Recommended Camping Places
"We Provide What You Need: Lets Go Camping"
Partial Image from U.S. Geological Survey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Here are our recommended locations by season for your camping trip with AZ Places. Sites are accessible by a standard vehicle and are within 1 to 3 hours surrounding Phoenix, Arizona.
Note: Some locations have a entrance or use fee. Locations beyond 150 miles require an additional travel fee by AZ Places.
Our goal is to make going outdoors easy by providing a platform for you to create an enjoyable and memorable camping experience.
Wet Summer
July, August, September
The wet summer, or monsoon season, brings the year’s heaviest rains, transforming the arid landscape with sudden, dramatic thunderstorms. These storms can quickly produce heavy rainfall, leading to flooded roads, washes, and dangerous flash floods. The much-needed moisture brings cooler temperatures and lush greenery to deserts and mountain ranges.
Arizona
Coconino County
Bear Canyon Lake, AZ 85541
34°24'13.1"N 111°00'35.0"W
2 hours 30 minutes
134 miles
Bear Canyon Lake is one place we go most often. There are plenty of places to setup camp and lots to explore. We have never had a issue finding a spot to camp, at times can barely hear anyone around. We pass all the nearest sites near the lake and go past the powerlines where there are plenty of sites spread out. From there it is a bit of a hike to the lake, or short drive. Depending upon the season you can hear elk and coyotes in the area.
Bear Canyon Lake
Arizona
Coconino County
MJ2G+RHM Lost Eden, Arizona
34°39'07.6"N 111°22'24.9"W
2 hours 30 minutes
140 miles
Happy Jack, located in the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, offers a peaceful escape for dispersed camping. With its cooler summer temperatures, towering pines, and diverse wildlife, it’s a perfect destination for outdoor exploration and relaxation.
Coconino National Forest: Happy Jack
Arizona
Navajo County
8HV6+VMJ Heber-Overgaard, Arizona, USA
34°20'43.5"N 110°26'15.6"W
2 hours 45 minutes
153 miles
Discover the beauty of Arizona along Forest Road 124 in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This scenic destination features rugged forest terrain, towering ponderosa pines, and open meadows dotted with vibrant wild mushrooms. Visitors can also witness burn scars from the historic Rodeo-Chediski Fire, now blending with vibrant new growth—a powerful testament to nature's resilience. Wildlife you may encounter include wild horses, jackrabbits, deer, foxes, and squirrels.
Heber-Overgaard FR 124
Arizona
Coconino County
171b Forest Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
35°20'32.2"N 111°50'08.2"W
This mile-long lava tube cave was formed roughly 700,000 years ago by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. The top, sides and bottom of the flow cooled and solidified first, after which the insides of the lava river continued to flow emptying out the present cave.
Lava River Cave
Arizona
Pinal County
15520 Picacho Peak Rd, Picacho, AZ 85141
32°38'45.427"N 111°24'4.15"W
1 hour
58 miles
Picacho Peak State Park, located along Arizona's I-10 corridor, is a stunning desert destination known for its striking peak, hiking trails, and rich history. A favorite for outdoor enthusiasts, the park offers camping, wildlife watching, and breathtaking desert views.
Picacho Peak State Park
AZ Places provides everything needed for your camping trip from the location, food, activities, equipment for the base camp, kitchen, tents, sleeping bags, bathroom and more; all available for your use. A camp host is also included at your camp location to provided and assist.