Southwest: 16 best campgrounds

ARIZONA

1. Cave Springs Campground, Sedona
Set in shaded Oak Creek Canyon, Cave Springs is surrounded by red sandstone walls and has its own creek. Insider tip: Hit the water holes at Slide Rock State Park ($10 per vehicle; azstateparks.com), about 5 miles down the road. Best for: First-timers Info: $20; redrockcountry.org or 928/527-3600 Book it:  recreation.gov

2. North Rim Campground, Grand Canyon National Park
Just 2 miles from Bright Angel Point, the North Rim Campground is an easy walk to the difficult 14.2-mile trail that descends into the canyon. Insider tip: Reserve as soon as you have a date in mind. Best for: Hiking Info: From $18 (plus $20 park entrance fee per vehicle); 928/638-7888 Book it:  recreation.gov

3. Blue Ridge Campground, Coconino National Forest, North of Clints Well
Blue Ridge Reservoir is just 9 miles from this cluster of 10 sites shaded by oaks and ponderosa pines. From the campground, hike the moderately difficult Arizona Trail to the recreation-packed reservoir. Insider tip: For solitude, skip the reservoir and hike a moderate 5 miles to trout-filled East Clear Creek (trailhead is about 6 miles from the campground). Best for: Hiking Info: $8; no reservations; 928/477-2255

4. Bonita Canyon Campground, Chiricahua National Monument, Southeast of Willcox
The pine-and-juniper campground is near the national monument’s visitor center. Drive 6 miles up the road to access hiking trails that cut through a forest of volcanic-ash rock spires and hoodoos. Insider tip: Come in September, when you’ll have the place to yourself. Best for: Hiking Info: $12 (plus $5 entrance fee per person; no reservations), $3 per person at group site (plus entrance fee; reservations required); 520/824-3560 ext. 501 Book it: 520/824-3560 ext. 501 (group reservations only)

5. Cottonwood Campground, near Canyon de Chelly National Monument, East of Chinle
Shaded by cottonwoods, this campground is near Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs and pueblo sites. Insider tip: Hire a private guide at the visitor center, a few steps away, to tour the park’s backcountry (you can’t access it without one). Best for: Beating the heat Info: Free; no reservations; 928/674-5500

6. Lynx Lake Recreation Area, Prescott National Forest, Prescott
At 5,200 feet, the campground is just above the 55-acre, trout-stocked Lynx Lake. Try to get a campsite with a lake view. Insider tip: Pan for gold in Lynx Creek, ½ mile north of the recreation area. Best for: Families and fishing Info: $18; no reservations; 928/443-8000

NEVADA

7. Boulder Beach Campground, Boulder City
You’ll find more than 100 palm-studded campsites just ½ mile from Lake Mead’s shores. Insider tip: Go in October ― the water’s still warm and the days are still long enough to hike. Best for: Fishing and boating Info: $10 (plus $5 park entrance fee per vehicle); no reservations except for large groups; 702/293-8990

8. Arch Rock Campground, Valley of Fire State Park, West of Overton
One of only two campgrounds in the aptly named Valley of Fire, Arch Rock has an upper loop where sandstone rocks create more privacy. Hike the 4.5-mile Pinnacle Trail loop to a “forest” of red rock pinnacles. Insider tip: A flat, bed-size rock at campsite 18 makes for perfect stargazing. Best for: First-timers Info: $14; no reservations; 702/397-2088

9. Hilltop Campground, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Northwest of Las Vegas
At 8,437 feet, this campground overlooks the Mojave Desert and accesses the North Loop Trail, which takes you a rigorous 10.3 miles to the peak of Mt. Charleston. Insider tip: If you aren’t up for Mt. Charleston, stop 3 miles in at a bristlecone pine known as Raintree, thought to be Nevada’s oldest living thing. Best for: Hiking Info: $17; 702/872-5486 Book it:  recreation.gov

NEW MEXICO

10. City of Rocks State Park, Northwest of Deming
House-size volcanic ash boulders create a mini-city maze; ancient paths weave through the boulders. Insider tip: Campsites have little shade, so go in spring or fall. Best for: Families Info: From $10; 575/536-2800 Book it: 877/664-7787

11. Iron Gate Campground, Pecos
Aspens and pines shade the 14 campsites nestled 9,400 feet up at the edge of the Pecos Wilderness. Insider tip: Go in spring when the wildflowers are at their peak. Best for: Intimate, RV-free escapes Info: $8; no reservations; 877/276-9404

12. Rio Chama Campground, Abiquiu
Tucked into a stand of juniper along the Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River, this campsite is in the heart of sandstone cliffs and Georgia O’Keeffe country. Insider tip: Snag the fourth site on the left ― the only site with its own boat (non-motorized) put-in. Best for: Fishing Info: Free; no reservations; 575/638-5526

13. Jemez Falls Campground, Santa Fe National Forest, East of La Cueva
Nestled in a ponderosa forest at 7,880 feet ― next to the Jemez River ― this site is a fly-fishing dream. Insider tip: From the campground, hike 0.25 miles to 40-foot Jemez Falls, then continue 2 miles to McCauley Warm Springs. Best for: Fishing Info: $10; no reservations; 575/829-3535

14. La Junta Campground, Wild Rivers Recreation Area, West of Questa
Set on a mesa above Wild Rivers’ 760-foot gorge, the campground overlooks the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Red River. Insider tip: Hike down for a waterside picnic when it gets hot. Best for: Fishing and kayaking Info: $7 (plus $3 day-use fee); no reservations; 575/586-1150

15. Sleepy Grass Campground, Lincoln National Forest, Cloudcroft
The grass-and-pine meadow feels totally secluded at 8,800 feet, but it’s just 1 mile from Cloudcroft’s shop- and restaurant-dotted Burro Avenue. Insider tip: Hike or bike Trail 5661 for views across White Sands National Monument and out to Las Cruces. Best for: Beating the heat Info: $13; no reservations; 575/682-2551

16. Twining Campground, Carson National Forest, Northeast of Arroyo Seco
Set in Taos Ski Valley at 9,400 feet, the campground gives you access to New Mexico’s highest peak ― 13,161-foot Mt. Wheeler ― and the easier 6-mile Long Canyon/Gold Hill loop. Insider tip: Invite friends and camp at the uppermost site, the largest of four. Best for: Hiking Info: Free; no reservations; 575/586-0520

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