McDowell Mountain Campground

McDowell Mountain Regional Park is one of several county parks in the outskirts of the Phoenix metro area and, like sister Maricopa County parks (Usery Mountain, White Tank Mountain, Lake Pleasant and Cave Creek), it has an outstanding campground. Offering a serene Colorado desert camping experience just minutes from the busy suburbs, McDowell Mountain is justifiably popular.

Set up in two main loops, the campground has large sites that are suitable for most RVs or multiple vehicles. All sites have water and electric hookups, and most have a fair bit of privacy from the desert vegetation. Bathrooms and free showers are available in multiple locations. There is also a group camping area that can accommodate up to 30 RVs or tents. The group area does not have hookups, but it does have bathrooms and showers. There is a youth group camping area and two primitive camps, Eagle Camp and Mink’s Camp.

Several hiking trails originate right from or near the campground, including Wagner, Granite, Bluff and Stoneman Wash, and these in turn lead to many of the other trails that offer about 65 miles of hiking and biking in the park. There is also a shaded playground for kids in the campground.

Due to the popularity of this campground, reservations are strongly suggested during the high season from January through April.