Valley of the Sun
Phoenix and its sister cities in the Valley of the Sun are home to more than five million people, well over half the state’s population. With such an urban concentration, it’s hard to believe there are public campgrounds within easy reach of the city. However, the desert valley lies on the edge of the rugged central mountains and is bordered on the north and east by the 2.9-million-acre Tonto National Forest, the largest in the country. In addition, several regional county parks have campgrounds. You can ride a bike or hike on trails in most of the regional parks, and miles of back roads and trails are open to mountain bikers in the national forest. Backcountry hikers can find complete solitude in the Four Peaks and Superstition Wildernesses. Boaters, water sports enthusiasts, and anglers flock to the many lakes impounded on the Verde and Salt Rivers northeast of the valley.
The valley is home to far too many events, museums, and other cultural activities to mention them all, but here are a few highlights. The Arizona Science Center offers hands-on science exhibits that appeal to kids. Adults should check out the Arizona Museum of History. If you’re an art lover, don’t miss the Phoenix Art Museum; for Native American arts and crafts, visit the Heard Museum. Children ages 4 to 12 will enjoy a wonderful hands-on art experience at the Arizona Museum for Youth in Mesa. If you’re into airplanes, the Champlin Fighter Museum, also in Mesa, has a fine collection of authentic planes from World Wars I and II.
In Coolidge, check out Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, which preserves a striking example of prehistoric Hohokam Indian architecture. The Hohokam people lived in the Valley of the Sun for hundreds of years and built a thriving community based on farming by diverting the water of the Salt River through a valley-wide system of canals. In Phoenix, Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park exhibits some of the Hohokam artifacts. Another place to learn about the valley’s history is the Pioneer Living History Museum north of Phoenix. The Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to learn more about desert natural history.
For more information:
Phoenix and Valley of the Sun Convention and Visitors Bureau
400 E. Van Buren, Ste. 600
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 254-6500; (800) CALLPHX
www.visitphoenix.com
Canyon Lake near Tortilla Flats Campground
| Number |
Name |
Elevation |
Season |
RV/Trailer |
Sites |
Water |
RV dump |
Fishing |
Hiking trails |
Boating |
Boat launch |
Wheelchair access |
Fee |
Stay limit, days |
| 63 |
Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
1,000 |
Year-round |
■ |
7 |
■ |
■ |
|
■ |
|
|
|
■ |
14 |
| 64 |
White Tank Mountains Regional Park |
1,400 |
Year-round |
■ |
40 |
■ |
■ |
|
■ |
|
|
|
■ |
14 |
| 65 |
Lake Pleasant Regional Park |
1,800 |
Year-round |
■ |
148 |
■ |
■ |
■ |
■ |
■ |
■ |
■ |
■ |
14 |
| 66 |
Cave Creek Recreation Area |
1,900 |
Year-round |
■ |
38 |
■ |
■ |
■ |
■ |
■ |
■ |
|
■ |
14 |
| 67 |
Horseshoe |
1,900 |
Year-round |
■ |
12 |
|
|
■ |
|
■ |
■ |
|
|
14 |
| 68 |
Riverside |
1,600 |
Year-round |
■ |
12 |
■ |
|
■ |
|
■ |
|
|
|
14 |
| 69 |
Mesquite |
1,900 |
Year-round |
■ |
12 |
■ |
|
■ |
|
■ |
|
|
■ |
14 |
| 70 |
McDowell Mountain Regional Park |
2,000 |
Year-round |
■ |
76 |
■ |
■ |
■ |
■ |
|
|
■ |
■ |
14 |
| 71 |
Usery Mountain Regional Park |
2,000 |
Year-round |
■ |
73 |
■ |
■ |
■ |
■ |
|
|
■ |
■ |
14 |
| 72 |
Lost Dutchman State Park |
1,800 |
Year-round |
■ |
35 |
■ |
|
■ |
■ |
|
|
■ |
■ |
14 |
| 73 |
Tortilla |
1,800 |
Oct-Apr |
■ |
77 |
■ |
|
|
■ |
|
|
|
■ |
14 |
63 Estrella Mountain Regional Park
Location: About 23 miles southwest of Phoenix, in the foothills of the Estrella Mountains
Sites: 7 RV with no size limit; full hookups
Road conditions: Paved
Management: Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, (623) 932-3811, www.maricopa.gov/parks/estrella
Finding the campground: From downtown Phoenix, go about 16 miles west on I-10; turn left at exit 126 onto Estrella Parkway. Follow the signs 7 miles to the park and campground.
About the campground: The park and campground are located at the north end of the rugged Sierra Estrella. There are 35 miles of trails, as well as a golf course and a rodeo arena. Group camping is available. Seven sites with water and electrical hookups. Some partial hookups are available, as are showers. The nearest full services are in Phoenix.
64 White Tank Mountains Regional Park
Location: About 33 miles west of Phoenix, in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains
Sites: 40 tent and RV with no size limit; no hookups
Road conditions: Paved
Management: Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, (623) 935-2505, www.maricopa.gov/parks/white_tank
Finding the campground: From Phoenix, go about 18 miles west on I-10. Exit at Cotton Lane, then go north 7 miles. Turn left onto Olive Avenue and continue about 8 miles, past the park entrance, to the campground near the end of White Tanks Mountain Drive.
About the campground: The park and campground are located in the eastern foothills of the White Tank Mountains, in the Sonoran Desert. There are 29 miles of trails for hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. A group camp area and a playground are available, as are showers. The nearest services are in Phoenix.
65 Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Location: About 36 miles northwest of Phoenix, off AZ 74 at Lake Pleasant
Sites: 148 RV with no size limit; some full hookups
Road conditions: Paved
Management: Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, (928) 501-1710, www.maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant
Finding the campground: From downtown Phoenix, go about 24 miles north on I-17; exit at Carefree Highway. Go left (west) 5 miles, and turn right (north) onto AZ 74; drive 6 miles to the park entrance signs.
About the campground: This is a desert campground, so it will be hot in summer. There are 26 sites with water and electrical hookups, and showers are available. Fishing, boating, waterskiing, sailboarding, and other water sports are popular on Lake Pleasant. Boat rentals are available. The campground could be used as a base for exploring the rugged Hieroglyphic Mountains to the northwest. The nearest full services are in Phoenix.
66 Cave Creek Recreation Area
Location: About 33 miles north of Phoenix, in the foothills of the New River Mountains
Sites: 38 RV with no size limit; some full hookups
Road conditions: Paved
Management: Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, (623) 465-0431, www.maricopa.gov/parks/cave_creek
Finding the campground: From downtown Phoenix, drive about 24 miles north on I-17; exit at AZ 74 (Carefree Highway). Go 6 miles east to 32nd Street, turn left, and go 3 miles to the recreation area entrance.
About the campground: The recreation area and campground are in the Sonoran Desert foothills near Cave Creek. It features both hiking and horse trails; horse rentals are available. Mountain biking is also popular in the area. Electrical and water hookups are available, as are showers. The nearest services are in Cave Creek; the nearest full services are in Phoenix.
67 Horseshoe
Location: 21 miles northeast of Carefree, on the Verde River
Sites: 12 tent and RV up to 22 feet; no hookups
Road conditions: Paved, dirt
Management: Tonto National Forest, (602) 225-5200, www.fs.usda.gov/main/tonto/home
Finding the campground: From Carefree, go 5 miles east on Cave Creek Road, then turn right onto Bartlett Dam Road (FR 205). After 6 miles, turn left onto Horseshoe Dam Road and continue 10 miles.
About the campground: This Sonoran Desert campground is on the Verde River below Horseshoe Dam. Fishing and boating are popular on the river. The nearest services are in Carefree; the nearest full services are in Phoenix.
68 Riverside
Location: About 23 miles east of Carefree, on the Verde River
Sites: 12 tent
Road conditions: Paved, dirt
Management: Tonto National Forest, (602) 225-5200, www.fs.usda.gov/main/tonto/home
Finding the campground: From Carefree, go 5 miles east on Cave Creek Road, then turn right onto Bartlett Dam Road (FR 205). Drive 16 miles; turn right and go 3 miles to the campground.
About the campground: Located in the Sonoran Desert below Bartlett Dam, this campground is a popular access point on the Verde River. Boating, rafting, and fishing are popular activities on the river. The nearest services are in Carefree; the nearest full services are in Phoenix.
The Sonoran Desert in central and southern Arizona has two rainy seasons, which makes it the lushest of the four American deserts.
69 Mesquite
Location: About 23 miles east of Carefree, on the Verde River
Sites: 12 tent and RV up to 16 feet
Road conditions: Paved, dirt
Management: Tonto National Forest, (602) 225-5200, www.fs.usda.gov/main/tonto/home
Finding the campground: From Carefree, go 5 miles east on Cave Creek Road, then turn right onto Bartlett Dam Road (FR 205). Drive 6 miles to the junction of FR 19 and FR 205. Turn left to stay on FR 205, and drive 9 miles north to the campground.
About the campground: Located on the Verde River below Horseshoe Dam, this Sonoran Desert campground is a popular river access point. There are no hookups. Boating, rafting, and fishing are popular activities on the river. The nearest services are in Carefree; the nearest full services are in Phoenix.
70 McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Location: About 22 miles east of Scottsdale
Sites: 76 tent and RV; water and electric hookups
Road conditions: Paved
Management: Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, (480) 471-0173, www.maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell
Finding the campground: From Scottsdale, go east on Shea Boulevard, then turn left onto Fountain Hills Boulevard, which becomes McDowell Mountain Road. Turn left at the park entrance, and follow the signs to the family campground.
About the campground: The park, located in the northeast foothills of the McDowell Mountains, features hiking, riding, and mountain bike trails. Group camping is available by reservation. Limited services are available in Fountain Hills; there are full services in Phoenix.
71 Usery Mountain Regional Park
Location: About 12 miles northeast of Mesa
Sites: 73 tent and RV; water and electrical hookups
Road conditions: Paved
Management: Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, (480) 984-0032, www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery
Finding the campground: From Mesa, drive about 12 miles north on Ellsworth Road, which becomes Usery Pass Road. Turn right onto the park entrance road, and follow the signs to the family campground.
About the campground: The desert campground is located in the Usery Mountains and features an extensive system of hiking, riding, and mountain biking trails. Group camping is available by reservation. Full services are available in Mesa.
72 Lost Dutchman State Park
Location: About 5 miles northeast of Apache Junction, in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains
Sites: 35 tent and RV; electrical and water hookups
Road conditions: Paved
Management: Lost Dutchman State Park, (480) 982-4455, azstateparks.com/Parks/LODU
Finding the campground: From Apache Junction, go north 5 miles on AZ 88.
About the campground: The park’s dramatic setting in the Sonoran Desert at the base of the Superstition Mountains is a good jumping-off point for exploration of the area. The park features nature trails, and the nearby Superstition Wilderness has many miles of backcountry trails. Full services are available in Apache Junction.
73 Tortilla
Location: About 18 miles northeast of Apache Junction, in the Superstition Mountains
Sites: 77 tent and RV up to 22 feet; no hookups
Road conditions: Paved
Management: Tonto National Forest, (602) 225-5200, www.fs.usda.gov/main/tonto/home
Finding the campground: From Apache Junction, go 18 miles northeast on AZ 88, past Canyon Lake.
About the campground: Surrounded by the famous Superstition Mountains, this campground makes a good base to explore the historic Apache Trail (AZ 88) and the surrounding area. The Superstition Wilderness, to the south, features a network of backcountry trails. A post office, restaurant, and gift shop are located at Tortilla Flat Resort across the road from the campground. It’s 2 miles west to Canyon Lake, which has cold- and warm-water fisheries and a full-service marina with boat rentals, a restaurant, and lake tours. The nearest full services are in Apache Junction.