Who says Arizona is all scorching deserts, giant cacti, and endless stretches of sand?
Believe it or not, the Grand Canyon State has some incredible lakeside camping spots where you can wake up to gorgeous blue water and spend your afternoons kayaking or fishing.
Some places even let you launch your boat just steps from your tent, while others offer scenic hiking trails, amazing wildlife sightings, and peaceful places to unwind.
So if you’re ready to discover a different side of Arizona, here are eight of the best lakeside camping spots to add to your next adventure!
1. Lake Powell
Lake Powell stretches across the Arizona-Utah border, offering up to 161,390 acres of sparkling blue water, red sandstone cliffs, and nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline.
Created by Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, this huge reservoir offers fun activities like boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and scenic boat tours.
If you’re feeling adventurous, explore Navajo Canyon’s colorful rock formations, go tubing in Gunsight Canyon, or enjoy the breathtaking views of Padre Bay.
For lakeside camping, head to Lone Rock Beach for primitive camping on the sand or Wahweap Campground, which offers 112 dry campsites and 90 full-hookup RV sites.
2. Lake Havasu State Park
If camping beside sandy beaches and swaying palm trees sounds like your kind of getaway, Lake Havasu State Park is a great choice along the shores of the 19,300-acre Lake Havasu.
This 928-acre park offers 54 campsites, 13 beachside cabins for a more comfortable stay, three boat ramps, a sandy beach, and scenic picnic areas.
During your stay, enjoy swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing for carp, or walking the 1.9-mile Mohave Sunset Trail for beautiful views of the Colorado River.
You can also admire the famous London Bridge, one of Lake Havasu City’s most iconic landmarks, or explore the nearby shops and restaurants.
3. Canyon Lake
For a completely different camping experience, head to Canyon Lake in Tonto National Forest, where cliffs dotted with saguaro cacti replace sandy beaches.
The lake covers 950 acres with about 30 miles of shoreline and clear waters perfect for kayaking, swimming, waterskiing, boating, and fishing for largemouth bass.
You can also hop aboard the Dolly Steamboat for a nature cruise to spot local wildlife like bighorn sheep, a twilight dinner cruise, or even an astronomy cruise.
After a day of exploring, settle in at Canyon Lake Marina and Campground, which offers nine tent sites, 36 RV sites, and amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, and charcoal grills.
(At the time of writing, Canyon Lake is temporarily closed for safety inspections and maintenance, so check its reopening status before planning your trip.)
4. Woods Canyon Lake
Trade the desert heat for cool mountain air at Woods Canyon Lake, a 55-acre lake surrounded by ponderosa pines along the Mogollon Rim, about 40 minutes from Payson.
Once you’re here, pitch your tent at Woods Canyon Lake Group Campground, which offers a peaceful setting with space for up to 100 campers, drinking water, and vault toilets.
You can then enjoy trout fishing, kayaking, or paddleboarding on the lake, have lunch at a picnic table, or spend a quiet morning watching for elk in the nearby woods.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer adventure, this is a great place to slow down, relax, and enjoy the outdoors at your own pace.
5. Theodore Roosevelt Lake
Next up is Theodore Roosevelt Lake, a 21,493-acre lake in Tonto National Forest that’s worth visiting for its wide-open waters and beautiful mountain views.
Formed by Theodore Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River, this massive reservoir is the largest lake entirely within Arizona and a popular spot for boating and fishing for carp and catfish.
For a place to stay, check out Cholla Campground, which offers tent and RV sites, picnic tables, and views of the Four Peaks Wilderness and Sierra Ancha Mountains.
You can also stay at Roosevelt Lake Marina, where you’ll find 50 RV sites with concrete pads and fire rings, plus a store and restaurant.
6. Patagonia Lake State Park
Another great spot for lakeside camping is Patagonia Lake State Park, home to a 265-acre lake surrounded by rolling hills and cottonwood trees, about 20 minutes from Nogales.
Here, you’ll find 105 developed campsites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, plus 12 boat-in campsites for a more secluded stay by the water.
When you’re ready to explore, take a walk along the 2.7-mile Sonoita Creek Trail, where you might spot hummingbirds, tanagers, and even bobcats or javelinas.
And if you want to make the most of your visit, check the park’s website for events like guided bird walks, live music performances, and seasonal celebrations.
7. Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
In Show Low, you’ll find Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area, where you can camp among tall pine trees beside a 150-acre lake in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.
This peaceful spot offers 20 tent-only campsites, 62 electric RV sites, and 17 group campsites, with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, and showers.
Once you’re ready to get out on the water, paddle around the lake in a kayak or canoe, or cast a line for rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and northern pike.
If you’d rather stay dry, follow the easy 3.2-mile Fool Hollow Lake Trail, an easy out-and-back route with picture-perfect water views and plenty of places to rest.
8. Big Lake
For a true mountain escape, head to Big Lake, which sits at 9,000 feet in the White Mountains, surrounded by grassy meadows within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
Covering 575 acres, it’s one of Arizona’s top trout-fishing spots, where you can catch rainbow, brook, cutthroat, and Apache trout, especially during summer and fall.
For easy access to all that fishing, pitch your tent at Rainbow Campground, home to 165 campsites across six loops, or Brookchar Campground, which has 12 walk-in tent sites.
With its quiet surroundings and laid-back atmosphere, it’s the kind of place where you can slow down, unwind, and enjoy some quality time with family or friends.
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