The Superstition Mountains region surrounding Tortilla Flat sits at approximately 2,000 feet elevation in the Sonoran Desert. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 105°F while winter nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F. The area features pronounced seasonal fluctuations in camping availability, with many sites closing during summer months. Flash floods remain a year-round hazard, particularly during July-September monsoon season when washes can fill within minutes.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: 15-25 miles accessible from main campgrounds. Usery Mountain Regional Park offers diverse biking options, including technical sections. "Wonderful hiking trails around the park. Will stay again!" notes Christine S. The trails range from beginner-friendly to advanced, making them suitable for various skill levels.
Fishing at Apache Lake: Accessible year-round with seasonal fish patterns. Apache Lake Marina & Resort provides direct lake access for anglers. "Huge fish?" remarks Chelsea R., highlighting the quality fishing opportunities. The lake holds largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish populations.
Kayaking: Half-day and full-day routes available at Canyon Lake. Canyon Lake Marina & Campground offers prime paddling access. "For sure take paddle boards and kayaks, there is an amazing little canyon to explore," advises Tj R. Morning hours typically provide calmer water conditions for paddlers.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide best opportunities. Listen for coyotes at night and watch for desert bighorn sheep in rocky areas. "Heard some coyotes in the night, which was exciting. Enjoyed hiking the trails and exploring the landscape," reports Rebecca G. after staying at Lost Dutchman State Park.
What campers like
Lakeside camping sites: Direct water access at select campgrounds. Burnt Corral Campground offers waterfront sites popular with boaters. "We stayed in 31D which was connected to 31E - but there is no way to reserve 31E so it was basically two sites in one. There was NO cell service. We loved that," shares JJ V. These lakefront sites provide immediate access for swimming and fishing.
Desert astronomy: Clear skies with minimal light pollution. Many campers note excellent stargazing opportunities at Tortilla Campground. "Breath taking, magical, mystical, special, powerful," describes Krista W. The area's elevation and distance from Phoenix create ideal night sky viewing conditions.
Proximity to historic sites: Ghost towns within short drives. Multiple camping options provide access to old mining operations and abandoned settlements. "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. about Lost Dutchman State Park.
Diverse terrain access: Desert, mountain and lake environments within minutes. Bulldog Canyon Dispersed Camping offers rugged, authentic desert conditions. "Easy to get a permit from the ranger station. Just email your name, address, phone number and driver's license number to sm.fs.mesa_ohs@usda.gov and you'll get your permit within 2 days for free," explains Whitney W.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Various systems across land agencies. Arizona State Trust Land camping requires annual permits ($80 for families as of 2025). "Our first night we camped at the 2nd or 3rd campsite which wasn't too difficult to get to. The next morning we woke up to a forest ranger saying we had to camp 2 miles from the road," reports matt F. regarding Bulldog Canyon regulations.
Road conditions: Variable and often challenging. Hackamore Road Dispersed camping areas require careful driving. "I have a love/hate relationship with this place. It's got great views of the mountains, TONS of awesome trails to walk/ride love the access to the little ghost town nearby. The road in is just terrible & it's very dirty," states Jordan S.
Seasonal closures: Limited camping during hottest months. Tortilla Campground operates October 1 through March 31 only, while other sites have their own schedules. "Only open October to March. Water and sewer at each site. No electric hook ups. Close to Tortilla and Canyon Lake," explains Chris P.
Wildlife concerns: Food management required. The only downside was the birds are very friendly, you can't leave food out," warns Tj R. about Canyon Lake Marina & Campground. Most sites require secure food storage due to birds, javelina, and other wildlife.
Tips for camping with families
Noise consideration: Select campsites away from high-traffic areas. "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," notes Brandon M. about Lost Dutchman State Park. Weekday camping typically offers quieter experiences than weekends.
Safety around water: Canyon Lake has limited beach areas. "Enjoyed our December visit to Lake Marina campsite 201. Will say campsites are close together. Awesome families close to us made it fun," reports Spencer A. Supervised swimming areas have variable seasonal availability.
Facilities for children: Limited playground options. Mesa-Apache Junction KOA offers family-friendly amenities. "The KOA features a small fenced playground with a tetherball, swing set, merry go round, and a table with an umbrella," describes Krista Z. Most wilderness campgrounds lack structured play facilities.
Educational opportunities: Junior Ranger programs at state parks. "Beautiful camping sites! The lake with the mountains in the background is breath taking. The drive down to the campground from the main road is 6 miles but takes about 15 minutes due to the steep winding gravel road," explains Sandra S. about Burnt Corral Campground's unique access.
Tips from RVers
Solar power essentials: Many sites lack electrical hookups. "Water and sewer at each site. No electric hook ups," notes Chris P. about Tortilla Campground. Solar panels are recommended for sites without electricity, as generator use may be restricted.
Site selection strategy: Reserve level sites months in advance. "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," advises Terri D. at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Road hazards: Check clearance requirements before arrival. "The road is a bit tricky. I got here pretty smooth on my RWD Xterra, so while 4WD isn't necessary, I wouldn't come out here without high clearance and decent suspension," warns Francis D. about Hackamore Road access.
Utility availability: Water and dump station locations. "This campground has great size spot for each group. They have well kept bathrooms and lots of activities!" shares Easton B. about Usery Mountain Regional Park, which provides reliable water and dump station access for RVs.
