Arizona offers plenty if you're looking for an adventurous vacation that combines hiking and camping. Arizona is a state renowned for its rugged natural beauty and stunning landscapes. With its diverse topography, ranging from deserts and canyons to mountains and forests, Arizona offers a wide range of outdoor activities for hikers and campers. And the best way to explore this beautiful state is with Arizona Shuttle.
Grand Canyon National Park
No list of hiking and camping destinations in Arizona is complete without mentioning the Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon is the most famous national park in the country, and for a good reason. Its awe-inspiring vistas and stunning scenery are breathtaking. With over 80 trails to choose from, the Grand Canyon offers hiking opportunities for everyone, from novices to experts. There are also plenty of camping options, from developed campgrounds to backcountry camping.
Planning this trip? Door-to-door service is available on our Surprise to Phoenix shuttle service page.
Sedona
Sedona is another popular destination for hikers and campers in Arizona. With its red rock formations, towering cliffs, and picturesque landscapes, Sedona is a true natural wonder. Sedona has over 100 hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous hikes. You can also camp in the nearby Coconino National Forest, which offers beautiful campsites and stunning views.
Sedona trip planning
Havasu Falls
Havasu Falls is the place to go if you're looking for a truly unique hiking and camping experience in Arizona. Located in the Havasupai Indian Reservation, Havasu Falls is a series of breathtaking waterfalls that flow into crystal-clear turquoise pools. Camping is also available near the falls, making it the best place for a multi-day adventure. The hike to Havasu Falls is challenging, but the reward is well worth the effort.
Havasu Falls journey details
Mount Lemmon
Mount Lemmon is a beautiful mountain in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson. Mount Lemmon is a popular destination for hikers and campers with its scenic vistas and stunning landscapes. There are over 40 hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes. There are also several campgrounds in the area, including Rose Canyon Lake Campground, which offers stunning views of the lake and its surrounding mountains.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a unique desert wilderness in southern Arizona. There are several hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous hikes. The monument also offers several campgrounds, including the Twin Peaks Campground, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. With its towering cacti, stunning vistas, and diverse wildlife, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a must-visit destination for hikers and campers.
Arizona has it all if you're looking for awe-inspiring vistas, challenging hikes, or unique camping experiences. Arizona is a hiker's and camper's paradise, with many stunning destinations to explore. And with Arizona Shuttle, you can explore these destinations in comfort and style. So pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and prepare for an adventure of a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of hiking trails are available at the Grand Canyon National Park?
The Grand Canyon offers over 80 trails suitable for all skill levels, from novice to expert.
Can I camp near Havasu Falls and what should I expect?
Yes, camping is available near Havasu Falls with beautiful campsites offering stunning views of the turquoise pools.
What are some easy hiking options in Sedona?
Sedona has over 100 hiking trails, including several easy walks suitable for beginners.
Where can I camp at Mount Lemmon and what do the views look like?
Rose Canyon Lake Campground offers stunning views of the lake and its surrounding mountains.
More Unmissable Hiking and Camping Destinations of Arizona
The destinations above are just the beginning. Thanks to six National Forests, more than 30 State Parks, and a long roster of national parks and monuments, Arizona offers endless camping opportunities — whether you're sleeping in a tent beneath the stars or rolling in with an RV. Below are eight more classic destinations that belong on every Arizona outdoor itinerary, each reachable by major highways like I-17, US-89, US-60, and I-10.
Monument Valley
Straddling the Arizona–Utah border on US-163, Monument Valley's legendary sandstone buttes have starred in countless western films. Hiking here means wide-open desert scenery, and the iconic view of Merrick and East Mitten buttes from the visitor center is one of the most photographed landscapes in the American Southwest. Staying overnight lets you experience the valley's famously dark skies — stargazing from your campsite is an experience you won't forget. Because the valley sits on Navajo Nation land, check access policies and guided-tour requirements before you go.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Near Chinle in northeastern Arizona, Canyon de Chelly offers dramatic red rock walls, ancient cliff dwellings, and a living Navajo community. The Rim Drive's overlooks — including the spectacular Spider Rock spire — require no hiking at all, while guided hikes into the canyon itself are led by Navajo hosts. It's one of the quieter alternatives to the Grand Canyon, and a comfortable first stop for travelers arriving via US-191.
Saguaro National Park (Tucson)
Split into two districts that ring Tucson along the Tucson Mountains and the Rincon Mountains, Saguaro National Park protects a forest of the Southwest's most iconic cactus. Bird watchers will be in heaven here, with over 150 species regularly spotted in the park. Trails range from short, rolling desert walks near the Red Hills Visitor Center on Speedway Boulevard to strenuous climbs into the Rincons. Combine it with a Mount Lemmon trip for desert-to-pine hiking in a single day.
The Mogollon Rim
This 200-mile-long escarpment along the edge of the Colorado Plateau, reached via the Rim Road (FR 300) off State Route 260 near Payson and Show Low, delivers cooler temperatures and pine-shaded campsites. Aspen Campground is the largest of the Rim's campgrounds, with nearly 150 campsites set among aspens and ponderosa pines. In fall, the changing aspens make the Rim one of Arizona's most beautiful drives and basecamps. Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake nearby add fishing and lakeside trail options.
White Mountains: Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
Just outside Show Low on State Route 260, Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area is one of Arizona's most comfortable year-round camping hubs. The 150-acre lake holds bass, walleye, and stocked rainbow trout, with fishing platforms placed around the shoreline to help you find your lucky spot. A 1.8-mile trail follows the western part of the lake, and for more challenging hikes, the White Mountain Trail System offers 200-plus miles of trail in the adjacent Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The park includes just over 120 campsites — 92 with RV hookups and 31 primitive sites reserved for tents.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Set at the base of the Superstition Mountains along US-60 east of Apache Junction, Lost Dutchman State Park is the classic Sonoran Desert camping experience — saguaros, golden cliffs, and the folklore of the lost Dutchman mine. Trails like the Siphon Draw Trail climb toward the Flatiron for hikers wanting a serious workout, while shorter, flatter loop trails suit beginners. Its proximity to Phoenix makes it one of the easiest first-camp destinations in the state.
Chiricahua National Monument
Southeast of Willcox on State Route 186 and 181, Chiricahua National Monument protects an otherworldly landscape of rhyolite rock pinnacles often called a "wonderland of rocks." The higher elevation keeps things cooler than the surrounding desert, perfect for exploring the park's 17 miles of trails, including routes through the Heart of Rocks. The Bonita Canyon area provides basic developed camping, and the elevation and solitude make it a rewarding detour for travelers on I-10 between Tucson and New Mexico.
Lake Powell and Page
In far northern Arizona along US-89, Page and Lake Powell combine desert hiking with waterside camping. Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are the famous landmarks, while Wahweap and other marinas provide lakeside stays. Camping along the shoreline delivers sunrise views over rolling red rock and water that feel more like a national park than a reservoir.
Quick Comparison: Arizona's Best Hiking and Camping Destinations
| Destination | Best For | Hiking Style | Camping Style | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon (Mather Campground) | First-time visitors | Rim and inner-canyon | Developed and backcountry | Spring–fall |
| Sedona / Coconino NF | Red rock scenery | Easy to strenuous | Forest campsites, dispersed | Spring–fall |
| Havasu Falls | Waterfalls | Strenuous 10-mile hike (permit required) | Campground near falls | Spring–fall |
| Mogollon Rim (Aspen Campground) | Cool pines and aspens | Lakeside and rim trails | Large developed campground | Spring–fall |
| Fool Hollow Lake | Fishing families | Easy lake trail; White Mountain Trail System nearby | RV hookups and primitive tents | Year-round |
| Lost Dutchman SP | Desert hikes near Phoenix | Easy loops to Flatiron climb | Developed campground | Fall–spring |
| Chiricahua NM | Rock formations, solitude | 17 miles of trails | Small developed campground | Spring–fall |
| Saguaro NP | Bird watching (150+ species) | Rolling desert to mountain climbs | Nearby forest and RV options | Fall–spring |
Getting to Arizona's Hiking and Camping Destinations
Most of these destinations radiate out from Phoenix and Flagstaff along I-17, US-60, SR-260, and I-10. If you're flying in, planning ground transportation first makes everything else easier — our Phoenix to Flagstaff shuttle covers the gateway to the Grand Canyon and the Mogollon Rim, while our Phoenix to Tucson shuttle puts you within reach of Saguaro National Park and Mount Lemmon. Reservations for popular campgrounds — especially Mather Campground at the Grand Canyon and Havasu Falls permits — should be made well in advance, as first-come, first-serve sites and permit quotas fill quickly in peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to camp at Havasu Falls?
Yes. This unique camping experience requires advance permits and a 10-mile hike, but the reward is absolutely worth every step. Reservations are handled through the Havasupai Tribe and sell out far ahead of time.
High-desert and forest sites away from city lights are ideal — Edge of the World in the Coconino National Forest near Sedona, Monument Valley, and the Mogollon Rim all offer exceptionally dark skies.
Which Arizona campgrounds have RV hookups?
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area near Show Low offers 92 of its 120-plus campsites with RV hookups, plus 31 primitive tent-only sites. Always confirm current hookup availability with the park before booking.
When is the best time of year for hiking and camping in Arizona?
Desert destinations like Lost Dutchman, Saguaro, and Organ Pipe are most comfortable from fall through spring. High-elevation spots like the Mogollon Rim, White Mountains, and Mount Lemmon are best from late spring through early fall.
Is Lynx Lake near Prescott good for a first camping trip?
Yes. The campground sits at 5,600 feet on the west side of 55-acre Lynx Lake, where you can fish, boat, and hike, with a cafe, store, and marina nearby for camp provisions during the April 1–October 31 season.
Are campground reservations required in Arizona?
Policies vary. Many state park and popular national forest campgrounds accept advance reservations, while others — including some Rim and Sedona-area sites — are first-come, first-serve. Check the managing agency (NPS, USFS, or Arizona State Parks) for the site you want.
