We spent last summer exploring the Pacific Northwest and chasing beautiful weather. It felt like the perfect summer trip and as much as we wanted to repeat the same route, we had to stay in Arizona for the summer due to the sale of our house. Little did we expect to find so many amazing Arizona summer camping spots with cool temperatures and beautiful views. This blog covers boondocking, campgrounds, and RV parks you can visit throughout Arizona all summer long (they also make for perfect last-minute camping trips).
Best Arizona summer camping spots:
- Mogollon Rim Forest Road 9350 Boondocking (free)
Sitting at 7,200 feet of elevation, this boondocking spot is the perfect place for a free last-minute Arizona summer camping trip. The highs stay in the 80s for most of the summer and the lows are around the 50s. The spots are numbered and HUGE. It is one of the best maintained free camping spots we’ve ever visited. There are even camp hosts through the USFS volunteer program that are great resources on activities nearby and animals to spot.
Things to do:
There are plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails throughout the Mogollon Rim area that you can access directly from your campsite. Woods Canyon Lake is also just a few miles down the road where you can fish, kayak, boat, and hike along the water’s edge. There isn’t cell service at the lake, so plan to be off grid and enjoy nature. If you need a break from cooking at camp or need a last-minute item, Payson is only a 30-45 minute drive from the site. We often pick up groceries and ice in Payson before heading up to the rim. Stop by the Mogollon Visitor’s Center just before heading into the campground for even more information on what you can do nearby.
Logistics:
This is a pack it in, pack it out spot with no amenities. You should follow Leave No Trace principles and leave the campsite better than you found it. You can dump and dispose of garbage at the Woods Canyon Dump Station for a fee. There is a 14-day maximum in any 28-day period, and we ended up using the garbage disposal service 2 times during our stay there since we had some friends visiting. There is also a free dump station at the Speedway Gas Station as you head towards Payson.
- Double Springs Campground ($20/night; 50% off with Senior and Access Interagency Passes)
This historic campground was built in the early 1930s. It’s located in the quiet town of Mormon Lake, Arizona and sits at about 7,000 feet of elevation. Temperatures can reach the low 90s during parts of the summer, but it stays relatively cool with the pines offering shade and the creek running through the site. This is a great campground to disconnect and enjoy wildlife since there are a variety of bird species and several elk and mule deer that graze nearby.
Things to do:
You can bird watch, explore nearby towns, hike the forest roads, or just sit and unplug at this campsite. It’s also a great spot if you enjoy off road vehicles. Forest Road 240 connects this campground to Munds Park, Arizona, but it’s quite the ride. We recommend 4 wheel drive and some patience navigating this dirt road. It is a beautiful route and you’ll be rewarded by visiting the fun family-friendly town of Munds Park. If you want a more energetic feel, you can drive 20 miles north to Flagstaff, Arizona that’ll have everything you could possibly need.
Logistics:
There are vault toilets (which are in great condition), drinking water, trash services, ice, firewood, fire rings, and picnic tables available at this campsite. It’s a small campground, and the camp hosts are very helpful. There is minimal to no cell service depending on your provider, so plan accordingly.
- Munds Park Forest Road 240 Boondocking (free)
Just on the outskirts of Munds Park, you’ll find some beautiful boondocking spots along Forest Road 240. These spots are really spacious and easy to get to from town. You can access these free Arizona camping spots with any vehicle or even a bigger rig. Forest Road 240 goes all the way from Munds Park to Mormon Lake with boondocking spots along the entire road, so it rarely fills up. The elevation is about 6,800 so it can get reach the 90s in peak summer, but it cools down every night to a comfortable camping temperature.
Things to do:
This boondocking spot is extremely popular for off highway vehicles and hikers due to the trail system connecting the whole area. Bring all the toys and prepare to have a good time. Munds Park has some fun bars and a live music venue that hosts local artists. You’ll find dozens of ATVs parked outside the local bars during the weekends – they’re often more common than cars. Munds Park also has a golf course, playground, fishing at Lake Odell, and other family-friendly activities just a couple miles from the boondocking spot. We’ve stayed at this boondocking spot while family stays at an Airbnb nearby, making it a great destination to escape the heat for all Arizonans. If you want to experience even more bars, Flagstaff is only about 25 minutes north of Munds Park on the I-17.
Logistics:
This is another pack it in, pack it out spot with no amenities. You will need to take your trash to the dump because Munds Park is very strict about public waste disposal and most dumpsters have locks or very active HOA members on the prowl. The closest dump to Munds Park is Willard Springs Green Waste Site about 3 miles north on the I-17
- Woody Mountain Campground – Flagstaff, Arizona ($40-65/night)
Woody Mountain Campground is one of our favorite Arizona summer camping spots with all the amenities. It’s located off of Route 66 at just over 8,000 feet of elevation so it stays cool all summer long. If you like to stay even cooler, this spot does have full hookups so you can run your A/C whenever you want. This spot is great for people who just want to feel like they’re in the forest with all the amenities of an RV park. We found ourselves staying here for about 2 weeks when our house battery went out, and we absolutely loved every minute of it.
Things to do:
The campground has a hiking trail, playground, dog park, coffee shop, and wine tasting, meaning there is plenty to do without even leaving the campground. I’d take afternoon runs just outside the park through nearby neighborhoods that had beautiful views of the Coconino Forest. That being said, one of the best parts about this campground is that it’s located in Flagstaff. There are so many places to eat, shop, and have fun throughout this mountain town (all while beating the Arizona heat). It’s also only 79 miles from the Grand Canyon; the perfect distance for a day trip! We’ll be sharing a YouTube soon on our experiences in Flagstaff with some shots from Woody Mountain Campground as well – subscribe here to hear about it first!
Logistics:
This campground has everything you need – trash services, dump station, full hookups (or primitive camping options), and snacks in the office/coffee shop area. You can easily Uber/Lyft form the campground into town if you don’t have an extra vehicle. They offer short and long-term stays, and we saw many RVers that had their spots for the entire summer. We recommend bringing a shade structure or canopy so you can enjoy sitting outside in the high-elevation sun. You can book a site online at Woody Mountain Campground here. Long term sites range from $1,200-1,700/month and you must call to book those spots.
- Walnut Canyon National Monument Boondocking (free)
Most campgrounds and RV parks near Flagstaff are a minimum of $35/night, and tend to be closer to $50+/night. This free Arizona camping spot is the perfect option for someone that wants to be near Flagstaff, but prefers a low-cost option. It sits at about 6,600 feet of elevation, so it does reach the 90s during the day in peak summer months. Most spots offer some shade, but you’ll want your own shade structure to stay comfortable during the day. Many campers choose to explore Flagstaff or nearby Lake Mary to escape the heat on these hottest days. There are plenty of spots available throughout this public land, but the ones with good cell service tend to fill up by Thursday. That being said, you can get a lot more privacy and the best views if you’re willing to drive a little farther down dirt roads and give up cell service. Our Starlink worked great at this spot, giving us the best of both worlds!
Things to do:
This Arizona summer camping spot is just a couple miles from the Arizona Trail, which is a beautiful hiking trail that goes from Mexico to Utah. This area is also right next to the Walnut Canyon National Monument (free entrance with America The Beautiful Pass). Walnut Canyon is less crowded than most national parks and has a ton of hiking trails with beautiful views. Mike took our Aventon Sinch e-bike from our spot to the National Monument for a quick hike and to enjoy nature. We also took a quick 15-minute Lyft to and from Flagstaff to enjoy local eats and meet up with friends while our TOAD was in the shop.
Logistics:
Pack it in, pack it out and follow Leave No Trace Principles. There are plenty of places to dump and dispose of trash in town, so please don’t leave your garbage behind. You can stay here for 14 days in any 28-day period, but we did notice people nestled in secluded spots that seemed to be there for much longer. This is a great boondocking spot if you’re working in town; we saw several people go to work each day and come back to their campsite at night. Just make sure to take your valuables with you!
If you are looking for a generator to use while boondocking, check out these 5 best generators for camping. They’ll give you access to A/C even on hot days!
- Christopher Creek Campground – Payson, Arizona ($24/night)
Christopher Creek Campground is a great family-friendly Arizona summer camping spot located in the Tonto National Forest. Because it sits at just over 5,500 feet of elevation, this spot is best in early or late summer, avoiding peak summer months. It’s an easy campground to access with first-come-first-served and online booking spots available. As the name implies, a creek runs through the campground which offers hours of fun for kids and families. It’s a common annual trip for many Phoenix residents, so it books up quickly. Make sure to snag a spot for your family trip online or look to get a FF spot on a weekday – they’re rare to find on any weekend of the summer.
Things to do:
There are three swimming holes to cool off in at Christopher Creek Campground, which is one of its biggest appeals during the summer months. You can hike, bike, and play in the water – all the makings of summer childhood fun. The creek is also popular for fishing after it’s stocked in the spring. Woods Canyon Lake is nearby for even more water fun, and hiking throughout the Mogollon Rim area is beautiful. If you forgot something or want to grab a bite to eat at a restaurant, Payson is only 20 miles west of this Arizona summer camping spot.
Logistics:
There are no hookup spots at this campground, but there are pit toilets and drinking water available. This is the perfect campground for tent campers, pop up campers, and off-grid ready RVs.This is located in bear country, so make sure to use the provided bear lockers to keep your food, toiletries, etc. safe!
- Mather Campground – South Rim Grand Canyon ($18/night)
This Arizona summer camping spot is ideal for people that want to explore the Grand Canyon over several days. There are 327 sites, but they do book up in advance – especially if you want an RV spot. This campground sits at 7,000 feet elevation, but it does get hot on peak summer days (this summer was especially hot in the Grand Canyon). This campground is great because you can walk to a shuttle spot that takes you to areas throughout the South Rim.
Things to do:
It’s the Grand Canyon… you probably already have an idea of what you’re going to do there. There are tons of hiking trails, scenic drives, and shuttles that take you throughout the South Rim. If you have another car, you can also check out the east side of the Grand Canyon where you can find Tusayan Ancient Ruins and even more hiking spots. That being said, this campground is great for exploring with minimal driving, making it a perfect family vacation spot.
Logistics:
Most RV spots are pull through, but there are no electric spots. They do have flush toilets, drinking water, and a free dump on site. There is one loop that’s tent only and doesn’t allow generators. However, you can use generators at the RV sites. There is limited cell reception (if any), so plan to be off grid and exploring. They have ice, firewood, and laundry facilities on site as well! Remember… the Grand Canyon is still a rugged landscape. We got stranded there for several hours when our car broke down in the summer. We survived, but we did experience both heat and monsoon downpours. Check out the YouTube of our experience below:
- Arizona High Country Campground – Show Low, Arizona ($35/night or $17.50/night with Passport America)
This campground is located just outside of Show Low, Arizona in the White Mountains area. It’s an intimate campground with owners on site that offers tent sites, rental sites, full hookups, free internet, laundry, bathrooms, propane, and a pet-friendly environment. It sits at just over 6,300 feet of elevation which is perfect for an Arizona summer camping spot with shade from the trees and full hookups. Full disclosure: this is the only campground we haven’t actually stayed at in this article, but it is part of Passport America, which means you can get 50% off as a member, making this spot only $17.50/night.
Things to do:
This Arizona summer camping spot borders the national forest, making it perfect for ATVers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. There are plenty of nearby lakes and creeks for fishing and cooling off from the summer sun. There are also 3 local public golf courses nearby, so take advantage of being able to play 18 in cool weather during Arizona summers – a rare opportunity.
Logistics:
This campground is accessible with any vehicle type, and it would be even more fun for ATVers. Passport America discount is only available for 2 nights Sun-Thurs for 1 RV and 2 people, making this ideal for a pit stop for a traveling couple. They have all the amenities- bathrooms, laundry, pull through sites, full hookups, WiFi, ice, propane, etc. so it’s a great place to reset before your next boondocking trip. Sign up for Passport America (and get a discount) using code HOME3 or this link.
- Spillway Campground – Woods Canyon Lake, Arizona ($29/night)
This campground is located the closest to Woods Canyon Lake (which is by Mogollon Rim Boondocking). It’s a basic campground that’s located at 7,500 feet of elevation, meaning it stays pretty cool all summer long. And if it is a hot day, you can cool off at the lake. Because of the popularity of this campground, you can book online on a 6-month rolling basis – make sure to book in advance if you want a spot here!
Things to do:
This spot is all about exploring nature and enjoying Woods Canyon Lake. You can rent fun water toys at the marina, enjoy a hike around the perimeter of the lake by just leaving your campsite, orspend the day fishing. This is a very family-friendly destination with campers playing and enjoying the Arizona summer away from the heat. The blue waters of the lake are truly spectacular to see when waking up each morning. Throughout the summer weekends, there are also educational programs held at the amphitheater nearby.
Logistics:
The marina does have some things for sale like snacks and essentials, but they come at a steep price. Forest Lakes general store, which is 10 miles east has gas, basic groceries, and firewood available at more affordable prices. This is a pretty small, shady campground with no hookups. There is water, vault toilets, and picnic tables available. No RVs over 32’ at this campsite, so stay small!
These 9 Arizona summer camping spots are perfect for last-minute getaways to escape the heat, but make sure you book ahead on the paid sites or stay open to boondocking at the free sites! Check out our boondocking guide if you’re new to the process – it’s our favorite way to camp as full time RVers and offers a lot of flexibility! Please remember to take care of your campsites so we can all continue to use them for years to come and check out our YouTube channel for more full time travel content!