Tonto National Forest is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Arizona camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Tonto National Forest, AZ. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$35 - $99 / night
"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."
"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."
"Almost an urban park just due to it's proximity to the city of Mesa, Usery park offers great tent camping, group campsites, as well as RV Sites with Electric and Water hookups."
"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."
"Very clean. some sites have an outdoor kitchen. close to the road but we didn’t notice noise. A decent size dog run and a small rec center that I didn’t have a chance to see."
"I arrived after hours, but some of the staff still on site saw me grab my check in materials at the office."
$25 - $50 / night
"Make sure you secure EVERYTHING at your camp or you will come back to an unpleasant surprise when you return from you lake fun.
There were no hook-ups where we were, but we didn't need then anyway."
"We wanted to get close to the water but that was not what we ended up doing. We had to drive to take our kayaks to the water. There was an old cost ramp there but is was completely unusable."
$22 - $170 / night
"Perfect for the campers that still want amenities , such as showers, flush toilets and running water.."
"Located just 1.5 hours from Phoenix, this is a super easy getaway from The Valley. "
"Very well kept full service campground with super helpful staff."
"The park has beautiful hiking trails and a great nature center, which offers activities.
Some hiking trails are within walking distance of the campground, others you will need to drive to. "
"Bathrooms are always clean. The spaces are close together so if you are spot picky (want more of a personal space feel) you will need to get recommendations or visit it to mark your spots."
"Spots are close together with a fair amount of trees around. Because campsites are close there is some noise but not bad. Some road noise as well and to be expected since you are camping in town."
"Basic bathrooms available. Steep decline into the river right next to the sites. About 10-15 sites available, first come, first served. Pretty secluded and private."
"My site backed up to the river and I was able to hammoc next to it. Short drive to horseshoe lake. Very dusty"
"The campground is nestled in a secluded canyon amongst the Ponderosa Pines and next to an intermittent mountain stream."
"There are 17-21 sites dispersed & in groups that include cement picnic tables, metal ring fire pits, and some sites also have Bear Boxes. There are 3-4 outhouses, no running water or amenities."
RangerAlmost an urban park just due to it's proximity to the city of Mesa, Usery park offers great tent camping, group campsites, as well as RV Sites with Electric and Water hookups. Dump station on site.
Usery is a great jumping off point for hiking in the National Forest. There is an extensive trail network both in the park and connected to the Tonto National Forest. One of the most popular is Wind Cave Trail.
There is also a world class Archery Range here. There is a usage fee of about $2 (at time of this writing) on top of your park entry fee, but kids are free.
TravelerThe campground is nestled in a secluded canyon amongst the Ponderosa Pines and next to an intermittent mountain stream. The views on the drive up from Globe to the campground at 5,900 feet are gorgeous.
The campground and bathrooms were clean. Some of the sites are a little close together, but others are nicely separated.
Each site has a nice fire pit with a grill gate and a concrete picnic table.
TravelerVery clean. some sites have an outdoor kitchen. close to the road but we didn’t notice noise. A decent size dog run and a small rec center that I didn’t have a chance to see.
GuideVery well kept full service campground with super helpful staff. I recommend sites with canopies if you don't have solid air conditioning as it can get hot in the sun and there's very little natural shade. All sites have power and water. There's a dual lane dump station on the way out of the park.
LegendReservations 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!
TravelerI am not sure where the pictures posted here are from but it is definitely not from this campground.
It is a nice little campground with a pool and small launder mat room. Bathrooms are always clean. The spaces are close together so if you are spot picky (want more of a personal space feel) you will need to get recommendations or visit it to mark your spots.
Saturday nights include karaoke by the pool or live cover band. My kids enjoy staying here but be warned that "resort" should be taken lightly. There is a "playground" which consists of a metal swing set, uncovered and a small basketball court. This is also right near the dog pin area.
You are off a major road so near by shopping is a breeze but you will not be forced to hear the traffic so no worries there.
GuidePerfect for the campers that still want amenities , such as showers, flush toilets and running water.. Campsites had campfire ring, picnic table at each site.. had cell service every now and then can hear traffic from a nearby Main Street which meant to close to town for me..
ScoutThis campground is Free. There are 17-21 sites dispersed & in groups that include cement picnic tables, metal ring fire pits, and some sites also have Bear Boxes. There are 3-4 outhouses, no running water or amenities. To get there from Globe it’s 7 miles of dirt one lane switchbacks on the side of the mountain. I have seen campers before but it is not very easy to get up there with them. 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.
GuideChecked in on a Sunday for a one night stay at Buckhorn CG. 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. Parking area was large enough to accommodate a couple of vehicles, and the site was roomy, with a few tent location possibilities. Site was raked and free of any trash, and a good distance from neighboring site. Loved the large concrete picnic table. Nice metal firepit and water on site. Really quiet— just the nearby chatter of birds and coyotes serenading. You won’t get a ‘dark sky’ night here, but the light noise from Phoenix makes for beautifully silhouetted saguaro cacti. Restroom and shower facilities were clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Tonto National Forest is Lost Dutchman State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 82 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Tonto National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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