4 Best Camping Areas Near Chandler, AZ

Chandler, AZ is lucky enough to have some great places to camp nearby. The dry, arid landscape of the mesa is full of incredible views and fascinating flora and fauna to discover, and there’s no better way to do it than by camping out in a tent or RV at one of these fantastic campsites.

4 Best Camping Areas Near Chandler, AZ

1. Oak Flat Campground

Located in the rolling hills adjacent to the Devil’s Canyon, Oak Flat Campground makes for a great place to stop for the night from those driving the Gila-Pinal Scenic Route that leads from Florence Junction to Globe. The surrounding area is especially popular with climbers and boulderers, but it is also very popular with families for its striking views of the desert.

The campsite is something of a desert oasis, with large, mature oaks surrounding most of the site and providing shelter from the burning sun. 16 sites are available on a first-come-first-served basis, with no reservations available. The sites are suited to RVs and tents alike, but there is no running water or other amenities here, and fires are only allowed in the designated areas.

2. Peralta Canyon Campground

This beautiful, primitive campground situated in the Superstition Mountains to the east of Chandler, offers some spectacular scenery, with classic Arizona desert views of cacti and rock formations stretching towards the cobalt-blue sky.

It’s a popular spot for hiking, with access to the 5.1-mile out-and-back Peralta Trail that runs from near the campground to the nearby Fremont Saddle, which offers incredible vistas of Weaver’s Needle and the surrounding valley. No fires are allowed here, and there is no running water available, so be sure to bring all you need.

3. South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Campgrounds

This vast wilderness area, approximately 30 miles southwest of Chandler, offers lots of opportunities to camp. However, all the sites here are primitive campsites, without modern amenities such as showers, toilets, or electricity. Most pressing though is water, which is often lacking. Make sure to stock up in any towns you come to before heading into the wilderness.

That being said, the Maricopa Mountains are an incredible place to experience the solitude of the desert, and there are lots of recreational activities available, hiking, horseback riding wildlife observation, and photography, especially of the huge cacti that scatter the area.

4. Picacho Peak

Anyone traveling the I-10 highway south from Chandler won’t be able to miss the imposing Picacho Peak as it rears above the desert floor. Those hiking up the peak can enjoy incredible views from the top that stretch over the lands beyond.

Campsites can be reserved in advance, with a total of 85 electric sites that are suitable for both tents and RVs. No water is available, and the park is experiencing a major shortage at the time of writing, so check before you go and be sure to bring enough for you and your family.

There’s sure to be a new favorite amongst these great places to camp. If you’re looking for a new vehicle for your next outdoor expedition, then visit Earnhardt Chevrolet today, where you’ll find an amazing range of cars to choose from,

Tags: Chandler, outdoor activities, outdoor fun
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