Boaters and anglers find direct water access at Lake Pleasant Regional Park Campground, where multiple boat ramps and lakefront sites provide immediate entry to Arizona's second-largest lake. The campground spreads across several areas, with some sites positioned right at the water's edge while others offer elevated views from gravel pads set on sloping terrain.
Wild burros roam through the campground regularly, creating memorable encounters for visitors. Chenery K. notes seeing "a whole herd of wild donkeys to watch," along with tarantulas, skunks, and raccoons that visit campsites after dark. The Desert Tortoise area provides walk-in access to the lake but requires careful leveling due to extremely uneven ground, while Roadrunner Campground offers full hookups on more level gravel sites.
Hiking trails wind throughout the park, including one featuring a floating bridge. The Discovery Center provides educational programs and guided hikes that cover local wildlife identification and desert ecology. A marina operates within the park boundaries, stocking basic supplies and groceries, while a separate facility at Pleasant Harbor on the lake's southeast side offers restaurant dining accessible by boat.
Sites include covered pavilions with picnic tables and fire rings, though fire restrictions apply on holidays. Restroom facilities vary by area - some provide hot showers while others offer only cold water and basic facilities. "Fishing was not good from shore," reports Melissa S., making boat access valuable for anglers. Weekend crowds increase significantly, and boat noise from the lake can be noticeable during busy periods.
For additional options, campers can explore campgrounds just outside Peoria. Make reservations well in advance for holiday weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly.
Description
Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers 148 sites for RV and tent camping within the campgrounds (does not including primitive camping sites)
Each "Developed Site" has water, electricity, dump station, a covered ramada, a picnic table, a barbecue grill and fire ring.
Each "Semi-Developed Site" and tent site has a covered ramada, a picnic table, a barbecue grill and fire ring, unless otherwise acknowledged in the description or camping map.
Restroom and/or shower facilities are available at both types of campsites. All sites in the campground may be reserved online at www.maricopacountyparks.org/. Campgrounds
Desert Tortoise Campground has 74 campsites: 25 Developed Sites, 39 Semi-Developed Sites, and 10 Tent Sites.
Roadrunner Campground offers 71 sites for RV and tent camping. All sites are Developed.
Large groups can reserve the Desert Tortoise Group Campground. The Group Campground includes a parking area for RVs, picnic tables, and ramadas. The use of this area is by reservation only and requires a minimum commitment of 10 camping units.
Shoreline Camping
Lake Pleasant Regional Park also has shoreline/primitive camping during most of the year, depending on water levels. Shoreline camping is only permitted within designated areas for such use, when available. Day-of availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be reserved during business hours at the park. For information on camping fees, click on this link to be redirected to the "Fees" page.
The first phase or re-introducing primitive/shoreline camping will be rolled out in late January 2021, with the area of the Dirt Spillway. Future areas will be included in phases at later dates.
Campers must park in designated parking areas. Tent camping will be permitted along the shoreline within the designated area. No vehicles will be permitted to park along the shoreline within the area.
Check-in time the day of arrival shall occur no earlier than 2 p.m. Campers must check out the day of departure by 12 p.m. (noon). Boat-In Camping
Boat-in camping is now available at the 10 Lane Parking Lot. Roughly 30 assigned parking spaces have been designated for such use. Each camping/parking space is approximately 45 feet long by 12 ft. wide to accommodate most boat trailers and towing vehicles. Reservations are required. Day-of availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, and can only be reserved during business hours at the park.
Boaters must camp on the waters of Lake Pleasant – no shoreline camping available at this time. Camping is not permitted within the parking lot/camp space. Boat-in camping is a great option for fisherman looking to fish in the late evening/early morning hours. Boat-in campers must arrive and check-in before the park closes at night (8 pm).
Reservation Info
CAMPING RESERVATIONS
Campers are required to enter the park between 1 pm and 8 pm the day of their arrival.
No entry access available between 8 pm and 5 am.
NOTICE: ALL campsites and restrooms in the Roadrunner Campground will be TEMPORARILY closed from July 5, 2022, to December 31, 2022. And, effective January 5, 2022, reservations for ANY date in that range will not be accepted online or in person.
Please see website for closures and alterations to the normal camping schedule.
You can make a reservation for one or more campsites at a time, and for up to 14 nights.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundLake Pleasant Regional Park Campground is located in Arizona
Directions
From central Phoenix, take I-17 north to Carefree Highway (SR 74). Exit Carefree Hwy. and travel west 15 miles to Castle Hot Spring Road. Travel north to Lake Pleasant Regional Park entrance.
Address
41835 North Castle Hot Springs Rd
Morristown, AZ 85342
Coordinates
33.84913615815311 N
112.27797646261573 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 23 usersLast on 3/29/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 44 usersLast on 3/29/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 3/29/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 23 usersLast on 3/29/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 44 usersLast on 3/29/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 3/29/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 20 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 1 hr 1 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
- 1 hr 44 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 2 hrs 58 min from Lake Havasu City, AZ
