails and access to water and facilities as well as access to a county library and education center at the entrance," notes Chenery K. from White Tank Mountain.
Visiting nature centers: The White Tank Mountain Regional Park features an educational center with ranger-led activities. "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," according to Ellen W.
Large, well-spaced sites: Campers appreciate the roominess of sites at Roadrunner Campground, especially those with views. "We've stayed here several times and roadrunner campground is my favorite because it's up above the lake and has a beautiful view. There are several poles through spots as well as back and spots. Electric and water are available," reports Lisa M.
Clean facilities: Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Surprise maintain high-quality amenities. Ryan W. from White Tank Mountain Regional Park notes, "Cleanest flush toilets and showers (free) I've ever seen in a campground. Dish washing station. Campsites are level, clean, and include a shade over a concrete table, fire ring, and hammock hooks for three."
Desert wildlife encounters: The area provides opportunities to view native Sonoran Desert animals. "Wildlife: birds, coyotes, reptiles, etc. The camp is close to civilization enabling quick visits to other attractions, and an easy drive to spring training baseball games," adds Ryan W.
Cholla cactus hazards: Loose cactus segments can attach to dogs and people. "We stayed at the Willow Campground for two nights while visiting family and friends in the Surprise area. 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," cautions Teresa A.
Limited shade options: Most sites lack natural coverage. "This is a nice place to visit is the cooler months of the year due to no shade and low elevation. We visited in January which was perfect," advises Christine S. from Roadrunner Campground.
Permit requirements: For dispersed camping on Arizona State Trust Land, annual permits are required. "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 Rick & Terri J. from Maddock Road Dispersed.
Accessible hiking options: Some trails accommodate various skill levels. "There are numerous horseback, hiking and biking trails. Family campground has electric and water hookups with a very clean centrally located restroom, that hosts a shower and flushing toilets," notes Staci R. from White Tank Mountain.
Library visits: The White Tank Mountain park provides educational opportunities. "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," recommends Chenery K.
Swimming areas: Lake Pleasant offers water recreation during hot months. "Beautiful lake! Lots of shoreline access for swimming. Roadrunner campground is very nice. Quiet and beautiful views," says Cindy M.
Level sites: Many local campgrounds provide flat parking spots. "The sites are gravel, a good size, well-maintained, and spaced a decent amount of distance apart. Some are pull-through and some back-in. In addition to the aforementioned water and electric hookups, each site also has a picnic table, bbq grill, and fire pit," explains Lee D.
Road conditions: Some dispersed camping areas require careful driving. "Nice enough place for dispersed camping, but requires a very bumpy drive to get there. Really good cell phone service (Verizon - I got 3-4 bars of 4G, which got me 75+ mb/s download speed)," reports Russell C. from Old Airstrip Camping & Staging Area.
Weekend planning: Dispersed sites may be busier on weekends with off-road vehicles. "I don't have 4x4 so I didn't go too far into the staging area. 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, I'm sure," shares Kiley S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Surprise, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Surprise, AZ is White Tank Mountain Regional Park with a 4.5-star rating from 17 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 118 dog-friendly camping locations near Surprise, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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