Best in Tent Camping: Arizona

Arizona, known for its iconic saguaro cacti and the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, is a land of infinite variety and startling contrasts. From low desert scrub to verdant sky islands the state harbors a tremendous diversity of landscape and wildlife. You can hike the rocky crags of unique geological formations, fish cool mountain streams teeming with trout, or boat on deep canyon reservoirs shimmering in the sun. Coyotes howl in the hills, majestic elk bell in the forests, and hundreds of resident and migratory species make the state a birder's paradise. With cool mountain summers and warm desert winters, there's a landscape at its best in every season; the ways to enjoy Arizona's outdoors are limitless. The Best in Tent Camping: Arizona offers great camping possibilities for every season, from the snow-capped "alps" of Alpine to the sun-drenched yuccas of Yuma. The authors visited over 200 campgrounds in national parks, monuments and forests, in state and county parks, and on public and Indian lands, hunting for the top 50 spots for car campers who prefer privacy over popularity and the whisper of the wind rather than the growl of generators. Amenities, price, elevation, restrictions, directions, and GPS coordinates are listed for every campground. Each is rated for beauty, privacy, spaciousness, quiet, security, cleanliness to help campers of all tastes choose wisely. Maps and detailed descriptions are provided for each campground, including recommendations on favorite sites and best seasons. Each entry also includes information on hiking trails and other recreational opportunities, historical background, scenic drives, and sights not to be missed while in the area.