Outdoors
Camping near Gilbert
Campgrounds and camping areas near Gilbert on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.
28campgrounds and camping areas
19 mito the closest
2within 30 miles
November–Marchbest months
Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.
Closest picks
WestWorld
20 mi north · Bureau of Reclamation
WestWorld is located in north Scottsdale at the base of the McDowell Mountains. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert with over 360 acres of pristine landscaping, the covered Equidome Arena, Brett's Barn, and state-of-the-art equine facilities…
Riverside Campground (AZ)
33 mi north · USDA Forest Service
Riverside Campground offers more peace and tranquility than the busier recreation sites at Bartlett Lake. With the campground’s proximity to water, fisherman and avid water recreationalists enjoy this spot all year long.
Map of all 28 places
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Within 30 miles (2)
WestWorld
WestWorld is located in north Scottsdale at the base of the McDowell Mountains. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert with over 360 acres of pristine landscaping, the covered Equidome Arena, Brett's Barn, and state-of-the-art equine facilities…
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
30 to 75 miles (26)
Riverside Campground (AZ)
Riverside Campground offers more peace and tranquility than the busier recreation sites at Bartlett Lake. With the campground’s proximity to water, fisherman and avid water recreationalists enjoy this spot all year long.
- Birding
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Burnt Corral Campground
Burnt Corral Campground and Recreation Area (elevation 1914') is about 5.8 miles south of Roosevelt Dam along the Apache Trail (AZ Hwy 88) along the shoreline of Apache Lake.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Photography
- Picnicking
Black Canyon National Recreation Trail
The 80-mile Black Canyon Trail provides visitors with a long-range backcountry trail riding, mountain biking, and hiking opportunity.
- Accessible Facility Or Activity
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
C C C (AZ) Tonto NF
Civilian Conservation Corps Campground offers spread out camp sites with large sycamore trees providing shade. Picnic tables and firepits with cooking grates are available for families to enjoy while passing the time away together.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Off Road Vehicle Trails
Cave Creek Group Site
Cave Creek Group Site is located 20 miles north of Cave Creek and Carefree, Arizona. It is a historic campground constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Cholla Campground
Cholla Campground at Roosevelt Lake, is one of several campgrounds on the shores of the largest lake/reservoir located entirely in the State of Arizona. It is situated within a lush sonoran desert landscape at an elevation of 2168'.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Paddling
Horseshoe (AZ)
Horseshoe Campground is farther up the road from Mesquite Campground. Offering more developed campground sites with picnic tables, fire pits and access to the Verde River at campsites 11 and 12.
- Birding
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Off Road Vehicle Trails
- Paddling
Mesquite (AZ)
Mesquite Campground provides privacy and shade. Here you can relax under the shaded canopies of mesquite trees while listening to the sounds of water flowing from the Verde River just a short distance from your site.
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Off Road Vehicle Trails
- Paddling
- Photography
Estrella Wayside Recreation Area
The Estrella Wayside Recreation Area is in the Sonoran Desert National Monument . The area includes parking, picnic tables, grills, and fire rings just off Maricopa Road. Four primitive campsites are north of Maricopa Road off route 8002B.
- Accessible Facility Or Activity
- Bird Watching
- Camping
- Dispersed Camping
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
Frazier Group Campground
The campground overlooks Roosevelt Lake and is nestled in the saguaro cactus-studded Sonoran Desert.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Wildlife viewing
Frazier Horse Campground
The Frazier Horse Campground is nestled into a Sonoran desert landscape at Roosevelt Lake, one of Arizona's most outstanding water-based recreation areas.
- Camping
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Water Access
- Wildlife viewing
Tonto National Forest
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
Sonoran Desert National Monument
The Sonoran Desert National Monument contains magnificent examples of untrammeled Sonoran Desert landscape.
- Backpacking
- Birding
- Camping
- Dispersed Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
Windy Hill Campground
Located on central Arizona's largest lake, Windy Hill offers great water recreation opportunities to the public.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Paddling
- Photography
Grapevine Group Campground
Groups are drawn to Grapevine Campground's unique setting and expansive facilities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Pleasant
This newly expanded reservoir has 114 miles of shoreline for family recreation uses. The reservoir boasts a 10-lane boat ramp; parking for 200 vehicles. Recreational facilities concentrated primarily on the reservoir's western shore.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
Margies Cove West Campground
Margies Cove West Campground is located in the Sonoran Desert National Monument . includes day-use parking for ten vehicles, three primitive campsites with picnic tables and steel fire rings, a vault toilet, and informational signage.
- Birding
- Camping
- Camping Area
- Stargazing
- Wildlife viewing
Schoolhouse Campground (AZ)
Schoolhouse Campground is located in close proximity to the eastern shores of Roosevelt Lake with an elevation of 2,100 feet.
- Amphitheater
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Table Top Trail
Table Top Trail, in the 34,400-acre Table Top Wilderness , takes visitors from the floor of Vekol Valley (elevation 2,299 feet) to the summit of Table Top Mountain (elevation 4,356 feet) in just 3.5 miles.
- Camping
- Camping Area
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Arizona National Scenic Trail
The Arizona National Scenic Trail spans over 800 miles from Mexico to Utah. This multi-use non-motorized, long-distance trail highlights Arizona’s topographic, biologic, historic, and cultural diversity.
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Birding
- Camping
- Dispersed Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
Kellner Group Campground
Kellner Group Site is nestled at the base of the beautiful Pinal Mountains south of Globe, Arizona. Several picnic areas are separeted from the larger group area creating a semi-secluded setting.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hunting
- Mountain Biking
- Off Road Vehicle Trails
- Wildlife viewing
Homestead Climbing Area
Sport climbing on limestone cliffs in a remote, scenic high desert backcountry within a two-hour drive from Phoenix and Tucson.
- Camping
- Canyoneering
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
Reynolds Creek Group Campground
The Reynolds Creek Group Campground is a rustic and secluded, creek side camp located on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District in the Tonto National Forest.
- Camping
Ironwood Forest National Monument
The Ironwood Forest National Monument, which takes its name from one of the longest living trees in the Arizona desert, is 189,600 acres, of which 128,400 acres are administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with the balance of…
- Backpacking
- Bird Watching
- Camping
- Dispersed Camping
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- History
- Hunting
Gila River Recreation Area
The Gila River recreation area is located along the Gila River and Arizona State Route (SR) 77 between the Town of Winkelman and Globe in Gila County, Arizona.
- Boating
- Camping
- Camping Area
- Canoeing
- Fish Viewing Site
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water Access
Woolsey Peak Wilderness
Congress added the Woolsey Peak portion of the Gila Bend Mountains to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1990, citing the rugged topography, colorful scenic vistas, rich variety of wildlife and vegetation, and outstanding…
- Backpacking
- Camping
- Dispersed Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Gilbert. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Gilbert
Questions
Where is the closest place for camping near Gilbert?
Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site (USDA Forest Service), about 19 miles northeast of Gilbert as the crow flies. Next are WestWorld (20 mi) and Riverside Campground (AZ) (33 mi).
When is the best time for camping near Gilbert?
Based on Gilbert’s average highs, November–March. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Can I reserve a campsite near Gilbert?
15 of the 28 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.