The 5 Best Places to Camp in Arizona this Summer

Looking for somewhere cool to camp in the hot summer of Arizona? The average high in Arizona in July is 106°, that’s the average! But don’t let the heat scare you away from some amazing camping opportunities in Arizona. Whether you are coming to visit the Grand Canyon, Phoenix or the beaches of Lake Havasu, there are plenty of options for the best camping. Here are 5 of the best places to camp in Arizona this summer.

1. Mather Campground, Grand Canyon

Located at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, right in the Grand Canyon Village, the Mather Campground is a beautiful campsite steps from the Grand Canyon. Wake up, grab a cup of coffee and walk to the edge of the South Rim to watch the sunrise sparkle on the canyon walls. Look for bighorn sheep, elk and the fuzzy eared Abert’s squirrel.

The Campground is about a mile hike from the South rim, but you can also take one of the shuttles. There are 327 sites, including 55 Tent only sites. Each site has a campfire ring and picnic table and there are restrooms and water pumps throughout the campground. There are not electrical hookups. Near the entrance there is a Camper Service area that has hot showers, laundry and a dump station. Enjoy the vibe of staying at the Grand Canyon Village with a more reasonable cost by staying at the Mather Campground.

2. Bright Angel Campground, Grand Canyon

For the ultimate camping experience you can hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and near the beautiful Colorado River. This is not a casual afternoon walk, it is a rigorous hike and should only be attempted after careful consideration and planning. You must have a permit to hike to bottom of the Grand Canyon so apply early if you plan on going.

The spring and fall are more ideal times to hike the Grand Canyon due to the extreme heat of the Arizona summers, but with careful planning and plenty of water the hike is doable. If you want to break the trip up you can hike half-way down from the South Rim and stay at the Indian Garden Campground. If you are hiking from the North Rim, the Cottonwood Campground is half-way between the North Rim and Bright Angel Campground. There is also an option to ride mules down if you want the amazing experience of camping at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

3. Lake Havasu State Park, Lake Havasu City

If you’d like to cool off during the hot Arizona summer, then staying at the Lake Havasu State Park is a great option. Right on the shore of the cool blue Lake Havasu, you can enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking and more! You can stay in one of the beachside sites and be steps from the lake. The park is walking distance to local restaurants, shops and entertainment so it is the best of both worlds!

4. Lost Dutchman State Park, Near Phoenix

The Lost Dutchman State Park is located 40 miles east of Phoenix in the Sonoran desert. Don’t be deterred by the location which is at the base of the Superstition Mountains! If you are not superstitious you can enjoy the new mountain bike trail that opened in the State Park. The campground has 135 campsites total with half having 50/30/20 amp service and water. While you are exploring the trails around the park look for some of the local wildlife of mule deer, javelin, jackrabbits and maybe even a coyote.

5. Manzanita Campground, Sedona

If you are looking for a small tent-only campsite in Sedona, then make your reservations for the Manzanita Campground in Sedona. This is really a get-back-to nature campground along the beautiful Oak Creek. There are only 19 campsites available so it keeps the crowds away. Take a day trip to many of the surrounding hiking trails in Sedona or out to Slide Rock State Park to cool off. There are also swimming holes right on Oak Creek. There are even a few of Creekside sites so you can fall asleep to the running water right outside your tent.