These Arizona campgrounds were named best in the West. Here’s how to enjoy them
Dina KaurLooking to get your kids out of the house and off their screens?
What better way to do that than to take them to the middle of nowhere?
The Grand Canyon State has many beautiful spots to plan your next camping trip. Two spots in Arizona were named the “2024 Best Places to Camp in the Mountain Region” by the Dyrt.
The article states that the “Mountain Region was simply made for camping.” One Arizona campsite took the top spot on the list and the other landed at No. 7.
Curious about what these locations are? Or eager to plan your next adventure? Here are the “2024 Best Places to Camp in the Mountain Region” in Arizona.
Saddle Mountain – Kaibab National Forest
Taking the No. 1 spot on the list is Saddle Mountain in the Kaibab National Forest.
The Dyrt said that what makes this spot a great find is that it’s on a remote side road near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It is less visited than other parts of the Canyon and is a free place to camp with “solitude and scenery.”
There are trails to Saddle Mountain or south to Point Imperial, for the more experienced hikers, the Nankoweap Trail leads to ancient granaries in the canyon wall. The nearest civilization is at Jacob Lake and North Rim village.
The Dryt also included comments from its community of campers:
“Stunning,” Shelby C. said. “Every summer I go on a road trip through national forests all over the US and Kaibab is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen, so much wildlife and elk and obviously the Grand Canyon, such a great camping spot and the sunrise there is like nothing you have ever seen.”
“Wow,” Emily said. “This place is truly amazing, you can pitch your tent 5 feet away from the start of the canyon, not to mention the beautiful sunrises and sunsets! It is a long gravel road on the way here, 4WD definitely recommended.”
The price is free and the sites are dispersed. There are RV sites; fires and pets are also allowed.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Taking the seventh spot on the list is the Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction.
The Dryt said what makes it great is that it’s surrounded by hiking trails and epic views. It is just outside of Phoenix but has considerable access to wilderness adventures.
The location is well-maintained, tidy and has a ranger station offering programs for kids. You can explore a network of trails by mountain bikes and 4x4s or hike from the campground to the Superstition Mountains or the Flatiron according to the Dryt.
There is a nearby ghost town and the Lost Dutchman Museum down the road.
The Dryt also included comments from its community of campers:
“Lost Dutchman State Park isn’t just a campground, it’s an adventure paradise,” Brad said.
“Best camping in the area,” Riley K. said. “Lost Dutchman has amazing views, super clean facilities and spaced out sites. Highly recommend.”
“We really enjoyed this park,” Mike T. said. “Sites were nicely spaced. Beautiful view of mountain and amazing sunsets. Great hikes right from the campground.”
The campground costs $25-$35 and there are 138 sites. Those include RV sites and allow fires and pets.
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Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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