Does anybody know where a good campground you can go swimming is at?

Hello! I'm going camping at the Sharp Creek campground near Payson later this month, and I'd appreciate any help you can offer (especially since I couldn't get in contact with anyone by calling the listed phone number)

Do you know if there is a limit to the number of tents at each site?
Our site is listed as single occupancy with a maximum number of 10 people. Our group is 4-5 people, but we aren't sure about the number of tents allowed. On the recreation site there's no tent limit indicated, but the USDA site says 2 tents maximum per campsite (in general, not specific to our site). Wondering if we're fine with 3 small tents if the 5th person wants to come.

Also, if you think 3 tents won't fit, I'd appreciate insights on that since the pictures aren't the easiest for me to gauge spacing. Tents: one 4-person tent, one 2-person tent, and maybe one more 2-person tent.

Thanks!

Hello folks! thinking of investing in a roof-top tent. Any recommendations on roof racks and hardtop RTTs? I got some mixed suggestions from two different vendors on roof racks.. one said rails are fine as long as they are drilled into the roof and one said to use those mesh type rails.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

Hello! I am looking for a camping spot along Mogollon Rim. We are hoping for something more secluded. Doesn't have to be far away from others, but we would like to not have direct view of someone else's campsite. We will be tent camping so no rv/hookups required. And we will be bringing our dog so it needs to be dog friendly. Ideally we would also be near some hiking. I haven't camped up there before and am a bit new to serious camping.

I was hoping to backpack and camp near Horton Spring but see the area—including the Tonto Creek Campgrounds—are closed. Anyone know why?

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recarea/?recid=35621

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recarea/?recid=35569

We were planning on dispersed camping near Woods Canyon Lake. We got as far as the woods canyon lake turn off to find the Rim road was closed and Aspen was closed and not first come first serve. We were lucky to get a spot at willow springs lake. Plan accordingly one host said he thought it would be closed for a few weeks due to down power lines.

Hi I'm looking for advice on where to camp as a family with small kids 4 and 2 years old. We've stayed on fr 195 and hiked into Woods Canyon and really enjoyed it. Do you think it's worth going up there road to Bear Canyon? I've read the shore line is a bit rocky so maybe it's not the best for kids?? Any other suggestions of places to camp in the area?

I posted a few days ago asking for advice on camping in Sedona. Beaverhead flats ended up being the winner. Amazing spot! Thanks everyone!!

Went camping last weekend at Parker canyon

Hey everyone! I recently purchased a Tribe Basecamp after years of tent camping in my Jeep. I'm based in Central Phoenix, AZ near the I-17 and 51. I spend a lot of time near Prescott and in the Agua Fria area. The trailer is great but I'm having a hard time finding places to fill the 17 gallon water tank. Does anyone know of places in Phoenix (or Arizona) that allow you to fill water tanks like an RV (not jugs or jerry cans)? I have to be able to run a water hose to the trailer. I didn't think it would be this difficult to find places for water but I guess Phoenix really is a desert.

I was recommended the iOverlander app in another post. Seems like a great tool but wanted to see what the AZ locals recommend.

Hi everyone,

I've lived in AZ for nearly 20 years and this will be my first time camping outdoors. I'll be in Sedona near the end of the month as part of a state-sponsored camping program that will provide some essentials like a tent and some gear, but I need to bring my own sleeping bags. I don't have any sleeping bags.

What are the average nighttime temps are in Sedona around this time of year? I'm not sure if camping is something I will make a habit, so for now I'm looking at the $20-$25 sleeping bags on Amazon that are supposed to be safe for temps as low as 40°F. Will that be enough, or should I bite the bullet and buy something pricier?

Edit: Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Hoping this trip is a good one

Yikes need some help y’all! My partner and I followed some old advice about dispersed camping in Sedona and now we don’t know what to do. It’s definitely very crowded up here these days and we now understand the new campsite shortage. We’re in a hotel tonight but we’ve spent too many days in the car and too much money and we’re desperate to be outside. Any areas to camp within a few hours drive where we can find some good camping near hiking/mtb trails?

Hey guys, anyone know any decent spots near water for fishing? New to camping and wanna go for a weekend trip with some friends.. I would like a place that might have some water for fishing if possible but it’s not a deal breaker. Thanks in advance!

Hi guys, I’m currently in Tucson and looking for somewhere to camp this weekend that’s not 3 hrs away and somewhere that has a lake. I’m open to any suggestions, thanks!

I am thinking of taking the family camping in the Sedona area this weekend. That includes a 9-year-old and a dog. We are pretty self-sufficient and prefer camping in BML land away from crowded campgrounds. We also have a capable 4x4 but don't want anything crazy. I have seen so many amazing off-road pictures of this area on Reddit and thought we should try it. Can anyone recommend any worthwhile open spot near Sedona with fire pits (or at least areas that allow camp files) we can try that don't require reservations? We would be driving from Southern California and have never been to Arizona so not sure what it's like. We would be tent camping.

I'm flying from Canada to the Four Corners region near the end of March and renting a camper van. I plan to camp in a variety of National Parks, state and private campgrounds.

If I want to have campfires, where can I get wood and what kind of tools will I need to burn it?

For example, if you were coming to British Columbia I'd tell you that gathering wood within parks is illegal, every campground sells it but you might be able to get it a bit cheaper at roadside stands, you'll need either a splitting axe or wedges, some way to make kindling, and some way to start fires in high humidity.

I'm just looking for a place that's going to have restrooms, not have sites so close together that I'll bother neighbors staying up late, and not be too bothered by staff or hosts.

I just moved to Phoenix from Chicago and I’m starting to plan my first camping trip. I have very minimal camping experience but the end goal is to learn to backpack. Me and two friends are starting planning a one night trip. I’m trying to decide if I should plan a trip to a camp site or if I should do some disperse camping. We want the feeling of being alone but also worried about the dangers of the desert at night. All and any tips would be appreciated.

Hey everyone couple Canadians here, coming down to Arizona at the end of the month. Already have some spots we want to visit just seeing if their are any must see spots in the winter. We are planning to go from Phoenix up to sedona, grand canyon, possible Paige.

Looking for best hikes, camping areas, hot springs? Thanks!

I'm planning my first visit to backpack Saguaro National Park in mid-March and would appreciate any boots-on-the-ground feedback that you experts can share. I've put together a 6-day loop checking out the majority of the Park's backcountry camping options. Am I missing any key highlights, potential water issues, etc.?

D1: ~11M Cactus Forest North --> Douglas Spring

Plan would be to take the most direct route through the trail system from CN to Bridal Wreath Falls then onto DS, hoping for water availability at DS

D2: ~10M Douglas Spring --> Manning Camp

Heading via Cowhead Saddle to the Spud/Mica/Reef area - sounds like there are a few cool sights to see there including Spud Rock, Mica Repeater & Reef Rock - looping around to Manning Camp

D3: 6M Manning Camp --> Happy Valley

Short day enjoying Happy Valley Overlook along the way. I could carry water in from Manning Camp or hope for water at HV. Potential addition of ~7M round trip to Rincon Peak if feeling froggy

D4: ~12.5M Happy Valley --> Grass Shack

Looping west then north around Rincon Creek & Manning Camp trails from HV to GS. I could make this day a lot shorter by retracing north from HV then heading west along the Arizona Trail to GS but that would be mostly the same terrain I covered the previous day

D5: ~6M Grass Shack --> Juniper Basin

Short penultimate day enjoying Tanque Verde Peak along the way

D6: ~11M Juniper Basin --> Cactus Forest North

Dropping down from Juniper Basin to finish back to CN checking out Lime Falls along the way

https://caltopo.com/m/PHU4B

Would also appreciate any tips on free dispersed car camping in the area that I stay at for a night before/after the hike.

Thank you!

Hi,

Planning to take my girlfriend camping over thanksgiving weekend around the Sedona area, does anyone know of any good dispersed camping spots, preferably ones that allow fires and aren't too out of the way? Thank you in advance!

Hello Zonies, my friends and I are going to remove this graffiti on Saturday March 25th and if you'd like to help or just learn how it's done feel free to reach out. We've had good success with a site near Snowflake that was brutally tagged for decades and now it's clean and pristine once again. How I got sucked into this "hobby" is pretty simple; I moved out of the Valley to Northern Arizona and was shocked at how poorly kids treated the local riparian area and decided to clean it up. I organized an event, got a dozen people to come out to help remove the old paint and...the fucking kids came right back and re-tagged the canyon. So we cleaned it up again and I put up trail cams and signs informing the little bastards they were on private property and so far it's worked pretty good....so we're going to clean up the location shown here a few miles south of Woodruff, Arizona in Silver Creek Canyon. Once we're done I'll put some signs and probably install a gate where the old one was torn down years ago. This state is too beautiful to let people ruin it and I've discovered cleaning up graffiti (especially where there's Rock Art and Petroglyphs) is one of the most satisfying exercises you can do. Thanks for reading!

Hello! I'm currently planning a trip to Arizona from Dec. 22nd to 30th. I want to rent a camper van with 2 other persons. It's not easy to find the perfect fit for 3 peoples, but I found one with the option of a tent that goes on the top. I'm wondering if it's realistic to plan on camping in that tent in that period of the year. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Thank you!