Best Cabin Camping near Tonto National Forest

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Several cabin accommodations near Tonto National Forest provide options for visitors seeking shelter with varying amenities. Lost Dutchman State Park Campground in Apache Junctions offers cabin rentals with electric hookups and picnic tables on site. The Mesa-Apache Junction KOA provides furnished cabin accommodations with electricity, water, and shower access. A recent visitor noted that KOA cabins are "not fancy, but what you need is at your fingertips." Apache Lake Marina & Resort offers lakeside cabins with water and electric hookups, though accessibility requires navigating challenging roads.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Carefree Manor in Apache Junction permits pets in their cabin rentals and provides shower facilities and full hookups. Tonto Treasure offers more secluded cabin accommodations but with minimal amenities and no water or electric hookups. Campground USA and VIP RV Resort also maintain cabin rental options with varying levels of amenities. According to one visitor, Lost Dutchman State Park cabins offer "clean facilities, beautiful surroundings, full amenities" making it "one of my favorite winter camp spots."

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Cooking facilities vary between locations, with some providing only basic fire rings while others offer more extensive kitchen setups. Market services are available at Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Lake Marina & Resort, and Mesa-Apache Junction KOA for essential supplies. Apache Lake Marina includes a convenience store and restaurant on-site. Firewood is available for purchase at several locations, though some restrictions on fires exist at certain properties. Trash disposal services are provided at most cabin rental facilities.

Best Cabin Sites Near Tonto National Forest (21)

    1. Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    84 Reviews
    Superstition Mtn, AZ
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 982-4485

    $35 - $99 / night

    "We opted for a site with electrical and water ($30 vs $20) so there were mostly RVs. Large pull through with fire pit and bbq grill and metal picnic table."

    "Due to extreme heat, I recommend visiting in the fall. Winter, spring, and summer can tend to very uncomfortable. Loved the variety of hikes here, anything from easy to medium-difficult."

    2. Apache Lake Marina & Resort

    7 Reviews
    Tonto National Forest, AZ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (602) 575-0057

    "It's the kind of resort where you plan to spend all day on the lake and come back to a shower and a real bed. You can choose to camp in your tent/RV or start in the motel."

    "It's called the Apache Trail and it's Arizona's oldest highway, originally built in 1905. Serious history here!"

    3. Mesa-Apache Junction KOA

    18 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 982-4015

    "The KOA features a year round heated pool and jacuzzi. The pool area was fenced and had some chairs, tables, and what appeared to be covered grills."

    "I camped in a 22 foot rental motor home. This was my first KOA experience, and it was such a delight."

    4. Carefree Manor

    3 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 982-4008

    $25 - $50 / night

    "We stayed in the cabin and it was beautiful!"

    "This park is amazing. I have stayed for 3 weeks. Starting in March. This park has full hookups, Wi-Fi, and super sweet people everyone chatting and enjoying life."

    5. Campground USA

    2 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    18 miles
    Website

    "Newer park very clean and secure heated pool with a Jacuzzi Pickleball courts and clean bathrooms with showers. We enjoyed our stay."

    "Large gravel spaces. Amenities not completed yet. No pool. Easy access. Friendly staff. Big rig spots"

    6. Encore Mesa Spirit

    8 Reviews
    Mesa, AZ
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "The RV site we were assigned has a rock pad, was moderately spacious, level, in full sun, and a fire ring or picnic table was not provided. "

    "We loved this park in the Arizona Desert.  Close to everything, yet set up to feel like you're in your own little village. "

    7. Arizonian Travel Trailer Resort

    1 Review
    Queen Valley, AZ
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 463-2978

    "Ride a side by side rzr or similar off-roader?? This place is geared for your ride"

    8. Sun Life RV Resort

    1 Review
    Mesa, AZ
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 981-9500

    10. VIP RV Resort & Storage

    Be the first to review!
    Apache Junction, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 983-0847
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Showing results 1-10 of 21 campgrounds

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Recent Cabin Photos near Tonto National Forest

2 Photos of 21 Tonto National Forest Campgrounds


Cabin Reviews near Tonto National Forest

141 Reviews of 21 Tonto National Forest Campgrounds


  • Krista Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2019

    Mesa-Apache Junction KOA

    All the features of a hotel

    This KOA had some really awesome features and gives you most of the convenience of a hotel with the ability to bring your RV and your personal items with you without the hotel price tag. The KOA features a year round heated pool and jacuzzi. The pool area was fenced and had some chairs, tables, and what appeared to be covered grills. The pool is right outside the office building which also has bathrooms and a small convenience store. If they don't have what you are looking for the is a major grocery store about 2 miles away. This KOA is in town. Don't come here if you're looking for a remote destination. The other side of the exterior fence has houses and businesses.

    Each site has a picnic table and some had a stand up bbq pit. The spaces are really close together and separated by a row of rocks. Up front they have 4 little single room cabins that say there can sleep 6 but have no bathrooms. There are some upgraded RV spaces that have outside grill areas with sinks and counter space.

    The spaces have very little shade if any! Be very aware of the weather when you visit. It'll be hot during the day and very cold at night depending on the time of year. You will be randomly assigned a space unless you pay the fee to have an assigned space.

    The KOA features a small fenced playground with a tetherball, swing set, merry go round, and a table with an umbrella. On the other side of the KOA there is a small fenced dog run. I also saw a stand alone sink near one of the loops. There is an activity center if you're hosting a group event. It had a few standing bbq pits outside. At the entrance was an air pump for filling tires.

  • Krista Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2017

    Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds

    Beautiful for groups (or single sites)

    The name is a bit deceiving. The campground is designed for groups (there is a wide open group space and a loop with 12 spots that can be reserved for groups) BUT when the loop isn't reserved for a group you can stay in a single spot. Plus a day use area. 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). There are 2 large BBQs at the end of the loop, covered ramadas with picnic tables, and an oversized metal fire pit. Plenty of people were there in 5th wheels. Downside... The spaces are pretty close together.

    About the group site (Brundrett 2): It's a large open space (there are some tree around the outer edges and on one side). There is a private bathroom and it's close to one of the loop bathrooms and it's close to the day use bathroom. Covered ramadas, picnic tables, BBQs, and an oversized metal fire pit. There is also a few scattered picnic tables, standing BBQs, and fire pits.

  • Clint  G.
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Encore Mesa Spirit

    Great value as a TT member

    We stayed at this property from 12/28/2020 - 01/11/2020.  This was our first experience with a TT/Encore property.  The RV site we were assigned has a rock pad, was moderately spacious, level, in full sun, and a fire ring or picnic table was not provided.  There was a pool, hot tub, lodge, pickleball, mini golf, shuffleboard, dog park, laundry and a fitness center on the grounds.  The nearest grocery store was within 5 miles as well.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2019

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Large sites, great view of the Superstition Mountains

    Camped here for two nights and enjoyed it very much. Sites are large and well maintained. We opted for a site with electrical and water ($30 vs $20) so there were mostly RVs. Large pull through with fire pit and bbq grill and metal picnic table. Many have views of the Superstition Mountains. We reserved ahead of time which is good as the campground was full when we arrived. There is overflow camping if no sites available. Bathrooms were clean and one had showers and filtered water, a nice bonus. I only saw two bathrooms (there might have been another in the newer loop but we didn’t explore that) so they were not real close to our site. Several hiking trails directly accessible from the park. A variety of ranger led programs but unfortunately none during our stay. You do have to put up with the annoying train whistle from about 10-6 from nearby Goldsfield “Ghost town” but otherwise it is probably the quietest campground I’ve ever stayed at. Only issue we had was with over-eager volunteers who yelled at us and told us we couldn’t park outside the showers. (We had moved from our site to use the showers after our hike and before leaving).

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Close to the city, deep in the wilderness

    Reservations are necessary, as many people grab these spots, and often for long stays (14 day maximums). Due to extreme heat, I recommend visiting in the fall. Winter, spring, and summer can tend to very uncomfortable.

    Loved the variety of hikes here, anything from easy to medium-difficult. The individual sites are pretty small and hard to put a tent anywhere but the paved drives into each nook, much of the ground is covered in small plants and cacti. There's a picnic table/bench thing at each spot, plus a fire pit grill (which is the only place you can burn). Bathrooms and showers are on site and worked great during our stay. Bring plenty of water to hydrate with!

  • Mike M.
    Dec. 11, 2018

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Great winter camping

    Campsite 36

    Spent the night close to home as my dog had never been camping and I wanted to see if he liked it (he does!).

    Booked online about two weeks prior for a Monday night stay and most of the campground was available. When I arrived about 75-80% was full, so good idea to book ahead.

    Some of the sites are super close together, especially on the newer loops (sites 75-104 and 106-134). They'd be ok with a trailer, but I'd feel cramped in with my tent. The main part of the campground where I was is a bit more spread out, with vegetation between most of the sites.

    My site had a big pad for the tent that was raked, a picnic table, a fire ring/grill, easy access to the hiking trails, and a great view of the mountains.

    Beware during the winter as the wind can come up during the night and morning hours, so stake your tent down well. It got up to maybe 15 mph, so not super strong, but typical for the edges of the valley.

    Staff was friendly, and the bathroom was clean. I didn't use the shower.

    One specific note about my site 36: don't book it if you'll be taking a 5th wheel or really any trailer. The access road is narrow and the parking spot is at a 90° angle so it'd be very difficult to back into. Better to pick one of the pull thru spots. If you have a campervan or are tent camping then it's a great spot.

    I'm glad I came here. Can't wait to come back! This would be an epic place during a full moon, or really anytime it's clear to see the stars. Too bad it was cloudy my entire stay.

  • Denise G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2022

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Campsite is at the foot of the Superstitious Mountains

    Lost Dutchman is a beautiful campsite however the sites are a little closer than what we prefer. We were in site 98 which was right in front of the Superstitious Mountains with no obstructions. The site was a pull thru but was barely long enough for our Toyota Tundra max cab and 20-foot trailer. A picnic table, fire ring and a couple of camp chairs is about all that fits at this site. If you want your trailer door to be lined up with the table, it will require you to pull the trailer through and park your tow vehicle behind it. Firewood can be purchased for$8 cash from the ranger station and ice for$6. If you want to use the well-maintained bathrooms or showers don’t stay in the 75-104 loop since the bathrooms are almost a half mile away via a trail that I would not recommend without closed toe shoes. We saw Quail and tarantulas on the trail. Although there were multiple signs to beware of rattle snakes we did not run into any. There was also a dog park near the main restrooms and showers. There is a dump station on your way out of the park that was easy to access. Goldfield Ghost Town just down the road, although a tourist trap it is a must see. There are multiple gift stores, a restaurant as well as a hamburger/ice cream stand and bakery, a train ride and Mine tours. Just a little farther down the road is the Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum which is more than just a museum full of old artifacts. There is a great gift shop and 15 acres of mining artifacts, artwork and a movie site Chaple used in a 1968 western called Charro which started Elvis Presley as well as the Apacheland Movie Barn used in multiple westerns. They even have a working 1914 Stamp ore mill which was used to crush boulders that had small pieces of gold within them. When enjoyed our two-night stay at Lost Dutch and spending the day learning about the history of this little community.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 11, 2020

    Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    Beautiful Views

    Beautiful views here, they have both water/electric sites plus dry campsites, all have views with picnic tables and fire ring grill grate. It had been 110 days since rain when we first arrived, so no fires first couple days, but they got rain yesterday 12/10/20 so we can have fires again. This is desert camping, the birds and everything in desert is happy about the rain. Goldfield old mining town is across the street, worth a visit as well for old western town lovers 1883 I believe. Route 88 will carry you through beautiful curvy mountain road over to canyon lake and Tortilla flats, well worth the drive. Lots of hiking from Lost Dutchman State Park. We have seen rabbits, roadrunners, doves, quail and a number other birds, early morning and evening hikes you will see plenty of creatures feeding off the desert. The Saguro cactus are incredible.

  • Connor N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 23, 2021

    Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds

    Decent campground, few amenities, in the middle of nowhere

    Enjoyed three nights and generally had the place to ourselves excluding the host. The host was very nice. The fee station was out of order during our stay, so we paid via daily tickets at a place in Globe on our way out. The campground is right off the highway so there was a fair amount of traffic noise, but not unbearable. Little to do in the way of hikes within walking distance, but we enjoyed walking around the campground and into the woods to the north and east. Verizon service was great the entire time. Sites are well maintained and level. Vault toilets were clean. Each site has a steel fire ring and grate as well as a nice metal picnic table. There a a few group areas with full grills and communal tables. The campground appears fairly new.


Guide to Tonto National Forest

Cabin accommodations near Tonto National Forest range from rustic to modern with varying accessibility. Tonto National Forest covers over 2.9 million acres with elevations from 1,300 to 7,900 feet, resulting in significant temperature variations between higher and lower elevations. Summer thunderstorms frequently occur from July through September, with flash flooding possible in canyon areas where some cabins are located.

What to do

Hiking superstition mountains: Access trails directly from Lost Dutchman State Park Campground where cabins provide a comfortable base. "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. Lots of good hiking, Ghost Town, good views," notes Chad E.

Fishing at Apache Lake: Apache Lake Marina & Resort offers lakeside cabins for anglers. "This is out in the middle of nowhere but simply amazing location. The lake has amazing views and park is nice and level. Has a grocery store and restaurant as well," reports Alisa P. The marina rents watercraft for those without their own boats.

Stargazing opportunities: Cabin sites at Lost Dutchman provide excellent night sky viewing. "Beautiful sunset, amazing view of moon rising over mountains. Heard some coyotes in the night, which was exciting," states Rebecca G. Light pollution is minimal compared to nearby Phoenix metro area.

What campers like

Convenient location: Mesa-Apache Junction KOA cabins offer proximity to urban amenities while maintaining access to natural areas. "We stayed a couple of nights while visiting family and friends in the area. Gave us a chance to refill water and propane, take some long hot showers and generally recharge before heading back out on the road," shares Teresa A.

Wildlife viewing: Morning deer sightings are common at several cabin locations. According to Tanya N. at Carefree Manor, "A family of dear would come to our cabin and graze each morning as I sat on my cabin porch with a cup of coffee."

Modern amenities: Many cabin rentals provide unexpected comforts. "You wouldn't know it on your drive from the freeway to this KOA, but it's a pleasant, well-run RV/Cabin/Tent campsite. The sites are spacious, hosts friendly and informative. There's a pool and jacuzzi, a number of machines in the laundry, and the showers have doors," notes Grace D. about Mesa-Apache Junction KOA.

What you should know

Access challenges: Some cabin sites require navigating difficult roads. At Apache Lake Marina & Resort, Chelsea R. advises, "The paved hwy was closed, the only way to get there is an hour-long bumpy dirt road. However, it was absolutely amazing!" Weather conditions can worsen road conditions, especially during monsoon season.

Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities near Tonto National Forest require advance booking. Lost Dutchman State Park fills quickly during winter months. "Suggest you make reservations well ahead for busy winter months!" warns Debbie W.

Site selection matters: Carefully review cabin location details before booking. "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.

Tips for camping with families

Noise considerations: Some cabin areas experience nighttime disturbances. "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," reports Brandon M. about Lost Dutchman State Park. Consider midweek stays for quieter experiences.

Kid-friendly activities: Campground USA offers family-oriented amenities with cabin rentals. "Newer park very clean and secure heated pool with a Jacuzzi Pickleball courts and clean bathrooms with showers," notes Bob P.

Proximity options: Families seeking quick weekend getaways appreciate cabins close to Phoenix. Michael F. says about Lost Dutchman: "Love this place. It's our go to when we want to get away but don't have a lot of time to drive far."

Tips from RVers

Site spacing: VIP RV Resort and other facilities with cabin rentals vary in how close accommodations are placed. RVers accustomed to spacious sites should research layout before booking. The width between cabins ranges from minimal separation to comfortable spacing depending on location.

Off-road enthusiasts: Some cabin rental facilities cater to specific outdoor activities. Dave E. notes about Arizonian Travel Trailer Resort: "Ride a side by side rzr or similar off-roader? This place is geared for your ride."

Generator-free environments: Cabins offer quieter alternatives to generator camping. According to Matthew H., Apache Lake "is generator free from 9pm to 5am so you really get to hear the water and nature once you close your eyes."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Tonto National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Tonto National Forest is Lost Dutchman State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 84 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Tonto National Forest?

TheDyrt.com has all 21 cabin camping locations near Tonto National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.