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.
$25 - $89 / night
"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."
"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."
"Outstanding layout, great hosts, spectacular location. "
$32 / night
"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 hiking and bike riding trails with a bike course! Playground. Pet friendly. Very clean and friendly hosts. Close to fountain hills if you need anything in town."
$25 - $50 / night
"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."
"A water spigot was nearby with great water.
We were fortunate to have inherited a host named Larry who was there for a few months because Covid prevented him from traveling to Europe. "
$30 - $40 / night
"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."
"If you want to be more secluded keep following the shore line NW, however the more you travel the more ground clearance you’ll need so bring a vehicle with a little off road abilities of you want to be"
"Great place to get a little bit off road but not really get too off road…."
$10 / night
"Very close to popular hiking trails. We enjoyed the rustic campsite. The camp host was very friendly and helpful (Darell)."
"Box Bar shoreline is located right on the verde fiver. The parking/camping is about two minutes walking distance from the river.
We didn’t camp, just came down for the day."
"At Box Bar there is a small dam that holds the water in just enough for a calm small lake to appear. There is also quicker waters that can be kayaked or floated on."
"This campground is found between the town's of Superior and Miami, Arizona, so if you are not am experienced camper, you could always drive to town in a pinch if you needed something or forgot something"
"We went for the day to explore the area due to it possibly being lost to the nearby copper mine soon. Didn't really have a destination other than to just hike and look around."
$22 - $170 / night
"All paved driving and campsite parking except equestrian area no hookups they have places to fill water and to dump. Restrooms and showers nice a clean."
"Each horse site has two large corrals, a fire pit, and picnic table. There is water locations around the campground as well as bathrooms."
RangerBox Bar shoreline is located right on the verde fiver. The parking/camping is about two minutes walking distance from the river.
We didn’t camp, just came down for the day. This is a fun spot to swim and picnic. This is free and not on Tonto National Forest, so you don’t need a Tonto Pass.
Fire restrictions are in place. There are no facilities other than three port-a-potty’s. Only 45 minutes from Mesa. We usually go to the salt river but I noticed that this area and water is much cleaner!
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.
LegendWe were not impressed with this USDA Forest Service operated campground. There are better places to stay in the Tonto National Forest area. I’d only stay here again if everything else was full.
It was toilets. That was about it. No cell service either (T-Mobile). No water or trash. Pack it in, pack it out. There are also some protests going on in the area right now. The land is sacred to Western Apache tribes and it might be opened up to copper mining.
The picnic tables and fire pits are nice. I highly recommend driving along the Gila-Pinal Scenic Route. Breath taking vistas.
GuideOak Flat is a Forest Service campground in the Tonto National Forest and is about 90 minutes from Phoenix. It's a short distance off a windy mountain highway which means it's easy to get to but traffic can be heard from camp. (Luckily it's not a busy interstate and traffic is pretty infrequent at night.) It's not spectacular location but there are decent views of the oak scrub desert surrounding the camp.
There are a handful of campsites with picnic tables and firepits, plus several flat and open areas for RVs or tent cities. Some sites are open and others have a few shady tree for hammocks, slacklines, and more. There is a bathroom which was clean and well-stocked with toilet paper, despite the campground being quite full when I stayed here for a few nights in April. There is no water, however, so be prepared with as much as you'll need. The elevation is just shy of 4,000' which means nights are typically a few degrees cooler than in the Phoenix area.
There are no hiking trails from the campground but there is a network of dirt roads which take you back into the desert scrub oak forest and through hundreds of bouldering problems of all levels. Just a few miles away, however, the Arizona Trail crosses the highway and heads north into the Superstition Wilderness.
This campsite is pretty basic but is a good place to kill some time, especially given that it's free! It's also a great place to set up your base camp if you want to do some bouldering.
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!
TravelerAll paved driving and campsite parking except equestrian area no hookups they have places to fill water and to dump. Restrooms and showers nice a clean.
GuideThis campground has really nice sites, that can accommodate large trailers. Each horse site has two large corrals, a fire pit, and picnic table. There is water locations around the campground as well as bathrooms. Across the street is the main non horse campground, there is pay showers if needed and an amphitheater there. The trails weren't my favorite, a bit rocky, but were not bad either. The campground is a great location near Payson.
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.
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!!
Horse camping near Tonto National Forest in Arizona offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the companionship of your equine friends. With several campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and hit the trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Tonto National Forest is Lost Dutchman State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 82 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Tonto National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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