Several good camping spots sit within easy reach of Clarkdale, Arizona, ranging from state parks to basic dispersed sites. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground is only two miles away and comes with restrooms and showers. West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping gives you a more basic experience with nice views but no facilities. If you're camping with kids, Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort in Cornville (nine miles from Clarkdale) has both RV and tent sites plus a swimming pool and playground. The Grand Canyon and Sonoran Desert are within driving distance for day trips. Camp here during spring or fall for the best weather - summer gets hot, so bring extra water and find shade. Winter camping works too, but bring warm gear for cold nights, especially at higher spots. Some dirt roads to dispersed sites need vehicles with good clearance, so check conditions before you go. The Colorado River isn't far if you want to fish or swim. Make sure to pack out all trash to keep these places looking good. Clarkdale's camping options work well for both people who want regular campgrounds and those looking for quieter spots.
$25 - $70 / night
"The campground is close to area attractions such as Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument which I both highly recommend."
"Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park."
"The best dispersed camping options in Sedona Arizona! There are many options off of the main road."
"My friend from Maryland came to visit me here in Arizona, I told him we had to go to Sedona so we decided to camp, I heard about forest road 525 and it exceeded my expectations, never saw more stars in"
$59 - $150 / night
"We stayed here in June which is a hot time to camp in Arizona. This campground has Oak Creek running through it which is a great place to cool off."
"Lo Lo Mai Springs has scores of beautiful shaded RV sites, many near the creek beneath the branches of ancient cottonwoods and soaring sycamores."
"Nestled in the red rock country of Arizona, this Thousand Trails campground offers a scenic and tranquil escape."
"This is part of the Encore/Thousand Trails network (although anyone can use it). They do offer a 20% military discount."
$18 - $36 / night
"Water and bathroom was close by. Campground was well kept and very clean throughout. The lower loop had better shade and spots were still more spread out."
"This campground is a nice place to get away from it all. The campground is clean, has water and compost toilets. The toilets have a unique ventilation system leaving no unpleasant odors."
$55 - $85 / night
"There is a nice walking path next to the river and nice places to take your Pet. Everything was very clean and tidy. It is close to many things to see and do."
"What this park lacks in Amenities, it makes up in location and access to nearby adventures. The staff is amazing and they take immaculate care of the facilities. Highly recommended!"
$45 - $85 / night
"Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons: Pros:
Resort-Style Amenities: This resort boasts impressive amenities, including a sparkling pool, a well-equipped rec room, close proximity to sightseeing"
"But what made our stay here awesome was the proximity to everything. Hiking, backpacking, off roading, and of course access to all the cool places in Flagstaff and Sedona."
$42 - $84 / night
"Compared to another campground close by that is a little less but we had double the space and trees and a creek behind us. They’re very busy and we were only able to get two nights."
"Sites a little close to each other. Grounds were surrounded by nature and close by main Sedona street. Check in after hours were smooth."
"In one word views, views for miles some of the best I’ve seen in Arizona."
"There are awesome views from the rim if you are able to get a site on the edge."
"The road in is bumpy and rocky, but not impossible (a Ford Mustang in the site next to us clearly made it)."
"It is a bumpy road with large portion of potholes so drive cautiously but once you get to the location you get a number of different spots to camp at."
ScoutDon’t get your hopes up as this is just a gravel parking lot with water and electricity - no sewer. However, it’s right in the middle of Sedona and since there is limited camping options in Sedona itself it gets 5 stars from me. It is first come first serve and we were lucky to pull in on a Monday and get a spot. It’s 5 minutes from the soldier pass trail head. Can’t beat the location!
LegendJust south of Camp Verde. Easy access from highway. Dirt road. Not too rough. Lots of dispersed camping spots.
Beautiful area. Not many people around in March.
LegendActually had a really nice time here. No loud people, a little quiet hum from the freeway but not bothersome. It was full of campers but everyone kept to themselves.
TravelerPros: This location has an amazing stunning view of the buttes, valley and nature surrounding Sedona. It’s a gorgeous and great location to set up camp. Nice view of the stars (not as amazing as I’d picture but still great overall)
Cons: It’s extremely windy here, 15-30 mph gust which destroyed our canopy. There are people here it’s not as secluded as I’d initially hoped. People will drive here late at night blasting music which can disturb your sleep. Be careful there are scorpions we saw several but overall they didn’t bother us just as a precaution ALWAYS ZIP UP YOUR TENT.
Recommend: bring extra nails, rope for the wind to tie down any material that can fly or bend , 4x4 to get up here
TravelerThis spot is beautiful. Only 15 min from Strawberry and right off the highway. I really wish the road was not so rough because there are some really great spots further in but I was not willing to drive my RV down further so we made the loop our adventure hike.
If you do go down further there is a horse coral. Even beyond that if you stay to the left at the first fork there are some amazing, much flatter spots closer to the canyon look outs.
GuideTypical KOA and that ain't bad. Clean bathrooms and showers . Lots of other amenities like a dog park. Kids playground. Rental bikes for riding around the campsite and fireplaces at all the sites. My wife checked out the cabins and tents and they were really nice. WIFI was a bit weak but usable. $71 a night for power and water with our KOA discount. Used the dump station when we arrived. FYI. $20 if you are using the freshwater service if you are off griding it.
GuideCame up to Flagstaff to beat the heat in southern Az and it did not disappoint. Found a quiet spot with lots of rocks to make a fire ring and stayed for 6 days. A little noise from the I-40 but not bad. The road in was dry but had ruts from muddy times but doable with our 26' travel trailer. 20 min drive back to Flag but there is a truck stop close by.
ScoutWe were planning of staying there this last week. But upon arrival in the area we found large areas of serious logging. Trucks everywhere and huge piles of tree branches and stripped tree trunks.
GuideThis dispersed camping are would be great if not for the logging in the area. Log trucks drive through constantly during the week kicking up huge clouds of orange dust that coats everything. Stayed one week only because I work remotely so didn't have time during week to moove.
Dispersed camping areas near Clarkdale, Arizona range from basic forest sites to designated camping zones with partial amenities. The region sits at approximately 3,500 feet elevation, creating a transition zone between desert and mountain environments. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F during daytime hours, while winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations.
Explore river recreation: The Verde River offers cooling relief during hot months. At Thousand Trails Verde Valley, campers appreciate river access for pets and swimming. "River access is available at site C which we stayed at and our furbabies loved it! Sedona is only 45 mins from here so an even bigger two thumbs up!" notes Rebecca N.
Visit historic mining towns: Jerome sits on Mingus Mountain overlooking the valley. "Jerome is just up the hill. Looks like if you had a shuttle car you could probably float the river to or from camp," explains Matt L. from Rio Verde RV Park, adding practical transportation advice for river activities.
Hike nearby trails: Access hiking directly from some campsites. "There are also a couple of hikes accessible 1/4-1/2 mile from the RV park," reports Kim G. at Rancho Sedona RV Park. Several established hiking routes connect camping areas with natural attractions.
Mountain views: At higher elevations, panoramic vistas become the main attraction. Neil H. from Mingus Mountain Campground explains, "Amazing views of Cottonwood and all of Verde Valley from these camp sites...Only 85 at this campground (7800 ft elevation) and only a quick 2 hour drive. I'd definitely recommend this place to beat the heat."
Creek swimming spots: Natural water features provide relief from heat. At Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort, Jordan H. mentions, "Lo Lo Mai Springs is one of our new favorite campgrounds! There's a hot tub and swimming pool, a creek to swim and fish in, nice bathrooms and showers, a dishwashing station."
Shade coverage: Tree canopy becomes crucial during summer months. "Sites are spaced out a bit; not as tight as some other RV parks. There are huge shade trees. You can walk down along the creek and find some peaceful rocks for sitting on to read or contemplate," notes Kim G. when describing camping conditions.
Road conditions: Access to some dispersed sites requires appropriate vehicles. At Edge of the World, Katelin M. advises: "The way up is bumpy and could prove difficult if muddy. We pulled a small 4x8 camper with a jeep wrangler and did okay."
Campsite availability: Securing spots often requires early arrival. "We ended up here pretty late on a Thursday night and luckily found a spot. The campsites are close together so that is not great but they are clean at least," reports Justin C. about Mingus Mountain Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Elevation differences create distinct camping environments. "We were there in June. Kids rode bikes all over. There's a store that sells a bunch of stuff," notes Maura from Lo Lo Mai Springs, highlighting family-friendly summer activities.
Look for camp playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "Play ground and swings for the kids! Right on the river, clean facilities, and friendly staff!" reports Derrick about Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort, highlighting facilities designed for families.
Find kid-friendly swimming: Safe water access provides natural entertainment. According to Audrey R., Dead Horse Ranch State Park offers multiple options: "The 'lakes' are really more like ponds but plenty large enough to fish in as is the Verde River, running through the park. Make sure to go down and take a dip during the warm seasons."
Consider campground activities: Structured recreation helps keep children engaged. "A combination of tents and RVs. Beautiful area, playground and swimming pool, right on the creek which is accessible for swimming," explains Ellen W., detailing amenity options at campgrounds.
Hookup availability varies: Campgrounds offer different utility options. "I am in site 25 which is a non-electric site. In my opinion, it's the best site in the campground. Lots of trees and backs up to a wash," advises Kathy B. about Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground, noting site-specific advantages.
Site size considerations: Not all locations accommodate larger vehicles. Liz W. observed at West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping, "Lots of sites, if anything the popularity is the only downside. Road fine for any car, but was hard to avoid bottoming out getting into my camp spot."
Dump station locations: Plan waste management accordingly. "No sewer unfortunately but if you camp there it's free to dump," notes Melissa S. about Dead Horse Ranch State Park, providing practical RV maintenance information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Clarkdale, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Clarkdale, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 339 campgrounds and RV parks near Clarkdale, AZ and 180 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Clarkdale, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clarkdale, AZ is Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 65 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clarkdale, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 180 free dispersed camping spots near Clarkdale, AZ.
What parks are near Clarkdale, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Clarkdale, AZ that allow camping, notably Coconino National Forest Recreation and Prescott National Forest.
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