This is one of the several swimming holes we came across while working on a job over the summer in Sedona.

Slide rock is located 10-20 outside of Sedona and is a well know spot. We just came for a few hours and luckily it was later in the day when it wasn’t too busy. Free parking is available along the roadway. From there it’s only a short walk to the creek.

While it wasn’t busy when we were there, I have driven by many many times and seen the place packed. Any summer weekend and this place is so busy.

This is one of my favorite campgrounds. We have been coming here most every year as a family for probably 10 years. We made our reservations online about five months ago. Full hookups was about 65 a night but this also includes free parking on any of the state beaches.

We were on site 63 and were close to the showers, bathrooms, and trash. Between each camp it is trees which offers plenty of privacy.

Each campsite has a large wooden table with benches and a fire pit with a grill. Firewood is available for purchase for $7 a bundle. It’s lightweight pine that burns quick. We knew this and brought our own wood.

The campground is only a 5 minute drive from the beach. There are lots of families in the campground and it is a great environment.

This is a great campground located less than one minute from the beach. This is the obvious plus to the campground. As it is a State park, parking on all the other state beaches is included at the price.

My biggest complaint is that the sites are so close to each other. There is essentially no privacy between your neighbors. Full hookups are available and are pull through sites. Restrooms and showers are also available. Firewood is available for $7 a bundle at the entrance but it’s just lightweight pine that burns quick. We brought our own wood.

The beach is about a minute away driving and is a great family beach. The sand is soft and there is lots of room, especially not on a holiday weekend. We have been coming to this beach for years as a family and it is one of my favorites.

We tried stopping at pilot knob as there isn’t much else in the area. It’s pretty much that and a chevron gas station. Unfortunately, it is closed from April to October. Driving by, it looked pretty run down. All the sites are right next to each other.

This looks more like an rv park than a place where you could stop for a night or two.

It’s pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Not much to see here other than the beautiful sunset. We did se some other people setting up camp in a nearby parking lot. I’m assuming it is related to pilot knob as there is literally nothing else out there.

This rv park is closed or does not exist anymore. There were industrial buildings all at that area. There’s not much in el centro anyway so you’re better off not stopping for the night.

My first impression of Canyon Point was how clean and well organized the whole campground was. There is a kiosk at the front staffed with a couple workers who were very friendly. The provided a map and directions and offered lots of information.

It’s a little expensive but not terrible at $33 per night for hookups and $28 without. That being said, there are full hookups and a dump station, showers, and even an amphitheater with schedule activities. A and B loops, reservations required. I thought that the sites were a little close together for me.

This is one of the most well run and organized campgrounds that I’ve been to!

Horseshoe cienega lake and campground is located off the 260 about 45 minutes east of Pinetop-Lakeside. First impressions: wow! The lake in and of itself is beautiful and very similar to the other small mountain lakes in this area. It is visible right off the road. Fishing and kayaking is available here but you have to buy a special fishing permit for the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

The campground is open between May and October. No reservations, first come first serve. We stayed in a large group over Fourth of July week and of course this place was packed. That said, the sites were still far enough away to have some privacy.

The campground sits between the lake on the north and a spectacular cliff with a river running at the bottom on the south end. This was an awesome view! The river is accessible and you can hike down to it.

This is just a simple campground, no hookups, with amazing views! I would love to go back again not on a holiday weekend!

Needle rock is located just north of Box Bar. It’s on the Tonto National Forest so you need a Tonto pass. You can buy them in town for 8 dollars or buy them there for 12.

This is a small spot for day use to hike or horseback ride to the river. Not a bad spot but box bar is closer to the river and free

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. 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!

Bear flat is situated right on Tonto Creek. First thing you should know, this is a day use only site. There is no overnight camping at bear flat Campground!

We intended on camping there with our pop up and luckily ran into a local at the top of FR Rd 405A on our way down. She told us that it was day use and that the road down is a one way, very steep and winding road, not trailer friendly. SO glad we talked to her first!

We ended up setting up camp at one of the many dispersed sites along FR Rd 405 which actually turned out to be great. There wasn’t a ton of traffic and there are so many pines that we had plenty of shade. Each dispersed site had a fire pit only.

The next morning we drove down to Bear Flat Campground. The drive is one lane and very steep. Watch for oncoming traffic and be ready to squeeze by another car. Once down, it is beautiful. The Tonto Creek literally runs right through the site. This was a great place for our family to play in the water.

There are a few cabins very near by and although I enjoyed this spot, I had that feeling like I was in someone’s backyard.

Overall. We had a great time getting out of the valley heat for a couple days but we were slightly disappointed that we couldn’t camp as close to the water as we planned.

Bearhide is a group site located on FS Rd 405A on the way to Bear Flat day use area. I found this on the way there and intend to go with a larger group. The site opens to a large area with 5-6 fire pits. There are plenty of pines throughout and lots of shade!

This site is about 2 miles up from bear flat trail head and Tonto creek. Dispersed camping, no reservations needed.

Mesquite Wash is located approximately 20 miles northeast of Fountain Hills, Arizona. Follow the Bee Line Highway, SR 87, a few miles past the Four Peaks turn off. Watch for the Mesquite Wash sign. The main area is on the west side of the highway and is used primarily by off road vehicles. The east side of the highway is quieter and has several pull offs available for dispersed camping.

There are no facilities; no restrooms, hookups, or trash. Pack it in, pack it out. The best time to go is in the winter months but with the weather being pretty fair it’s not too bad. You can have a fire but it depends on fire danger for the day. Pretty much if it’s hot and or dry, you won’t be able to have a fire.

It is free and first come first serve, although there are plenty of spots to go around!

All that being said, this is one of the most beautiful spots in the Sonoran desert! There are so many amazing views! Great for hiking or off roading.

Side note: Please clean up after yourself! Forest Service has put so many restrictions on this area because people leave their trash out there.

Bear Canyon campground and lake located off AZ260 north east of payson. Near Woods Canyon lake(larger and more accessible), and Knoll lake(smaller than Bear Canyon)

Bear Canyon campground is easily accessible and free. No reservations. No water/electric hookups. No picnic tables. No trash service-pack it in, pack it out. It will fill up on weekends during the summer as the weather is so temperate. We came up on a weekday and stayed to the beginning of the weekend and it wasn’t too crowded.

Pros: The weather was amazing. High of 75-78 in the day and high 40’s at night. There was a constant breeze which kept it cool and fresh feeling. The lake is a short hike(0.2 miles) from the trailhead. And provides good fishing from the shore. There is plenty of free firewood’s around; just bring a saw and splitting axe. Near the Rim and other lakes (Woods Canyon and Knoll). Pit toilets were a far walk depending on where you camped but they were clean.

Cons: This entire area is very rocky! We have a pop up but I can’t imagine tent camping without an air mattress. Each campsite maybe has a fire pit and that’s it. Boats and Kayaks would be a real challenge to bring down and up as the trail is very steep, rocky, and loose.

Overall, we were disappointed that we were unable to use our kayaks but the weather make up for it and it was a great, relaxing trip.

We brought our pop up camper and stayed at the lower burnt corral shoreline over the week days. I heard from other campers who were more regular that it gets busy on the weekends and tends to fill up, but we did not have that problem. We ended up having plenty of room and privacy.

There was plenty of shade. Pit toilets, although some of them were pretty nasty

We were told by the ranger there that Tonto passes are valid, although signs are posted that stated otherwise.

There were also spots with pads and water spigots spread every few sites. Tables with benches at every site.

This instantly became a favorite spot with nearly every spot located right on the water. Great for swimming, kayaking, fishing, and boating.

Warning: DO NOT TAKE APACHE TRAIL ROUTE! Take AZ87-AZ188.

Photos titled ‘aerial view’ are from a private helicopter tour of the lakes I took about a year ago but they are so amazing that I had to include them. They are all of Apache lake where Burnt Corral is located.