I really enjoy places that are RV friendly. For the most part, I’d say the majority of Arizona falls into that category…..
Maricopa County is a county located in the south-central part of the state of Arizona. It’s population as of the 2010 census is 3,817,117 and the land encompasses about 9,224 square miles (23,891 km).
The city of Phoenix is Maricopa County’s seat as well as the Capital City of Arizona. During the Real Estate boom of 2006, west valley municipalities ranked in the top ten fastest growing cities in the United States.
Maricopa County was founded in 1871 and has five Indian Reservations located within the county.
Now with the history lesson over, let’s talk about why this county and the city of Phoenix are so RV friendly….
First, and my favorite, are the Maricopa County Regional Parks. You can click on the link for more in-depth information. For now, I’ll briefly share with you what I know and where we’ve stayed;
Lake Pleasant Regional Park is located northwest of the city of Phoenix and is easily assessable off Interstate 17. The lake is a popular draw with locals for water sports of all kinds. There are three campgrounds as well as the opportunity to boondock.
This is a reservoir and water levels are closely monitored and managed. In the fall, water levels are usually low, thus exposing plenty of land for boondocking. By March all that exposed land is well under water.
Last February when we were camped at the lake, each morning we awoke to the water encroaching closer to our lakeside boondock spot. The lake was filling at the rate of a foot each night. It was a matter of days before the rangers notified everyone to move on and within the week what was once our campsite was now underwater.
Since it’s all about the water at this park, you’ll find warm, sunny weekends year round to be crowded. As I said, its a popular place with the locals.
Cave Creek Regional Park is located north of the city of Phoenix. Over the past three winters, we’ve spent the most amount of time at either Lake Pleasant or Cave Creek. Cave Creek is probably our favorite…. due to its close proximity to our son’s home in addition to it’s peaceful tranquility and great hiking trails.
Most of the campsites will accommodate just about any size rig, but there are a few sites that slope severely presenting a challenge for some RV’s. The sites are well spaced and have nice views. There are lots of great hiking trails accessible from the campground.
Shopping, fun sights, museums, and events are all within a short driving distance away. Bonus; mornings and evenings the skies are filled with hot air balloons and the sunsets are spectacular.
McDowell Regional Park is located northeast of Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s a favorite with many as evidenced by our inability to book a stay at this popular Regional Park. We’ve attempted several times to make a reservation at this beloved place to no avail. So I have no personal experience, but based on the opinions of other RVer’s, the sites are similar to Cave Creek and Usery and the hiking/biking trails are top notch.
They do offer a dry-camping overflow lot for those unable to score a campsite, as do the other regional parks.
Usery Regional Park is located on the far eastside of the town of Mesa, Arizona. It too is a very nice facility with an abundance of trails.
The campground has paved sites with a picnic table and fire ring. Again, nicely spaced and lovely views. We only spent two nights here last year and would have stayed longer if not for other obligations.
What sets this park aside from the others is it offers an onsite archery range and across the road from the main entrance is a gun range for trap, skeet and sporting clays shooting. Saguaro Lake and the Salt River are within an easy drive from Usery Park.
White Tank Mountains Regional Park is located on the very far west side of Phoenix. In comparison to the above mentioned Parks, this is by far the most remote. The camping facility is rustic. Sites range in size from small, meant for tents or short trailers, to longer with the ability to accommodate large Class A’s or 5th Wheels. There’s some pavement here and there but I’d say the sites are mostly gravel and spaced nicely. This campground has the feel of boondocking in the middle of the desert but with the convenience of facilities.
We enjoyed our ‘waterfall’ hike at the White Tanks the other day, but probably won’t return because of its remote distance. If you’re looking for a quiet, remote camping location with electric and water then this might be the place for you.
These five parks are all located on the outskirts of Phoenix providing a RVer with all the sophistication and amenities a big city has to offer while parking our rigs in a beautiful, nature surrounded environment. The best of both worlds. Oh, and let’s not forget…..these places are not just meant for RV’s but are also perfect for tents.
Next up a beautiful state park on the east side of Phoenix…….
Live Laugh RV 
60 responses to “RV Friendly County – City”
Great post Ingrid. We are looking forward to the time when we will again be out west, which is where our hearts are. We hope you and Al have a wonderful Christmas and safe travels as you make your way to Texas. 🙂
LikeLike
Safe travels and a Merry Christmas to you as well. And my heart too remains in the west 🙂
LikeLike
I personally love the area surrounding Phoenix. Being born and raised in Florida, I find the desert Fascinating, and you would be hard pressed to find a more picturesque area than Maricopa County. Great pics as always!
LikeLike
This is my first time visiting your blog, Ingrid.I came here from Rommel’s blog 🙂 I really enjoy the tour and the information of the parks are wonderful. Great photos!
LikeLike
Oh, thank you. Rommel is such a sweetheart. I’ll be sure and head over to your blog 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for this outstanding description of the parks in the area. This will be extremely helpful when we return to AZ.
I love the sunset with the saguaro:)
LikeLike
I’m working on a series….so upcoming posts will all be about the Phx metro area. The sunset photo was taken at Cave Creek Regional Park last winter. Oh, and you’ll be roughing it at these parks….no sewer hook-ups.
Look forward to hearing about the cruise 🙂
LikeLike
For an RVer, I think you struck gold with this park system. It sounds wonderful, with beautiful landscapes. That’s a really stunning photo of what must have been a gorgeous sunset.
LikeLike
Another lovely place, Ingrid. You certainly do get around.
I lost touch with a few of my favourite bloggers for a while, as I started my blog afresh. Glad I found you again. Sylvia 🙂 http://anotherday2paradise.wordpress.com/
LikeLike
I was wondering where you were off to…..some exotic trip or something. I’ll head over to your blog and check out the changes. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Ingrid. I just got back from a two week tour of Costa Rica. It was awesome. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m sure you enjoyed some warm temps. Looking forward to photos and hearing all about it 🙂
LikeLike
I did share some pics in my last few posts, but I still have a lot more. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for the round up of RV parks. When we get back out there I sure would like to check McDowell Regional Park. Lovely photos especially the sunset.
LikeLike
McDowell is the one that has alluded us. Perhaps in March on our return from Texas we’ll swing through. I cheated……the sunset photo was from last year at Cave Creek Reg Park. It’s hard to capture anything in a RV Park. I miss staying at a Regional or State Park. New game plan for next year is in order 😉
LikeLike
Thanks for your concise overview of those county parks. We spent many happy weeks last year going from one to the other and loving each one. Your post makes me homesick for that beautiful desert and all that Phoenix has to offer.
LikeLike
Oh, thank you. I think next year we might try bouncing from one park to the other, that is unless we find ourselves along the Gulf.
LikeLike
Love the falling snow :O) Beautiful park and valuable info…glad you are surrounded by such beauty!
LikeLike
Thanks…..we do enjoy spending winters around here. Arizona does have a lot of diversity to offer. It’s important to know the elevation and thus the weather. Enjoy your stay along the Gulf 🙂
LikeLike
great! and just in time for our planning as we head west next year…
LikeLike
More info coming in the next few posts and if you’d like any additional ideas, feel free to email me when the time comes 🙂 livelaughrv@hotmail.com
LikeLike
Great overview of the regional parks! Thanks! We’ll be swinging through there again in Feb for a few days as we begin our journey north next year. This is great info for me!
LikeLike
Just be sure and book a reservation or you’ll be dry camping in their parking lot….speaking from experience. Enjoy the holidays with family and I’m looking forward to hearing about the next leg of your journey.
LikeLike
Great over view of the Maricopa Parks. My favorites when passing through the area are McDowell and Usery.
LikeLike
Thank you and I totally understand why you enjoy staying there…..both are great locations and lovely surroundings 🙂
LikeLike
Ballooning and killer sunset…can’t get too much better 🙂
LikeLike
Nope….pretty nifty place to call home for awhile, that is until the heat melts my makeup, then it’s not so nifty and time to move on 😆
LikeLike
Ingrid, thanks for this great posts. We have enjoyed and love Usery and Cave Creek, but haven’t been to the others you mentioned; will make a note and plan a visit!
LikeLike
There really are quite a few great spots to park a RV around Phoenix. We visit frequently because of our son but I’m antsy to check out Texas 🙂
LikeLike
Great blog and jam packed with info in and around that area..We have never stayed at a regional park, but sounds like we should try it..The Arizona State Parks can get a bit pricey!! I will be saving this info for future travel (hopefully)!!
LikeLike
We love the Maricopa County Regional Parks but may limit any visits to short stays. They’re raising the price to $30 a night for electric and water to match the state parks. Texas may turn into our go to state at these rates. 😦
LikeLike
Get that Texas State Park Pass…good for one year…We always get it at the first state park we stay ..which is usually Falcon State Park on the Rio Grande. OMG…how did you get that snow on the background of your blog page..LOVE IT!
LikeLike
Isn’t that snow fun? Let’s keep it on the computer screen and not on our RV’s….LOL. It’s a feature WordPress offers and will automatically stop snowing on Jan 4. Now if only that would happen in the real world.
Yes, we were planning on getting the Texas state park pass. We always get one in Colorado too. I’m looking forward to the change of scenery 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for all of the great information. I hope that we can visit that area in our RV someday, for sure, just not in the summertime. 😉
LikeLike
There are other parts of AZ that aren’t bad in the summer, but Phoenix is definitely not one of them. Spring, summer, and most of winter are very enjoyable!
LikeLike
Great to see where you are! Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
And Merry Christmas to you too….it’ll be here before we know it. Hope you’re staying warm!
LikeLike
What a Wealth of Information – Great Post – thanks so much for sharing:) Happy Week!
LikeLike
Thanks….we’ve gotten to know the area pretty well and thought I’d share 🙂
LikeLike
There are plenty of spaces at McDowell in mid summer! 😆 No reservation needed!
LikeLike
You just want to see my mascara melting down my face, don’t you!!!
LikeLike
You need Maybelline waterproof! Your eyelashes will look great but everything else will melt!
LikeLike
Such a help 😆
LikeLike
Someday!
LikeLike
You would have a field day photographing birds. For you though, I would recommend a visit to Patagonia State Park AZ
LikeLike
Looks like it would be hard to choose your spot! And at which place? Wow, so pretty!!! I love the beachy parts and I like the remotes part too. I guess this is why it is nice to RV in Phoenix area. 🙂 Great photos.
LikeLike
That is the fun of RVing, we get to move around and enjoy a bunch of lovely locations. I’m looking forward to exploring parts of Texas in Jan and Feb, but no ice please 🙂
LikeLike
What a difference a year can make with the water tables…unbelievable! Your photos are majestic.
LikeLike
Majestic? Well, thank you….what a compliment coming from a gifted photographer 🙂
LikeLike
We stayed and McDowell last year and are heading back in the first week of April, 2014. It sounds like it is similar to Cave Creek. We are planning in being in the area for several weeks and will definitely have to try some of the other parks you reviewed. Thanks for the info.
LikeLike
I know you will enjoy. April will definitely be warming up and the cactus will start blooming. What a great time to visit. The saguaro in bloom is a definite treat.
LikeLike
I am storing all this info away for future travels. These parks reviews will come in very handy for us in a year or two. Thank you!
LikeLike
What’s really nice is each park is located in a different part of the valley allowing one to really enjoy and explore the Phoenix metro area.
LikeLike
We’re on our way to McDowell Mountain today. It is our favorite park, with Usery a close second. Too many horses and poop on the Cave Creek trails!
This will be our first time there since they implemented the reservation system. Liked it better when you could just go and stay in the overflow area until a site became available.
LikeLike
Yep, you’re right about the trails at Cave Creek 🙂 I’m not a big fan of the whole res system they set up but I guess it’s good knowing you’ll have a site. Enjoy your stay. I know one day we’ll actually stay there ourselves!
LikeLike
Very informative. Thanks much.
LikeLike
You could have a good time with your camera around here 🙂
LikeLike
No doubt, and your posts really are a wealth of info. Arizona is likely my next extended RV stay.
LikeLike
Great blog! We love the Maricopa County park system. They are just about the best parks. We were actually hoping to stay at Lake Pleasant this year but when we came through it wasn’t as warm as we hoped.
LikeLike
Thank you and it is always colder camped at the shore…..speaking from experience. We do enjoy the Maricopa County Parks also.
LikeLike