The Arizona State Parks Camping Guide (Plus Reservation Tips That Actually Work)
Camping in Arizona is a whole vibe — from red rocks and desert sunsets to cool pine forests and lakeside spots. Arizona State Parks have some fantastic campgrounds, and with a little know-how you can snag a reservation without pulling your hair out.
Let’s walk through how reservations work, the real cancellation rules, and how to up your chances of getting the campsite you want.
Why Camp in Arizona State Parks?
Arizona is wild and beautiful, and each park has its own personality:
- Red rock views and hiking trails
- Desert skies with brilliant stars
- Cool pine forests and lakefront sites
- Wildlife, history, and great trails for all skill levels
From iconic places like Lost Dutchman State Park to lesser-known gems like Alamo Lake, there’s so much variety. And each campground has its own vibe — some are great for RVs, others are more rustic tent country.
How Arizona State Park Reservations Work
Here’s the booking scoop so you’re not stuck guessing:
📆 You Can Book Up to 365 Days in Advance
Arizona lets you reserve most campsites one year ahead of your trip.
🕗 Reservation Opens at 8:00 a.m. Local Time
When your desired date hits that one-year mark, the reservation system opens at 8 a.m. Arizona time. Arizona time is sometimes on Mountain or Pacific time — so be ready.
📞 How to Book
You can book:
- Online at the Arizona State Parks reservation system
- By phone at 877-MY-PARKS (877-697-2757) (call center open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arizona time)
🏕️ Cost
There’s a small non-refundable reservation fee (about $3.60 per campsite) plus whatever the nightly site rate is at that park.
The Cancellation & Change Rules You Need to Know
Arizona’s policies are pretty straightforward — but if you don’t know them, you might lose money:
🧾 General Campground Cancellations
- A $20 cancellation fee applies to campsites and cabins.
- If you cancel after 2 p.m. the day before your trip, you lose the first night’s campsite fee plus the cancellation fee and reservation fee.
- Cancel before 2 p.m. the day before, and you just lose the $20 cancellation fee plus the reservation fee — you’ll get the rest back.
🚫 No-Shows
If you never show up and don’t cancel:
- They’ll forfeit all your payments
- The site gets released for others to use (which is fair!)
🔁 Modifications
You get two free modifications (date changes, site swaps, etc.). After that, you have to cancel and rebook — which means paying the cancellation fee.
🏕️ Cabins Have Slightly Different Rules
Cabins have many of the same policies but the cancellation must be made two days before arrival to avoid losing the first night plus fees.
Reservation “Hacks” That Actually Help
Booking Arizona State Park sites isn’t as nuts as some systems, but popular dates fill up fast. Here’s how to make your life easier:
1) Set a Calendar Alert
Mark the date one year before your trip at 7:50 a.m. so you’re logged in by 8 a.m. sharp - Arizona time!
2) Know Your Priorities
Browse available campgrounds in advance and pick a few site numbers you like — having backups speeds things up.
3) Use Both Browser and Phone
People sometimes have more luck getting one device to process a booking faster than another — it’s a small boost, but every second counts when things fill up.
4) Check Cancellations Daily
People change plans all the time. If your dates are a few weeks out, check the reservation system daily — sites do open back up.
Best Arizona State Park Campgrounds to Check Out
Here are some classic favorites with different flavors:
- Lost Dutchman State Park – Iconic desert scenery near Phoenix
- Dead Horse Ranch State Park – River and shade trees near cottonwoods
- Kartchner Caverns – Unique cave system + camping
- Alamo Lake State Park – Great for fishing and desert solitude
- Patagonia Lake State Park – Lakeside camping and water fun
- Lyman Lake State Park – Big water views surrounded by hills Arizona State Parks
Don’t Forget Other Great Camping Options in Arizona
Besides state parks, Arizona has:
- BLM lands & wilderness permits like Aravaipa Canyon (permits open about 13 weeks ahead) Recreation.gov
- County parks and campgrounds scattered all over the state
- National Forest campgrounds
- Dispersed camping on public lands
These can be awesome backups (or main trips!) if state parks are full.
Final Thoughts
Arizona State Parks make camping easy — if you know how the system works. With a bit of planning and timing, you’ll be out there under big skies and desert stars in no time.
Want a list of specific county and BLM camping spots in Arizona too? I can help you build that next!
