Best Equestrian Camping in Arizona

Arizona boasts itself as the gateway to the Grand Canyon. And, it’s true: There’s no better place to set off into the red- and orange-painted cliffs, winding canyons, and rippling rivers of this wild and grand desert landscape. But, camping in Arizona doesn’t stop at The Big Ditch. From Flagstaff to Sedona, and beyond, you’ll find some of the best desert camping in the U.S. right in this state.

The Colorado River carved through 277 miles of ancient sandstone and limestone to form the Grand Canyon. Stop along the edges of this natural wonder for some of the most famous and scenic camping in Arizona. Go straight to Grand Canyon Village and camp at the Mather campground on the South Rim to experience the best pit stops and catch jaw-dropping canyon views on the Bright Angel Trail. Or, opt for areas less saturated with people and head to Desert View Campground on the South Rim. Hike to Coconino Overlook to sample views of the massive canyon or put your boots on the Arizona Trail, one of the country’s National Scenic Trails.

For those interested in venturing into other parts of Arizona, head to Sedona for more red rock desert camping. There’s a variety of things to do in Sedona, and camping, of course, is one of the best. From red rock canyons to rock formations fabled as energy vortexes, you’ll find views and adventures in Sedona unlike any other. Camp at Pine Flat Campground, where tall ponderosas brush up against red rock walls. Get up to hike for sunrise or start out at sunset to see the best colors amidst the desert. Or, bring your bike along for the ride to experience world-class mountain biking trails right in Sedona.

Whether it’s hiking, biking, or just sleeping beneath the desert sky when camping in Arizona, the state is truly an outdoor-lover’s desert mecca. So grab your tent and head to the edges of the Grand Canyon or into the quiet nooks of Sedona and discover a land of red-rock beauty.

Best Equestrian Sites in Arizona (103)

    1. Mather Campground — Grand Canyon National Park

    202 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $6 - $50 / night

    "Adjacent to horse site but wasn’t an issue. Bathrooms with toilets were close but showers were very far and pricey at $2.50 for 5 min."

    "If you want to camp relatively close to the rim of the Grand Canyon, this is the spot."

    2. Lost Dutchman State Park Campground

    83 Reviews
    Superstition Mtn, AZ
    Website
    +1 (480) 982-4485

    $35 - $99 / 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."

    3. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Cottonwood, AZ
    Website
    +1 (928) 634-5283

    $25 - $70 / night

    "Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park."

    "They have a lake to fish in and equestrian center to go on horse back rides."

    4. Catalina State Park Campground

    61 Reviews
    Oro Valley, AZ
    Website
    +1 (520) 628-5798

    $50 / night

    "Dump station near exit of loops and another near state park entrance. Nice selection of pull through and back-in sites. We had a back-in on outer edge and had beautiful views."

    "Catalina State Park in Tucson, Arizona, is a fantastic campground that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and convenience."

    5. Trailer Village RV Park — Grand Canyon National Park

    61 Reviews
    Grand Canyon, AZ
    Website
    +1 (928) 638-1006

    "The spots are quite large and we were lucky enough to get one with a large treed area next to it. Full hookups and all."

    "Full hook ups, clean bathrooms (the shower was not open when we visited) Grocery store, deli, and restaurant are also only a few minutes walk away. Elk and deer in the campground in the morning."

    6. Rancho Sedona RV Park

    40 Reviews
    Sedona, AZ
    Website
    +1 (928) 282-7255

    $42 - $84 / night

    "Compared to another campground close by that is a little less but we had double the space and trees and a creek behind us. They’re very busy and we were only able to get two nights."

    "Sites a little close to each other. Grounds were surrounded by nature and close by main Sedona street. Check in after hours were smooth."

    7. Houston Mesa Campground

    37 Reviews
    Payson, AZ
    Website
    +1 (928) 468-7135

    $22 - $170 / night

    "Each horse site has two large corrals, a fire pit, and picnic table.  There is water locations around the campground as well as bathrooms."

    "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."

    8. Usery Mountain Regional Park

    35 Reviews
    Apache Junction, AZ
    Website
    +1 (480) 984-0032

    "Outstanding layout, great hosts, spectacular location. "

    "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."

    9. Williams-Circle Pines KOA

    29 Reviews
    Williams, AZ
    Website
    +1 (928) 635-2626

    "This KOA is very clean and has ton's of amenities on site, very nice showers and bathrooms, some of the amenities are mini golf, pan for gems, trails, go karts, peddle cars, playground, laundry room, store"

    "Lots of forest roads to play on near by as well if you have off-road toys."

    10. Saddle Mountain (Kaibab NF)

    25 Reviews
    North Rim, AZ
    Website

    "Right on the edge of the Canyon, watching the Arizona sunrises every morning. It was truly heaven on earth."

    "I can def see where in rain or snow you'd need 4WD and a little offroading capability. We arrived around 4 pm and all but the spots along the rim were gone."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews in Arizona

1088 Reviews of 103 Arizona Campgrounds


  • M
    Jul. 5, 2016

    Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    Homebase for great National Monuments

    Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park. It is also a great home base because it is down the street from Tuzigoot National Monument and close to Sedona and Monetzuma Castle National Monument. It is just outside the charming city of Cottonwood.

  • Jeffrey P.
    Nov. 25, 2021

    Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    Very nice campground

    We stayed here for our first trip with a TT in December 2020. Water and electric hookups. They have a dump station. They have a lake to fish in and equestrian center to go on horse back rides.

  • L
    Jul. 16, 2021

    Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    Hot in July, but quiet and enjoyable

    The forest was closed in Northern Arizona so I decided to camp out at Dead Horse Ranch SP.  I was pretty pleased overall with my trip.  My campsite was comfortable and private enough, considering how close the sites are at this campground.  I had some shade trees to help keep my travel trailer cool but definitely needed to run the AC all night in order to stay comfortable.  The RV sites here have fresh water and power, but no sewer.  There is a dump station at the park entrance that is easily accessible when both entering and exiting the park. I enjoyed fishing, hiking, and bike riding while I was here but had to limit my outdoor activities to the morning hours due to the heat.  

    One afternoon I went into old town Cottonwood, which is only a couple of miles from the park.  It's a great place to visit if you're into antiques or wine tasting.

  • S
    Dec. 29, 2021

    Catalina State Park Campground

    Tucson Beauty

    Beautiful state park campground. Huge, level, paved sites. All the sites in the B loops have water and electric( 20A, 30A, and 50A). Picnic table and bbq. No fire pits. Dump station near exit of loops and another near state park entrance. Nice selection of pull through and back-in sites. We had a back-in on outer edge and had beautiful views. Plenty of space between sites and with clever positioning and trees, you have some privacy. Was very quiet (with the exception of the coyote's at sundown 👍) Nice clean bathrooms and showers. Many sites have some trees that may provide some needed shade in warmer months. Great hiking and biking in park. Bicycle paths in Oro Valley area are also awesome.

  • Berton M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2023

    Catalina State Park Campground

    Base of Catalina Foothills

    Catalina State Park in Tucson, Arizona, is a fantastic campground that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and convenience. The campsite is surrounded by stunning desert landscapes, with majestic saguaro cacti and rugged mountains providing a picturesque backdrop. 

    The well-maintained facilities and spacious campsites make it an ideal destination for both novice and experienced campers. What sets Catalina State Park apart is its remarkable proximity to the town of Tucson. Just a short drive away, campers can easily access the vibrant city to explore its cultural attractions, dine at diverse restaurants, and shop for supplies. 

    This accessibility makes it an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy the serenity of the outdoors without sacrificing the convenience of urban amenities. Whether you're into hiking, stargazing, or simply seeking a peaceful getaway, Catalina State Park offers it all. The stunning natural beauty combined with its proximity to town makes it a top-notch choice for a camping adventure in Tucson, Arizona.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 26, 2020

    WestWorld RV Park

    Westworld surprise

    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. Fabulous shopping restaurants all in close proximity in North Scottsdale. Also convenient to highway system!

  • Candy P.
    May. 2, 2021

    Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    Northern Arizona Treasure

    Wow, what an awesome state park! Camping here with little ones was awesome, it had so much to do. The three small lakes are a great spot to fish and lots of shade. A horse stable and playground are nearby. There are 4 camping loops, 1 tent only. The cabins are on a separate road and have so much space and shade between. There is also river access. Close to national monuments and wineries. Not too far from Sedona and Jerome. Lots of day trips close by. We will be back!

  • Audrey R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2018

    White Tank Mountain

    Bring water and take a hike

    This 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.

  • Heather H.
    Jul. 24, 2021

    Kingman KOA

    Overnighter

    The people at the Kingman Koa were very nice and accommodating. Rv spots are all dirt but surrounded by trees and bushes for some privacy. Bathrooms were older but clean. There is a cute dog park with a few tunnels to climb on, but no grass. A bunch to do for kids. They have a nice playground, mini golf, horse shoes, and a pool. The pool was good side but the water was alittle merky.

    Adorable mini log cabins for rent.

    Overall good place for short trips. Tucked in a neighborhood and close to retail and town. Propane fill up available on site.


Guide to Arizona

Horse camping in Arizona offers a unique way to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the companionship of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.

Tips for equestrian camping in Arizona

Equestrian campgrounds include:

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • Explore the scenic trails at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, which are ideal for both hiking and horseback riding.
  • Enjoy the breathtaking views and diverse wildlife while riding at Hualapai Mountain Park, known for its cooler temperatures and beautiful landscapes.
  • Visit the historic sites and trails around Bartlett Flat, where you can enjoy a mix of water activities and horseback riding along the shoreline.