20 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
None of the campgrounds in the provided data specifically mention horse corrals in their features. The "NO horse-corral" designation appears in the features list of all campgrounds, indicating they do not have dedicated horse facilities. Usery Mountain Regional Park, Lost Dutchman State Park, and McDowell Mountain Regional Park offer camping options near Tempe, but without specific equestrian accommodations.
Horse camping near Tempe is best approached by using nearby campgrounds as a base while trailering horses in for daytime riding. Usery Mountain Regional Park, located in Mesa approximately 15 minutes from Apache Junction, offers spacious individual sites with water and electric hookups in a Sonoran Desert setting. The park provides access to multiple hiking trails including Wind Cave Trail and Pass Mountain Trail, making it suitable for horse camping day trips with horses hauled in separately.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park and White Tank Mountain offer additional camping options with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, though neither provides dedicated horse facilities on-site. Most parks in the region maintain trail systems accessible to equestrians during daytime use. Visitors planning equestrian activities should contact park offices directly regarding day-use horse trailer parking, trail access points, and current policies for bringing horses. Some trails in the Tonto National Forest accessible from these campgrounds may permit horseback riding with appropriate permits.
"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."
from $35 - $99 / night
Check Availability"Outstanding layout, great hosts, spectacular location. "
"Was 90 the day we left (~March 23rd), night temp was cool and windows left open.
Food: Chorizo & bacon mac & cheese with garlic and tortillas!"
"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 trails for all skill sets. Snake and gia display. A very large park. Close to everything."
from $32 / night
Check Availability"Great location! Nice views of the compound which normally hosts car and horse shows. Electric and water available as hookup. Common dump site available upon entry as well as during your stay."
"This is a great place to camp if you are attending a WestWorld event since you will be right next to all of the facilities."
from $57 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Then 2.2 mile drive to Willow campground. Early spring high temps so rattlesnakes were active. I camped in tent only site which required parking and short walk. Lots of hiking and biking trails"
"Very pleasant .there is no sewerage hook ups you have to drive to dump ech time .the people were friendly there as well"
"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."
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Lots of trails for all skill sets. Great for bikes. Horse trails. Water and electric sites with a dump station. My site was backwards for my trailer but was still good."
"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
Check Availability
ScoutGreat location! Nice views of the compound which normally hosts car and horse shows. Electric and water available as hookup. Common dump site available upon entry as well as during your stay. Fabulous shopping restaurants all in close proximity in North Scottsdale. Also convenient to highway system!
TravelerThis 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. The Willow Canyon site is big enough for a full length Sprinter, though the office says 16’ is the length limit.
Lots of trails for hiking, biking and horses. Brand new showers, restrooms and a dishwashing area. Dogs allowed too!
I’m on Verizon and only got a single bar in the park. The library is near the entrance if you need to get your WiFi fix!
LegendThis area is best for its hiking and photo ops, in my humble opinion. As with most desert campgrounds in Arizona, there is not much privacy between the sites but take advantage of the beauty. The waterfall trail is an easy hike and very doable with kids. You can only bring a stroller so far unless it's an off-roading stroller but the hike is worth it (especially if there's water flowing). There's a playground across from the trailhead in case all else fails and someone stays behind with he little ones. Restrooms are thoughtfully placed here. DO watch for rattle snakes on this trail and all for that matter. Also, bring a lot of water and then some. Stop at the Visitor Center and library on your way in. You're not far removed from civilization so anything you need is just a brief drive away.
GuideOur 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.
RangerConfusing system for making reservations. Pass the library and check in at the booth. Then 2.2 mile drive to Willow campground. Early spring high temps so rattlesnakes were active. I camped in tent only site which required parking and short walk. Lots of hiking and biking trails
TravelerGreat 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!!
RangerThe 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.
RangerOutstanding 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.
GuideThis park is so close to town, but far enough that you feel like you are way out. There are standard campsites (water and electric) as well as tent camping area. The sites can fit good sized rigs. There is a ton of trails for hiking, biking, and horses. Brand new showers, restrooms, and a dishwashing area. Dogs are allowed, but please keep them on a leash and pick up after them so we don't lose the privilege!
Here is a link to the Maricopa parks with maps: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/maps/
Equestrian camping options around Tempe typically require hauling in horses for day use rather than overnight stays with on-site corrals. The Sonoran Desert region maintains daytime temperatures between 65-85°F during winter months, making it a popular destination for seasonal campers looking to escape colder climates. Most established campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 1,200-2,000 feet.
Hiking and mountain biking trails: McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers extensive trail networks for multiple activities. "Miles of mountain biking trails which were spectacular. We've ridden lots of places and this is definitely one of my favorite. Trails are not difficult technically but a great workout and so pretty," notes Mike M. The park includes trails suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.
Ghost town exploration: Visit Goldfield Ghost Town for a taste of Arizona history located near camping areas. "Being able to walk right into town was pretty cool. 20 dollars to dry camp, but being able to walk into town was pretty cool," shares Beverly T. The attraction includes mine tours, museums, and period shops within walking distance of the camping area.
Waterfront activities: For water recreation near Tempe, Bartlett Flat provides shoreline camping with lake access. "Spots are right on the water, but can get a little busy so would recommend coming early. Great Lake for fishing, but not a ton of hiking around," explains Alex H. The area allows direct water access for swimming, fishing, and boating.
Desert wildlife viewing: The desert landscape supports diverse wildlife observation opportunities. "Heard some coyotes in the night, which was exciting. Enjoyed hiking the trails and exploring the landscape," Rebecca G. mentions about her stay at Lost Dutchman State Park Campground. Campers frequently report roadrunners, quail, rabbits, and coyote sightings.
Stargazing and night skies: Despite proximity to urban areas, several campgrounds offer decent night sky viewing. "You won't get a 'dark sky' night here, but the light noise from Phoenix makes for beautifully silhouetted saguaro cacti," explains Janet H. about White Tank Mountain. The elevated locations away from immediate city centers provide better astronomical observation conditions.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained amenities at established sites. "Sites are well maintained and the visitor center is worth a look. Wonderful hiking trails around the park," reports Christine S. about Usery Mountain Regional Park. Most developed campgrounds feature regularly cleaned restrooms, showers, and organized campsites.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Do consider reserving a spot with ample time - they tend to get booked really quick especially during the winter time," advises Jose G. about Usery Mountain Regional Park.
Limited shade coverage: Desert camping means minimal natural shade. "No shade here at all but otherwise pretty decent. My spot had water and electric," reports Chris P. about Usery Mountain. Bringing shade structures is recommended for any season.
Wind conditions: Open landscapes can experience significant wind. "The wind can really whip across the lake when it picks up, and it makes it hard to pitch a tent or run a stove," notes Whither W. about camping at Bartlett Flat. Securing tents and equipment properly is essential.
Horse accommodation limitations: For equestrian camping near Tempe, Arizona, most sites require trailering horses in for day use rather than overnight stays. No dedicated horse corrals are available at most established campgrounds.
Nature programs and activities: Some parks offer educational programs ideal for children. "They offer tons of programs for everyone like night hikes and scorpion hunts," mentions Jose G. about Usery Mountain Regional Park experiences.
Playground access: White Tank Mountain provides family-friendly amenities beyond camping. "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," shares Ellen W. These facilities offer alternative activities when children need breaks from hiking.
Site selection for families: Choose locations with convenient access to facilities. "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. I expected to hear traffic in and out, but the site sits a nice distance back from the CG entrance road," explains Janet H., noting the balance between convenience and privacy.
Site sizing considerations: Pay attention to campground specifications when bringing larger vehicles. "Roads are narrow and there are unforgiving drop offs on the sides. We had site 118 which was closer to mountain so view was very good," advises Terri D. about Lost Dutchman State Park.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary between campgrounds. "Spaces are large and spread out making it a great fit for tent campers or RV campers," notes Crystal C. about White Tank Mountain, while Al G. reports about WestWorld RV Park: "The camping area is a wide open dirt and gravel lot with 30&50amp power hookups. Note the area is directly under high voltage power lines. There is a dump station with potable water."
Winter accessibility: The region attracts seasonal RVers escaping colder climates. "Perfect for just getting away for the weekend. Only a 45 minute drive from the house, yet far enough that you still feel like you got away," shares Chad E. about Lost Dutchman State Park, highlighting its convenience for local and visiting RVers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Tempe, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Tempe, AZ is Lost Dutchman State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 91 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Tempe, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Tempe, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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