AZ RV camping trip overview

Question

We recently spent 5 weeks running around AZ in our camper, here are some observations related mostly to RV camping

Phoenix- we started the trip visiting family in the Phoenix area and stayed at the Desert Edge RV park. We had a lot of driving to visit people in northern suburbs and appreciated its proximity to I-17. They had a nice laundry and a little game room but we did not really need any amenities. It is mostly residential rather than transient and I am sure the long term residents appreciate the showers and other amenities. The site is between the freeway and an airport so it would not work for me long term but it was clean, well maintained and worked for our needs.

Tucson- we stayed at three places and liked them all. 1. Ironwood (BLM boondock site) was great, the road in was not too bad, the gravel washboard stretch was pretty short. We stayed closer in as I was not familiar with the landscape. Saw two other rigs. Rode the bike around to check out the site and my sense was that camper trucks and Sprinters would be better farther in than traditional RVs. Great sunsets, nice walks, and dog friendly. If it is really windy, this might not be the best choice. Note, there are no ironwoods there :-) Free

2. Catalina State Park was maybe my favorite park. We love to bike and it gave use access to the incredible Tucson Loop as well as other trails. The park was programming with interpretation but we did not know in advance and the signup is online. Everything was full. If you go there, register for activities in advance online at State's good website. There are good hikes from the campground and horse trails. It sits at the base of Mt Lemmon and the geography is pretty even though you are a short distance from subdivisions and shopping malls. BTW, there is an El Charro restaurant nearby, yummy. $35

3. Gilbert Ray is a Pima County campground adjacent to Tucson Mtn Park and Saguaro National Park. Very pretty terrain. If you want cactii, this is the area. We had great bike rides on the roads in the area that were low traffic. The reservation system is lame, carefully check everything twice, there is no customer service to correct issues. I sent an email and never had a response. There are nice restrooms but no showers. They have a big outdoor sink with a high faucet that can be used to wash hair. The site on the outer edge are the best but everything seems to fill fast in winter so you might not have a choice. There is a walking trail from the campground to Old Tucson, a tourist site where they made old westerns. We walked over and visited the gift shop and looked in to see what it looked like but did not pay for the tour. People arrive by the busload. We did pay for the Desert Museum and thought that was a mistake. If you have never seen the desert it might be interesting but it was sad to me. Another busload location. $35 a night

Border- we went to Organ Pipe Cactus Natl Monument to see what it was like and check out the boarder scene. The monument is large but the campground is small and sites close. Stop at Visitor on arrival as the gate is only open with limited hours and I expect they will be short employees here soon. The physical environment is nice, the hikes are good desert hikes, and the site had solar showers that sort of worked. There are no hookups so generators are allowed most of the day in most of the park. There is a section in the back for no generators and tent camping. If you have solar I strongly suggest a no generator site. We use solar but I picked a site in the generator area near one of the bathrooms with showers. There was a symphony of generators. We biked to Lukeville to visit the border. The Trump wall/fence is there and there are tons of border patrol. One followed me on my bike when I was near the wall. In the area roads about 1 of every 5 vehicles is border patrol. Another place with classic desert sunset beauty. There is a hike from the overfill camp around to a rise for sunset vistas. Very nice. Recreation.com for reservations, it is easy and they have a great phone app. With senior card, we paid $10 a night. I think three or four night is probably the max for a stay for me.

Yuma- we camped at the Senator Wash BLM Long Term Visitor Area. We were actually in CA at our site. The LTVA areas are popular as one can stay for 7 months for about $180 and have some level of services (water, dump, trash). The south area had lots of folks who live in their vehicles and seemed popular for longer stays so there would be hundreds of RVs and car campers, we went to the north and found a nice spot with a water view with only one other camper. Big rigs might struggle with roads on north side. There are a good number of OHVs roaming around so consider that when picking a spot. We biked around the south side to see how that was working and also had a couple good rides on two track roads. One is really wise to buy a 14 day or long term pass and print it before you arrive. I bought a pass on my phone even though I do not think the north side required it and the lady at the south area office would not print it and said that it was not acceptable to use my phone to show proof of payment. People drive to a nearby are and get it printed for a fee. 14 day pass $20

Quartzsite- I was hoping to see the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous but had mixed up the dates so we arrived after it ended. Ground zero for people living in their vehicles and low budget snowbirds. We visited several of the campgrounds and settled on Plomosa Road, which offers no services. The LTVA sites have services. Plomosa is popular but not as busy as the better know sites close to town. Given the number of winter visitors, the town itself is pretty small. We used the laundromat, visited the "Big Tent" sales area, and had some good Indian good. Turns out there is a good contingent of Indian (Asian) truck drivers and there was a little restaurant and market by a truck stop. Drivers carrying out bags of food for the road. Reidents include an interesting mix of older hippies and libertarian folks. A small grocery store has all the needed basics. You do not need to buy a pass in Plomosa since there were no services but I think in fairness you should if you are going to use the trash or dump or water at a LTVA site. Nice bike ride up to the mountains east of Plomosa on low vehicle road.

Lake Havasu State Park- the park is in the city and on the CO River. It was full but we called and they said they had an overfill area that is first come at 2 pm. When we got there, the staffer said that they just had a cancelation and we could get a site. It is a really nice park and it was surprisingly quiet given the location. There is a little cactus park with good interpretive info, a nice hill sunset spot, and nice bathrooms with showers. I had a little work to do and wanted to be near printing/copying and LHC has all of that covered. The park also rents cabins and we were near them. There are a couple other state parks along the CO river in the area for those wanting to be farther from the city, Cattail Cove looked like a nice park and was out backup plan. There are nice parks in the City including a great dog park just over the London Bridge. We rode bikes everywhere and it was pretty safe but there is lots of traffic everywhere in winter. Bike trails include one on the "island" they created when building the bridge and one out to an amazing park area SARA. There is another great dog park, hiking, disc golf, remote controlled flying area, mountain biking, horse riding, baseball, shooting range, etc. LHC has excellent parks. We played pickleball at a park with 16 courts. Enjoyed LHC more than expected given its size and the parks location. As the weather gets warmer the loud power boats would impact the enjoyment of camping there. $35

Painted Rock Petroglyphs Campground- sort of near Gila Bend. If you want quiet and low cost, check it out on recreation.com. We paid $4 a night with discount. There is supposed to be a 14 day limit but the guy next to us had been there for a month. Since it was maybe 50% full it did not matter. The petroglyphs are next to the campground and tell a good story. They have toilets, water, and a picnic table but that is about it. The Camp hosts were nice and helpful. There is some fair hiking and biking for fat tire bikes. We tried on regular tires and had problems with wash crossings that ended poorly. There is a ride on the road up to a nearby dam but for some reason the road was closed right before the dam and the staff stared at us like we were a threat. Big dark sky at night for star gazing. Interesting to imagine the area before we built dams on the Gila River. Thriving native american agricultural community and trade route in the desert.

Commercial RV Park that will remain nameless- overcharge for underwhelming experience near Florence

Tortilla Flat USFS (between Phoenix and Lake Roosevelt)- a windy road leads from Phoenix to Lake Roosevelt. This is a campground about 2 miles from Canyon Lake. It was almost great. The campground is booked on recreation.gov and the camp hosts were terrific, the place is very clean and well managed. There are some good hikes up the washes and hills across from the campground, some of which require some way finding. There is a bar, restaurant, museum, gift shop across from the entrance that rocks on the weekends. A very pretty spot which I wanted to love but the windy road attracts boys on crotch rockets and boomers on Harleys that blast sound through the canyon from early morning to sunset. We were there on a warm sunny three day weekend, maybe it is less on weekdays but it was very annoying to me. They have water and toilets, $10 a night with discount.

Lost Dutchman State Park- near Apache Junction. a big and busy park that is hard to get a reservation in. Park is near AJ and has impacts from ambient lighting in the area for star gazing but still has a camping feel. The highlight here is the hiking. The park sits at the base of Superstitions, a volcanic series that rises up dramatically at the site. There is hiking access to the Superstition wilderness. The trails are busy with day use and campers. That is part of being close to civilization. So is the gate closure at night. The campsites are clustered in pretty tight sites that seem to attract rigs that are big for the site IMO. The restrooms and showers are very nice. The camp staff is present and easy to grab if you have a question. The sites are full hook up and paved but lot totally level curiously. Did not really bike here but there is a mountain bike trail that I would rate as flow. The road to the park is too busy for me to enjoy riding. There is a nearby tourist mining town destination that has a train attraction and they like to blow the whistle all day. On top of everything else, the Lost Dutchman was actually German. Loved the stories though. It was a mixed bag for me but if you are about hiking, it is a solid yes.

Tucson/Picacho State Park- we took a detour from our plan to see the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show so we headed south again. The show was at the convention center, while it is one of a couple dozen shows, it is a big one. I enjoyed the museum type displays for things that are not for sale. We have a 24' RV and were able to park it in their parking lot. It was a bit overwhelming but I am glad we went. Being so close to the original El Charro gave us an excuse to have lunch there. I had Carlotta's Pescado Tropical and it was the best meal that I have eaten out in a while. The cod was cooked perfectly and the tomatillo sauce, fruit and other seasonings were excellent. Then headed back north and found a spot at Picacho State Park along I-10 (literally) on the mountain side. It was good for an overnight but I would not have stayed longer due to the highway noise. For some reason, there was no water available but they had showers and electric. Maybe something is being fixed as there was a water hose bib at the dump but it was locked closed. There were some hikes from the campground but we were on the move so it was just a place to sleep. It was fine for that $35.

Lake Pleasant/Sedona- we had planned to head to Lake Pleasant, north of Phoenix, for the night on our way toward Sedona. We were unable to get a site at the county campground at the Lake (Maricopa County has some nice camping areas, we loved Cave Creek a couple of years ago). Then we tried to boondock and gave Boulder OHV area a look thinking it would just be a place to sleep. It was a Friday night and folks were gearing up to ride, drive, and drink so we did not stay. Then went to a boondock area closer to I 17 but it was just not the right fit so we called Rancho Sedona, where we had a reservation the following night, and they got us a spot. We have stayed at Rancho Sedona before and like it proximity to town and the mom and pop quality of the site. So along with many, many others on a Friday afternoon we headed to Sedona. Everyone knows the traffic there so it was no surprise. The good new is that in addition to a trailheaad shuttle route, they are now offering on-demand trips for $2 or $1 for seniors, what a great idea I hope it helps. We just rode our bikes most of the time. We were looking around one morning and decided to turn into the Bell Rock parking lot and were surprised to find RV parking spaces! Had a couple nice hikes there, I was last there mountain biking many years ago when it was much quieter but it was still fun. Drove 89 A north, it is not a big deal with a rig our size going south but going north it is easy cheesy. Hit the Utah border and said adios.

Answer

Your 5-week Arizona RV camping trip covered a wide range of environments, from urban-adjacent RV parks to remote desert boondocking sites. Here's a detailed overview of your experience with key takeaways, amenities, and considerations for future trips:

Phoenix Area

Desert Edge RV Park provided a convenient base for visiting family, with easy freeway access and basic amenities such as laundry and a game room. The proximity to I-17 made driving around the northern suburbs easy, although the location between the freeway and airport may not suit everyone long-term. Clean and well-maintained, mostly residential.

Tucson Area

Ironwood BLM Site: Boondocking with minimal infrastructure. Accessible by RVs but tighter roads farther in. Beautiful sunsets, dog friendly, free. Best for camper trucks or Sprinters if going deeper.
Catalina State Park: Favorite park for biking and hiking, access to Tucson Loop trails. Full hook-ups, online registration recommended. Base of Mt. Lemmon, close to amenities. Nearby El Charro restaurant highly recommended. $35/night.
Gilbert Ray Campground: Adjacent to Tucson Mountain Park and Saguaro National Park. Nice cactus terrain, great for biking. Limited customer service, no showers but outdoor sink available. Close to Old Tucson and Desert Museum ($35/night). Outer edge sites preferable.

Border Region

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument offers classic desert scenery and good hikes. Small campground, limited gate hours, mostly solar-friendly sites. Close proximity to Lukeville and heavy border patrol presence. Recreation.com booking easy, senior discount $10/night. Suggested max stay 3–4 nights.

Yuma Area

Senator Wash BLM LTVA provides long-term camping with some amenities. North side quieter, south side popular for long-term residents. Good for OHV activities. Recommended 14-day or long-term pass, printed copy preferred. $20 for 14 days.

Quartzsite

Plomosa Road offers no-service boondocking, less crowded than LTVA sites. Town small but with laundromat, market, and good Indian/Asian food. Popular with winter snowbirds and vehicle-living community. Nice bike rides in surrounding hills.

Lake Havasu State Park

City-adjacent park with CO River access, quiet despite full capacity. Cactus park, sunset hill, cabins available. Excellent amenities including bathrooms, showers, and recreation options. $35/night. Traffic increases in warmer months with powerboats.

Painted Rock Petroglyphs Campground

Low-cost, quiet, near Gila Bend. Toilets, water, picnic tables. Great for hiking, biking, and stargazing. $4/night with discount, 14-day limit in practice loosely enforced.

Other Arizona Highlights

Commercial RV park near Florence: overpriced and underwhelming.
Tortilla Flat USFS: Clean, managed, near Canyon Lake. Hikes require some navigation. $10/night.
Lost Dutchman State Park: Big and busy, excellent hiking at base of Superstitions. Full hook-ups, paved sites, quality restrooms and showers.
Picacho State Park: Good overnight stop, highway noise limits longer stays. $35/night.
Lake Pleasant/Boulder OHV area: Difficult Friday night boondocking, better options with reservation at Rancho Sedona for nearby Sedona arrival. Trailhead shuttle and bike access helpful.

Overall, your trip highlights the diversity of Arizona RV camping. Key takeaways for future travelers:

State and national parks often require advance reservations, especially for full-hookup sites.
Boondocking is widely available but can be noisy or crowded depending on location and season.
Senior and long-term passes can provide significant savings.
Bike access and short hikes are feasible at most locations, but road conditions vary for larger rigs.
Check for local amenities, water access, and generator restrictions before choosing a site.

Arizona offers a mix of serene desert landscapes, city-adjacent parks, and historical/cultural sites. Planning ahead for reservations, route logistics, and daily activities ensures a smooth, enjoyable RV experience.