Tonto National Forest - Mesa Ranger District Recreation Sites
Within the Tonto National Forest, which abuts Phoenix, is the Mesa Ranger Recreation Area. There are several campgrounds in the Mesa District that have sites for tent and RV campers. Tent sites are primitive. There are picnic tables, fire rings and freshwater spigots available for tent sites. RV sites have partial (water and 30-amp electric) hookups. Within the district are hiking and biking trails. Rock-climbing routes and bouldering problems can be found within the national forest. Pets are allowed but should be leashed in the public campground areas.
Mesa Ranger Recreation Sites
2324 E. McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 225-5200
fs.fed.us/r3/tonto
Desert Shadows RV Resort
The Desert Shadows RV Resort caters more toward RV campers, but can accommodate tenters on a space-available basis. RV sites can handle most sizes of rigs with either back-in or pull-through parking sites. Hookups include 30- or 50-amp electric, water, sewer, cable TV and Wi-Fi. Showers, bathrooms, picnic tables and a dump station are available for guest use. Pets are allowed. There is a swimming pool and fitness center. South Mountain Park, within the city, has several trails for mountain biking. The National and Mormon trails offer technical singletrack for most levels of bikers.
Desert Shadows RV Resort
19203 N. 29th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85027
(623) 869-8178
phoenixrvresorts.com
Desert's Edge RV Village
Desert's Edge RV Village has a heated swimming pool, fitness room, hot tub, recreation room, barbecue grills, dump station, book exchange and pet grooming stations. RV campers can select from pull-through or back-in sites. Hookups include the standard water, sewer, cable TV, Wi-Fi and 30- or 50-amp electric Pets are welcome. There is an off-leash dog play area. Hot showers and bathrooms are available for guest use. South Mountain is within a 30-minute drive from the RV Village. In addition to the many trails at South Mountain, there is an education center where visitors can take naturalist-led hikes and walks and learn about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem.
Desert's Edge RV Village
22623 N. Black Canyon Hwy.
Phoenix, AZ 85027
(623) 587-0940
desertsedgerv.com
Article Written By Eric Cedric
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.
