EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING
Free Camping in Arizona
Arizona's national forests are a surprise to those who only know the state's desert terrain — the Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott, and Tonto national forests cover the mountain zones above 5,000 feet elevation, with ponderosa pine and aspen replacing saguaro. The Mogollon Rim — a 2,000-foot escarpment running 200 miles across the state — has the highest density of dispersed camping: Rim Road (FR 300) along the top has pullout sites every few miles with views into the Salt River drainage. The White Mountains in the east around Greer and Springerville have dispersed sites in aspen groves at 9,000 feet. Dispersed camping in Arizona requires a free permit in high-use areas during summer.
No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →
Before You Go
Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water
Free Camping Sites in Arizona
Clark Peak Corrals Dispersed Camping, located close to 9,000 feet in mixed-conifer forest, is the last dispersed camping area at the end of National Forest Serv…
Haigler Canyon is deep within the forest. The unpaved road is windy, narrow, and steep which makes this recreation site a favorite for OHV use. Families enjoy d…
Houston Mesa Campground is located in the forested northern section of Tonto National Forest, just one mile north of Payson, Arizona and less than two hours fro…
Sharp Creek sits at a cool 6,000 feet elevation, perfect for escaping the desert heat of southern Arizona and getting away to shaded forests and refreshing cree…
Overview Black Canyon Rim Campground has 20 sites of varying sizes. All sites can accommodate tents and pop-up campers. Some sites are suitable for pull trailer…
Overview Burnt Corral Campground and Recreation Area (elevation 1914') is about 5.8 miles south of Roosevelt Dam along the Apache Trail (AZ Hwy 88) along the sh…
Overview This Campground offers dozens of shaded, wooded campsites. 54 suitable for tents and 19 suitable for a trailer. Camping and fires are prohibited in roc…
Overview Mogollon Campground, although not directly in the Woods Canyon Recreation area, sits just outside and is only two miles from the lake. For those who li…
Ponderosa pine trees surround and tower over open-space campgrounds, providing cool shade and gorgeous vistas. Most visitors enjoy taking advantage of the area'…
Overview Rim Campground is situated close to the edge of the Mogollon Rim. Spectacular 100-mile views are seen from many vantage points along the rim. Recreatio…
Day-use only, no camping. Situated near Scott Reservoir. Portable toilets only. Garbage dumpster only available from June to September. Pack It In.Pack It Ou…
Overview Bonito Campground is located 18 miles northeast of Flagstaff, near Sunset Crater/Wupatki National Monument. Elevation is 6,900 feet. Bonito Campground …
Overview Cave Springs sits in the scenic Oak Creek Canyon and is one of Coconino National Forest's most popular campgrounds. The campground is nestled in a fore…
Designated primitive camping area only accessible by vehicle. First-come first served, no reservations. No designated sites. No potable water. When vault toilet…
Dispersed Camping Area. Vault toilet is located at entrance to campground at the Carr Lake Trail Head. This camping area is located immediately adjacent to the …
Overview Since the 1900s, Jumpup cabin has been used by ranchers as well as the Forest Service, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The s…
Overview Lakeview Campground is a tent camper's paradise with its terraced hillside campsites tucked in amongst old ponderosa pines. With all the easy forest an…
No reservations. $26 per site/per night. 54 designated sites. No hookups. RV dump station. Grills provided, no open fires. Quiet time 10pm-6am. Modern bathroom/…
Overview Lewis Canyon is a large single-group campsite located in the scenic White Mountains region of eastern Arizona. With several amenities and activities, i…
Free dispersed camping in Kaibab National Forest just south of the Grand Canyon South Rim — walking distance and bikeable to the rim via the Greenway Trail. Pon…
Located on the banks of Wolf Creek, Arizona walnut and live-oaks are interspersed among the ponderosa pines in this boulder-strewn campground that was construct…
Margies Cove West Campground is located in the Sonoran Desert National Monument . includes day-use parking for ten vehicles, three primitive campsites with picn…
Overview Located near Priest Lake, this group site has a large covered gazeebo, three restroom facilities, fire rings, bear-resistant storage boxes. Reynolds Cr…
Overview Silver Jack Campground has 60 campsites around three loops - Chipeta, Ouray and Sapinero. Each loop is heavily wooded with Aspen and a few spruce trees…
Overview The Upper Tonto Creek is a small campground tucked away from the main highway where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. 6 Campsites are available for re…
Operated by Lake Powell Resors & Marinas. 112 dry campsites (no hook-ups), 90 full hook-ups, and 6 group camping sites. Facilities include restrooms, laundry, s…
Wild Cow Springs Campground is situated in a grove of oak and large ponderosa pines within the Hualapai Mountains, at an elevation of 6,200 feet. This site beco…
Group Campground
C101-WOLF CREEK DESIGNATED DISPERSED (Camping Area)
C56-SENATOR HWY DESIGNATED DISP (Camping Area)
C64 COPPER BASIN DESIGNATED DISP. (Camping Area)
This site no longer exists.
FDR23-ENCHANTED FOREST TRAIL-DESIGNATED DISP. (Camping Area)
FDR30-BANNIE MINE DESIGNATED DISP (Camping Area)
FDR64-MARIPAI RD DESIGNATED DISP. (Camping Area)
INDIAN CREEK CAMPGROUND (Campground)
LAKESIDE (Campground) is permanently closed
Dispersed Camping Area. Vault Toilet located at Larson Ridge Trailhead across FR 237. from camping area. This is a designated dispersed camping area. Camping al…
LAWRENCE CROSSING CAMPGROUND (Campground)
POWELL SPRINGS CAMPGROUND (Campground)
This is an unimproved designated dispersed camp area within the RIm Lakes Recreation Area located on an unnumbered road on the north side of the junction of Fo…
Site has been decommissioned.
ROUND THE MOUNTAIN
Overview Alto Pit OHV Campground is located at the foot of Granite Mountain Wilderness Area, at an elevation of 6,200 feet. The off-highway trail system within …
While the Antelope Point RV park is not physically within the boundaries of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, it is operated by Antelope Point Marina. Make …
Overview This rustic forest cabin is located at the eastern base of Apache Maid Mountain, just two hours north of Phoenix and near the popular red rock canyons …
Overview Apache Trout Campground is one of five campgrounds at the Big Lake Recreation Area in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and is especially popular for …
Recreation In addition to fishing and board sailing, the lake offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching during the spring waterfowl migration. For a speci…
Overview Aspen Campground is a scenic hideaway for anglers, boaters, families and photographers, located in north central Arizona near Heber and Payson. It sits…
No reservations. $14 per night. 21 designated sites. Across the highway from Wahweap South Entrance. Picnic table at each site. No hookups or dump stations. Pac…
Overview Benny Creek Campground offers group camping in the remote and scenic White Mountains of Arizona. A perfect outdoor retreat for small to medium group ga…
Group Campground
Overview Bonita Canyon Campground is located in Chiricahua National Monument, Willcox, AZ. Visitors love the historic, treed campsites, hiking the "Wonderland o…
Overview Brookchar Campground is tucked on the banks of Big Lake in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. The campground is a small, tent-only facility compri…
Dispersed Camping Area
At the southern end of the East Fork canyon is Buffalo Crossing Campground, an old Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) era site which actually boasts the largest c…
Overview The Burro Creek Campground (1,960’ elevation) is situated along the 57 mile Burro Creek in a transition zone between the upper reaches of the scenic So…
Overview Civilian Conservation Corps Campground offers spread out camp sites with large sycamore trees providing shade. Picnic tables and firepits with cooking …
Overview Calabasas Group Campground is a place for groups of up to 250 people to enjoy scenery and privacy in a remote, natural setting. Weddings, family reunio…
Overview Caldwell Cabin allows up to six visitors to step back in time to a more rustic and historical era in eastern Arizona. Originally constructed in the 192…
Overview The Camp Rucker Group Site is not available for reservations at this time for site re-design and facility improvements . The group camp area is now ope…
Overview The Canelo Ranger Residence is a single-story, two-bedroom bungalow at the base of the Canelo Hills approximately 15 miles southeast of Sonoita, Arizon…
Overview Located in the scenic Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in north central Arizona near the town of Heber, Canyon Point has a range of individual and gro…
Overview Canyon Vista Campground is located near Walnut Canyon and Lower Lake Mary . This area consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, aspen and oak, which o…
Overview Chavez Crossing Group Campground is in the picturesque Red Rock district of Arizona, with famous red rock formations and breathtaking painted sunsets. …
Overview Cholla Campground at Roosevelt Lake, is one of several campgrounds on the shores of the largest lake/reservoir located entirely in the State of Arizona…
Overview With an elevation of 5640 ft, Christopher Creek Campground's crisp, fresh air and vibrant views are a joy to behold. The campground is tucked along the…
Overview This cozy group campground is tucked in the Lower Sonoran Desert along the banks of the fresh, chilly Clear Creek. Campers can wade in the creek, fish,…
No reservations. Along the fifteen mile stretch of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry, there are five primitive beaches set aside for cam…
Overview Crescent Moon sits beneath the stunning Cathedral Rock, one of the most photographed scenes in the American Southwest. Historical buildings and towerin…
Overview Crescent Moon Ranch is an exceptional year-round place to stay in beautiful Sedona. The central Arizona facility is a rustic, historic ranch house adja…
Overview This group campground is situated in a tall ponderosa pine forest, just down the road from the popular Woods Canyon Lake in north central Arizona. The …
Overview Crossroads Campground is located on the riverfront of the beautiful Lower Colorado River. This campground is popular with winter visitors looking to en…
Overview Cutthroat Campground lies at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. It sits on the shoreline of Big Lake and affords vis…
Overview Dairy Springs is a comfortable campground tucked away in a scenic area of northern Arizona. Its main attraction is the seasonal Mormon Lake which, when…
Overview The DeMotte Campground is located within the North Kaibab Ranger District just seven miles north of the entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park's No…
Site has been decommissioned.
Overview Dogtown Lake offers a scenic setting convenient to Grand Canyon National Park and the cities of Williams and Flagstaff, Arizona. The campground is situ…
Overview Double Springs Campground is an “old fashion” campground, originally built in the 1930’s, and has sites nestled in a beautiful draw filled with cool gr…
Overview Eagle Ridge Group Campground sits within a tall ponderosa pine forest of Prescott National Forest. The site lies in the Bradshaw Mountains along Lynx L…
Recent development of Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area has created a top of the line experience. Campsites are located in several loops that wind amongst ponder…
See Ashurst Lake Campgrounds for details.
Dispersed Camping Area
Dispersed Camping Area
Dispersed Camping Area
Coconino National Forest USFS, near Sycamore Pass Rd, flat parking spot. Near the end of a small spur road. Not far from Sedona. Shrub trees provide moderate p…
Coconino National Forest, Wet Beaver Wilderness Area, Montezuma castle NM, Lake Montezume, Rimrock.
Free campground in Canyon de Chelly NM, facilities include flush toilets, picnic tables and drinking water. There are no shower facilities. No fee is required.
Kaibab National Forest, near North Rim Grand Canyon. Area is fairly heavily used, but easy to find a spot nearby.
Las Cienegas Natural Conservation Area(Empire Ranch) BLM Land Free Take I-10 East from Tucson and turn off at Exit 281 (Route 83 Sonoita-Patagonia Highway Sout…
Near Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Forest off of FS42 Pinery Canyon Rd, no trailers or large vehicles. Lots of gravel road. This particular …
Near Arizona Snowbowl and Humphreys Peak. Coconino National Forest FS 522. This site is number 6 of 14 designated free sites. Rough rd, not level. Be sure t…
Coronado NF near Rucker Canyon. Lots of gravel rds in the area for dispersed camping. There are some pay campgrounds up the road too.
Near Montezuma's Castle National Monument, Camp Verde, AZ, Coconino National Forest, High clearance needed.
Near Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Why, AZ. Plenty of free camping just outside the park. Registration is required if there is a camp host around. Thi…
South end of Petrified Forest National Park. The Crystal Forest Trading Post offers free camping if you don't use hookups. Not sure about the toilet/bathroom …
Near Sedona, AZ, Coconino National Forest USFS. Off FS 525, high clearance, probably impasable when wet. Note that around the high-traffic area of Sedona, no …
Arivaca Lake. This spot is definately worth the trip. It seems to be a forgotten state park. It is clean and there is fishing here. Gets busy on the weekends, b…
Redington Pass (Coronado National Forest) Completely free and legal. Regularly patrolled by sheriffs department. East of Tucson. You take Tanque Verde until it …
Wild Horse Pass Casino (south of Phoenix) Free RV camping in the RV lot around back. No registration necessary. You're parking with the big rigs, so it might g…
Kaibab National Forest Tusayan District. Approaching Grand Canyon National Park on rt 64 first right turn after first traffic circle entering Tusayan route 302.…
FRISCO CAMP (Campground)
Overview Grayling Campground offers perhaps the most secluded sites in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. It sits on the shoreline of the lake in …
Overview Equestrian campers will find Groom Creek Horse Camp seven miles south of Prescott, Arizona at an elevation of 6,398 feet. The ponderosa pine setting, n…
Overview Built in 1902, this historic schoolhouse and adjacent picnic area in Arizona's Prescott National Forest may be reserved for day use for groups of up to…
Overview Half Moon Ranch is a ranch style house located in East Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains of the Coronado National Forest, approximately 1-1/2…
Overview Hilltop Campground is located in the Prescott Basin at 5,712 feet in elevation and just over three miles south of Hwy 69 and east of Walker Road. Campe…
Located next to Eagle Creek, the area is ideal for camping, picnicking, fishing and wildlife viewing. It is a quiet, remote site with lots of shade provided by …
Overview Horseshoe Campground is farther up the road from Mesquite Campground. Offering more developed campground sites with picnic tables, fire pits and access…
Overview Horsethief Cabin is situated in a clearing of Ponderosa pines at an elevation of over 6,000 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains of the Prescott National For…
Overview Houston Mesa Campground is located in the forested northern section of Tonto National Forest, just north of Payson, Arizona and less than two hours fro…
Overview Hoyer Campground is situated among the ponderosa pine forests of eastern Arizona, and is one of the most popular campgrounds in the area for families a…
Overview Located just steps away from the world-famous Grand Canyon National Park, Hull Cabin is the oldest historic structure in the area. It provides a variet…
Overview Jacob Lake Recreation Area is conveniently located in Jacob Lake, Arizona, the gateway to the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The campground is nestled among…
Overview Kaibab Lake sits among the diverse landscape of Kaibab National Forest of northern Arizona. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and picnicking, as w…
With views of the lake and within walking distance of the marina, swim beach, dining and retail store, campsites at Katherine Landing feature a wide array of am…
The Katherine Landing RV campsites come complete with water, sewer and electrical hook-ups. All spaces have the option of household current, 30 amp, or 50 amp p…
Overview Kellner Group Site is nestled at the base of the beautiful Pinal Mountains south of Globe, Arizona. Several picnic areas are separeted from the larger …
Overview Kent Springs Cabin is located in the Madera Canyon Recreation Area, 15 miles southeast of Green Valley, Arizona in the Coronado National Forest. Locate…
Overview Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters is located in the Santa Rita Mountains near Sonoita, Arizona in the Coronado National Forest. The five adobe build…
This secluded forest camp offers easy access to two features of high visitor interest. The first is Knoll Lake , a medium-sized body of water tucked away in a p…
The Lake Havasu Field Offices manages 73 boat access campsites over 20 miles along the Arizona shore of Lake Havasu. These campsites offer a picnic table, barbe…
Overview Little Elden Springs Horse Camp is a campground that was created for those who love horses and enjoy riding in a beautiful landscape. Located in the Co…
This primitive campground offers a scenic view of the San Francisco Peaks and dry camping in the cool aspen trees that surround Lockett Meadow. This is a terrif…
Overview The Lower Tonto Creek Campground is tucked away right next to the main highway just south of where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. Families may enjo…
Overview Luna Lake Campground is a pleasant vacation site with open forest, lush meadows, a lake with great fishing, first rate mountain scenery and additional …
Overview Lynx Campground is located in the Lynx Lake Recreation Area at 5,600 feet in elevation. Within 1/4 mile of the popular Lynx Lake, the campground is sit…
Overview Manzanita Campground is a small, year-round, tent-only facility with campsites that fill up very quickly. Visitors enjoy the campground for its fishing…
Overview Looking for a perfect getaway to immerse yourself in nature? Look no further than the Mingus Mountain Campground! Situated conveniently between the cha…
Overview Visitors are drawn to Molino Campground for its group camping area, scenic mountain surroundings and hiking and mountain biking opportunities. While mo…
Overview The North Rim Campground is located on the remote and rustic North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona, approximately 210 miles (338 …
Overview O'Leary Group Campground was constructed in 2001 and is named for O'Leary Peak, which overlooks this site. The campground is designed to accommodate th…
Overview The Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin is located within the Palisades Administrative Site in the Santa Catalina Mountains, 20 miles northeast of Tucson,…
Overview With its picturesque vegetation and dramatic setting at the foot of 9,157' Mt. Lemmon in southeastern Arizona, Peppersauce Campground is an outstanding…
Overview Pine Flat Campground is a popular camping spot in scenic Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona's Coconino National Forest. The campground is nestled in a foreste…
Overview Pinegrove Campground sits in the lush Coconino National Forest of northern Arizona, offering visitors countless recreation opportunities set in a stunn…
Overview Close to historic western towns and centrally located in Arizona, Playground Group Campground is a great place for groups of up to 75 people to enjoy a…
Overview Named for the towering pines under which it sits, Ponderosa Campground is tucked in the rolling forests of northern Arizona. As one of the largest fore…
Overview The Portal Bunkhouse is a two-room cabin located one mile west of Portal, Arizona. Constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Bunkhous…
Overview The Portal CCC House is a five-room cabin located just west of Portal, Arizona. The fieldstone masonry cabin has been determined eligible for the Natio…
Overview Campers looking for some peace and quiet will find this relaxing campground offers cool summertime temperatures and easy access from scenic Hwy 89A in …
Overview Rainbow is the largest campground in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. Because of its proximity to the lake, size and the many amenities…
Overview This high-mountain group campground and day use area is located on a site that was once occupied by the old mining town of Reef. Many relics of Reef's …
Overview Riggs Flat Lake is located at the end of Swift Trail, a road that winds along the top of the Pinaleno Mountains. It is a small picturesque lake, 11 acr…
Overview Rock Bluff Group Site is just a short distance from Parker Canyon Lake in a remote and scenic region of the Coronado National Forest in southeastern Ar…
Overview Cactus Ramada 1 is a reservable group picnic site within the extremely popular Sabino Canyon Recreation Area at the edge of Tucson, Arizona. The facili…
Overview Schoolhouse Campground is located in close proximity to the eastern shores of Roosevelt Lake with an elevation of 2,100 feet. Roosevelt is Arizona's la…
Overview Sharp Creek is a small campground located in an area of central Arizona known for its pleasant temperatures, spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation…
Overview Is a cabin rental the right fit for your group? Shaw House is a stone masonry cabin located in East Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains of the …
Overview The cool shade of tall ponderosa pines and an overlook of Palisade Canyon from the campgrounds edge make Showers Point Group Site a popular place for g…
Overview Located in the ponderosa pine forest, this campground is within walking distance of Willow Springs Lake which provides boating and fishing opportunitie…
Overview The Sollers Cabin is a two-story, six-room cabin suitable for up to eight people. The cabin has 3 bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed, a dining/livin…
Overview Spillway Campground is on the shores of popular Woods Canyon Lake near the town of Heber in north central Arizona. Situated in a pine forest with plent…
Sunset View Campground has 31 sites and open all year round.
Overview Thumb Butte Group Picnic Area is a convenient place for groups of up to 100 people to enjoy a day outdoors. The site is located under the towering pine…
Overview Timber Camp Recreation Area has one of the most popular family and group campgrounds in the Tonto National Forest offering both day-use sites and over-…
Overview Tortilla Campground is a winter campground just outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area. From October through April each year, urban dwellers take adv…
Trailer Village is the only in-park RV campground with full hookups (sewage, water, and electrical with 30 amp and 50 amp sites available) Open year-round, Trai…
Overview Turney Gulch is a remote, scenic location for groups of up to 100 people to rest under the stars and towering pines of Prescott National Forest. Site a…
Overview COMMERCIAL TOUR GROUPS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT TUSAYAN-MONTANE CAMPGROUND Commercial operators MUST obtain a special use permit to operate on National Fores…
Overview Upper Hospital Flat is a great place for groups to escape the summer heat of surrounding deserts and retreat to a scenic meadow in the Pinaleño Mountai…
Overview Upper Wolf Creek Group Campground provides a quiet forest setting for groups of up to 100 people to camp and enjoy the outdoors. The historic town of P…
Overview The Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is located along Interstate 15 approximately 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah and approximately 20 miles …
Overview White Horse Lake is an extremely popular fishing lake, 19 miles southeast of Williams, in northern Arizona. The lake's campground is conveniently locat…
Overview White Spar Campground at 5,641 feet in elevation is a short drive of 2.7 miles south of downtown Prescott and east of Hwy 89. Campers will appreciate t…
Overview Whitetail Campground offers group campsites in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona, 5 miles south of the town of Summerhave…
Overview Located on central Arizona's largest lake, Windy Hill offers great water recreation opportunities to the public. Because of its close proximity to the …
Overview Winn Campground is situated near the Mt. Baldy trailheads and the East and West Forks of the Little Colorado River, making it an excellent choice for a…
Overview Woods Canyon Lake Group Area is located in north central Arizona near the community of Forest Lakes. The camp is adjacent to popular Woods Canyon Lake …
Overview Yavapai Campground is within the Granite Basin Recreation Area, at an elevation of 5,600 feet. The campground is located seven miles northwest of downt…