If you’re looking for a concise, easy-to-use guide to the public campgrounds in Arizona, this is your book. This Falcon Guide is divided into seven major geographic divisions, each of which has its own unique characteristics—deserts, mountains, lakes, etc. Within the divisions, campgrounds are covered by areas. Each area has a map showing the campground locations, a quick reference table showing the campground facilities, and a description of each campground in the area. Photos of each area help you visualize the type of country you’ll be camping in.
Use the Arizona Geographic Divisions map at the front of the book to choose the type of area appropriate to the season and your preferences, and then use the map of that particular division to pick the area you’d like to camp in. Refer to the quick reference table and descriptions to get information on a specific campground and compare it to others. Finally, use the campground map to locate the campground. Or you can riffle through the book until a photo catches your eye and then look for campgrounds in that area.
This book covers Arizona public campgrounds with developed sites that are accessible by vehicle. Reservation-only group campgrounds are not included, but if group camping is available in or near public campgrounds, it is mentioned in the campground description. Backcountry hike-in campgrounds, informal campsites, and campgrounds without developed sites are not included. Neither are the numerous private campgrounds and RV parks found in the state. (For private campgrounds, I recommend Woodall’s Campground Directory for North America, revised annually.)
The campgrounds in this book are divided into sections for each of the seven major geographic divisions of the state developed by the Arizona Office of Tourism. Each division has a map showing the general area and a general description of the division. Most of the divisions are further divided into regions based on a city or town within the region. Each region has a map that shows the locations of all the campgrounds covered in that region. There is also a description of the region, its recreational opportunities, and the nature of the camping in that part of the state. A list of contact addresses, phone numbers, and websites for getting additional information is also included.
Next there is a campground chart that summarizes the facilities at each campground in an easy-to-read format. Items listed include the campground number and name; its elevation; season of use; availability of RV and trailer sites; the total number of sites; the availability of drinking water, an RV dump (sanitary disposal station), fishing, hiking trails, boating, and boat launch; wheelchair accessibility; whether there is a fee; and the stay limit. Toilet facilities are not mentioned, since all the campgrounds included in this book have restroom facilities of some type. Please note that tent camping is available at all campgrounds listed in this book.
The campground number is keyed to the regional map and the detailed campground description. The campgrounds are more or less listed starting at the northwest corner of each region and then proceeding east and south across the region. There are a few exceptions to this order, mainly when terrain and campground access make it reasonable to change the order. Official agency campground names are used, but some maps and publications may show different or incorrect names.
The elevation of the campground, shown in feet, is useful for determining the climate and best season for camping. Campgrounds below about 4,000 feet are generally hot in summer but pleasant in winter. Campgrounds above approximately 7,000 feet are usually snowbound in winter and cool in summer. The season is the official agency season that the campground is open. Not all facilities may be available during the open season.
The RV/trailer column is checked if RV and/or trailer sites are available. If this column is blank, only tent camping is available in the campground. The sites column lists the total number of sites, which may be divided between tent and RV/trailer sites. Drinking water is not available in all campgrounds. If it is, the water column is checked. The water system may be turned off in cold weather or during the off-season, even though the campground is open. If a sanitary disposal station is available at the campground or nearby, the RV dump column is checked. In some cases a separate fee may be charged for this service.
If either lake or stream fishing is available at or near the campground, the fishing column is checked. Of course, the type and quality of fishing varies with the season and other conditions; check with the local Arizona Game and Fish Department office for more information.
A check in the hiking trails column means that nature and/or hiking trails are available at or near the campground. A nature trail is an interpretive trail with signs or a brochure that explains local nature features. Such trails are great for getting to know the local flora and fauna. Hiking trails are generally longer trails that can be used for day hikes and/or backpack trips. The boating column indicates whether boating is available at or near the campground. This may be either river or lake boating; the campground description will have detailed information. The boat launch column indicates whether a public boat ramp and launching facility is available. Wheelchair access, if checked, means that at least one campsite is wheelchair accessible.
A check in the fee column means that a fee is charged for each night’s stay. The specific campground fee, if any, is not shown, since fees are subject to change. Campground fees generally vary with the amount and quality of the facilities provided, with more developed campgrounds charging more. Even different sites within the same campground may have different fees. Some campgrounds have very basic facilities and charge no fee. Finally, the stay limit (days) column shows the length of time you’re allowed to camp at the site.
Campground descriptions follow the campground services chart and are listed in the same order as the chart. An at-a-glance section gives several items of information about the campground.
The location gives the campground’s location in relation to the nearest town and appropriate natural features.
Sites gives the number of tent and RV sites, the maximum RV or trailer length, and the number of and type of hookups. If no maximum length is listed, the campground has no length restrictions.
Road conditions describes whether the access roads are paved, all-weather dirt, dirt, or a combination. Paved and all-weather roads are normally passable in all kinds of weather, but some roads may be closed for the winter season. Dirt roads vary greatly in their condition and degree of maintenance and are likely to become impassable in wet weather. Most dirt roads to campgrounds in this book are passable to ordinary vehicles in dry weather, if you drive with care. Exceptions are mentioned in the text.
Management gives the name of the agency or unit that manages the campground, along with a phone number and Internet address for obtaining current information. Many public campgrounds are now managed by private companies under contract. In some cases the contact number is for the private company.
Finding the campground provides directions to the campground from a nearby town. Usually this is the same town that the section is based on.
About the campground gives such information as nearby attractions, vegetation at the campground, the type of hiking trails, angling information, and the availability of group camping and showers.
Finally, the nearest services are described. “Limited services” means that the described town or location does not have all the services you would expect from a city, such as repair garages and large supermarkets. You can expect to find small gas stations with limited hours and small convenience markets in such places. “Full services” means that repair shops, supermarkets, and other city amenities are available.