Campgrounds near Kearny, Arizona range from established sites with amenities to primitive dispersed camping areas. The region includes Kearny Lake City Park, which provides tent and RV sites with electric hookups, drinking water, and picnic tables. Pioneer Pass Campground, located in the mountains north of Globe, offers a more rustic experience with vault toilets but no water or electric hookups. Several campgrounds in the area feature mixed-use facilities that accommodate both tent campers and RVs, with varying levels of amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and access to water.
Road conditions and seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in the Kearny area. Many campgrounds, like Pioneer Pass, operate seasonally from May to November due to weather conditions at higher elevations. The Shores Recreation Area and Christmas - Gila River Recreation Area provide water access but have limited facilities. Rough roads leading to more remote sites often require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rainfall. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, especially in canyon areas and more remote locations. A review noted, "The unpaved road leads to multiple pull-offs and side roads where you can find the perfect spot to tuck away and camp for as long as you like."
Campers report mixed experiences with privacy and noise levels at established campgrounds. Oak Flat Campground, about 90 minutes from Phoenix, offers basic amenities with picnic tables and fire pits in a desert scrub environment. While some sites provide relative seclusion, others place campers in close proximity. A visitor commented, "There are a handful of campsites with picnic tables and firepits, plus several flat and open areas for RVs or tent cities." The Needles Eye Ranch provides more developed options with electric hookups, showers, and toilets, receiving high ratings from visitors. For those seeking solitude, dispersed camping options exist on public lands, though these areas typically lack amenities and may require permits. Riverbed RV Park caters specifically to RV campers with full hookups including electric, sewer, and water connections.
"Small lake to walk around. Not to busy."
"The sites don’t have a water view, but there are day use areas around the lake. Additional flush toilets in the day use area as well. Calling this a lake is also a stretch, it more of a pond."
"Toilets, Bear boxes, and easy access to the river from well spaced and maintained sites. I did not have Verizon or T-Mobile, although it claims on this site to have it."
"Theirs a little highway noise but with the river sounds and a fire it was just what we needed. Theirs sunshine and shade, a bathroom, and garbage."
"Site 22 had a concrete picnic table that showed a lot of deterioration around the edges (so much so that some of the rebar support in the center was clearly visible) and a grill that had been bent and"
"The campground is nestled in a secluded canyon amongst the Ponderosa Pines and next to an intermittent mountain stream."
$75 / night
"Bring your favorite food, Cook inside or outside on a coal fired grill or over a wood fired pit. Plenty of nice dry wood for you to use. I cooked inside but ate outside at the picnic table."
"I was driving a Tacoma(not Lifted) and stopped about a mile in because the road got so bad. I hiked about another half mile back and came accross this amazing view of the valley."
"This campground is found between the town's of Superior and Miami, Arizona, so if you are not am experienced camper, you could always drive to town in a pinch if you needed something or forgot something"
"Behind us there was an old road that was a pleasant walk in the evening. View was nice with rock outcropping, sunsets were beautiful against the rocks."
"Pitt toilets, access to gila river. Very small camper vans or tents"
$35 - $99 / night
"It kind of poked off the main loop away from other neighbors which is why we picked it, very close to the mtb trail and easy access to the trail leading to siphon draw. Very little shade."
"One of my favorite trails in Arizona."
"There are literally 3 campsites surrounding a 100 foot wide dirt turnaround in the center."
"If you're afraid of heights this might not be the drive you want to take as most of the way you are looking off the side of the mountain with no rails."
RangerQuite a few spots in this area, no problem coming in with our 2WD low clearance BUT do. It come here when it rains, looks like a lot mud and deep dirt. Close to hwy 60 so you hear the traffic go by. Super convenient to be close to the trail head as we’re hiking in the morning. And of course, it’s free ☺️
ScoutSolo camping at General Hitchcock Campground was a peaceful escape. Snug campsites for my tent, clear skies, and bird-watching entertainment. Hiked directly from the site. 4/5 experience!
I will be returning for another adventure to log, here was my trip log with extended pics if interested: https://trailos.app/share/red-headed-woodpeckers-pine-jays-and-squ-eeyx?utm\_source=facebook&utm\_medium=social&utm\_campaign=dyrt
Travelervery nice store and pool. clean campground
TravelerWe stayed at a quiet spot about 1.5 miles in on graded dirt road. We pull a 28’ overall camper with a pickup. Passenger cars use the road.
TravelerThe RV sites are along the road and can be noisey day and night. Full hookups and level sites. Nice pool, showers and fitness room. Lots of RV repair, parts and sales businesses nearby. Just a couple of miles from the freeway and restaurants of all types not too far away.
GuideThough they dont have water at the sites, the bathrooms and sinks are the nicest and cleanest that I've ever experienced. The sites are well spaced for lots of privacy and there are good hikes nearby. At the foot of the peak there's a fountain to fill water bottles. We really enjoyed out stay. Also plenty of AT&T service even while hiking. Tucson is not too far for supplies. A few of the sites have canopy's over the tables, that was a life saver if you're not in an RV and need to cool down.
LegendWe've stayed here numerous times in a car and tent and camper van. Quiet, the road is bad and it's used as an ohv area, but mainly weekends. Wide open but hilly and very rugged. But if Catalina state park is full, as is usually the case, this can be used as an overflow.
ScoutBetween the amenities, the activities and the local surroundings, there's always something to do. The roads and sites can be tight and challenging, but was doable in our 38ft MH with a toad. One oddity on the sites is that the sewer drain is under your rig. Suggest that you hook up your hose to the drain prior to completing backing in
GuideThis is an absolute gem. Sites are level. Bathrooms spotless. Showers hot. Camp hosts very friendly. Great trails.
Camping near Kearny, Arizona ranges from high-desert lakeside sites at 2,000 feet elevation to mountain forest camping at nearly 6,000 feet. The region experiences dramatic temperature differences between seasons, with summer highs often exceeding 100°F while winter temperatures at higher elevations can drop below freezing. Most primitive sites require visitors to pack out all trash and bring sufficient water supplies.
Fishing access: Kearny Lake City Park provides a stocked pond for anglers. "The sites don't have a water view, but there are day use areas around the lake. Additional flush toilets in the day use area as well," notes Beth G. about Kearny Lake City Park.
Off-road adventures: Extensive trail networks around Cottonwood Canyon Road support various vehicle types. "Great trails! Big rig friendly boondocking. Busy dirt road, as there is an active mine off the road. Loud dump trucks and dusty, but a beautiful desert oasis, nonetheless," reports Casey G. about the Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Dispersed area.
Waterfront exploration: The Shores Recreation Area offers direct river access for swimming and cooling off. "Just Right BLM River Spot... Great spots on the river. We spent the night there and had the place to ourselves. Theirs sunshine and shade, a bathroom, and garbage," shares Carolyn about her experience at the Shores.
Mountain solitude: Pioneer Pass offers forested high-elevation camping. "My favorite place in the whole wide world. I have been going up there most of my life," says Ron C. about Pioneer Pass Campground, highlighting the emotional connection many visitors develop with this mountain retreat.
Clean facilities: Sites with amenities receive positive feedback. "For a free site, this place is amazing. We stumbled across this city run campsite after a trip to the Tonto National Forest. I almost didn't post a review because I wanted to keep this place a secret," writes Beth G. about her discovery at Kearny Lake City Park.
Free camping options: Several areas offer no-cost camping opportunities. "This campground is Free. There are 17-21 sites dispersed & in groups that include cement picnic tables, metal ring fire pits, and some sites also have Bear Boxes," explains Jess B. about Pioneer Pass Campground.
Road conditions: Access to more remote campgrounds requires planning. "Probably beautiful. Had to turn around and drive all the way back. Do not go unless you have a 4x4 or are positive about the condition at the top. It was 67° in Globe this day. I have an E350 dually and I was sliding," cautions Thomas P. about winter conditions at Pioneer Pass.
Site layouts: Campgrounds near Kearny have various configurations. "This place is a little easier to get to than upper pinal, which is just on the other side of Pinal Mountains. This campground was set up kinda weird, but worked out good," explains Michael L. about his experience at Upper Pinal Campground.
Fee structure changes: Always verify current pricing. "This campsite is not free anymore. It's 14$ per car. You have to pay at townhall or PD 24/24. There are 12 large sites with a picnic table and a bbq. The police patrols several times each night," updates magetju about Kearny Lake City Park.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple areas offer opportunities to see desert creatures. "Camp was raided by quail early in the morning and we had some cows visit but they didn't come too close," reports Sammy S. about Lost Dutchman State Park Campground, providing a glimpse into the natural encounters families can expect.
Safety considerations: Some areas require extra precautions. "There are bears and other wildlife. Even have seen a tarantula (pictured). Like many state land out here they have cattle loose and they do travel the road up the mountain so keep that in mind," warns Jess B. about Pioneer Pass Campground.
Noise factors: Consider sound levels when selecting sites with children. "Starting at 4:00am...giant, and I mean GIANT rock hauler semi trucks started barreling down the washboarded road every 5-10 minutes until we packed up and left a day early at 10:00am because we couldn't take the noise anymore," cautions Eric W. about Cottonwood Canyon Road.
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer partial RV services. "Site 2 has electric hookup and is more like $30," notes magetju about Kearny Lake City Park's RV options, highlighting the price difference for utility access.
Site accessibility: Larger vehicles require careful planning. "Quiet off the beaten path place. Switchbacks most of the way up to the area. Wouldn't advise a 'big' rig. But once there and settled in loved it!" advises Cindy S. about Needles Eye Ranch, noting the access challenges.
Winter considerations: Seasonal closures affect RV camping options. "Me and the family decided to go camping for the weekend and chose this campground. On the website it says that the road is good enough for sedan vehicle which is true in good conditions. If you're afraid of heights this might not be the drive you want to take," explains Eli S. about Upper Pinal Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Kearny, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kearny, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 187 campgrounds and RV parks near Kearny, AZ and 44 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Kearny, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kearny, AZ is Kearny Lake City Park with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kearny, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 44 free dispersed camping spots near Kearny, AZ.
Keep Exploring
