Tent Camping Near Water in Arizona

Lake Powell, just outside Page, has dozens of boat-in waterside campgrounds.

Waterside camping in Arizona is like a fish without a bicycle, at least many think this is so. In reality there are literally hundreds of places for tent camping next to water in Arizona. Campsites can be placed in campgrounds and sometimes in primitive locations adjoining lakes, creeks and rivers throughout the state. There are four major lakes on the Colorado River alone, dozens in the White and Blue Mountains and six large reservoirs surrounding Phoenix on the Verde, Salt, and Gila Rivers.

Valley of the Sun

Theodore Roosevelt Lake is one of the Phoenix area's most popular waterside camping areas.

"Welcome to the surface of, I mean, Valley of the Sun," a Southwest Airline pilot once said upon landing. Arizonans know it's necessary to get out of the heat and into the cool by setting up camp on water close to home. All seven Phoenix-area reservoirs offer waterside camping. Saguaro Lake even has an exclusive boat-accessible campground. There are several riverside campgrounds along the upper reaches of the Verde and Salt Rivers and the lower Gila River---all three of which flow throughout the year. Campgrounds are waterside at Apache, Horseshoe, Canyon, Roosevelt, Bartlett and Pleasant Lakes.

Northern Arizona

Between Glen Canyon Dam and the Grand Canyon, Lees Ferry offers vehicle-accessible camping on the Colorado River.

The Grand Canyon is foremost in mind when thinking of northern Arizona camping. The park's stretch of the Colorado River is one of most cherished places to camp next to water. The entire Colorado River system, however, offers other opportunities. West of the Canyon are Lakes Mead, Mohave and Havasu. East, waterside camping is permitted at Lees Ferry with drive-in, pack-in, and boat-in camping dotting Lake Powell northeast of Page. Around Flagstaff and Williams, Mormon, Whitehorse, Dogtown, and Upper and Lower Lake Mary have developed and undeveloped waterside campgrounds.

Apache Nation

High in the White Mountain Apache Nation, Christmas Lake is a popular camping site.

The White Mountain Band of Apache Nation owns lakes north of the Salt and Black Rivers, including the White River canyons. The San Carlos Band owns the area to the south. The two Bands open a complete chain of lakes with developed and semi-primitive campgrounds at the water's edge. The most popular Apache campgrounds accept reservations. The Apache Bands comprise a sovereign country including their own regulations and enforcement. The land is sacred to the Apache, and some areas are accessible only to tribe members or by permit with tribal guides.

Prescott, Sedona, and Verde Valley

Oak Creek is a heavily used waterside camping area.

Called the "Green Valley" for its always flowing Verde River, the Mogollon Rim gateway communities have many waterside camping opportunities. In the Prescott Area, Lynx and Granite Lakes are literally just outside of town and yet hundreds of years away. Camping is also permitted in designated campgrounds along the Verde River from Cottonwood to east of Camp Verde and along Oak Creek north of Sedona.

East Arizona Alpine Country

Camping aside Alpine lakes is possible in Eastern Arizona

Alpine lake camping dots the eastern regions of Arizona high in the White and Blue Mountains. North of Springerville, Lyman Lake, a state park, is the largest waterside campground. With typically heavy snowpacks, nearly all creeks and rivers run throughout the year. Hannagan Meadow south of Alpine and Luna Lake to the east have campsites located alongside the lakes. Many call Greer Lake near Greer one of the most beautiful in the Southwest. Hulsey, Georges and Sierra Bianca lakes are all in high Alpine settings. Camping in this area is seasonal.

Southern Arizona

Several waterside campgrounds are in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson.

The Arizona-Sonora desert takes up much of southern Arizona, and there are few areas with year-round water for camping. The Santa Catalina mountains adjoining Tucson have several small lakes and reservoirs along the Mount Lemmon Highway. Rose Canyon is the largest and most popular. Close to the Mexican border, Peña Blanca and Patagonia Lakes are popular places for cooling off in the summer along with Roper Lake State Park south of Safford. The warm weather keeps these campgrounds open all year.

References

• Trails.com: Arizona Campgrounds
• White Mountain Apache Tribe
• "Camping Arizona, A Falcon Guide;" Bruce Grubbs, 2005